Launching an Educator-Centered Family Child Care Network
From early concept through a successful state bid and launch, BeyondCare helped Ellis Early Learning build an educator-centered Family Child Care Network. Within its first year, the network grew to include 13 licensed FCC educators and enrolled more than 50 children from families receiving subsidies.
Boston, Massachusetts
Service areas: Operating Models, Shared Services & Technology; Organizational Strategy & Growth
The Situation
Ellis Early Learning had extensive experience operating early childhood centers but limited direct experience with family child care (FCC). Before moving forward with a network, Ellis’s leaders and Board needed to understand the work of FCC educators, the need for a network, the value it could create, and how the model would work financially.
FCC educators operate licensed early childhood programs from their homes, combining teaching and caregiving with the responsibilities of running a business. Ellis needed an approach grounded in the realities of their work and responsive to the needs of children and families receiving state support.
The Work
Jay began by learning directly from FCC educators. He visited programs in their homes and listened to educators describe their work, the challenges they faced, and the support they valued. These visits gave Ellis a clearer understanding of the skill and commitment educators brought to their programs, along with the operational and financial realities they navigated.
Jay began by learning directly from FCC educators. He visited programs in educators’ homes and listened as they described their work, the challenges they faced, and the support they valued. He also spoke with leaders of established FCC networks and organizations that support FCC educators to understand existing models and lessons from their experience. These conversations gave Ellis a clearer understanding of the skill and commitment FCC educators brought to their programs, the operational and financial realities they navigated, and where a network could add value.
That understanding shaped the network’s purpose and design. Jay developed the initial financial and operating model, examining subsidy revenue, enrollment, staffing, shared services, technology, and costs. The analysis showed how the network could grow, when it could reach break-even, and the capital required to support its launch and early operations. Jay helped identify and secure that initial funding, and supported Ellis through a successful state bid.
He then worked with Ellis to hire an experienced network team, including leaders with lived experience as FCC educators and a strong commitment to the field. Together, they refined the educator-centered model and established the systems needed for educator recruitment and onboarding, child enrollment, billing, and day-to-day operations.
What Changed
Within its first year, the network grew to include 13 licensed FCC educators and enrolled more than 50 children from families receiving subsidies. It serves children whose care is funded through income-eligible state subsidies or vouchers, as well as children involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Led by a team with deep FCC experience, the network provides educators with high-quality professional development, financial planning support, child care management software at no cost, and other practical assistance. Children, families, and educators can also access early relational health support through the network.
Client Perspective
“When I took a leap of faith and stepped into the role of Director of the Ellis Family Child Care Network, Jay led our team, working closely with us to refine the vision for an educator-focused FCC network and turn it into reality. With his guidance, we built a network of providers across Boston and put in place the systems needed to support it. Jay was an accessible and trusted partner, helping us navigate everything from budgeting and billing to personnel and leadership. His support helped us create a program centered on early childhood educators, families, and children.”
Christine Bortolotto
Director, Ellis Family Child Care Network
What This Work Illustrates
Networks and shared-services models are strongest when they are designed around the realities of the programs they support. Learning from those programs and any organizations already serving them helps clarify where shared services can add real value. A viable model also needs clearly defined services, sound economics, capable leadership, practical operating systems, and technology that supports the work. Together, these elements can expand access for families and connect programs with support and resources that can be harder to access independently.
Considering a New Network or Shared Services Model?
BeyondCare helps early childhood organizations and partners assess needs, define shared services, develop workable operating and financial models, choose supporting technology, and move from concept through launch.
