"I'm a Teacher, Unofficially": How Home-Based Childcare Providers Perceive Their Role

• In Event: 64.086 - MTCC Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: 64.086-12 - Portrayals of the Early Childhood Workforce

Abstract

This qualitative study explores how a sample of 29 home-based child care providers, including both licensed family child care and unlicensed family, friend, and neighbor providers, perceive their roles in working with young children and their families. All participants identified more than one role, with an average of 5.7 roles. Roles aligned into three main categories: functional, relational, and professional roles. Seventeen providers interviewed included teacher as one of their roles, with licensed providers more likely to identify as a teacher than unlicensed providers. Through gaining a better understanding of how home-based providers view themselves and their work, quality improvement initiatives can be tailored to ensure they are relevant and meet the perceived needs of home-based providers.

Authors

• Alison Hooper, University of Alabama

• Rena Hallam, University of Delaware