Inside the Ellis Family Child Care Network

A new Ellis initiative is working to strengthen the Massachusetts child care system.

The Ellis FCC Network gathered with members of the Ellis Early Learning team to celebrate their launch last year.

Launched last year with a generous restricted gift from an anonymous donor, the Ellis Family Child Care (FCC) Network marks Ellis’s expansion into home‑based early education and care. The Ellis FCC Network is the first such system established in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 15 years.

Family child care networks, sometimes called “systems,” partner with home‑based providers to support administrative tasks, ensure compliance, offer targeted professional development, coordinate with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) on income‑eligible placements and vouchers, and help families navigate care.

The Ellis FCC is led by Director Christine (“Christy”) Bortolotto, a former home‑based educator of 20 years; FCC Success Partner Gloria Valentín, who led her own program for 25 years; and Early Relational Health Specialist Joy James, who has seven years of experience in early intervention and music therapy. Their combined expertise shapes a model focused on quality, stability, and community.

Since its launch last year, the Ellis FCC Network has partnered with 10 home-based educators, supporting more than 30 child care seats across Greater Boston. The seats include 15 income‑eligible placements allocated by EEC, 12 voucher families, and up to 10 seats designated for children served by the Department of Children and Families.

Ellis seeks out educators who bring heart as well as skill. “We want people who are in this for the right reasons,” Christy says. “Those who are here because they care about children and want to create incredible experiences and environments.”

“With our experience, we know exactly what we’re looking for,” Christy adds. “Ellis educators bring warm, caring energy, and a commitment to lifelong learning. None of us knows everything, but everyone must be open to new ideas.”

Through the FCC, Ellis is bringing its signature “wraparound care” into family child care. When one FCC educator shared that a family had suddenly stopped attending, Ellis learned that the child’s 20‑year‑old mother had been placed in a shelter in Attleboro. Unable to travel to Hyde Park, she risked losing her voucher and her child’s care. Christy helped her transfer to a closer program, preventing a cascading loss of stability and income.

“It’s a trickle‑down issue,” Christy explains. “The baby loses consistency, and the educator loses income. We can step in to keep both secure.”

Sometimes Ellis’s help is practical: when educator Wanda Romero needed a six‑seat stroller and received a $3,000 quote, Christy connected her with fellow educator Lisette Lapaix, who was able to get Wanda a near‑new stroller at no cost.

“I have tremendous respect for our FCC educators,” Christy says. “They’re with children for 10‑hour days, and then do the cooking, cleaning, and curriculum prep. The extra support can be life‑changing.”

For many, the Network has also eased the isolation of home‑based care. The blend of veteran and newer providers has created natural mentor–mentee relationships that strengthen everyone’s practice.

Cesarina Calderon joined the Ellis FCC Network in August 2025 after 13 years in early education, opening her own program in 2021. “I was independent before, but it’s a difficult industry. You’re at home alone every day,” she says. “Ellis gave me a way to connect. Not a week goes by that we’re not checking in, sharing advice, and learning together. Being part of this system, you feel protected.”

Cesarina prioritizes exploration and adventures for her family child care, including at the Museum of Science.

The Ellis FCC Network is building a stronger early childhood workforce, expanding access to high‑quality care, and creating a community where educators feel prepared and supported.

With early success, and deep gratitude to the donor who made this launch possible, Ellis is focused on thoughtful growth, continued mentorship, and the same core commitment: supporting educators so children and families can thrive.