4C for Children

What 4C for Children does

4C for Children is a private, nonprofit Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency founded in 1972 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the state-designated CCR&R for 15 Ohio counties and operates two physical offices — its Cincinnati headquarters and a Miami Valley regional office in Dayton — after consolidating from a prior branch structure. The organization's mission centers on improving access to high-quality early-childhood education and care by serving two distinct constituencies: families seeking child care referrals, parent education, and Help Me Grow navigation, and licensed child care providers seeking training, coaching, STEP UP to Quality support, and administrative tools. Its service portfolio includes family navigation, provider training and quality-improvement programs, early-childhood education advocacy, school-readiness initiatives, and direct support to county boards of developmental disabilities.

The organization's technology footprint is built on conventional third-party SaaS rather than proprietary platforms. It integrates WorkLife Systems for workforce-family support, Acquire4Hire for child care personnel background checks, and KidKare for child care subsidy administration. These integrations support a centralized family-referral database, a provider directory covering the 15-county footprint, and back-office administration of publicly funded subsidy programs. The organization is led by President & CEO Dean Woodring, following the 2024 transition from Tiffany Bateman, with Jeff Stratman as CFO and Alex Carter as CIO. A new multi-year strategic plan was adopted in 2024 alongside executive bench refresh.

Revenue is generated through a mix of sources typical of mid-sized CCR&R nonprofits: state CCR&R contracts with the Ohio Department of Children & Youth, county-level contracts with boards of developmental disabilities, federal flow-through grants, foundation and corporate philanthropy (including named partners such as the Fifth Third Foundation and Duke Energy Foundation), and modest earned revenue from provider training fees. With 101-250 employees, 4C is positioned as one of the larger regional CCR&R operators in Ohio, though it is not a national-scale organization and competes primarily against other regional intermediaries rather than for-profit child care platforms.

Name

4C for Children

Legal name

4C for Children

Website

https://4cforchildren.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

4C for Children is a Cincinnati-based nonprofit Child Care Resource & Referral agency, state-designated to serve 15 Ohio counties, supporting families seeking child care and providers through training, coaching, and early-childhood education programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child Care Resource and Referral Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Postpartum Newborn Care & Parent Education (NCS) (HSAAACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Toddler-Focused Childcare Centers (EDACAAAG), Feeding Support & Newborn Nutrition Care (NCS) (HSAAACAC)

Keywords

• Child care resource referral
• Early childhood education
• Child care provider training
• Family support services
• Nonprofit community services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: 4C for Children receives charitable donations from individuals and organizations. The Shining Stars membership program requires annual cumulative contributions of $1,000 or more. Donations support services to families and child care providers.
2. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Major donors and foundations provide significant funding. The Shining Stars page lists major donors including Cincinnati Preschool Promise, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Montgomery County Preschool Promise, PNC Foundation, and United Way of Greater Cincinnati at various contribution levels.
3. Training Fees: 4C for Children charges nominal fees for some training sessions, ranging from $0 to $55 per session. CPR/First Aid training is $55, while some CDA orientations and assessments are free. Training fees represent a minor revenue stream for the nonprofit.
4. Public Funding: As the designated CCR&R agency for 15 counties in Ohio, 4C receives government funding. The organization partners with Ohio Department of Children and Youth and administers public programs including the Child Nutrition Program (CACFP).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

4C for Children is the state-designated Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency for 15 Ohio counties, providing free child care referrals and parenting support to families, and delivering training, coaching, business services, and Step Up To Quality rating support to child care providers. The organization also administers the federal Child Nutrition Program (CACFP) for family child care providers and hosts an annual professional development conference.

