Repository of Research Protocols

Repository of Research and Evaluation Protocols for Examining Home-Based Child Care Supply, Availability, and Use 

This resource for the Home-Based Child Care (HBCC) Research Essentials Toolkit is intended to provide a repository of research and evaluation protocols, including survey, interview, and focus group protocols focused on HBCC supply and use. This resource is intended for researchers, evaluators, data specialists, networks and provider leaders, and others interested in gathering data with and from HBCC providers and supporters. The table below includes a list of resources with a brief description and information on each resource, such as scope and target audience. The resources listed here were shared by researchers and evaluators across the country who gave permission for these to be part of this repository. This is an ongoing collaborative effort and will continue to grow over time. 

The table is for informational purposes only. The Center for Home-Based Child Care Research is not explicitly recommending or endorsing the use of these protocols. This content belongs to the original authors and does not represent the views of the Center for Home-Based Child Care Research. 

Please note that while some protocols are publicly available to share, others may require fees, specific training, or contacting the research organization or author for use.  

If you would like to receive a copy of a publicly available protocol, please use this online form. For protocols that are not publicly available, please contact the researcher or organization listed. If you would like to share a protocol, please email us at hbccresearch@gmail.com. 

Instrument Type: Survey

Additional Languages:

  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese

 

Source: Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley

Purpose: Collect data on FCC program characteristics at a community (local or state) level

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers

Topics Covered:

  • Provider and program characteristics
  • Provider well-being
  • Working conditions
  • Economic well-being

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: No – Please contact the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment

Related Publications (if available): Powell, A., Muruvi, W., Copeman Petig, A., & Austin, L.J.E. (2025). State of the early care and education workforce: California regions. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley.

Instrument Type: Survey

Additional Languages:

  • Spanish

 

Source: Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley  

Purpose: Collect data on caregiving characteristics and day-to-day experiences of license exempt providers (FFN and nanny care)  

Intended Research Participants: License exempt (FFN providers; Nannies)  

Topics Covered:

  • Provider characteristics
  • Provider well-being
  • Economic well-being
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
  • Motivations

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: No – Please contact the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment 

Related Publications (if available): Powell, A., Adejumo, T., Austin, L. J. E., & Copeman Petig, A. (2023). Caregiver motivation, identity, and resilience. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley.  

Instrument Type: Interview

Source: Colorado Evaluation & Action Lab, University of Colorado  

Purpose: Collect data on provider income and expenses 

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Program characteristics 
  • Business practices 
  • Financial stability  

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Instrument Type: Focus Group

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on FCC provider experiences with networks and public early childhood systems 

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Public systems participation and experience (QRIS, Pre-K, subsidy) 
  • Experience with support 
  • Experience belonging to a network 

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S., Molloy, P., Ragonese-Barnes, M., Reinoso, L., & Bromer, J. (2025). Designing and evaluating publicly funded home-based child care networks: Lessons from Delaware’s Family Child Care Networks Initiative. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute.   

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences with networks and supports received   

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Networks or connections to support 
  • Business practices 
  • Working conditions 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences 
  • Economic Well-Being 

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S., Molloy, P., Ragonese-Barnes, M., Reinoso, L., & Bromer, J. (2025). Designing and evaluating publicly funded home-based child care networks: Lessons from Delaware’s Family Child Care Networks Initiative. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute.   

Instrument Type: Interview

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on how networks support families of children enrolled in FCC programs 

Intended Research Participants: Network directors 

Topics Covered:

  • Networks or connections to support 
  • Services offered to families 
  • Supports offered to providers around working with families 

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S. A., Bromer, J., Reinoso, L., Molloy, P., Baquedano, J., & Turner, C. R. (2025). Unpacking comprehensive services and supports in family child care: A participatory approach to understanding educator and network capacity. Erikson Institute.  

