What is Child Care Connect (C3)?
Child Care Connect (C3) is Iowa’s integrated platform for understanding real-time child care availability and demand. Historically, child care data was scattered across multiple systems, making it difficult to get a clear picture of the supply of child care and needs of Iowa’s children and families. Today, C3 brings that data together – offering near-real-time updates from providers through user-friendly, online tools.
How Does it Work?
C3 is a secure, centralized operational data system (ODS) managed by Iowa State University and funded by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services through the Child Care and Development Fund. It integrates data from multiple data sources—including provider systems, Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R), and state agencies—to deliver the most accurate and up-to-date child care information available in Iowa.
Supporting Iowans with Near-Real-Time Insights
By unifying child care data into one system, C3 helps:
Families find available care when they need it
Child care providers fill openings and sustain their businesses
Decision-makers identify trends and opportunities to improve child care statewide
C3 fosters collaboration among public and private partners, supports quality improvement, and strengthens community and economic development efforts.
Leading the Nation in Child Care Innovation
C3 positions Iowa as a national leader in child care innovation.
As a first-of-its-kind solution, it transforms fragmented data into a single, secure system – offering real-time visibility into vacancies and demand. This not only benefits Iowa families and providers but also serves as a model for other states seeking data-driven solutions to improve child care access.
Three Interactive Data Tools
C3 integrates data into three user-friendly applications designed to meet the needs of Iowans.
Together, these tools enhance access to child care and provide valuable insights for families, providers, communities, state leaders, and policymakers.
