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Course

Introduction to Family Child Care

EDUC-42631

Build a Nurturing, High-Quality Home Child Care Program

Build a strong foundation for running a successful, high-quality home-based child care program. This introductory course is designed for current and aspiring family child care providers who want to deliver nurturing, developmentally appropriate care while effectively managing the responsibilities of a home-based business. Aligned with national quality standards, the course combines practical strategies with essential knowledge to support both children’s growth and provider success.

Who this course is for:
  • New or aspiring family child care providers
  • Current providers seeking to strengthen quality and professionalism
  • Individuals interested in early childhood education in a home-based setting

What You'll Learn

  • Licensing requirements, accreditation, and quality standards for family child care
  • Health, safety, and emergency preparedness best practices
  • Child development fundamentals and age-appropriate curriculum planning
  • How to create a nurturing, inclusive, and engaging learning environment
  • Strategies for building strong relationships with families and communities
  • Effective communication and culturally responsive caregiving practices
  • Provider well-being, self-care, and maintaining professional boundaries
  • Practical tools for managing and sustaining a successful home-based child care program

Course Information

Online
4.50 units
$500.00
Notes:

Introduction to Family Child Care (EDUC-42631) is the first course in the Family Child Care series and is a required prerequisite for the next course, Family Child Care Business Practices (EDUC-42632).

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Course sessions

Closed

Section ID:

196557

Class type:

Online Asynchronous.

This course is entirely web-based and to be completed asynchronously between the published course start and end dates. Synchronous attendance is NOT required.
You will have access to your online course on the published start date OR 1 business day after your enrollment is confirmed if you enroll on or after the published start date.

Textbooks:

The Redleaf Family Child Care Curriculum: Teaching Through Quality Care 2nd
by Woodward, Sharon
ISBN / ASIN: 9781605544144

The Essentials: Providing High-Quality Family Child Care 1st
by Marie L. Masterson and Lisa M. Ginet
ISBN / ASIN: 9781938113352

You may purchase textbooks via the UC San Diego Bookstore.

Policies:

  • No refunds after: 3/31/2026

Schedule:

No information available at this time.
Closed

Instructor: Yeni Portillo-Lemus, Ed.D.

Yeni Portillo-Lemus, Ed.D.

Infant, preschool and school-age teacher, early education program director, social worker and college instructor

Yeni Portillo-Lemus brings over 20 years of extensive experience in early childhood education as a former ECE teacher, program director, and social worker. With a comprehensive background spanning classroom instruction, program administration, and family support services, she has dedicated her career to supporting young children's development and strengthening family systems. As a college instructor, she is passionate about preparing the next generation of early childhood professionals with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Her interdisciplinary approach combines educational best practices with social work principles, emphasizing the importance of holistic child development and family-centered care in early learning environments.

Yeni holds the following credentials:
  • BA-Sociology from California State University, Dominguez Hills
  • MA-Child Development from California State University, Los Angeles
  • EdD-Education from the University of New England
Full Bio