Product overview

4C for Children is a Child Care Resource & Referral Agency offering a comprehensive suite of services organized around two primary audiences: families seeking child care and providers/educators in early childhood education. The core offering includes child care referral services (online search portal and personalized assistance), quality care guidance through Ohio's Step Up To Quality system, and financial assistance information. For providers, services include coaching (CDA, center-based, SUTQ), Ohio Approved training opportunities, the Developing Early Childhood Leaders (DECL) seminar, and Child Development Associate credentialing support. The organization also administers the Child Nutrition Program (CACFP) for family child care providers and hosts the annual Leadership and Early Childhood Conference. Supporting services include foster/adoptive/kinship care resources through the Children's Services Hub, Parent & Youth Ambassadors for service navigation, Learn Through Play educational calendars, the Child Care Program Portal for provider database management, and business start-up/expansion support. Digital communications include the Family Source and Pathways e-newsletters, with technology integrations via WorkLife Systems (search portal), Acquire4Hire (ELRO job board), and KidKare (CNP meal tracking).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Child Care Online Search Online search portal enabling families to find licensed child care providers in Southwest Ohio and Miami Valley, with options to search as guest or create an account to save preferences.
• Parent & Youth Ambassadors (PYA) In-person assistance program helping families with children from birth to age 21 navigate and access state and local services, referrals, and benefits, delivered in partnership with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth.
• Children's Services Hub Free services supporting foster, adoptive, and kinship care families, including guidance through licensing processes and connection to community resources.
• Coaching Services Individualized private coaching and group sessions for child care providers to enhance quality of care, including CDA coaching, center-based coaching, and Step Up To Quality coaching.
• Training Opportunities Ohio Approved and health and safety training for early childhood professionals covering child development, developmentally appropriate practice, curriculum, assessments, lesson planning, and business best practices.
• Developing Early Childhood Leaders (DECL) 10-month seminar for early childhood program directors and administrators focusing on strength-based leadership, vision development, managing change, and advocacy.
• Child Development Associate (CDA) Program Nine-month CDA Preparation Program with skilled instructors, documentation assistance, exam preparation, and scholarship opportunities for Miami Valley and Southwest Ohio early childhood professionals.
• Leadership and Early Childhood Conference Annual two-day professional development conference featuring keynote speakers, Ohio Approved training sessions, exhibitors, and networking opportunities held at Sharonville Convention Center.
• Child Nutrition Program (CNP) Administers the federal CACFP meal reimbursement program for licensed family child care providers, providing nutritious meal reimbursement and monitoring support.
• Early Learning Resources Ohio (ELRO) Job Board Free all-in-one job posting tool powered by Acquire4Hire for licensed child care programs to post positions with distribution to national job sites.
• Start a Child Care Program Business services including licensing guidance, Step Up To Quality participation, and connection to Ohio's Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) for new family child care and center-based programs.

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner4C for Children partners with Ohio DCY on the Parent & Youth Ambassadors (PYAs) program. PYAs provide in-person assistance to families navigating state and local services for children ages birth to 21. The partnership enables 4C specialists to connect families with DCY resources and support.
• Groundwork OhiominorGTM or Marketing Partner4C for Children partners with Groundwork Ohio for statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of children and families. Groundwork Ohio is referenced as a resource for learning about child care advocacy efforts.
• United Way of Greater CincinnaticoreGTM or Marketing PartnerUnited Way of Greater Cincinnati is listed as a partner organization. 4C displays the United Way logo on its website footer, indicating a collaborative relationship for community impact.
• Ohio Department of Job and Family ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner4C for Children connects families with Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for child care subsidy applications and public assistance programs. The organization provides referrals to county JFS offices across the service area.
• Cincinnati Preschool PromiseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCincinnati Preschool Promise is a nonprofit expanding access to quality preschool in Cincinnati through a taxpayer-funded levy. 4C refers families to this resource for tuition assistance and preschool enrollment.
• Montgomery County Preschool PromiseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMontgomery County Preschool Promise initiative ensures all children can attend affordable, high-quality preschool. 4C refers families to tuition assistance programs for star-rated programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Child Care Aware of America: National membership organization for CCR&R agencies and a leading voice on child care resource and referral policy. Directly comparable to 4C at the national umbrella level and relevant for partnership, funding, and best-practice benchmarking.

Direct peers

• Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association: Statewide association representing Ohio's CCR&R network, of which 4C is the designated agency for its 15-county region. Closest operational peer for collaboration, advocacy, and shared service models.
• Cincinnati Preschool Promise: Local nonprofit expanding access to quality preschool in Cincinnati through a taxpayer-funded levy. Overlaps directly with 4C on quality preschool access and family referrals for tuition assistance in the same geography.
• Child Development Council of Franklin County (CAP4Kids): Ohio-based CCR&R and early childhood services agency serving Franklin County. Direct operational peer in the same state-designated CCR&R model, useful for benchmarking service mix and funding structure.

Regional players

• YMCA of Greater Cincinnati: Operates licensed child care, preschool, and early childhood programs across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Comparable as a regional early childhood service provider and potential partner for referrals and shared quality-rating work.
• Children's Home of Cincinnati: Regional nonprofit serving children and families in the Cincinnati area, including early childhood programs and family support services. Comparable as a same-region child-and-family-services peer with overlapping family segments.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati: Regional youth services organization offering before/after-school and early childhood programming. Comparable as a same-region nonprofit serving families and children, and a potential partner for out-of-school time referrals.

Others

• United Way of Greater Cincinnati: Major funder and partner of 4C and a regional nonprofit hub supporting early childhood initiatives. Comparable as a stakeholder in the same funding ecosystem and as a convener of family-support services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/4cforchildren
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/4CforChildren
• Facebookfacebook.com/4cforchildren
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/4c-for-children
• Instagraminstagram.com/4cforchildren
• TikToktiktok.com/@4c.for.children

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 4C for Children