Building Bridges: Successfully Running a Bilingual Family Child Care Program

Includes a Live Web Event on 05/29/2025 at 8:00 PM (EDT)

This session is designed for Family Child Care Educators (FCCE) interested in creating or enhancing a bilingual program that supports young children’s language development in a home-based setting. Participants will learn effective strategies for integrating two languages throughout daily routines, play-based learning, and intentional teaching practices. The session will also cover engaging families in the bilingual journey, selecting age-appropriate materials, and navigating common challenges. By the end of the training, educators will feel empowered to create an inclusive environment that honors children’s home languages and cultures while fostering bilingualism. Join Nancy Jimenez, a FCC educator and founder of Children's Garden and Jocelyn D Jones, NAFCC Training Specialist in this dynamic session.

Learning Objectives:

Understand the Benefits of Bilingual Education: Identify the cognitive, social, and academic benefits of bilingualism for young children in a home daycare setting.
Design an Inclusive Language Environment: Learn how to set up learning spaces, select materials, and create daily routines that support both languages consistently.
Implement Effective Bilingual Teaching Strategies: Explore play-based activities, storytelling, songs, and visual supports that promote language acquisition naturally and engagingly.
Foster Family Partnerships: Develop strategies for communicating with families about the value of bilingualism, sharing language development progress, and encouraging at-home language support.
Overcome Common Challenges: Discuss practical solutions for balancing two languages, addressing language dominance issues, and managing mixed-language groups.

Nancy Jimenez

FCC Business Owner

Children's Garden

Nancy Jimenez is the dedicated and passionate force behind Children's Garden, a bilingual Family Child Care provider with over 27 years of service in early childhood education. Since founding her home-based business in 1998, Nancy has found profound fulfillment in nurturing young minds and building a strong foundation for the future generation.

Residing in Morris County after spending most of her life in Essex County, Nancy lives with her husband and her Yorkie. Her three children, now college graduates, reflect her commitment to education and personal growth.

Nancy's extensive credentials highlight her expertise and dedication to quality child care. She is a nationally accredited educator through the National Association for Family Child Care and actively participates in the Grow NJ Kids program. She holds the Infant Toddler (CITE) and the Child Development Associate (Council of Professional Recognition) credentials. Notably, Nancy was among the first to complete the New Jersey Cultural Competency and English Language Learners (ELL) Institute and Mentoring Program (Thomas Edison State University). Additionally, she played a key role in the Grow NJ Kids pilot program, where she earned a star rating for her exceptional commitment.

Always eager to enhance her practice, Nancy continually seeks new knowledge and strategies to better serve her community. Her innovative spirit and dedication distinguish her as a leader in the field of family child care.

Nancy is the Central Chapter President of The Coalition of Infant/Toddler Educators (CITE), an Executive Board Member of the New Jersey Family Child Care Providers Association (NJFCCPA), and a leader of La Red de Educadoras Unidas de NJ. She is also involved with the United in Care Alliance and the Morris County Early Childhood Educators Shared Services Alliance (MCECE).

As a prominent advocate for early childhood education, Nancy has significantly contributed to the professional community by serving on panels and presenting at national and state conferences. Her expertise has influenced peers and policymakers, advanced the field and promoting best practices.

Currently enrolled in college to pursue a degree in early education, Nancy's ongoing commitment to learning and her innovative approach continues to inspire and impact the lives of families and fellow family child care educators.

Jocelyn D Jones

Training Specialist

NAFCC

Jocelyn D. Jones is a former licensed family child care provider of 12 years in the Georgia area and dynamic founder of Kappa Learning Group, LLC.

With over 26 years of experience in early childhood education, Jocelyn is a Georgia Approved Trainer and a Professional Development Specialist for the Council For Professional Recognition. She has mentored numerous early childhood professionals and presented at esteemed platforms such as Highscope, National CDA Council, and the National Black Child Development Institute. Her presentations on cultural relativism and self-identity in early learning environments have garnered widespread recognition.

Jocelyn’s academic achievements include a master’s degree in early childhood studies with a specialization in Teaching Adults Early Childhood Education from Walden University, where she graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Bethune-Cookman University and a Technical Credit Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Ellis College.

Jocelyn is an active member of several professional organizations, including the National Black Child Development Institute, National Association of Family Childcare, National Early Childhood Program Accreditation, National Afterschool Association, Highscope, Walden University Early Childhood Organization, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, and the Council For Professional Recognition. She also served on the Advisory Board for Ashworth College’s ECE Department.

Through her various initiatives, Jocelyn continues to inspire and uplift the early childhood education community globally. Her unwavering dedication to early childhood education, her passion for supporting educators, and her commitment to innovative learning approaches make her a leading figure in the field.