We know it’s a lot to understand child care, preschool and everything your child needs for a great start in their education. Studies show that children who attend high-quality child care and preschool are better prepared for Kindergarten. So, we’re here to help you navigate these first 5 years, and to help prepare your child for what they need to learn for Kindergarten and life beyond school. Fill out our eligibility screener to learn about all the resources you qualify for based on your needs.
If you’re looking for child care, we know it can be overwhelming. We’re here to help! Use one of the two great resources below to find a child care option for your family!
Connect With a Family Support Specialist at 4C For Children:
Trained Family & Community Services staff from 4C will work with you to identify your specific needs or help you do a customized search to meet your specific requirements.
Understanding Ohio’s Preschool and Childcare Medal Rating System
Be confident in the knowledge that your child is attending a Medal-Rated, high-quality program. The rating system features Bronze, Silver and Gold medals. Programs that are rated Silver and Gold are highly rated. Check the resources above to see the medal ratings for programs. The list below shows preschool programs run by school districts.
Need Help Finding a Public Preschool?
Public preschools are typically free or low-cost to families and provide a great foundation for learning and development. Additionally, if you need it, these preschool programs offer options for children who have been identified with developmental delays. If you’re looking for a preschool for your child, check out our list of local public districts and their preschools.
4C for Children’s Child Care Referral service assists families in finding and choosing quality child care, while empowering them with the resources they need to choose the best care for their children. 4C specialists can be reached through email or phone and will help families identify specific needs, do a customized search to meet specific situations and provide potential child care options that fit those needs. This service is provided free of charge.
The family coaching team is dedicated to helping families across our community achieve self-sufficiency. Our family coaches assist with goal setting, problem-solving, and connecting families to local programs and resources for stability and growth. We celebrate accomplished goals with monetary incentives.
This is a free program that offers support and help for pregnant women, moms, dads, and babies to help them have healthy lives. Our team assists with funding and applying for insurance, as well as education and information about how both parents play a role in pre-pregnancy, labor delivery and daily parenting of your baby.
4C for Children provides support and resources to foster, adoptive and kinship care families. Our free services help families navigate each step of the journey towards becoming a foster family, an adoptive family or in providing kinship care (relatives, extended family members or non-relative adults who have a long-standing relationship or bond with a child).
Head Start provides early learning for children from age 3 to 5. Our evidence-based curriculum focuses on getting young learners ready for kindergarten. Children also receive developmental screenings and are connected to healthcare providers, including for dental and vision needs. Options include part-day (3.5 hrs. M-Th), 6.5 hours, M-F and Full-Day, Full-Year (10 hrs. a day).
Free services and support for pregnant women, caregivers with new babies, and families with young children to the age of three. These evidence-based programs provide education, support, and advocacy.
We protect children and strengthens families. We investigate thousands of claims of abuse and neglect each year, and we prevent dangerous situations by working with families and providing them with helpful resources. If you have a concern about possible child abuse or child neglect, please call 937-224-KIDS (937-224-5437).
Montgomery County Human Services Planning and Development
Montgomery County
This program operates under the authority of the Montgomery County Board of County Commissioners to work with stakeholders (community volunteers, public and private agencies, funders, individuals, families and children, clients and caregivers, etc.) to ensure that the most effective health and human services are available to Montgomery County residents.
Montgomery County Job & Family Services Child Support Division
Montgomery County
We offer a wide range of services to help parents meet the needs of their children. Those include establishing and enforcing child support orders, establishing paternity, legal assistance, paying and receiving support and managing past due support, among others.
Montgomery County Job & Family Services Family Assistance Division
Montgomery County
We determine eligibility for several programs designed to strengthen individuals and families to help them attain self-sufficiency. These include Food Assistance/SNAP, Cash Assistance, Medical Assistance, Child Care Assistance, Emergency Aid (PRC) for Needy Families and Adult Protective Services.
On Our Sleeves works in the community to reduce the need for long term mental health care, to enhance mental wellness, and to develop resilience to overcome traumas.
4C for Children Parent & Youth Ambassadors (PYAs) are a single, in-person resource that helps families navigate state and local services and benefits for children ages birth to 21. PYA staff have lived experience in social systems and will accompany families on the journey of connecting with agencies and government services and applying for the assistance needed. All services provided are free.
A free program to help connect people to medical and social services they and their loved ones need most. Participants partner with a community health worker to empower them to make decisions regarding their health and well-being.
Play on Purpose, or POP, is a community-based initiative to encourage families to turn everyday moments into playful learning opportunities. The aim of this initiative is to help families engage their young children by asking the right questions at the right time. Our goal is to turn free play into playful learning by engaging adults with their young children through thoughtful design and intentional placement of experiences and signage.
Service Coordination Through the Montgomery County Family and Children First Council
Montgomery County
This program helps bring services to children and families in a way that is simple and organized for the family. Service coordination finds agencies, people and services that help children and families, and with family involvement, organizes a plan to get the child and family what they need.
Dayton Children’s is here to support you every step of the way on your parenting journey. Through Ubicare, we’ll keep you informed about your child’s health, development, and other important updates. Sign up to receive helpful tips and updates tailored to your child, delivered straight to your inbox or via text.