This publication is built specifically for the family child care homes and family, friend, and neighbor caregivers who make up one of the most common forms of child care in California. It treats running a family child care home as the small business it is, covering mission statements, contracts, financial policies, and record keeping, alongside guidance on health and safety, inclusive practices, and supporting children across mixed ages from infancy through school age. Each guideline area closes with a curated list of ready to use tools, from sample contracts to self-care supports.