Family Child Care Providers’ Experiences with Professional Learning and Program Improvement

Abstract

The care and early education that children receive when they are young profoundly impacts their future as well as the future of society at large. Children in care outside of their homes, whether in child care centers or family child care settings, should have access to learning and development experiences in the care of individuals who have learned to provide quality care. This qualitative study explored professional learning experiences of 12 family child care providers in Washington State and their experiences with professional learning and early childhood education program quality. Findings provide insight into how they understood the relationship between professional learning, program quality, and their wellbeing as educators.