Early Childhood Focus

"Preschool for All" Passage Continues to Support School Children

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:20:08 PST

Monday, June 30 marked the re-enactment of the Preschool for all legislation as Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed off to continue the State's historic early childhood education program.

Smith Helps Pass State Budget Increasing Funding for Schools

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:29:47 PST

After helping the Illinois House of Representatives pass a budget Saturday, State Rep. Mike Smith (D-Canton) is highlighting an increase of $524 million for education and $400 million for important human service programs and this year�s legislative developments.

Science, Politics and Preschool

Fri, 02 May 2008 11:16:21 PST

A tide of recent research on early childhood development is inspiring prominent scientists and politicians to argue for an unprecedented investment in schooling that begins virtually at birth

Softening the Crunch

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:23:15 PST

For families feeling the child care crunch in the midst of tough economic times, help could be on the way.

Flaw in Child Care Statute May Not Be Fixed For Months

Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:20:11 PST

An effort to fix a glitch in a state law originally intended to keep child sex offenders at least 500 feet away from home-based day cares is under way but may take a few months or more.

Parents Wonder about Drop-Off Child Care

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:55:46 PST

Angela Mahoney's preschool-age daughter has been clamoring lately for something other than cookies and cereal during trips to the supermarket. She's noticed the in-store childcare center and wants to play there.

Grant to benefit at-home child-care providers

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:34:24 PST

Child-care providers in Western Illinois could get some expert help thanks to $25,000 grant from a fund managed by the Community Foundation of the Quincy Area.

Forum: Boone County needs more child-care options

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 10:21:57 PST

Boone County needs more child-care options, the result of continued growth in the area, state and local officials who are sponsoring a forum on the subject said Monday.

Child care burning hole in parents' wallets

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:16:32 PST

Like all single parents, Waukegan real estate agent Eldridge Johnson knows his children come first. Even if that means spending a little extra money to ensure that Andre, 12, Javonn, 3, and Kayden, 2, have the best of care when he is working.

Report: Child care costs higher than ever

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 09:50:59 PST

A new report says parents are shelling out more than ever for child-care costs. For instance, Illinois parents spent an average of $10,198 to keep an infant or toddler in a licensed child care center in 2006, the report says.

First factor in child care decision: quality, experts say

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:48:59 PST

Judy Lamb learned the hard way that parents should do smarter shopping for child care. A full-time instructor at the Lake Land College Child Care Lab, Lamb recalled how she once went with the first child care provider on the list for her daughter, who was not yet old enough for the facility at the community college.

Budget blues hit child care?

Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:47:24 PST

Flora Sweeney has worked in child day care in West Dundee for 25 years and estimates she was underfunded by the state in 20 of those years.

Budget crisis delays child-care checks

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:49:24 PST

While the governor and Legislature dicker on a new state budget, there are some 70,000 families in Illinois that rely on the child-care assistance program funded by the state.

Parents finding care too costly

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:08:08 PST