Vision for the Division of Early Childhood in Illinois
Illinois' pregnant persons, young children and families have the supports they need to achieve their full potential.
Introduction
As required by State Statute 20 ILCS 505/5.15, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) submits an annual report to the Governor and Illinois General Assembly about the status of its child care program. The program is administered by the IDHS Division of Early Childhood (DEC), formerly the Office of Early Childhood. This report includes information on the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), including response to the COVID-19 pandemic within CCAP and Quality Improvement Programs. The 2022 Illinois Child Care Report includes information for the Fiscal Year 2022 (July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022), FY21 and FY20. The data in this report are from: a) the Child Care Management System (CCMS), b) the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies' (INCCRRA) aggregate database of the local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) parent customers, child care providers, and professional development activities; and c) the Gateways to Opportunity Registry. IDHS thanks the thousands of center-based staff, family child care providers and CCR&R staff for their support in the care and education of Illinois children. The Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (IDCFS) is the agency responsible for licensing child care providers.
Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in January 2020 and a pandemic in March 2020. In December 2020, U.S. Congress passed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA), which awarded $331 million in child care relief to Illinois. In March 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which awarded $1.312 billion in additional child care relief to Illinois. The following are financial considerations the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) has taken in Fiscal Year 2022 in response to the economic strain the child care space has experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Child Care Restoration Grant
In FY22, IDHS invested over $512,879,967 in Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act funds (CRRSA) and the American Rescue Plan (ARPA), while in FY21, were invested over $271 million in CRRSA and ARPA funds to support the sustainability of the child care field.
Funding
Funding for the Child Care Program in Illinois consists of several funding streams: State General Revenue Fund (GRF), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF).
The CCDF regulations establish allowable uses of CCDF funds related to the provision of child care services, activities to improve the quality of child care, and administrative costs. In addition, the rules establish matching fund requirements, restrictions on the use of funds, and cost allocations.
The following chart shows the Child Care Expenditures for FY22, FY21 and FY20
| Name |
FY22 |
% |
FY21 |
% |
FY20 |
% |
| State GRF |
$118,174,104 |
11% |
$291,403,153 |
31% |
$365,642,166 |
36% |
| TANF |
$594,007,895 |
58% |
$408,103,628 |
44% |
$300,846,386 |
29% |
| CCDF |
$320,827,222 |
31% |
$228,781,693 |
25% |
$356,113,195 |
35% |
| TOTAL |
$1,033,009,222 |
100% |
$928,288,473 |
100% |
$1,022,601,747 |
100% |
Note: This chart does not include federal child care relief funds received through CRRSA or ARPA.
Quality Expenses
| FY |
Amount |
| FY22 |
$63,536,552 |
| FY21 |
$55,992,956 |
| FY20 |
$58,679,925 |
Federal Priorities
The IDHS Division of Early Childhood sets policy and develops programs consistent with the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Child Care's philosophy and vision. ACF's overall goal is "to promote healthy, happy and successful children." Its philosophy includes a focus on the continuum of high-quality care for children from birth to age 12 and partnerships across child care, education, Head Start and health for a broader delivery system that expands family choices.
In November 2014, Congress reauthorized the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). This was a historic re-envisioning of child care. The four major topic areas of the law are:
- Protect the health and safety of children in child care.
- Help parents make informed consumer choices and access information to support child development.
- Provide equal access to stable, high quality child care for low-income children.
- Enhance the quality of child care and the early childhood workforce.
During FY22, CCAP continued to address the provisions of the CCDBG Act of 2014, while administering the CCAP programs under the previous federal priorities.
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
IDHS works with local Illinois communities to provide low-income families with access to affordable, quality child care. The CCAP serves children from birth to 12 years of age; and children of 13 years of age but below 19 years of age who are physically and/or mentally incapable of self-care or under court supervision.
CCAP has two primary goals:
- To support qualifying low-income families by providing child care subsidies. This allows parents to seek and/or maintain employment or educational activities, thereby decreasing dependence on public assistance; and
- To allow families access to multiple options for affordable, quality child care, early education, and after school programs that offer children the opportunity to grow, learn and be cared for in safe, nurturing settings that are culturally and developmentally appropriate.
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Agency Services
- Determine CCAP eligibility, manage cases and process payments for families living in their service delivery area and their providers.
- Engage families with consumer education on child care options and quality as well as information about child care financial assistance (CCAP subsidy).
