In Our Own Backyards: Local and State Strategies to Improve the Quality of Family Child Care

By Katie Hamm, Barbara Gault, Ph.D., and Avis Jones-DeWeever, Ph.D.

This study examines local and state programs and policies to improve the quality of family child care. Through literature review and interviews with child care experts and program administrators, key needs and strategies for improving quality in family child care settings were identified. The report describes approaches used by four state-wide programs and nine local programs. The study was made possible through the generous support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. This work is a part of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research’s larger effort to provide information and technical assistance to those seeking to improve access to quality affordable early care and education.

July 2005 | IWPR No. G717 | Report