Center for Inclusive Child Care

What Center for Inclusive Child Care does

Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC) is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded circa 1995 and headquartered in Minnetonka, that delivers free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) to licensed child care programs throughout the state. Its core service is individualized coaching — provided in-person and virtually by a statewide network of early childhood coaches — to support the inclusion of children with special needs or challenging behaviors, health and safety best practices, infant and toddler care, and expulsion prevention. CICC serves multiple segments: licensed center-based and family child care providers, center-based child care directors, and parents, grandparents, and caregivers of children birth to age five.

The organization's product surface comprises eight core offerings: a statewide Coaching service; a digital Resource Library (108+ pages of tip sheets, courses, info modules); the Inclusion Matters podcast (300+ episodes distributed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podchaser); self-study courses registered through Minnesota's Develop platform (10 PD credit hours each); the Early Childhood Leadership Development (ECLD) cohort program for center directors; the 80x3: Resilient from the Start trauma-informed initiative; an "Ask a Coach" expert support channel; and a Preventing Expulsion program. Content is available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali. The underlying technology is conventional: a website CMS, podcast hosting, Microsoft Forms for intake, Donorbox/Stripe for donations, and the Develop platform for credential tracking. There is no proprietary software product or API; the "technology" is the coaching methodology and content library.

CICC's revenue model is dominated by government grants — primarily a multi-year grant from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) — supplemented by the Greater Twin Cities United Way 80x3 grant, charitable donations, a $45 fee on certain self-study courses, and paid customized cohort training for center directors. All core coaching and most resources are free to end users, positioning CICC as a publicly-funded intermediary within Minnesota's early childhood education ecosystem. Distribution is regional (Minnesota only) and occurs through direct coach outreach, DCYF referrals, Parent Aware and Help Me Grow interconnections, the podcast, and a weekly email newsletter.

Name

Center for Inclusive Child Care

Legal name

Center for Inclusive Child Care

Website

https://inclusivechildcare.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC) is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free relationship-based professional development, coaching, and multilingual resources to licensed child care providers, center directors, and families of children birth to age five statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Professional Development Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

In-Service Professional Development (Workshops/Institutes/Short Courses) (EDACAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Inclusion-Focused SEL for Diverse Learners (ECE) (EDACAOAK), Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE)

Keywords

• Early childhood education
• Child care coaching
• Professional development
• Inclusive child care
• Family support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Minnetonka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: CICC is primarily funded through grants from government entities. The Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) funds the free coaching support provided to licensed child care programs. CICC also received grant funding from the Minnesota Preschool Development Grant to partner with MACMH on trauma-informed content.
2. Charitable Donations: As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 83-2682491), CICC relies on donations from individuals and organizations. Donations are processed through Donorbox using Stripe's secure payment infrastructure. The organization promotes donations at levels such as $10, $50, $100, or custom amounts.
3. Professional Development Course Fees: Self-study courses are available free of charge for Minnesota educators through Develop. However, there is a $45 registration fee applicable for some courses. Customized cohort training opportunities for center directors are available for a fee. Coaching services remain free for licensed child care providers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

CICC provides free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) including one-on-one coaching, training, modeling, and resources to licensed child care programs throughout Minnesota. Core offerings include individualized coaching for inclusion of children with special needs and challenging behaviors, a digital Resource Library (tip sheets, courses, info modules, podcasts), self-study e-learning courses that award professional development credit through the Develop platform, the Inclusion Matters podcast (300+ episodes), and the Early Childhood Leadership Development (ECLD) cohort program for center directors.

Product overview

Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC) provides a comprehensive suite of free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) services to child care programs throughout Minnesota. The core offerings include coaching services for inclusion support, a digital resource library with tip sheets and documents, the Inclusion Matters podcast (300+ episodes), self-study courses for professional development credit, and the Early Childhood Leadership Development (ECLD) cohort program. Additional programs include the 80x3: Resilient from the Start initiative (partnership with Greater Twin Cities United Way), the Ask a Coach feature for quick expert guidance, and a Preventing Expulsion program. Resources are available in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali, targeting early childhood professionals and families with children from birth to age five.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Inclusion Matters: The organization's flagship podcast series, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podchaser, covering topics related to early childhood development, inclusion, autism, family engagement, and trauma-informed practices.
• Early Childhood Leadership Development (ECLD)
• 80x3: Resilient from the Start

Products and services

• Coaching Services Relationship-based professional development (RBPD) coaching provided at no cost to licensed child care programs throughout Minnesota. Coaches work alongside providers offering observation, hands-on support, modeling, and individualized action planning for inclusion of children with special needs, challenging behaviors, health and safety best practices, and infant/toddler care. Coaching typically includes one in-person visit per month with weekly email/phone contact over 3-5 months.
• Inclusion Matters Podcast Weekly podcast for early childhood professionals covering topics such as autism, child development, children's mental health, early intervention, expulsion prevention, inclusion, infant/toddler care, school-age care, special needs, trauma, leadership, and family engagement. Over 300 episodes available in multiple languages including English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish, distributed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podchaser.
• Self-Study Courses