- Engage child care providers to identify the availability of child care.
- Provide families seeking a child care provider a list of referrals that meet the families' needs.
- Provide training and technical assistance for child care providers.
- Promote and assist child care providers to meet higher quality.
- Referral to other IDHS programs and community services.
Site Administered Child Care
- The portion of the CCAP managed by licensed child care providers and/or home networks who have a contract with the Department.
- These providers determine CCAP eligibility and bill IDHS directly for child care services that they provide to a contracted number of children enrolled in the Child Care Assistance Program.
CCAP Enrollment
| Type |
FY22 |
FY21 |
FY20 |
| Children Served |
158,607 |
172,794 |
193,715 |
| Families Served |
59,295 |
96,668 |
108,316 |
| Monthly Average of children |
96,829 |
100,424 |
126,070 |
| Monthly Average of families |
55,246 |
55,859 |
71,242 |
Profile of Children Participating in CCAP
- 75.9% are in licensed care in FY 22, compared to 73% in FY21, and 75.4% in FY20
- 15.5% are in the care of relatives
- 8.6% are in the care of license-exempt centers, non-relative in child's home and provider's home
Number of Children by Age Participating in CCAP in March 2022
| Child's Age |
FY22
Enrolled in
CCAP |
% |
FY21
Enrolled in
CCAP |
% |
FY20
Enrolled in
CCAP |
% |
| 0-14 Months |
5,955 |
5.8% |
5,571 |
5.3% |
10,358 |
8% |
| 15-23 Months |
7,047 |
6.9% |
8,001 |
7.6% |
10,227 |
7.9% |
| 2 Years |
11,711 |
11.4% |
11,854 |
11.3% |
15,705 |
12.1% |
| 3-4 Years |
25,738 |
25.0% |
24,333 |
23.1% |
31,573 |
24.3% |
| 5 Years |
10,506 |
10.2% |
12,079 |
10.5% |
12,079 |
9.3% |
| 6-12 Years |
40,051 |
38.9% |
43,296 |
41% |
47,779 |
37.6% |
| 13 Years + |
1,864 |
1.8% |
1,254 |
1.2% |
1,093 |
0.8% |
| TOTAL |
102,884 |
100% |
105,339 |
100% |
129,814 |
100% |
Profile of families participating in the CCAP in March 2022
- 93.6% of families received subsidies because of employment.
- 2.6% of families had TANF as a source of income.
Profile of families participating in the CCAP in March 2021
- 98.6% of families received subsidies because of employment.
- 2.3% of families had TANF as a source of income.
Profile of families participating in the CCAP in March 2020
- Profile of families participating in the CCAP in March 2020
- 96.9% of families received subsidies because of employment. * 2.7% of families listed TANF as a source of income.
Annual Income Guidelines by Family Size
A family is considered income eligible when the combined gross non-exempt monthly base income (earned and unearned) of all family members is at or below the amounts listed below for the corresponding family size. In two-parent families both incomes must be combined to determine eligibility. Two-parent families include those with two or more adults living in the home, such as the applicant and spouse or parents of a common child in the home.
Income for a new application must be at 200% or below of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for the family to be income eligible for CCAP.
Family income must be at or below 250% FPL for a family to receive another 12-month eligibility period at redetermination.
Existing case being redetermined will be eligible for a 3-month Graduated Phase-out period with family income above 275% FPL and below 85% State Median Income (SMI).
The family is no longer eligible for CCAP any time income exceeds 85% SMI.
Income Guidelines By Family Size
| FY |
Family
Size
2 |
Family
Size
3 |
Family
Size
4 |
Family
Size
5 |
Family
Size
6 |
Family
Size
7 |
Family
Size
8 |
| FY20 |
$29,640 |
$37,296 |
$44,964 |
$52,620 |
$60,276 |
$67,956 |
$75,645 |
| FY21 |
$30,456 |
$38,448 |
$46,440 |
$54,432 |
$62,424 |
$70,416 |
$78,408 |
| FY22 |
$34,836 |
$43,920 |
$53,004 |
$62,076 |
$71,160 |
$80,244 |
$98,400 |
Number of CCAP families by Monthly Co-Payment Amount (FY22)
Parents who have been approved for child care benefits are required to help pay for the cost of their child care with a co-payment.
