Center and Licensed Homes Resources

Education

The following area community colleges offer college courses and Associates degrees in the field of early childhood education. For more detailed information click the link that corresponds to the college(s) in your area.
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John A Logan Community College
Kaskaskia College
Rend Lake Community College
Southwestern Illinois Community College
Wabash Valley College

In addition, Southern Illinois University offers Bachelors and Graduate level degrees in Early Childhood Education as well as other related fields.

Looking for college or Gateways credential credit?  Click here

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Health and Safety

Emergency Preparedness Planning Guide - updated March 2024
Ages & Stages Questionnaire
Asbestos and Its Dangers - Mesothelioma.net
Austism Professional Learning & Universal Supports
Cerebral Palsy Guidance​
Child and Adult Care Food Program
Danny Did Foundation, Epilepsy Awareness
Eco-Healthy Child Care
Healthy Southern Illinois Delta Network
Lead in Water - DCFS Sunshine Site
Mental and Behavioral Health Consultants - Caregiver Connections 
Mesothelioma Cancer- Mesothelioma Hope
Poison Prevention – Illinois Poison Center
Radon – Illinois Emergency Management Agency 
Recalls - Kids in Danger
Safe Simple Sleep for babies 
Special Needs – Specialized Care for Children

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Quality Improvement

ExceleRate™ Illinois 
Early Choices, An Inclusion Initiative of IL. State Board of Education
Financial Assistance for College Gateways to Opportunities 
Illinois Early Learning Guidelines and Standards Illinois Early Learning Project
McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act
Videos and Tips - Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center, Head Start
Nutrition - St. Louis Dairy Council
ILNET 
Social Emotional Development – Center for Social Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
Steps to Prevent Suspension and Expulsion
Resilience - Resilient Southern Illinois (RSI)
RSI Social Emotional Library

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Accreditation

AdvancED Accreditation
American Montessori Society (AMS) Accreditation
Council on Accreditation (COA) 
National Accreditation Commission (NAC) Accreditation 
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation 
National Accreditation for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Accreditation 
National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA) 
Illinois AEYC Center for Excellence- Statewide Accreditation Mentoring 

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Regulations

Approved CPR and First Aid providers
How to claim your CPR and First Aid card
Department of Children and Family Services Day Care Licensing
-Local office 618-993-7100
Food Handler Training FAQ
Food Handler Training Providers
Food Manager's Certificate Providers

Where can children go when they are too young to stay home, but too old for childcare?
Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois can help!
Since 2004, we have welcomed thousands of young people through our blue doors. Our dream to strengthen the communities in Southern Illinois where all youth have a place to become is becoming a reality. In these places, youth find mentors, tutors, role models, and friends that will help them learn, grow and develop in ways that will help them succeed in school, community, and in life. Every day, we are ‘someone’s hero’. You can become a part of this journey, to raise a generation of youth who will change the culture of the communities, for generations to come – help us be the change.
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Learn more here - Boys & Girls Club of Southern Illinois – A Place to Become (bgcsi.org)

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Credentials

Gateways credentials are awarded and recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care and Development.
Gateways credentials are symbols of professional achievement that can be earned by completing an approved program at an entitled college or
university, or by completing a portfolio that documents education and experience, or by completing the Level 1 ECE training.

Gateways to Opportunity offers a variety of credential opportunities to professionals in the field of early care and education:
Illinois Director Credential (IDC)
ECE Credential
Infant Toddler Credential (ITC)
School-Age and Youth Development Credential
Family Child Care Credential
Family Specialist Credential
Technical Assistance Credential

QUICK LINKS

​Centers and Licensed Homes
Child Care Assistance Program
Referrals to your Program
ExceleRate Illinois
Grants and Funding
Resources