Start Your Own Child Care Program
Provide quality child care and make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families!
4C for Children has the tools, training and coaching to help you go from an initial idea to opening the doors of your family child care (FCC) or center-based program.
Take the first step to owning your own business today!
Why Get Licensed?
Accept Child Care Payment Assistance
Ohio’s Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) assistance reduces the financial burden on qualifying families who pay for your services. Click here to see who qualifies for PFCC.
Once your program is eligible to accept families that use PFCC, you can increase your business income. Click here to see how much you could make.
Market Your Program
Meeting the Ohio Department of Children & Youth’s (DCY) licensing requirements means that you are meeting state safety and quality guidelines. This can give families confidence and reassurance when searching for child care. As a licensed child care program, 4C for Children can refer families to your program through our referral services.
You can also participate in the state’s three-tiered Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) quality rating and improvement system that recognizes programs that exceed licensing requirements. There are also financial benefits to achieving the various tiers.
Receive FREE or LOW COST Support
Not only is 4C for Children here to help you get started, but we can also provide coaching, training and networking opportunities.
If you’re opening a family child care (FCC) program, you can also enroll in the 4C Child Nutrition Program (CNP) after you are licensed and have children enrolled which helps you get reimbursed for the nutritious meals you serve. A specialist will answer your questions, monitor and provide training to help you.
Fill out the interest form or reach out at startingcc@4cforchildren.org with questions.
Resources for Starting a Child Care Program
- Resource Library for Starting a Child Care Program: Get information about the different types of child care programs, as well as guidance documents, tutorial videos and more at the Resource Library!
- Starting a Program Interest Form: Funding and other support to open a child care program may be available in your area! To find out what resources are available and receive personalized assistance from a 4C specialist, fill out our Interest Form.