If the co-payment is more than the total cost for care, the parent pays the lesser amount to the provider and no payment is made by the state. The amount of the parent co-payment is based on gross monthly income and family size. Parent co-payments will be reduced by half during the months of September through May when all the children in care are school age (age 5 or older as of the month of September of each school year) and are approved for less than five hours of care.
FY22 Number of Families Co-payment Amount
| Amount |
FY22 Number of Families
|
| Greater than $200 |
10,419 |
| $101 to $200 |
15,595 |
| $51 to $100 |
10,289 |
| $26 to $50 |
4,286 |
| $1 to $25 |
16,280 |
| $0 |
2,432 |
Types of Child Care settings
Child Care Centers & Programs - Provide care for groups of children outside of a residential setting. Children are usually grouped by age. Types of centers include: child care, Early Head Start/Head Start, State pre-kindergarten, preschools, school age programs, and summer programs.
- Licensed Child Care Centers - must meet Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) standards for health and safety including child to staff ratios and required space per child.
- Licensed-Exempt Child Care Centers - are also recognized by Illinois, such as those serving children three years of age and older and operated by public or private elementary or secondary schools, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education of other accredited schools registered with the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Since these settings are not licensed by IDCFS, they are not held to standards for staff to child ratios or maximum group size set by IDCFS. Centers claiming exemption from licensing must submit a Confirmation of Exemption letter from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS)to be approved for payment from CCAP.
Family Child Care - Child care is offered in a homelike setting.
- Licensed Family Child Care - may care for up to eight children (including their own), or up to 12 children with an assistant.
- License-Exempt Family Child Care - (such as family, friend and neighbor) may care for three or fewer children (including their own), or children from one family. This care can be offered in the caregiver's home or in the child's home
Profile of Child Care Providers Participating in CCAP in FY22
- 75% of the license-exempt child care providers cared for relative children.
- 61% of all CCAP providers were license exempt.
CCR&R Agency Services for Child Care Providers Participating in CCAP
- Administration of parent applications.
- Determination of provider eligibility for CCAP.
- Processing of Monthly Child Care Certificates.
- Technical assistance to providers regarding CCAP.
- Assist with ensuring that license-exempt providers are notified and complete background check and training requirements. * Provide CCAP required health, safety and child development training.
Number of Providers Receiving CCAP Payments
| Type of Provider |
FY22 |
FY21 |
FY20 |
Licensed
Child Care Centers |
1,850 |
2,201 |
2,277 |
Licensed Family
Child Care Homes |
3,671 |
4,557 |
4,636 |
Licensed Group
Child Care Homes |
388 |
457 |
430 |
| TOTAL |
5,909 |
7,215 |
7,343 |
License Exempt
Centers |
550 |
722 |
842 |
LE non-relative in
provider's home |
1,105 |
7,718 |
3,313 |
LE relative in
provider's home |
4,402 |
2,723 |
8,490 |
LE non-relative in
child's home |
615 |
1,582 |
1,831 |
LE relative in
child's home |
2,456 |
4,587 |
4,979 |
| TOTAL |
9,128 |
17,332 |
19,455 |
| TOTAL ALL PROVIDERS |
15,037 |
25,547 |
2,798 |
Child Care Supply
The CCR&Rs Agencies support child care providers by referring families to their child care programs. The referral services are available at no cost to licensed centers, family child care homes, and group child care homes listed in the provider database as well as to license-exempt centers and homes that choose to be included in the provider database. The provider database information is shown in the next table.
Statewide Child Care Database
| Type |
FY22
# of providers |
FY22
Child Capacity |
FY21
# of providers |
FY21
Child Capacity |
FY20
# of providers |
FY20
Child Capacity |
Licensed
Family Homes |
5,872 |
57,977 |
6,797 |
61,940 |
6,371 |
59,450 |
| LE Family Homes |
642 |
1,850 |
1,030 |
1,583 |
454 |
1,302 |
| HOMES TOTAL |
6,514 |
59,827 |
7,827 |
63,523 |
6,825 |
60,752 |
| Licensed Centers |
2,789 |
239,131 |
3,005 |
238,972 |
2,830 |
219,598 |
| LE Centers |
2,577 |
187,997 |
2,368 |
163,814 |
2,195 |
142,086 |
| CENTERS TOTAL |
5,366 |
427,128 |
5,373 |
402,786 |
5,436 |
416,836 |
Child Care Demand
There are two dimensions of the "demand" for child care in any community.
