CINCINNATI (March 17, 2008) – The free 2008 edition of the Early Care & Education Guide is already appearing on give-a-way stands in local supermarkets and pediatrician offices. Besides providing an updated listing of early care and education options in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky sorted by city and zip code, this 64-page resource provides tips for parents of children from birth to school age on how to best support their child’s development as well as ensure their child’s health and safety.

This annual guide is a cooperative effort by 4C for Children, the region’s child care resource and referral agency, and United Way of Greater Cincinnati Success by 6®.  More than 40,000 copies have been printed for free distribution at pediatrician and obstetrician offices as well as retail locations that serve families.

“We want to share this great information with every parent of a young child,” says Sallie Westheimer, executive director of 4C. “Together with our partner, Success by 6®, we believe this free guide is a critical tool in helping to ensure school readiness for all children in our community.”

The guide contains articles in both English and Spanish on how to choose a child care provider.  It also helps parents determine whether a provider meets national accreditation or state quality-rating standards.

Westheimer urges parents who have not yet picked up a copy to call 4C at 513-221-0033, ext. 1321, to have a free copy mailed to them.

4C, the region’s leading child care coordinating agency, was founded in 1972 to ensure the quality, effectiveness and availability of early childhood education and care.  It currently serves a 23-county area in Southwest Ohio, the Miami Valley and Northern Kentucky.  A not-for-profit agency, 4C is funded in part by United Way, the City of Cincinnati, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Child Care.

Success By 6® is a national United Way strategy in more than 350 cities across the country all focused on improving school readiness through local community change. The ultimate outcome is that young children enter school ready to succeed. Success By 6® works with numerous local stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of the early years and to make early childhood development a top priority for resources and funding.

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For more information contact Amy Gorga, 4C Communications Coordinator at (513) 758-1310 or agorga@4cforchildren.org.