4-C Logo - Community Coordinated Child Care
Faded circlesClick here to contact 4-CClick here to go to the 4-C homepage
155 N. Third Street, Suite 300 • DeKalb, Illinois 60115 • (800) 848-8727

4-C Professional Development Scholarships 

4-C awards scholarships to help cover the costs of early childhood college classes, conferences and individual credentials. 

Who Can Apply?

  • Licensed and license exempt family child care providers listed in the 4-C referral database
  • Staff working in licensed and license exempt center programs listed in the 4-C referral database  

What Can The Funds Be Used For?

  • Tuition and books for approved early childhood classes
  • Conference registration fees and lodging
  • Presenter fees for on-site training of center staff or child care association members
  • Application and renewal fees for approved early childhood credentials  

Scholarships are awarded on an on going basis as funding is available.  Funding limits apply for all scholarships. Only pre-approved activities can be covered. For more information about professional development funds click on the link to the application form or contact:

DeKalb, Ogle, Lee, Whiteside and Carroll County programs, please call (815) 758-8149 or (800) 848-8727, Ext. 226.

McHenry County programs please call (815) 344-5510 or (866) 347-2277.

To apply for professional development funds complete the Professional Development/Accreditation Funds Application Form.

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships assist early childhood professionals obtain college or university credit. By attending classes at a participating institution, credit can be earned toward a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) credential, Illinois Director Credential (IDC) Level I, II, and III; an Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.

Contact the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) at (309) 829-5327 for more information about T.E.A.C.H. scholarships and other professional development opportunities.

Quality Counts Grants 

Child care programs listed in the 4-C CCR&R database are eligible to apply for Quality Counts Grants for facility improvements, children’s equipment, and parent or provider resources.  Grants are usually available once a year.  Eligible programs are notified by mail.  Bidders’ Conferences are held to explain the application process and timelines. 

Funding limits for Quality Counts Grants are: 

Family child care homes: $100-$1,500

Group family homes: $100-$2,000

Child care center limits are based on capacity:

  • 1-50 - $100-$4,000
  • 51-100 - $100-$8,000
  • 101 and up - $100-$12,000 

Priorities for the grants are:

  • To increase capacity and/or improve the quality of care for infants and toddlers
  • To increase the capacity and /or improve the quality of care for children with special needs
  • To increase the capacity/improve the quality of care for school age children  

For more information about the Quality Counts Grants in the DeKalb, Ogle, Lee, Whiteside and Carroll County programs, please contact (815) 758-8149 or (800) 848-8727, Ext. 226 or Ext. 230.

For more information about the Quality Counts Grants in the McHenry County programs, please call (815) 344-5510 or (866) 347-2277.

(NOTE: Too late to apply for current funds/application from and guidelines and requirements document will be available for download when grants are available.) 

Accreditation

Accreditation provides professional recognition and consumer distinction to early childhood programs meeting nationally recognized standards for high quality early care and education. Child care centers, preschools, family child care homes and school age programs can become accredited by successfully completing a voluntary assessment process. 

4-C has funds to help licensed programs achieve and maintain accreditation. Grants are available for accreditation fees and materials to meet accreditation criteria. For more information about accreditation funds and how 4-C can help contact:

DeKalb, Ogle, Lee, Whiteside and Carroll County programs, please contact (815) 758-8149 or (800) 848-8727, Ext. 226. 

McHenry County programs, please contact (815) 344-5510 or (866) 347-2277.

To apply for accreditation funds complete the Professional Development/Accreditation Funds Application Form.

Accreditation can be achieved through the following organizations.  Click on the links below for more information.

National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
NAFCC (800) 359-3817

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
NAEYC (800) 424-2460

National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)
NECPA (800) 505-9878

National School-Age Care Alliance (NSACA)
NSACA (617) 298-5012

National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC)
NACCP (800) 537-1118