The Department of Children & Youth (DCY) is making licensing rule changes to reduce the administrative burden, modernize and clarify rules and add more flexibility for child care providers. These revisions take effect July 1, 2026. DCY has also created a field guide to help you better understand rules and how to implement them.
If you would like to hear more details of the planned changes, click here.
Read More about 2026 Licensing Rule Revision Training Sessions & Resources »
Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) organizations like 4C for Children serve the business community by providing free, accurate, human support to help employees find reliable child care.
Across Ohio, the child care crisis shows up in every community. Fortunately, so does your local CCR&R.
Read More about Child Care Is a Workforce Issue and Ohio Employers Already Have a Local Partner »
Earth Day is more than just a date on the calendar. It is a great chance for the entire family to learn to care for the planet and protect the world they live in. Teaching children how to care for the environment can be fun, hands-on and a great way to bond as a family.
Here is a list of simple and meaningful activities you can do together to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and all year long.
Spring is on its way! Take advantage of more time outside with your child by starting a garden. Vegetable gardening is a great way to introduce many concepts like biology, ecology, botany, math and so much more. Plus, the process allows your child to see where food comes from. If you have a picky eater, this is also a great way to get them interested in eating what they grow.
Whether you have a spacious area to plant rows of fruits and vegetables or you’re working with a few herbs in a pot, here are some tips to get you started.
Read More about Sow Seeds of Fun, Education and Nutrition With a Garden »
“It’s just a baby tooth. It will fall out and a new one will grow.” This is a very common thought when thinking about dental hygiene for infants.
Good oral hygiene is important for good overall health. Children develop good oral health hygiene when they receive the tools and develop good habits early on. Here is a timeline to promote good oral health from birth to adulthood.
The 2025 tax season is upon us. Do you wish you had kept better business records last year? It’s not too late to review your income and expenses to file your taxes more accurately!
Read More about Preparing to File Your Child Care Business Tax Return »
The new year offers a chance to reset and set meaningful goals for yourself as a parent/caregiver. You may often put yourself last but caring for your own well-being strengthens your ability to care for others. Parenting demands constant emotional and physical energy. When you’re exhausted or overwhelmed, it becomes harder to be patient, calm and engaged. Taking care of yourself replenishes your energy so you can show up as the parent you want to be.
The holiday season can be a mixed bag of joy and stress, especially for parents trying to balance tradition, family dynamics and kids’ expectations. Here are some practical tips to help make the season more enjoyable and less overwhelming:
Read More about Harmony Over the Holidays: How Parents Can Find Balance »
As a parent, it’s natural to worry about your child’s development and if they are reaching important milestones. No one can predict when a child will master milestones because every child develops at their own pace. Even siblings can achieve milestones at a much different timeframe. It can be confusing as a parent to know when your child is on target or when to reach out for help. Here are a few things to consider if you’re concerned. Read More about Mastering Milestones: When to Reach Out for Resources »
It may seem like reading to a newborn doesn’t make sense. But science shows reading to a child from birth makes a big difference. By reading five books a day, a child will hear 1.4 million more words by kindergarten than a child who was not read to. Even just reading one book a day to a child will introduce 290,000 words by age 5.
Not only does reading introduce new words, but it also introduces new concepts such as exploring Antarctica and the animals that live there or how families in different cultures live.