Early Childhood Education
Updated FY10 English Proficiency Screening Information for Preschool 
Early Childhood Block Grant
No proposals submitted under FY10 Preschool for All or Prevention Initiative Requests for Proposal (RFP) will be funded because additional funds did not become available to the Illinois State Board of Education.
FY 2010 Funding and Implementation Information
The Early Childhood Education Division provides leadership and technical assistance to support quality programs for children birth to age eight years. The goal for these programs is to assist young children to enter school with a foundation of knowledge and skills that allows them to be successful throughout their school experience.
Program Contact Lists
Early Childhood Professional Development
Birth to Age 3 Years
For children from birth to age 3 years, early childhood provides funding for the Prevention Initiative for Programs Offering Coordinated Services to At-Risk Children and Their Families to include a parental training component. The aim of Prevention Initiative is to provide early, continuous, intensive and comprehensive child development and family support services to help families build a strong foundation for learning to prepare children for later school success.
Preschool for All Children 3 to 5 Years Old
For children from 3 to 5 years old, early childhood provides funding for the Preschool for All Children program and the continuing Prekindergarten Program for Children at Risk of Academic Failure. The long term goal of the Preschool for All Children program is to provide educational services to all 3- to 5-year-old children whose families choose to participate. The Preschool for All Children program focuses on providing high-quality educational programs for children who are determined to be at risk of academic failure. It also provides funding for programs serving families of low to moderate income whose children are not considered to be at risk academically and other families that choose to participate.
Early Childhood Special Education Programs
Early Childhood Special Education programs for children ages three to five are part of the special education continuum as operated by the public schools of Illinois. While the Illinois Department of Human Services is the lead agency for special education services for children ages birth to three, ISBE Early Childhood staff act as liaisons to that program.
Even Start Family Literacy Programs
The Even Start Family Literacy program is a federally funded program designed to break the cycle of illiteracy by improving educational opportunities for low income families. Early Childhood, Adult Literacy, Parenting Education and Interactive Literacy Activities between parents and their children are required components of this grant.
Kindergarten Corner
Kindergarten Corner includes the Kindergarten Early Learning Standards, Kindergarten Data, Featured Experts, and Kindergarten Resources as part of the comprehensive plan for supporting teachers, administrators and parents of kindergarten children.
Additional Contact Information
If you have further questions about Early Childhood services in the State of Illinois, please feel free to contact the Early Childhood Division at 217/524-4835.
