Why Facilitated Learning Is the Future of Child Care and Education — Especially for Working Parents

In recent years, more and more parents have been rethinking how and where their children should learn. Traditional classrooms—though well-intentioned—often don’t meet the needs of every child, especially those who learn differently or thrive in smaller, more personalized environments. This shift in mindset has led to a significant rise in alternative education models, including homeschool, microschools, learning pods, and hybrid learning environments. One of the most impactful of these models is something I like to call facilitated learning.

What Is Facilitated Learning?

Facilitated learning places the student at the center of the experience, where child care staff or educators serve as learning coaches to guide exploration instead of simply delivering instruction. This approach allows children to ask questions, pursue hands-on experiences, and take ownership of their educational experience. Instead of the typical one-size-fits-all curriculum, each child’s learning is tailored to their strengths, interests, and pace. As an alternative to offering a curriculum through our program we encourage parents to become more involved in their child's education by selecting a homeschool curriculum or enrolling their child in a virtual or at home-learning program themselves. Our trained staff will then serve as Learning Coaches to provide supplemental learning experiences, activities, and homework/classwork help to support each child in their educational journey.

At AUT To Be Taught Child Care and Facilitated Learning, we’ve embraced this model as a foundation for all our programs. We believe education should be intentional, inclusive, and empowering—especially during the formative years of ages 4–13.

Why Alternative Education Is on the Rise

The demand for alternative education is growing rapidly. Since 2020, homeschooling has increased by over 63% according to the National Home Education Research Institute. Families are seeking options that provide greater flexibility, stronger academic support, and a more holistic learning experience.

At the same time, nearly 72% of U.S. households have all parents working full-time, making it a challenge for many families to juggle work schedules and their child’s unique educational needs. While public and traditional private schools serve many children well, they often lack the individualized attention or adaptive environments that some students need to truly thrive.

This is where a facilitated learning program with built-in child care—like AUT To Be Taught—can make all the difference. We are proud to serve families in the Antelope Valley area, offering a hybrid solution that blends the best of both child care and education.

How We Support the Whole Child

At AUT To Be Taught, our mission is to educate the mind, nurture the spirit, and develop strong character and life skills. Our unique model provides small-group instructional support within a safe, home-based setting. We supplement your child's pre-selected educational program with a values-based guidance and routines rooted in a Christian worldview, where students are not only supported academically but also emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

Our programs are intentionally designed to prepare children for the real world. For example, students grow their own food in our garden while learning science, sustainability, and responsibility. They participate in junior entrepreneurship projects, learning how to market and sell products. During our cooking lessons, children engage in collaborative cooking activities that teach practical life skills, math, cooperation, and service. And through play with STEAM-based toys, activities and experiments, they develop creativity, problem-solving abilities, and innovation.

These immersive experiences provide far more than just child care and academic support—they equip children with vocational skills, work ethic, and the confidence to take on new challenges.

A Solution for Today’s Families

We understand that parents want both flexibility and excellence when it comes to their child’s education. Whether you're a parent looking for a faith-based child care and learning environment, a flexible schedule, a break from the limitations of public schooling, or who just wants to be more involved in what and how your child is learning, our program provides the structure, support, and personalization you’ve been looking for.

By enrolling your child in a facilitated learning program like ours, you’re investing not only in their education, but in their character, confidence, and ability to succeed in life. Because here, at AUT To Be Taught, we believe this is how children AUT to be taught.

Discover More

📍 Located in East Lancaster, California🎓 Now enrolling for summer and fall📅 Book a free tour and consultation and see if AUT To Be Taught is right for your child

Let your child grow in a space where education feels personal, joyful, and purpose-driven.

📚 References

At AUT To Be Taught, we value research-based practices and transparency. Below are the sources that support the information presented in this article on facilitated learning, alternative education, and child care challenges for working parents:

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024, April 20). Employment characteristics of families—2023 (USDL-24-0656). U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/famee.nr0.htm

Cornelius-White, J. H. D. (2007). Learner-centered teacher-student relationships are effective: A meta-analysis. Review of Educational Research, 77(1), 113–143. https://doi.org/10.3102/003465430298563

Forbes / McDonald, K. (2023, September 25). Homeschooling surges across the U.S. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kerrymcdonald/2023/09/25/homeschooling-surges-across-the-us/

National Center for Education Statistics. (2022). School choice in the United States: 2022. U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov

Pew Research Center. (2023, March 1). Working parents face challenges with child care. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/03/01/working-parents-struggle-with-child-care/

Rogers, C. R. (1969). Freedom to learn. Charles E. Merrill Publishing.