Agencies
Services
For Families
Illinois has many services for families starting with prenatal support. Services include supports for cultivating parents existing strengths as their children’s first teachers, parent well-being, and personalized family support (Home Visiting), therapeutic supports for children with disabilities or developmental delays (Early Intervention) and a range of child care and preschool options, including some financial assistance to help (Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)).
If you’re looking for child care, Illinois has a diverse range of child care options –because there is no such thing as an average family.
Because there is no such thing as an average family, Illinois has a diverse mix of child care options for families to choose from. Families can find child care options that serve children from 6 weeks to 6 years, in homes, centers, public and private schools. In some cases, public funding can support these options. Eligibility and requirements vary by program. This mixed delivery system serves the rich racial, regional, cultural, and linguistic family diversity found across the state.
The different types of child care and early learning options can be grouped into three buckets 1) the settings of care, 2) early childhood education and care program offerings, and 3) quality ratings. These buckets are designed to help you make the best choice for your children.
Range of Early Care and Education Facilities include -
Child care center, fully licensed.
Child care center, license exempt.
Child care home, fully licensed (most common).
Child care home, license exempt non-relative care.
Child care home, license exempt because children are cared for by a relative.
Public School district preschool.
Private School.
There are rules for different settings, such as homes, centers, school-based programs, etc. Each of these different settings can qualify to administer various types of public programs. (See program descriptions in section on programs.)
Child Care Centers, Licensed
Child Care Centers care for larger numbers of children at a time in a non-residential setting. Centers usually group children by age and offer developmentally appropriate care and education for each age range. Licensed Child Care Centers meet state-mandated health and safety standards, staffing ratios, and staff education and training levels. Find child care and early learning programs near you.
Child Care Centers, License Exempt
License-Exempt Child Care Centers include those that apply and meet the requirements, such as those centers overseen by another state agency or nationally recognized organization and operated by public or private schools or, faith-based organizations. While these settings are not licensed, if they receive CCAP funds, then they are held to the program’s health and safety, staff to child ratios, or group sizes standards.
Family Child Care or Child Care Homes, Licensed
Family Child Care programs are hosted in an early care and education provider’s home. This option creates a warm, home-like experience for children. These programs serve fewer children at a time, and often offer flexible hours. Licensed Family Child Care providers meet state requirements for health and safety. Find child care and early learning programs near you.
Family Child Care or Child Care Homes, License Exempt Relative Care
License Exempt Family Child Care or Child Care Home providers care for even fewer children at once, and the children are cared for by a relative, like a grandparent, who is not the parent or legal guardian. A comprehensive background check is not required for license exempt care provided by a relative. This type of care is often referred to as family, friend and neighbor care or FFN.
Family Child Care or Child Care Homes, License Exempt non-relative care
License-Exempt Family Child Care or Child Care Home providers care for even fewer children at once, and the children are cared for by a friend or neighbor. Background checks are required for friend and neighbor caregivers. This type of care is often referred to as family, friend and neighbor care or FFN.
Child Care provided by a Nanny, Grandparent, or Au Pair?
Some families may choose to hire someone to provide child care in the home. Examples of in-home care providers include nannies or au pairs. This type of care is not regulated by state child care licensing standards. This care can also be done by relatives, like a grandparent. One distinction between relative care in this instance is that a family receiving child care from a relative (e.g., grandparent) may not be eligible for subsidized care or state financial support.
Child care and early learning programs available in Illinois across setting types
Preschool For All (PFA) Program
The Preschool for All (PFA) program provides at least 12.5 hours weekly of high-quality preschool to eligible families with children ages 3-5. PFA programs must include comprehensive developmental screening. They must be taught by bachelor’s-level early childhood licensed teacher. PFA programs must use a standards-aligned, research-based curriculum to provide children with a foundation of knowledge and skills that allows them to be successful throughout their school experience.
For specific information about the requirements of implementing the Preschool for All grant, please review the compliance checklist and the Illinois Administrative Code Part 2050 (formally Illinois Administrative Code Part 235) Items 1-20 on the compliance checklist are required of all programs administering Preschool for All services.
