The 4-C CCR&R Program offers two options to help families find child care.

Families can contact the 4-C Referral Specialists or conduct their own search for referrals online.

Contact 4-C for Referrals

• Based on their needs and preferences, families are referred to child care centers, family child care homes, preschools or school age programs.
• Experienced referral specialists conduct a search and provide unbiased referrals to families.
• Information about quality indicators and types of care is provided on the call.
• Referrals can be mailed, emailed or faxed. All families receive materials that will assist them in their child care search.

For referrals in Carroll, DeKalb, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties
Call 815-758-8149 or 800-848-8727 ext. 287 Email:

For referrals in McHenry County
Call 815-344-5510 or toll free at 866-347-2277 Email:

Search for Child Care Online

The Quality Counts Online Child Care Search allows families to search for child care referrals online at a time that is convenient to them.

Click Here to Begin Your Quality Counts Online Child Care Search

4-C is not a monitoring agency and does not endorse or recommend one provider over another. Referrals from the 4-C referral line or website are not a guarantee of quality. All information provided to 4-C is confidential and is only used for the purpose of referring families to child care programs.

Complaints about child care providers are handled as follows:

Complaints involving licensing will be referred to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Complaints involving suspected child abuse and neglect will be referred to the DCFS hotline at 800-252-2873.

Information and actions concerning complaints will be documented and held in confidence.

Note: To make a complaint against a child care provider or any of our CCR&R services please contact 4-C at 800-848-8727 (DeKalb office) or 866-347-2277 (McHenry office).