Become a Chalkbeat sponsor

Early Childhood

As federal COVID funds run out, the district is grappling with how to pay for universal preschool going forward.

Illinois plans to provide 5,800 additional preschool seats for the state’s youngest learners

The governor will work with the legislature in spring 2024 to formalize the new agency’s structure. He is appointing a transition director and advisory committee to help figure out how to bring together preschool funding, daycare licensing, early intervention, and the state’s child care assistance program. 

At a town hall meeting Thursday, providers and parents appealed for funds to keep providers in business and services affordable for families.

Officials are considering opening more so-called specialty schools meant to help students with more challenging disabilities transition into the real world.

Illinois Action for Children’s report on child care in Cook County found that federal emergency relief funds allowed many providers to keep their doors open. However, families still face barriers to get affordable care.

The Illinois Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity report found that about an additional 500 students who already work in early childhood education enrolled in college.

Illinois legislators pass bill that requires school districts to have a full-day kindergarten bill by 2027 as spring legislative session starts to wind down.

Four-year-olds will get priority, but officials say more than 30,000 spots are available across Chicago Public Schools and community-based early childhood providers. Families are encouraged to apply before May 2 to get an offer by May 19.

Early childhood education advocates want the winner of the April 4 runoff to prioritize access to affordable child care, attracting and retaining early childhood education staff.

Early childhood education needs more funding, say Chicago’s mayoral candidates. However, each candidate’s proposal differs in how to do it.

In his inauguration speech, the governor said he would make college tuition free for working-class families and expand preschool to all Illinois families.

Pritzker said he wants to make Illinois the number one state for making child care accessible to families during his second term in office.

Early childhood education advocates have long argued that low wages prevent child care centers from retaining employees for a long time. A new study finds a gap in wages between early childhood teachers and teachers in kindergarten despite having the same degree.

Illinois children between 6 months and 5 years old are now eligible for COVID  vaccinations. Will child care centers return to normal this fall?

Families are finding more demand than availability in summer camp programs for Chicago children. The pandemic has added to the shortage.

Chalkbeat wants to hear what you’ve been doing this summer for care and any challenges you’ve encountered.

The COVID vaccines will be available after authorization from the Food and Drug Administration Friday and expected approval by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.