- The number of children needing child care compared to the child care capacity available to meet the needs, and
- The unique requirements of families for their specific child's needs, such as the child's age, type of care desired, parent's work/school schedule, location, special needs of the child and cost.
Snapshot of Families Receiving Child Care Referrals in FY22
- 6,790 families received child care referrals by phone*
- 82% of families required care due to employment
*With the ExceleRate site for the provider search (online referrals), parents no longer must register for an account in order to search, therefore families served online is no longer tracked.
Snapshot of Families Receiving Child Care Referrals in FY21
- 4,666 families received child care referrals by phone or online
- 80% of families required care due to employment
Snapshot of Families Receiving Child Care Referrals in FY20
- 8,680 families received child care referrals by phone or online
- 90% of families required care due to employment
Schedules Requested for Children and Offered by Type of Provider in FY22
| Schedules |
Requested for
Children |
Offered:
Family Child
Care Homes |
Offered:
Child Care
Centers |
Offered:
Providers
Total |
| Standard Hours* |
10,428 |
5,150 |
4,780 |
9,930 |
| Evening |
542 |
1,605 |
1,770 |
3,375 |
| Weekend |
576 |
534 |
34 |
568 |
| Overnight |
223 |
158 |
8 |
166 |
| Rotating |
186 |
1,691 |
665 |
2,356 |
| Temp/Emergency |
48 |
1,909 |
644 |
2,553 |
| Drop In |
67 |
1,874 |
731 |
2,605 |
*A standard schedule is full-time care offered during traditional day time work hours.
Number of Children for Whom Child Care was requested by Age
| Age |
FY22
Requests |
FY22
Requests
% |
FY21
Requests |
FY21
Requests
% |
FY20
Requests |
FY20
Requests
% |
| Birth to 2 years |
4,153 |
35.1% |
2,292 |
31% |
4,292 |
36% |
| 2-year-old |
1,679 |
14.2% |
990 |
13% |
1,701 |
14% |
| 3-4-year-old |
2,655 |
22.4% |
1,662 |
22% |
2,659 |
22% |
| 5-year-old |
805 |
7% |
568 |
8% |
776 |
6% |
| School Age |
2,523 |
21.3% |
1,970 |
26% |
2,669 |
22% |
| TOTAL |
11,815 |
100% |
7,482 |
100% |
12,097 |
100% |
Child Care Request by Type of Care
| Type of Care |
FY22
Requests |
FY22
Requests
% |
FY21
Requests |
FY21
Requests
% |
FY20
Requests |
FY20
Requests
% |
| Child Care Center |
10,714 |
53% |
6,243 |
51% |
10,366 |
52% |
| Family Homes |
9,486 |
47% |
6,035 |
49% |
9,477 |
48% |
| TOTAL |
20,200 |
100% |
12,278 |
100% |
19,843 |
100% |
Data Context
Much of the Child Care Demand data are from the parent customer and child care databases compiled by the local CCR&Rs. Therefore, the data presented does not include all families and children requiring child care services in Illinois. Most families do not receive child care assistance and many families find child care services through friends, families, advertisements and other means. Additionally, many license-exempt child care programs are not listed in the provider database. Because of these factors, it is important to note that this report is only one means of examining the larger child care supply and demand picture in Illinois.
Quality Improvement Programs
During FY22, the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) required at least nine percent of federal funds be allocated for the improvement of child care quality, plus an additional three percent for quality for infants and toddlers. These funds were used to support the IDHS Division of Early Childhood Quality Improvement Initiatives. The program's overall goal is to increase the quality of child care available to all Illinois families. In all child care settings this goal is addressed with a multi-faceted, systematic approach that works to meet the individual needs of children, families, child care providers and communities. In FY22, IDHS contracted with 16 local CCR&R agencies and the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) to implement the quality services described on the following pages.
Pathways to Excellence for Child Care Programs
Maintaining a Quality Recognition and Improvement System
ExceleRate Illinois is a state-wide cross sector quality recognition and improvement system designed to make continuous quality improvement an everyday priority among early learning providers. The program establishes standards for helping infants, toddlers and preschool age children develop intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. It provides a framework for early learning professionals to identify opportunities for improvement, increase their skills and take steps to make positive changes. ExceleRate includes licensed child care centers and licensed family child care homes, Head Start and State Preschool for All (PFA) programs.