Instrument Type: Survey  

Additional languages:

  • Spanish 

 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on how providers offer families resources and comprehensive services 

Intended Research Participants: Parents who use FCC  

Topics Covered:

  • Supports that parents need; 
  • Supports that parents get from their FCC providers 

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S. A., Bromer, J., Reinoso, L., Molloy, P., Baquedano, J., & Turner, C. R. (2025). Unpacking comprehensive services and supports in family child care: A participatory approach to understanding educator and network capacity. Erikson Institute. 

Instrument Type: Survey  

Additional languages:

  • Spanish

 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on how providers offer families resources and comprehensive services 

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Networks or connections to support 
  • How networks help providers work with families 
  • Supports offered to families

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S. A., Bromer, J., Reinoso, L., Molloy, P., Baquedano, J., & Turner, C. R. (2025). Unpacking comprehensive services and supports in family child care: A participatory approach to understanding educator and network capacity. Erikson Institute.  

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences belonging to a peer-led association or network 

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers who belong to a peer-led association or network  

Topics Covered:

  • Economic wellbeing 
  • Business practices 
  • Leadership experiences

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: All Our Kin  

Purpose: Collect data on FCC providers caregiving motivations and experiences  

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Provider and program characteristics 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences 
  • Provider well-being 
  • Provider motivations

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Porter, T. & Reiman, K. (2015). Examining quality in a family child care network: An evaluation of All Our Kin. Early Care and Education Consulting.  

Instrument Type: Focus group  

Additional languages:

  • Spanish

 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on provider and network staff experiences of supporting FFN providers 

Intended Research Participants: FFN providers and network staff 

Topics Covered:

  • Networks or connections to support

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Porter, T., & Zhang, S. (2024). Promising practices for high-quality networks: Supporting family, friend, and neighbor providers. Home Grown and Erikson Institute. 

Instrument Type: Experience Sampling Survey and PhotoVoice prompts 

Additional languages:

  • Spanish

 

Source: Illinois Nontraditional Hour Child Care Study, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on working conditions during nontraditional hours (i.e. demands, resources, control); Collect photograph data on  quality practices 

Intended Research Participants:

  • FCC providers 
  • FFN providers

 

Topics Covered:

  • Working conditions 
  • Provider well-being 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Instrument Type: Focus Group  

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ definitions of quality and what is important to them during nontraditional hours using previously submitted photos 

Intended Research Participants:

  • FCC providers 
  • FFN providers

 

Topics Covered:

  • Working conditions 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences 
  • Provider well-being

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Instrument Type: Focus group 

Additional languages: 

  • Chinese 
  • Spanish

 

Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) 

Purpose: Collect data from families about their experiences with HBCC 

Intended Research Participants: Families 

Topics Covered:

  • Family use

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles. 

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) 

Purpose: Collect data from families about their experiences with HBCC 

Intended Research Participants: Families 

Topics Covered:

  • Family use

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles.

Instrument Type: Focus group  

Additional languages:

  • Chinese
  • Spanish

 

Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) 

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences offering HBCC 

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Provider and program characteristics 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles. 

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) 

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences offering HBCC 

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Provider and program characteristics 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles.

Instrument Type: Focus group 

Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) 

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences offering HBCC 

Intended Research Participants: FFN providers 

Topics Covered:

  • FFN provider and setting characteristics 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles. 

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) 

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences offering HBCC 

Intended Research Participants: FFN providers 

Topics Covered:

  • FFN provider and setting characteristics 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles. 

Instrument Type: Focus group 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on the factors behind providers’ decisions to enter, stay, and leave the FCC workforce 

Intended Research Participants: Experienced and new FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Working conditions 
  • Provider well-being 
  • Financial stability 
  • Public systems participation (QRIS, Pre-K, subsidy) 
  • Challenges and rewards of doing FCC work

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Porter, T., Melvin, S., & Ragonese-Barnes, M. (2021). Family child care educators’ perspectives on leaving, staying, and entering the field: Findings from the multi-state study of family child care decline and supply. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute.

Instrument Type: Interview 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  

Purpose: Collect data on the factors behind providers’ decisions to leave the FCC workforce 

Intended Research Participants: Former FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Working conditions 
  • Provider well-being 
  • Financial stability 
  • Reasons for leaving FCC

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Porter, T., Melvin, S., & Ragonese-Barnes, M. (2021). Family child care educators’ perspectives on leaving, staying, and entering the field: Findings from the multi-state study of family child care decline and supply. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute. 

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  

Purpose: Collect data on provider and program characteristics 

Intended Research Participants: Experienced and new FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Provider and program characteristics

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Porter, T., Melvin, S., & Ragonese-Barnes, M. (2021). Family child care educators’ perspectives on leaving, staying, and entering the field: Findings from the multi-state study of family child care decline and supply. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute. 

Instrument Type: Interview 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  

Purpose: Collect data on network approaches and processes including challenges and successes 

Intended Research Participants: Network directors 

Topics Covered:

  • Network services offered 
  • Recruitment of providers 
  • Networks or connections to support 
  • Challenges and rewards

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., & Porter, T. (2019). Mapping the family child care network landscape: Findings from the National Study of Family Child Care Networks. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute.

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences with support 

Intended Research Participants: HBCC providers  

Topics Covered:

  • Networks or connections to support 
  • Business practices 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Ragonese-Barnes, M., & Korfmacher, J. (2023). Home visiting in home-based child care: Staff and provider experiences. Children and Youth Services Review, 150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106997

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  

Purpose: Collect data on network staff experiences delivering supports to HBCC providers  

Intended Research Participants: Network staff   

Topics Covered:

  • Networks or connections to support 
  • Relationship-based practices 
  • Network staff characteristics

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Ragonese-Barnes, M., & Korfmacher, J. (2023). Home visiting in home-based child care: Staff and provider experiences. Children and Youth Services Review, 150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106997 

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: NORC at the University of Chicago  

Purpose: Collect data on listed and unlisted HBCC providers’ experiences offering care to children under the age of 13  

Intended Research Participants: Listed and unlisted HBCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Program or setting characteristics (including characteristics of children in care) 
  • Provider personal characteristics 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences and motivations 
  • Connections to external support

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please follow this link – https://www.childandfamilydataarchive.org/cfda/archives/cfda/studies/37941

Related Publications (if available): National Survey of Early Care and Education Project Team (2019). 2019 National survey of early care and education (NSECE) Home-based provider questionnaire. OPRE Report #2019-120, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on network services, operations, and providers served; organized by the Network Benchmarks 

Intended Research Participants: HBCC Network directors or staff 

Topics Covered:

  • Networks or connections to support

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Ragonese-Barnes, M., Bromer, J., Ku, S., Zhang, S., & Porter, T. (2024). Implementing benchmarks for high quality home-based child care networks: Findings from a national survey. Erikson Institute & Home Grown. 

Instrument Type: Focus group 

Source: PreK in Family Child Care Study 

Purpose: Collect data on FCC educators’ experiences offering PreK 

Intended Research Participants: FCC educators who offer publicly funded PreK 

Topics Covered:

  • Public systems participation (QRIS, Pre-K, subsidy) 
  • Experiences offering publicly funded PreK

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Hallam, R., Bromer, J., Pic, A., Morgan, J., Hustedt, J., Melvin, S.A., Reinoso, L., Novikova, E., & Iruka, I.U. (2025). Implementing PreK in family child care: Case studies of three public PreK system approaches. Erikson Institute, University of Delaware, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences delivering and implementing  Pre-K in FCC settings 

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers who offer publicly funded PreK 

Topics Covered:

  • Provider and program characteristics 
  • Public systems participation (QRIS, Pre-K, subsidy) 
  • Experiences offering publicly funded PreK

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S. A., Reinoso, L., Bromer, J., Hallam, R., Hustedt, J., Morgan, J., & Iruka, I. U. (2025). PreK in family child care (PKFCC) project educator survey: Full technical report. Erikson Institute; University of Delaware; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   

Instrument Type: Focus group  

Additional languages:

  • Spanish
  • Mandarin

 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on provider and network staff experiences of supporting providers’ economic wellbeing 

Intended Research Participants: HBCC providers and network staff 

Topics Covered:

  • Networks or connections to support 
  • Economic well-being

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Porter, T., Miguel, J., Zhang, S., & Bromer, J. (2024). Promising Practices for High-Quality Home-Based Child Care Networks: Economic Well-Being for Providers and Networks, Brief 2. The Building Comprehensive Networks Initiative. Home Grown and Erikson Institute. 

