The Case for Home-Based Child Care
When it comes to raising children and strengthening communities, few resources are as essential—and as underappreciated—as home-based child care. For Melody Robinson, a dedicated provider serving families in Chicago’s Austin and Oak Park neighborhoods, this work is both a calling and a lifeline for parents who depend on safe, nurturing care close to home.
Serving Families Where They Are
Melody has built her childcare program on trust, consistency, and community. For parents navigating unpredictable work schedules, long commutes, or limited childcare options, her home-based care provides the stability they need. “If parents and families don’t have adequate child care, that affects the whole economy,” Melody shared. “I believe parents should have choices.”
Why Home-Based Care Matters
Home-based child care offers unique advantages that larger centers often can’t replicate—smaller group sizes, flexible hours, and an environment that feels like an extension of the family home. In communities like Austin, where childcare deserts are a growing crisis, providers like Melody fill a critical gap.
Yet despite their importance, home-based providers often face challenges with funding, licensing, and recognition. Melody emphasizes that these obstacles aren’t just provider issues—they’re family issues. “It’s very important to just look at family child care, give it a chance,” she explained, “it’s not babysitting…it’s home collaboration.”
Advocating for Change
By speaking with Women’s Gathering for Justice, Melody adds her voice to a growing call for systemic reform in how childcare is funded and valued. Her work demonstrates that home-based providers are not only caregivers, but also educators, entrepreneurs, and advocates for stronger communities.
Looking Ahead
Melody’s story highlights why Women’s Gathering for Justice is committed to amplifying the voices of providers and parents alike. Access to affordable, reliable child care is more than a family concern—it’s a matter of equity and justice. Providers like Melody remind us that building stronger support systems for home-based care means building stronger futures for us all.
