Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) assists parents, child care professionals, employers, and local communities in all matters related to early care and education. 

Since 1976, CCRC’s mission has been guided by the belief that our social and economic future depends on the quality of a young child’s experiences.  We encourage the growth and development of children and their families through our creative, informative and supportive programs and services.

CCRC serves over 25,000 children and families each month in the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, and Antelope Valleys – working effectively with parents, child care professionals, community members, businesses and government agencies to promote higher standards in child care and early education.

Child Care Resource and Referral 

CCRC’s Resource and Referral (R&R) department assists parents, at no charge, with locating and selecting the best child care for their children.  Parents call CCRC to discuss child care needs with a Resource & Referral Specialist who provides information on licensed family child care professionals, child care centers, school age programs and other early education program options available in the area. 

Resource & Referral Specialists also help parents and child care professionals by offering technical assistance ranging from finding special needs child care and child development ages & stages to marketing child care businesses and CPR training and certification.

Child Care Financial Assistance

Research shows that families experience greater economic, personal and social outcomes when they participate in CCRC’s child care financial assistance programs.  As a result of parent success, children experience greater physical, cognitive, and social development as well as enhanced readiness for school.

CCRC administers several programs, funded through the state and federal government including the California Department of Education, to help families pay for child care.  This assistance pays for part, or all, of the cost of child care, depending on family size and income.  CCRC Family Support Specialists certify eligible families and work with parents and Resource & Referral Specialists to locate appropriate child care and arrange for payment.  Parents may choose licensed or legally exempt child care. 

The CalWORKs Child Care Program has been designed for parents who are currently in the Welfare to Work Program and is funded through Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Social Services.  Parents need this type of child care financial assistance in order to experience a smooth transition from dependence on cash aid into the workforce.  Eligibility for both programs is based on a number of variables and conditions.

Head Start & Early Head Start

CCRC provides Head Start preschool for three- and four-year olds, Early Head Start for children 0-3, and professional services to over 1,400 qualifying families in the San Fernando Valley.  These programs serve children from low-income families and provide learning activities that promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth and development. 

Head Start and Early Head Start both focus on the whole family giving them the necessary resources needed to care for their children in healthy and productive ways. CCRC staff offer medical, dental, mental health, special needs and nutrition services as well as many opportunities for parents to be involved in their child’s growth, development and education.

Training and Technical Assistance

CCRC’s Child Development Specialists and other staff work directly with parents and child care professionals by offering technical assistance, information, training and support. CCRC provides or hosts over 250 workshops, trainings and Early Care Institutes each year focusing on various areas of interest in early care and education. Workshops are offered in both English and Spanish. 

The educational opportunities offered by CCRC include topics such as:  child growth and development, health and nutrition, learning environments and curriculum, promoting diversity, program administration and business management, positive child interactions and guidance, and special needs and inclusion.

Family Child Care Home Education Network (FCCHEN)

Family Child Care Home Education Networks combine the standards of a first rate child care center with the intimacy of a home environment.  Child care professionals in FCCHEN receive monthly resource van visits, education in child assessment and development, individualized training, and child care financial assistance for enrolled families who are eligible.  Funded by the California Department of Education, CCRC coordinates networks in the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys, serving hundreds of families and child care professionals.

School Readiness Initiative (SRI)… Ready for School

CCRC’s School Readiness Initiative ensures a high quality parent and child environment that allows children 0-5 to receive early learning experiences that are crucial to their success.  The initiative, funded by First 5, helps young children develop the skills necessary to be successful when they enter kindergarten through targeted services in four areas: improved family functioning, improved child development, improved health, and improved systems of care. 

Skilled child development specialists conduct monthly in-home visits, provide children with free enrollment in a quality family child care program, and offer a variety of parenting skills and school readiness workshops.

Careers in Child Development

Careers in Child Development works to increase literacy and professional skills of low income residents while increasing the capacity of the early childhood education field.  With funding from the United Way, program participants gain access to at least 12 units of higher education, 150 hours of volunteer work service in area preschools or elementary schools, and help finding employment. The main goal of the program is to obtain an Associate Teacher Permit and become employed in the Child Development field.

Book, Toy and Resource Library

Child Care Resource Center’s Book, Toy and Resource Library locations in the San Fernando and Antelope Valleys offer thousands of high quality, age appropriate toys, instructional videos, parent and child books, games, and child development educational materials at no cost to library card holders (free and easy to obtain).  CCRC also offers a variety of resource materials for child care professionals, child development students and parents, such as lesson plan ideas, child development information, and training guides and videos.

Discovery Van – A World on Wheels

When the Discovery Van arrives at your door, it brings fun and educational experiences from the ocean,rain forest, outer space or prehistoric times.  Along with the sensory experiences children receive, CCRC staff plan relevant, age-appropriate activities like creative art projects and story time complete with hand puppets. The World on Wheels brings new areas of exploration for children of all ages – right to your front door.

For more information regarding CCRC programs and services, please contact the Communications Department at (818) 717-1039 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .