For Providers

Provider Resources and Tools

• An overview of the DCFS licensing process
  
• Child Care Assistance Program child care telephone billing system information
  
• CCAP child care payment information and updates
  
• Early Childhood Block Grant: Prevention Initiative
  
• Early Childhood Block Grant: Preschool for All
  
• Early Childhood Block Grant: Preschool for All-Expansion
  
• ExceleRate Illinois information for providers
  

Supports to Help Meet Children's Diverse Needs

• How can I support children in my program who have special needs?
• Information on developmental screening
• Resources from Early CHOICES
• Information on Early Intervention
• How do I support students who are emergent bilingual?
• Resources from the Illinois State Board of Education
  

Additional Provider Supports

• Erikson Institute's Town Square provides Family, Friend, and Neighbor care provider supports
• NAEYC provides social and emotional development supports 
• Find resources on the recent Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion legislation here
  
• Visit iGrow to learn more about infant and early childhood mental health consultation 
• Learn more about professional development in the Pyramid Model
  
• Illinois Early Learning Project Tip Sheets are easy-to-read, one-page resources on a variety of topics of interest to parents and teachers of young children
  
• The Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map provides comprehensive early childhood data and maps to local and state stakeholders
  

Workforce and Professional Development Supports

Gateways to Opportunity is Illinois' early care and education professional development system. It includes:

• Gateways Registry: the registry allows you to track your education, Credentials, and training online in your personal and secure Professional Development Record.
• Online Training: Gateways i-learning is the hub of online training for Illinois child care providers. You can locate online training for DCFS Licensing, ExceleRate Illinois, and other courses related to caring for children.
• Training Calendar: Search the Gateways Training Calendar for professional development events around the state. 
• Gateways Credentials: These credentials are symbols of professional achievement that show your knowledge, skills, and experience in caring for and educating children. 
  

How to Get Involved

• Illinois Early Learning Council: A public-private partnership created by P.A. 93-380 to strengthen, coordinate, and expand programs and services for children, birth to five, throughout Illinois. Meetings are open to the public.
• Professional Development Advisory Council: A group of key stakeholders from a wide variety of child related industries who work to advance the field of early care and education, school-age, youth development, and family support. Meetings are open to the public.
• DCFS Child Day Care Licensing Advisory Council: This group provides input and suggestions on day care licensing rules and procedures, areas of focus and future planning, issues, concerns, and trends. Meetings are open to the public.
• Illinois Interagency Council on Early Intervention: This council provides advice and assistance as defined in the EI Services System Act. Meetings are open to the public, and interested individuals can nominate themselves for membership.
• Illinois Head Start Association
• Partner Plan Act: Resources on local Early Childhood Collaborations