Instrument Type: Survey 

Additional languages:

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Mandarin

 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences being an equal partner in a network 

Intended Research Participants: HBCC providers who are affiliated with a network 

Topics Covered:

  • Provider voice 
  • Networks or connections to support 
  • Opportunities for provider leadership

 

Validity & Reliability Established: Yes

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Ragonese-Barnes, M., Melvin, S. A., & Bromer, J. (2025). Provider Voice in Home-Based Child Care Networks Scale (PV-HBCCN). Erikson Institute.

Instrument Type: Focus group protocol 

Additional languages:

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Mandarin

 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on provider and network staff experiences of including providers as equal partners 

Intended Research Participants: HBCC providers and network staff 

Topics Covered:

  • Networks or connections to support 
  • Opportunities for provider leadership

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Miguel, J., Zhang, S., Place, A., & Porter, T. (2024). Promising Practices for High-Quality Home- Based Child Care Networks: Supporting Providers as Equal Partners, Brief 1. The Building Comprehensive Networks Initiative. Home Grown and Erikson Institute. 

Instrument Type: Surveys 

Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 

Purpose: Collect data on the quality of relationships between organization/network staff and HBCC providers who receive support 

Intended Research Participants:

  • Network/organization staff 
  • HBCC providers

 

Topics Covered:

  • Relationship-based practices 
  • Networks or connections to support

 

Validity & Reliability Established: Yes 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Ragonese-Barnes, M., Korfmacher, J., & Kim, K. (2020). The Relationship-Based Support for Home-Based Child Care Assessment Tool Manual. Chicago, IL: Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute.  

Instrument Type: Survey 

Additional languages:

  • Spanish

 

Source: Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley  

Purpose: Collect data on early educator work environments along five core domains: Teaching Supports, Business Practice Supports, Adult Well-Being, and Program Management and Leadership 

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Provider voice 
  • Working conditions 
  • Business practices 
  • Provider well-being 
  • Economic well-being 
  • Financial stability

 

Validity & Relioability Established: Yes

Publicly Available: No – Please contact the  Center for the Study of Child Care Employment  

Related Publications (if available): Schlieber, M., Knight, J., Adejumo, T., Copeman Petig, A., Valencia López, E., & Pufall Jones, E. (2022). Early educator voices: Oregon. Work environment conditions that impact early educator practice and program quality. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley.  

Instrument Type: Survey

Source: See Partnerships

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences working in early care and education in Virginia

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers who participate in subsidy 

Topics Covered:

  • Provider and program characteristics 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences 
  • Financial stability

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Weisner, K., Michie, M., Doromal, J.B., & Yu, S. (2024). Exploring administrative and financial burdens of participating in the child care subsidy program: Insights from a statewide survey of providers. SEE Partnerships at the University of Virginia. 

Instrument Type: Survey 

Source: See Partnerships 

Purpose: Collect information on experiences working in early care and education in Virginia

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 

Topics Covered:

  • Provider and program characteristics 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences 
  • Financial stability

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Related Publications (if available): Doromal, J.B., Michie, M., & Weisner, K. (2023). Why child care providers do not participate in subsidy programs: Insights from a statewide survey of non-participating providers. SEE Partnerships at the University of Virginia. 

Instrument Type: Interview 

Source: University of Wisconsin Madison, Institute for Research on Poverty, Center for Demography and Ecology 

Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences offering child care and reasons for leaving the field.  

