EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Children who attend quality early learning programs are more likely to succeed in school, graduate and do well in life. Illinois is a national leader with its Preschool for All program, but its phased-in approach means many 3- and 4-year-olds still lack access.
What Voices for Illinois Children is Doing
Voices supports full implementation of Preschool for All and is working to secure additional state funds for program expansion and capital projects. Voices is also a founder and leader of the Early Learning Illinois campaign. 
What You Can Do
You can make a donation today and help us leverage $25,000. An anonymous friend has challenged Voices to find 150 new donors to support our mission. Your gift at any level will not only fund our advocacy but will also help us to leverage $25,000 in challenge funding, dollars which we will direct to the fight for early childhood programs. Please consider making a gift today.
Learn More
- FACT SHEET on the improvement of early childhood facilities' access to $45 million in capital funding that's necessary for building new classrooms and renovating existing ones.
- FACT SHEET on the preservation of our “Preschool for All” efforts at improving young children’s access to high-quality early learning services.
- FACT SHEET on the strenghening of preK students’ transportation by ensuring schools are at least partially reimbursed for their busing costs – thus removing some of the barriers that block geographically isolated children from participation.
- View Voices' early learning ad campaign that highlights the significance of strengthening Illinois' investment in early childhood programs
- Read why Illinois should include early learning programs in the state capital budget
- Learn about Preschool for All:
- Further investment is needed to continue success
- Increase the infant-toddler set aside in the Early Childhood Block Grant to give the youngest learners the best possible start
- Preliminary reports show Preschool for All is working well
- Read about Illinois' success in Raising Young Children to the Top of the Policy Agenda: Lessons from Illinois
- View Voices' TV and radio ads about early learning
- Read about the benefits of investing early in children's lives in these Voices special reports: Nurture for Their Future and A Universal Good
- See the 2009 Policy Agenda
Contact
- Director of Government Relations Sean Noble at 312-516-5566