Quantifiable outcome

• CICC coaches typically work with providers for 3-5 months of direct coaching, with long-term access to coaches thereafter.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCYF is the primary funder of CICC's free coaching and professional development services for licensed child care programs throughout Minnesota. The grant agreement enables CICC to provide free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) including support, training, modeling, and resources to child care providers statewide. CICC is described as an initiative made possible by DCYF's grant.
• Greater Twin Cities United Way — 80x3 InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICC partners with Greater Twin Cities United Way's 80x3 (Resilient from the Start) initiative, which is working to reduce the impact of childhood trauma and expand access to trauma-sensitive care. CICC develops and delivers free self-study courses, tip sheets, and podcasts focused on trauma-informed practices, funded through this partnership. The 80x3 initiative also funds the free Professional Development course 'The Impact of Parental Incarceration on Young Children.'
• Help Me GrowminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCICC refers families and providers to Help Me Grow (helpmegrowmn.org) for screening and evaluation of children's developmental concerns. CICC does not perform evaluations itself and directs inquiries to Help Me Grow as the appropriate resource for evaluation services.
• Parent Aware — Minnesota's Quality Rating SystemminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCICC recommends Parent Aware (parentaware.org), Minnesota's quality rating system, to families seeking child care and to providers seeking to showcase their quality. CICC does not require providers to participate in Parent Aware but highly recommends it due to the benefits of quality recognition. CICC encourages families to use Parent Aware when searching for child care.
• Help Me ConnectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCICC refers families to Help Me Connect (helpmeconnect.web.health.state.mn.us), a Minnesota resource that highlights services for children and families across the state. CICC also produced a podcast episode about Help Me Connect to help families navigate available resources.
• Minnesota Association for Children's Mental Health (MACMH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICC partnered with MACMH to co-host a live conversation on supporting the sensory needs of young children, funded through the MN Preschool Development Grant. Several CICC staff members, including Executive Director Priscilla Weigel and coaches Kara Kuehn and Jacy Nylander, hold Infant Mental Health endorsements through MACMH.
• Hmong Early Childhood CoalitionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCICC has produced podcast episodes featuring the Hmong Early Childhood Coalition and coverage of the Hmong Early Childhood Summit, supporting outreach to Minnesota's Hmong community. Resources are also available in Hmong language on the CICC website.
• University of Minnesota — Institute on Community Integration and Masonic Institute for the Developing BrainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICC's Inclusion Matters podcast has featured researchers from the University of Minnesota's Institute on Community Integration and Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. Dr. Jenn Hall-Lande appeared on the podcast to discuss autism prevalence rates in Minnesota, and Marian Hassan's Somali Lullaby Project produced learning tools offered through the University of Minnesota.
• Achieve (Minnesota Center for Professional Development)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAchieve (mncpd.org) is listed as a trusted partner on CICC's About Us page. Achieve provides a comprehensive approach to career development, promotes professional growth, and contributes to workforce data and research in Minnesota.
• First Children's Finance National OfficeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeidi Hagel-Braid, President & CEO of First Children's Finance National Office, serves as Board Chair of CICC. First Children's Finance supports early childhood business development and financing, which aligns with CICC's mission to support quality care in community settings.
• FraserminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPat Pulice, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at Fraser, serves as Secretary on CICC's Board of Directors. Fraser is a major provider of autism and mental health services in Minnesota, and Pat Pulice appears as a recurring podcast guest discussing autism spectrum disorder and inclusive settings.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Child Care Aware of America: National membership and advocacy organization providing professional development and resources to child care programs across U.S. states. Highly comparable to CICC in mission (child care quality improvement via training and resources) and audience (licensed child care providers).
• Teachstone: Provider of professional development for early childhood educators, most notably through the CLASS observation framework and coaching supports. Directly comparable to CICC's coaching-led, evidence-based PD model for child care programs.
• ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI): Online professional development and training provider specifically serving early childhood educators with self-paced, accredited courses. Highly comparable to CICC's self-study courses offering professional development credit hours via Develop.

Broad incumbents

• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): The largest national professional association for early childhood educators. Comparable to CICC in providing professional development resources, accreditation, and best-practice guidance, though at national scale rather than state-funded coaching.
• Zero to Three: National nonprofit focused on infant and toddler development, providing training, policy, and resources to early childhood professionals. Overlaps with CICC's infant/toddler coaching and resources for licensed providers.
• Council for Professional Recognition: National body administering the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, providing training and assessment for early educators. Comparable in providing structured professional credentials for the child care workforce.

Regional players

• Achieve (Minnesota Center for Professional Development): Minnesota-focused professional development organization supporting the early childhood workforce. Directly comparable geography and audience to CICC and listed as a trusted partner on its website.
• Minnesota Association for the Education of Young Children (MnAEYC): Minnesota state affiliate of NAEYC providing professional development, advocacy, and chapter support to early childhood educators. Operates in the same state and audience as CICC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKzJvcvPcWCy-Hv8F0WMA1w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-inclusive-child-care

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Center for Inclusive Child Care