Intended Research Participants: Former FCC providers  

Topics Covered:

  • Provider and program characteristics 
  • Public systems participation (QRIS, Pre-K, subsidy) 
  • Motivations 
  • Caregiving practices and experiences

 

Validity & Reliability Established: No 

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Instrument Type: Survey
 
Additional Languages:
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
  • Chinese
 
Source: Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley
 
Purpose: Collect data on FCC program characteristics at a community (local or state) level
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider and program characteristics
  • Provider well-being
  • Working conditions
  • Economic well-being
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: No – Please contact the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment
 
Related Publications (if available): Powell, A., Muruvi, W., Copeman Petig, A., & Austin, L.J.E. (2025). State of the early care and education workforce: California regions. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley.
Instrument Type: Survey
 
Additional Languages:
  • Spanish
 
Source: Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley  
 
Purpose: Collect data on caregiving characteristics and day-to-day experiences of license exempt providers (FFN and nanny care)  
Intended Research Participants: License exempt (FFN providers; Nannies)  
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider characteristics
  • Provider well-being
  • Economic well-being
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
  • Motivations
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: No – Please contact the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment 
 
Related Publications (if available): Powell, A., Adejumo, T., Austin, L. J. E., & Copeman Petig, A. (2023). Caregiver motivation, identity, and resilience. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley.

Instrument Type: Interview

Source: Colorado Evaluation & Action Lab, University of Colorado

Purpose: Collect data on provider income and expenses

Intended Research Participants: FCC providers

Topics Covered:
  • Provider characteristics
  • Business practices
  • Financial stability
 

Validity & Reliability Established: No

Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here

Instrument Type: Focus Group
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute
 
Purpose: Collect data on FCC provider experiences with networks and public early childhood systems
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers
 
Topics Covered:
  • Public systems participation and experience (QRIS, Pre-K, subsidy)
  • Experience with support
  • Experience belonging to a network
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S., Molloy, P., Ragonese-Barnes, M., Reinoso, L., & Bromer, J. (2025). Designing and evaluating publicly funded home-based child care networks: Lessons from Delaware’s Family Child Care Networks Initiative. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute.
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences with networks and supports received   
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Networks or connections to support
  • Business practices
  • Working conditions
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
  • Economic Well-Being 
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S., Molloy, P., Ragonese-Barnes, M., Reinoso, L., & Bromer, J. (2025). Designing and evaluating publicly funded home-based child care networks: Lessons from Delaware’s Family Child Care Networks Initiative. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute.   
Instrument Type: Interview
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute
 
Purpose: Collect data on how networks support families of children enrolled in FCC programs
 
Intended Research Participants: Network directors
 
Topics Covered:
  • Networks or connections to support
  • Services offered to families
  • Supports offered to providers around working with families 
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S. A., Bromer, J., Reinoso, L., Molloy, P., Baquedano, J., & Turner, C. R. (2025). Unpacking comprehensive services and supports in family child care: A participatory approach to understanding educator and network capacity. Erikson Institute.  
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Additional languages:
  • Spanish 
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 
 
Purpose: Collect data on how providers offer families resources and comprehensive services 
 
Intended Research Participants: Parents who use FCC  
 
Topics Covered:
  • Supports that parents need;
  • Supports that parents get from their FCC providers 
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S. A., Bromer, J., Reinoso, L., Molloy, P., Baquedano, J., & Turner, C. R. (2025). Unpacking comprehensive services and supports in family child care: A participatory approach to understanding educator and network capacity. Erikson Institute. 
Instrument Type: Survey
 
Additional languages:
  • Spanish
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute
 
Purpose: Collect data on how providers offer families resources and comprehensive services
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers
 
Topics Covered:
  • Networks or connections to support
  • How networks help providers work with families
  • Supports offered to families
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S. A., Bromer, J., Reinoso, L., Molloy, P., Baquedano, J., & Turner, C. R. (2025). Unpacking comprehensive services and supports in family child care: A participatory approach to understanding educator and network capacity. Erikson Institute.
Instrument Type: Survey
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences belonging to a peer-led association or network
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers who belong to a peer-led association or network
  
