Options for Learning
Options for Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 that delivers subsidized child care, early learning programs, and free child care referrals to approximately 11,000 children annually across the San Gabriel Valley, primarily funded through federal, state, and local government contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1981
- HeadquartersCovina, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Options for Learning does
Options for Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit child care and early learning agency founded in 1981 and headquartered in West Covina, California. The organization serves approximately 11,000 children annually across the San Gabriel Valley, Pomona Valley, Whittier, and Northeast Los Angeles through 161 classrooms at 67 locations and a contracted network of 2,000 home-based child care providers. Its primary constituencies are working and low-income families seeking affordable early learning, and aspiring or licensed child care providers receiving training and business support through the California Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP). The organization also serves as the designated Resource and Referral (R&R) agency for the region, providing free child care referrals to approximately 7,504 families each year regardless of income.
The product portfolio spans center-based early learning programs (infant, toddler, preschool, and transitional kindergarten), before- and after-school programs, and a suite of subsidized child care offerings including CalWORKs Stages 1/2/3, the Alternative Payment Program (APP), the Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN), and the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for foster children. Distribution is conducted through direct enrollment (phone and online application), physical sites, voucher arrangements, and the home-based provider network. The organization is not built on a proprietary technology platform — there is no disclosed software stack, API, or AI capability — and digital presence is limited to a marketing website, social channels, multilingual educational video content, and an online intake process.
The business model is government-contract-driven: the majority of services are funded through federal, state, and local contracts enabling free or low-cost care for income-eligible families, supplemented by a limited number of fee-based classroom spaces, voucher reimbursements paid to contracted providers, and donations/grants under the organization's 501(c)(3) status. In the most recent disclosed period the organization provided $143,113,922 in child care and program services, employs approximately 980 staff, and is governed by a board chaired by David Wilbur under CEO Paul F. Pulver.
Options for Learning firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Options for Learning
- Legal name
- Options for Learning
- Website
- https://optionsforlearning.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1981
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Options for Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 that delivers subsidized child care, early learning programs, and free child care referrals to approximately 11,000 children annually across the San Gabriel Valley, primarily funded through federal, state, and local government contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Options for Learning industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Early Childhood Education and Child Care Services
- NAICS
- Child Care Services (624410), Child Care Services (62441)
- SIC
- Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Center-Based Toddler Care (18–36 months) (EDACAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Home-Based Infant & Toddler Care (Family Daycare) (EDACAGAD), Early Head Start & Publicly Funded Infant/Toddler Programs (EDACAGAH)
Keywords
Where Options for Learning is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Covina
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Options for Learning business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Government Contracts: Center-based programs primarily funded through federal, state, and local government contracts enabling free or low-cost care for eligible families working, attending school/training, or seeking employment.
- Fee-Based Services: Limited fee-based classroom spaces offered to families who do not qualify for state or federal programs, providing access to quality early learning experiences.
- Voucher Program Payments: Child care payment support through voucher program for families receiving financial assistance, providing timely payments to contracted providers.
- Donations and Grants: Monetary gifts, child sponsorship programs, and in-kind donations from community partners. Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Others | Free programs for income-eligible families |
| Subscription | Others | Subsidized programs |
| One time/ perpetual license | Monthly | Fee-based spaces |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Options for Learning product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Operates a portfolio of center-based early learning and school-age programs (infant through transitional kindergarten plus before- and after-school care) and home-based subsidized child care programs (CalWORKs Stages 1-3, Alternative Payment Program, FCCHEN, Bridge Program for Foster Children), delivered free or at low cost through federal/state/local government contracts. Also functions as the designated Resource and Referral agency for the San Gabriel Valley, providing free child care referrals to all families, and recruits and supports home-based providers through the California Child Care Initiative Project.
Product overview
Options for Learning is a nonprofit child care and early learning organization serving the San Gabriel Valley since 1981. It operates a multi-product portfolio of center- and home-based programs. Core offerings include Center-Based Early Learning Programs (infant, toddler, preschool, and transitional kindergarten), School-Age Programs (before- and after-school care), and subsidized child care options including CalWORKs Child Care Programs (Stages 1, 2, and 3), the Alternative Payment Program (APP), and the Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN). The organization also administers the Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for foster children, provides free child care referrals through its Resource and Referral Program, runs the California Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP) to recruit and support home-based providers, advocates through its Advocates in Motion (AIM) team, and supports families navigating Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) options. Programs are primarily funded through federal, state, and local government contracts, enabling free or low-cost access for eligible families, with a limited number of fee-based spaces available.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Center-Based Early Learning Programs Center-based infant, toddler, preschool, and transitional kindergarten programs funded through federal, state, and local contracts, offered at little or no cost to eligible families. They serve income-eligible working families across the San Gabriel Valley through 161 classrooms at 67 locations.
- School-Age Programs Before- and after-school programs providing safe, enriching environments for school-age children at select locations, with enrichment activities and homework support.
- CalWORKs Child Care Programs (Stages 1, 2, and 3) Subsidized child care program administered in three stages to help families access immediate and long-term child care as parents work or participate in welfare-to-work activities.
- Alternative Payment Program (APP) Program offering a range of child care arrangements including licensed family child care, center-based care, and exempt providers for income-eligible families, with reimbursement paid directly to the chosen provider.
- Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN) Program promoting quality early learning environments in licensed family child care homes, with providers required to meet Desired Results and FCCERS standards.
