Professional Family Provider Association of the Lower Shore

How PFPALS Began

The Professional Family Provider Association of the Lower Shore has served the three lower counties of Maryland since 2007. As an all volunteer, non-profit organization, we strive to meet the needs of persons interested in early childhood education and care. The association was formed when a newly licensed provider, Kim Summers, wanted to network and find support from others in the profession. She contacted the Lower Shore Child Care Resource Center (LSCCRC), which informed her that there wasn’t a group like this on the lower shore. Kim made it here mission to develop an association. LSCCRC contacted Cheryl Thomsen and asked her to contact Kim. From there many phone calls were placed to licensed family providers in the three lower counties. Five providers came to together, chose officers, and decided on the title of “Professional Family Provider Association of the Lower Shore”. Since that day, this association has grown to 45 members and continues to gain new members each year.  Our efforts are focused on raising the quality of care given to the children in this area by offering education, mentoring, and friendship to family child care providers, promoting quality child care on the lower shore and educating the community about child care issues.