Topics Covered:
  • Economic wellbeing
  • Business practices
  • Leadership experiences
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
Instrument Type: Survey
 
Source: All Our Kin
  
Purpose: Collect data on FCC providers caregiving motivations and experiences
  
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider and program characteristics
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
  • Provider well-being
  • Provider motivations
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Porter, T. & Reiman, K. (2015). Examining quality in a family child care network: An evaluation of All Our Kin. Early Care and Education Consulting.  
Instrument Type: Focus group
  
Additional languages:
  • Spanish
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute
 
Purpose: Collect data on provider and network staff experiences of supporting FFN providers
 
Intended Research Participants: FFN providers and network staff
 
Topics Covered:
  • Networks or connections to support
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Porter, T., & Zhang, S. (2024). Promising practices for high-quality networks: Supporting family, friend, and neighbor providers. Home Grown and Erikson Institute. 
Instrument Type: Experience Sampling Survey and PhotoVoice prompts
 
Additional languages:
  • Spanish
 
Source: Illinois Nontraditional Hour Child Care Study, Erikson Institute
 
Purpose: Collect data on working conditions during nontraditional hours (i.e. demands, resources, control); Collect photograph data on  quality practices
 
Intended Research Participants:
  • FCC providers
  • FFN providers
 
Topics Covered:
  • Working conditions
  • Provider well-being
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
Instrument Type: Focus Group
  
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ definitions of quality and what is important to them during nontraditional hours using previously submitted photos 
 
Intended Research Participants:
  • FCC providers
  • FFN providers
 
Topics Covered:
  • Working conditions
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
  • Provider well-being
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
Instrument Type: Focus group
 
Additional languages: 
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
 
Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC
 
Purpose: Collect data from families about their experiences with HBCC 
 
Intended Research Participants: Families 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Family use
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles.
Instrument Type: Survey
 
Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) 
 
Purpose: Collect data from families about their experiences with HBCC 
 
Intended Research Participants: Families 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Family use
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles.
Instrument Type: Focus group  
 
Additional languages:
  • Chinese
  • Spanish
 
Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) 
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences offering HBCC 
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider and program characteristics
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles. 
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) 
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences offering HBCC 
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider and program characteristics
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles.
Instrument Type: Focus group 
 
Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) 
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences offering HBCC 
 
Intended Research Participants: FFN providers 
 
Topics Covered:
  • FFN provider and setting characteristics
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles.
Instrument Type: Survey
 
Source: Child Care Resource Center (CCRC)
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences offering HBCC 
 
Intended Research Participants: FFN providers
 
Topics Covered:
  • FFN provider and setting characteristics
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Child Care Resource Center. (2023). The landscape of home-based child care in Los Angeles county: A framework for future planning. First 5 LA and the Child Care Alliance Los Angeles.
Instrument Type: Focus group 
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 
 
Purpose: Collect data on the factors behind providers’ decisions to enter, stay, and leave the FCC workforce 
 
Intended Research Participants: Experienced and new FCC providers 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Working conditions
  • Provider well-being
  • Financial stability
  • Public systems participation (QRIS, Pre-K, subsidy)
  • Challenges and rewards of doing FCC work
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Porter, T., Melvin, S., & Ragonese-Barnes, M. (2021). Family child care educators’ perspectives on leaving, staying, and entering the field: Findings from the multi-state study of family child care decline and supply. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute.
Instrument Type: Interview 
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  
 
Purpose: Collect data on the factors behind providers’ decisions to leave the FCC workforce 
 
Intended Research Participants: Former FCC providers 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Working conditions
  • Provider well-being
  • Financial stability
  • Reasons for leaving FCC
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Porter, T., Melvin, S., & Ragonese-Barnes, M. (2021). Family child care educators’ perspectives on leaving, staying, and entering the field: Findings from the multi-state study of family child care decline and supply. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute. 
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  
 