- Emergency Child Care Bridge Program for Foster Children Time-limited child care voucher program for eligible families with foster children from birth through age 5, including siblings and children with exceptional needs up to age 21.
- Free Child Care Referrals (Resource and Referral Program) Free, personalized referrals to licensed child care centers and family homes, provided by the Resource and Referral Department to all families regardless of income. The agency is the designated R&R for the San Gabriel Valley and a member agency of the Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles.
- California Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP) Program recruiting new home-based child care providers and supporting current providers with free training, resources, and community connections, including cohorts in English, Spanish, and Chinese. Provides licensing guidance and journey assistance.
- Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) Support Guidance and referrals helping families understand and access free and low-cost Universal PreKindergarten spots available in Los Angeles County for 3- and 4-year-old children.
Quantifiable outcome
- 11,000 children served annually
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Options for Learning
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Options for Learning technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Options for Learning partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles (CCALA)coreOptions for Learning is a member agency of the Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles, a partnership of 10 member agencies delivering services to thousands of families and child care providers across Los Angeles County. CEO Paul Pulver serves as vice president of CCALA's board.
- Young & HealthyminorPartnership to provide a free, six-week support group for parents and caregivers impacted by the Eaton Fire. Sessions designed to provide safe, supportive spaces for adults to process experiences and move forward together.
- California Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP)coreCCIP strengthens child care for California families by recruiting new home-based providers and supporting current providers with free training, resources, and community connections. Options for Learning provides guidance, cohort support in English, Spanish, and Chinese, and licensing journey assistance.
- Quality Start L.A.minorCollaborative resource helping families understand what makes an early learning program effective and how to find the right program for their child.
- My Child Care PlanminorStatewide website connecting families to child care providers and Resource and Referral agencies throughout California, offering search tool for more than 32,000 licensed providers and live support from local R&R agencies.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Options for Learning competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Child Development Institute: Southern California nonprofit providing early childhood education, child welfare, and family services. Comparable in subsidized child care delivery and integration of family support services alongside center-based programming.
- Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF): California-based nonprofit operating child care, Head Start, and family services programs across multiple counties including LA. Directly comparable in subsidized child care delivery and federal/state contracting model.
- Child360: Formerly LAUP (Los Angeles Universal Preschool), a nonprofit supporting subsidized early learning across LA County. Directly comparable as a subsidized early childhood education administrator with similar funder and policy relationships.
- Pathways LA: Los Angeles-based nonprofit child care and early learning agency serving low-income families. Direct peer offering CalWORKs, subsidized care, and provider support across LA County. CEO Paul Pulver previously served as Executive Director at Pathways LA.
- Crystal Stairs: One of the largest private nonprofit child care agencies in California, providing subsidized child care, R&R services, and provider support across Los Angeles County. Directly comparable in scale, funding model, and program portfolio.
Regional players
- KIPP SoCal Public Schools: Public charter school network operating across LA County including the San Gabriel Valley. Comparable as a regional K-12 education nonprofit where Options for Learning's VP of Enrollment (Alice Lai) was founding principal; indirectly competes for the same low-income families seeking quality education.
Broad incumbents
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National nonprofit operating before/after-school and youth development programs, with significant overlap in school-age child care delivery model and federal/state contracting for subsidized services.
- YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles: Regional YMCA operating licensed child care, preschool, before/after-school, and family programs across LA County. Comparable as a broad community-based nonprofit offering subsidized child care slots with multi-site delivery.
- National Head Start Association: National membership association representing Head Start and Early Head Start programs, including many Options for Learning-style providers. Broad incumbent in the federally funded early childhood space.
Emerging players
- Easter Seals Southern California: Southern California nonprofit providing child development, early intervention, and family support services. Comparable in early childhood services delivery to families with diverse needs, though with a broader disability services portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Options for Learning social profiles
Digital presenceOptions for Learning financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Options for Learning leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles24 records
Options for Learning funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Options for Learning M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Options for Learning
What does Options for Learning do?
Operates a portfolio of center-based early learning and school-age programs (infant through transitional kindergarten plus before- and after-school care) and home-based subsidized child care programs (CalWORKs Stages 1-3, Alternative Payment Program, FCCHEN, Bridge Program for Foster Children), delivered free or at low cost through federal/state/local government contracts. Also functions as the designated Resource and Referral agency for the San Gabriel Valley, providing free child care referrals to all families, and recruits and supports home-based providers through the California Child Care Initiative Project.
Is Options for Learning a public or private company?
Options for Learning is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Options for Learning founded?
Options for Learning was founded in 1981. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Options for Learning based?
Options for Learning is headquartered in Covina, United States, in the North America region.
How does Options for Learning make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts are the primary driver. The others are fee-Based Services, voucher Program Payments and donations and Grants.
Who are Options for Learning's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Child Development Institute, Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF), Child360, Pathways LA and Crystal Stairs. KIPP SoCal Public Schools is listed as a regional player. Broad incumbents are Boys & Girls Clubs of America, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and National Head Start Association. Easter Seals Southern California is listed as an emerging player.
Does Options for Learning have an API?
No public API is recorded for Options for Learning.
What industry is Options for Learning in?
Options for Learning's product category is Early Childhood Education and Child Care Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDACAGAB, Center-Based Toddler Care (18–36 months), with a secondary code of EDACAGAD, Home-Based Infant & Toddler Care (Family Daycare). Its NAICS code is 624410 and its SIC code is 8351.