Preschool for All Expansion (PFAE) Program
The Preschool for All Expansion program provides high-quality preschool programs that reach and serve 3- to 5-year-old children in high-need communities and includes 5 hours of education and comprehensive services. PFAE also provides screenings and services in the areas of medical, dental, and mental health. This includes targeted supports pertaining to family engagement; instructional practices; and positive behavioral and social-emotional development, including a family educator, instructional leader, and mental health consultant.
Specific requirements for implementing the Preschool for All Expansion program can be found within the compliance checklist and the Illinois Administrative Code 2050 (formally Illinois Administrative Code Part 235). Items 1-37 on the compliance checklist are required of all programs administering the PFAE programs.
Federal Early Head Start and Head Start Programs are licensed in Child Care Centers and Homes
Early Head Start and Head Start programs support the early care and education needs of families facing hardship during their children’s early years. These programs respond to each child and family’s unique ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage. Early Head Start and Head Start programs address issues of poverty and promote school readiness with resources to meet the family’s educational, health, nutritional, and social service needs. Early Head Start and Head Start programs have eligibility requirements and offer a low-cost option for early learning. To locate a program in your area, search this national list.
Quality Child Care
The quality of interaction and engagement received during the first five years of a child’s life shapes their ability to succeed.
From the moment each baby is born, they begin learning to make sense of the world around them. Parents remain the most important influence for their children from birth through young adulthood. One of the most important decisions you can make for your children is the type of early care and education they receive. While location, cost, and availability are all critical factors, the quality of the program needs to be a primary consideration.
Educators in child care programs provide children with activities that can improve their physical, cognitive (learning), social and emotional development. With the right kind of engagement offered on a continuous basis, both you and your early learning program can help your child form a healthy foundation for life. Choosing a quality early care and education program is a daunting task. Using the state’s quality rating and improvement system, ExceleRate® Illinois, can make your search easier. ExceleRate has done some of your homework for you. ExceleRate Illinois helps you find an early learning provider who makes quality a priority by organizing child care providers into categories: Bronze, Silver, and Gold Circle of Quality.
Search the website by address to programs near you and their quality ratings.
Tips for Choosing Child Care
In the first three years of life, babies form over 1 million neural connections per second!
These years are critical for growth, development, and learning. Babies are learning and forming emotional attachments that will allow them to feel safe and secure. This checklist can help parents choose the best care for their child.
Consider your preferences and your child’s personality.
Would your child enjoy the diverse activities and people in a child care center with more children to engage?
Would your child be happier in a calm family environment with fewer children and adults?
Observe the program in action.
Do children look happy and interested in what they are doing?
Are care providers sensitive and responsive to a child’s needs and signals?
Are there any babies or toddlers watching television or other screens? (They should not be.)
Are activities developmentally appropriate and intellectually stimulating?
Look at the environment.
Are there safe places for infants and toddlers who are crawling and walking?
Are the toys and learning materials age appropriate?
Does the space feel cluttered or crowded?
Is there a safe place for outdoor activities?
Be aware of health and safety issues.
Is a current state license for the facility displayed for you to see?
Does the facility look and smell clean, with easy access to a sink for hand washing?
Are there obvious hazards, such as open electrical sockets?
Are small toys used by older children kept away from children under 3?
Are toys washed and disinfected regularly?
Are care providers trained in basic first aid, infant CPR, and accident prevention?
Are bottles or food items stored safely?
Are infants held during feeding?
Are toddlers supervised during meals?
What are the policies about caring for sick children and putting infants to sleep on their backs?
Meet with the person who will care for your child.
Do infants and toddlers have one primary caregiver? Can this person be expected to work there for a long time?
Is a caregiver responsible for no more than three or four infants or toddlers?
Has the caregiver had training or education in child development and care?
How does she or he handle problems such as crying or conflicts?
Discuss your involvement as a parent.
Will there be time for you to talk to the provider when you drop a child off and when you pick them up?
Is a record of the child’s day provided, including activities, naps, feedings, and concerns?
May you visit at any time?
Is parent involvement encouraged?