Purpose: Collect data on provider and program characteristics 
 
Intended Research Participants: Experienced and new FCC providers 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider and program characteristics
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Porter, T., Melvin, S., & Ragonese-Barnes, M. (2021). Family child care educators’ perspectives on leaving, staying, and entering the field: Findings from the multi-state study of family child care decline and supply. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute.
Instrument Type: Interview 
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  
 
Purpose: Collect data on network approaches and processes including challenges and successes 
 
Intended Research Participants: Network directors 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Network services offered
  • Recruitment of providers
  • Networks or connections to support
  • Challenges and rewards
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., & Porter, T. (2019). Mapping the family child care network landscape: Findings from the National Study of Family Child Care Networks. Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute.
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences with support 
 
Intended Research Participants: HBCC providers  
 
Topics Covered:
•Networks or connections to support 
•Business practices 
•Caregiving practices and experiences
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Ragonese-Barnes, M., & Korfmacher, J. (2023). Home visiting in home-based child care: Staff and provider experiences. Children and Youth Services Review, 150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106997
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute  
 
Purpose: Collect data on network staff experiences delivering supports to
HBCC providers  
 
Intended Research Participants: Network staff   
 
Topics Covered:
  • Networks or connections to support
  • Relationship-based practices
  • Network staff characteristics
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Ragonese-Barnes, M., & Korfmacher, J. (2023). Home visiting in home-based child care: Staff and provider experiences. Children and Youth Services Review, 150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.106997
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Source: NORC at the University of Chicago  
 
Purpose: Collect data on listed and unlisted HBCC providers’ experiences offering care to children under the age of 13  
 
Intended Research Participants: Listed and unlisted HBCC providers 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Program or setting characteristics (including characteristics of children in care)
  • Provider personal characteristics
  • Caregiving practices and experiences and motivations
  • Connections to external support
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Related Publications (if available): National Survey of Early Care and Education Project Team (2019). 2019 National survey of early care and education (NSECE) Home-based provider questionnaire. OPRE Report #2019-120, Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please follow this link – https://www.childandfamilydataarchive.org/cfda/archives/cfda/studies/37941
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 
 
Purpose: Collect data on network services, operations, and providers served; organized by the Network Benchmarks 
 
Intended Research Participants: HBCC Network directors or staff 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Networks or connections to support
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Ragonese-Barnes, M., Bromer, J., Ku, S., Zhang, S., & Porter, T. (2024). Implementing benchmarks for high quality home-based child care networks: Findings from a national survey. Erikson Institute & Home Grown. 
Instrument Type: Focus group 
 
Source: PreK in Family Child Care Study 
 
Purpose: Collect data on FCC educators’ experiences offering PreK 
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC educators who offer publicly funded PreK 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Public systems participation (QRIS, Pre-K, subsidy)
  • Experiences offering publicly funded PreK
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Hallam, R., Bromer, J., Pic, A., Morgan, J., Hustedt, J., Melvin, S.A., Reinoso, L., Novikova, E., & Iruka, I.U. (2025). Implementing PreK in family child care: Case studies of three public PreK system approaches. Erikson Institute, University of Delaware, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences delivering and implementing  Pre-K in FCC settings 
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers who offer publicly funded PreK 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider and program characteristics
  • Public systems participation (QRIS, Pre-K, subsidy)
  • Experiences offering publicly funded PreK
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Melvin, S. A., Reinoso, L., Bromer, J., Hallam, R., Hustedt, J., Morgan, J., & Iruka, I. U. (2025). PreK in family child care (PKFCC) project educator survey: Full technical report. Erikson Institute; University of Delaware; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.   
Instrument Type: Focus group protocol 
 
Additional languages:
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Mandarin
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 
 
Purpose: Collect data on provider and network staff experiences of including providers as equal partners 
 
