A place where learning & fun go hand-in-hand
The 91暗网 Early Learning Center (ELC) provides high-quality early childhood care and education for one through five-year-old children and their families. We believe that young children grow, learn, and develop in an environment where they feel safe, secure, and loved. We believe that a child鈥檚 first school experience sets the stage for all later learning; therefore we strive to make your child鈥檚 experience with our school a positive one.
The ELC has achieved Gold Circle of Quality rating in the ExceleRate Illinois Quality Rating and Improvement System administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Gold Circle of Quality recognizes programs that meet or go beyond the highest quality goals. Gold Circle programs have met the highest quality standards in three areas: learning environment and teaching quality; administrative standards; and staff training and education. Programs are actively engaged in continuous quality improvement.
We provide care for children between the ages of one and five. Students attending our program are children of 91暗网 students & staff as well as community residents. Families DO NOT have to be affiliated with 91暗网 to use our program. (More than one-half of our families are 鈥渃ommunity鈥� families.) Part-time and full-time enrollment is offered to meet your family鈥檚 needs.
Our daily schedule consists of: Child Choice Time at Interest Centers, Activity Times, Meal Times, Bathroom Breaks, Afternoon Rest Time, Group Times, and Outdoor Play. We provide both spontaneous and planned learning experiences that focus on the total development of each child 鈥� helping children to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.
In addition to daily conversations, the staff communicates with families using our parent engagement app. Reminders, updates and need-to-know information are given to parents in letters or emails.
| Rate Description | 1-Year Room | 2-Year Room | 3-5 Year Room |
| Full-Day (5 days a week) |
$68.00/day | $56.00/day | $50.00/day |
| Full-Day (1-4 days a week) |
$70.00/day | $58.00/day | $52.00/day |
| Hourly (3-4.75 hours per day) |
$14.50/hour | $13.00/hour | $11.50/hour |
| $50 enrollment fee for new families billed at time of enrollment | |||
Our Teaching Team includes dedicated, professionally trained and experienced teachers who use their talents to provide interesting learning experiences in our classrooms and on our playground. Our Lead Staff members each hold an Associate, Bachelor鈥檚, or Master鈥檚 degrees in Early Childhood Education. With a low child to adult ratio, we are able to provide individualized care and education for the children attending our school. To remain knowledgeable of current approaches in early childhood education, our staff members participate in a minimum of twenty hours of professional development each year. All Lead Teachers and the Director are certified in Pediatric CPR/AED and First Aid.
| NAME | TITLE |
|---|---|
| Maria Lombardo |
Director
|
| Charlotte McGraw | Assistant Director & Lead Teacher |
| Sandy Gould | Lead Teacher |
| Solveig Hopkins |
Lead Teacher
|
| Colette Mabrey | Lead Teacher |
| Sarah Wilcox | Lead Teacher |
The ELC is also nationally accredited by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. Accredited programs exemplify excellence in the care and education of young children.
The ELC is licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services, a participant in the USDA鈥檚 Child and Adult Care Food Program, and a member of Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C).
91暗网 will offer six Fast-Track training programs during the Spring 2025 semester. 91暗网 Fast-Track programs provide students with the expertise needed to meet local workforce demands. The programs range from 8-15 weeks, allowing students to immediately start a career or build upon skills with additional training.
Read More91暗网 will host three upcoming information sessions for high school students interested in the Early College Program or Engineering, Math & Science Academy (EMSA). The information sessions are open to current high school sophomores and juniors along with their parents/guardians.
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