As the situation around the coronavirus causing COVID-19 evolves, 4C for Children is continuing to plan, prepare and respond as needed based on information provided by local, state and national health agencies.
Although we are closing our offices to the public to minimize the spread of the virus, we will still be able to remotely serve you. To protect those we serve and 4C staff we are putting the following measures in place: Read More about COVID-19: 4C for Children Training and Coaching »
Even the best planned child care arrangements can be disrupted because of unexpected events. Such an event is taking place now with the public health situation around the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Identifying a backup child care plan that can be put into action is important in the event a school is temporarily closed or if parents, children or a child care provider is sick. Read More about What’s Your Child Care Backup Plan? »
Once every decade, every resident in the United States is counted through the 2020 U.S. Census. This count directly impacts neighborhoods and businesses because money for schools, roads and public resources is dependent on population. So it’s essential to get an accurate count of everyone, from children to adults.
It’s estimated 5% of kids under age 5 were not counted in the 2010 Census. That equals about 1 million young children who were not counted—the highest undercount of any age group. When children are missed in the Census, programs such as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, the National School Lunch Program, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program miss out on funding.
You can help ensure that this doesn’t happen again.
Beginning mid-March, every household should receive a postcard in the mail with instructions about how to participate. Information can be submitted online, over the phone, or by mail.
Download this flyer and learn how participating in the 2020 Census is easy, safe, and important.
‘Nature breeds curiosity; it helps to grow explorers rather than robots. It reminds us that we are part of something bigger. It grounds us, calms us.’-Ben Palmer Fry
Spring is on its way and with it comes the opportunity to observe nature changing before our eyes. Get outside with children and be part of the transformation!
It doesn’t matter if the days are bright and sunny, rainy, snowy, warm or cold. Outdoor play is always worth the effort. As long as it is safe, outdoor play can be fun, purposeful, full of opportunities to explore and provide endless learning experiences for children. Read More about Nature Breeds Curiosity and Learning! »
Lisa Babb, 4C for Children strategic director of program operations in the Miami Valley, received of one of five Dayton Mayor’s Awards given at the Feb. 5 City Commission meeting. The awards are given annually to honor people who, according to Mayor Nan Whaley, “work every day to make our city great.”
Babb received the Education Champion Award which recognizes a person in the Dayton, Ohio, community who is working to provide a brighter future for children.
“I’m honored to receive this award,” Babb says. “My commitment to supporting our families, children and child care providers to ensure that all children receive the quality early education they deserve is unwavering. Read More about Miami Valley Strategic Director Recognized as ‘Education Champion’ »
Although it’s hard to imagine thinking about the next school year when this academic year is barely half over, that’s exactly what families with children entering kindergarten next year are doing as the kindergarten registration process is kicking off in school districts throughout the region.
But getting children ready for kindergarten isn’t something that just begins at registration or even in preschool—it really begins at birth!
By the time a child is three years old, the areas that are foundational for later school success and learning are set. So when thinking about kindergarten readiness it’s important to look at the whole child because there’s much more involved than the child knowing letters, numbers and colors. While those things are important, so too are social-emotional, language, cognitive, literacy and physical development.
Read More about Kindergarten Readiness: It Starts at Birth »
More than 25 years ago, 4C for Children opened a regional office in Northern Kentucky and began actively helping find quality child care options for the region’s children and families as well as supporting child care providers by offering coaching and continuing education opportunities.
Some Background
4C for Children’s responsibility for the critical education of Northern Kentucky’s youngest minds for the majority of these years was supported by state funding. In recent years, the state chose to centralize these efforts, shifting the funding to the University of Kentucky (UK) to deliver early childhood education support services to the state’s families and child care providers. 4C for Children then became a subcontractor for this region through UK.
Over the past five years, UK has gradually discontinued the use of subcontractors like 4C for Children. This has ultimately resulted in a complete loss of state funding for our services.
CINCINNATI (January 6, 2020)—Vanessa Freytag, president and CEO of 4C for Children, has been named to the 2020-21 Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee. She joins 41 members who represent 62 Ohio counties and who are trusted to provide insights on the needs of young children and families in Ohio and advance Groundwork’s mission to champion high-quality early learning and healthy development strategies.
“I am honored and excited to represent the early childhood education needs of our community as a member of the Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee,” Freytag says.
Read More about Freytag Named to Groundwork Ohio Advisory Committee »
“Healthy eating is a way of life, so it’s important to establish routines that are simple, realistically, and ultimately livable.” – Horace
Families today have busy schedules. The “busyness” of our lives can sometimes sway us to make not so healthy food choices. It is easy to stop for fast food as families run from one event after another. But too much of one thing isn’t beneficial to any of us, especially when it comes to food.
Children need healthy foods and a diverse diet to best meet their growth and development needs. Eating healthy isn’t something children readily choose—oftentimes the things they like best are not the healthiest! So they need to be taught healthy eating habits. Read More about New Year’s Resolution: Healthier Eating »
Rather than a series of obligations to go and do and buy, the weeks leading up to the holidays can be a time of connection for you and your family. It’s easy to get caught up in the commercialization of the season and lose sight of ways to connect as a family and ways to connect with those around us. When we focus on being present in the moment rather than focusing on the presents under the tree, we’re creating memories that will last our children a lifetime. Read More about Spreading Holiday Cheer as a Family »