Intended Research Participants: HBCC providers and network staff 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Networks or connections to support
  • Opportunities for provider leadership
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Miguel, J., Zhang, S., Place, A., & Porter, T. (2024). Promising Practices for High-Quality Home- Based Child Care Networks: Supporting Providers as Equal Partners, Brief 1. The Building Comprehensive Networks Initiative. Home Grown and Erikson Institute. 
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Additional languages:
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Mandarin
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences being an equal partner in a network 
 
Intended Research Participants: HBCC providers who are affiliated with a network 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider voice
  • Networks or connections to support
  • Opportunities for provider leadership
 
Validity & Reliability Established: Yes
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Ragonese-Barnes, M., Melvin, S. A., & Bromer, J. (2025). Provider Voice in Home-Based Child Care Networks Scale (PV-HBCCN). Erikson Institute.
Instrument Type: Focus group protocol 
 
Additional languages:
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Mandarin
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 
 
Purpose: Collect data on provider and network staff experiences of including providers as equal partners 
 
Intended Research Participants: HBCC providers and network staff 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Networks or connections to support
  • Opportunities for provider leadership
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Miguel, J., Zhang, S., Place, A., & Porter, T. (2024). Promising Practices for High-Quality Home-Based Child Care Networks: Supporting Providers as Equal Partners, Brief 1. The Building Comprehensive Networks Initiative. Home Grown and Erikson Institute.
Instrument Type: Surveys 
 
Source: Home-Based Child Care Initiative, Erikson Institute 
 
Purpose: Collect data on the quality of relationships between organization/network staff and HBCC providers who receive support 
 
Intended Research Participants:
  • Network/organization staff
  • HBCC providers
 
Topics Covered:
  • Relationship-based practices
  • Networks or connections to support
 
Validity & Reliability Established: Yes 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Bromer, J., Ragonese-Barnes, M., Korfmacher, J., & Kim, K. (2020). The Relationship-Based Support for Home-Based Child Care Assessment Tool Manual. Chicago, IL: Herr Research Center, Erikson Institute.  
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Additional languages:
  • Spanish
 
Source: Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley  
 
Purpose: Collect data on early educator work environments along five core domains: Teaching Supports, Business Practice Supports, Adult Well-Being, and Program Management and Leadership 
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider voice
  • Working conditions
  • Business practices
  • Provider well-being
  • Economic well-being
  • Financial stability
 
Validity & Reliability Established: Yes
 
Publicly Available: No – Please contact the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment  
 
Related Publications (if available): Schlieber, M., Knight, J., Adejumo, T., Copeman Petig, A., Valencia López, E., & Pufall Jones, E. (2022). Early educator voices: Oregon. Work environment conditions that impact early educator practice and program quality. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley.
 Instrument Type: Survey
 
Source: See Partnerships
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences working in early care and education in Virginia
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers who participate in subsidy 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider and program characteristics
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
  • Financial stability
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Weisner, K., Michie, M., Doromal, J.B., & Yu, S. (2024). Exploring administrative and financial burdens of participating in the child care subsidy program: Insights from a statewide survey of providers. SEE Partnerships at the University of Virginia.
Instrument Type: Survey 
 
Source: See Partnerships 
 
Purpose: Collect information on experiences working in early care and education in Virginia
 
Intended Research Participants: FCC providers 
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider and program characteristics
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
  • Financial stability
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here
 
Related Publications (if available): Doromal, J.B., Michie, M., & Weisner, K. (2023). Why child care providers do not participate in subsidy programs: Insights from a statewide survey of non-participating providers. SEE Partnerships at the University of Virginia.
Instrument Type: Interview 
 
Source: University of Wisconsin Madison, Institute for Research on Poverty, Center for Demography and Ecology 
 
Purpose: Collect data on providers’ experiences offering child care and reasons for leaving the field.  
 
Intended Research Participants: Former FCC providers  
 
Topics Covered:
  • Provider and program characteristics
  • Public systems participation (QRIS, Pre-K, subsidy)
  • Motivations
  • Caregiving practices and experiences
 
Validity & Reliability Established: No 
 
Publicly Available: Yes – Please request the protocol(s) here