ExceleRate Illinois recognizes early learning providers for their ongoing efforts to improve the quality of their care by awarding Circle of Quality designations:
- The Licensed Circle of Quality tells you that the program meets state licensing standards for quality. It is the foundation for quality.
- The Bronze Circle of Quality recognizes the qualifications of program staff. It tells you that the program has completed ExceleRate Illinois trainings, has met or is working towards qualifications and is engaged in continuous quality improvement.
- The Silver Circle of Quality recognizes that the program has met quality goals. Silver Circle programs meet or go beyond quality standards in three areas: learning environment and teaching quality; administrative standards; and training & education. Programs are actively engaged in continuous quality improvement.
- The Gold Circle of Quality recognizes programs that meet or go beyond the highest quality goals. Gold Circle programs have met the highest quality standards in three areas: learning environment and teaching quality; administrative standards; and training & education. Programs are actively engaged in continuous quality improvement.
The following table shows data for licensed centers and licensed homes, number of CCAP children enrolled by Circles of Quality
| Circle of Quality |
FY22
Centers |
FY22
Centers
Children
Enrolled |
FY22
Homes |
FY22
Homes
Children
Enrolled |
FY21
Centers |
FY21
Centers
Children
Enrolled |
FY21
Homes |
FY21
Homes
Children
Enrolled |
FY20
Centers |
FY20
Centers
Children
Enrolled |
FY20
Homes |
FY20
Homes
Children
Enrolled |
| Bronze |
109 |
2,514 |
187 |
1,267 |
117 |
2,661 |
184 |
1,201 |
98 |
2,755 |
178 |
1,250 |
| Silver |
317 |
7,111 |
111 |
1,065 |
332 |
7,224 |
125 |
1,173 |
362 |
10,189 |
135 |
1,545 |
| Gold |
353 |
13,506 |
15 |
125 |
386 |
13,417 |
20 |
139 |
429 |
20,111 |
22 |
164 |
| TOTAL |
779 |
23,131 |
313 |
2,457 |
835 |
23,302 |
329 |
2,513 |
889 |
33,055 |
335 |
2,959 |
| non-CCAP |
|
32,562 |
|
767 |
|
29,000 |
|
782 |
|
42,139 |
|
910 |
| TOTAL |
779 |
55,693 |
313 |
3,224 |
835 |
52,302 |
329 |
3,295 |
889 |
75,194 |
335 |
3,869 |
*Enrollment /CCAP numbers are reported at time of initial application and updated annually.
Illinois is one of only a handful of states that has implemented a quality improvement program for License-Exempt Family Child Care providers (LEFCC). LEFCC providers can participate by completing Training Tiers consisting of 16, 3-hour modules. The Training Tiers are described below:
| Training Tier |
FY22
LE Family
Homes |
FY22
LE Family Homes
CCAP Children
Enrolled |
FY21
LE Family
Homes |
FY21
LE Family Homes
CCAP Children
Enrolled |
FY20
LE Family
Homes |
FY20
LE Family Homes
CCAP Children
Enrolled |
| Tier 1 |
561 |
1,112 |
556 |
1,106 |
557 |
1,105 |
| Tier 2 |
185 |
372 |
185 |
377 |
183 |
372 |
| Tier 3 |
1,132 |
2,566 |
1,116 |
2,520 |
1,071 |
2,416 |
| TOTAL |
1,878 |
4,050 |
1,857 |
4,003 |
1,811 |
3,893 |
*CCAP numbers reported at time of initial application.
- Training Tier 1 modules include: Overview of Child Development; Health Issues in Group Care; Nutrition Issues in Group Care; and Safety Issues in Group Care.
- Training Tier 2 modules include: Observation and Guidance; Learning Happens in Relationships; Family & Community Relationships; and Personal & Professional Development.
- Training Tier 3 modules include: Child Growth and Development for Birth to 8 Months; Child Growth and Development for 8 - 18 Months; Child Growth and Development for 18 - 36 Months; Preschool Child- Social/Emotional Development; Preschool Child - Physical Development; Preschool Child - Language Development; Preschool Child - Cognitive Development; and School Age Development.
- The Gateways ECE Credential Level 1 is achieved upon completion of all three tiers.
Pathways to Excellence for Child Care Providers
Maintaining Strong Professional Development and Supportive Workforce Initiatives
Responsive, well-qualified practitioners are one of the most important factors in child care settings. IDHS provides professional development opportunities to child care providers. These services are available to child care providers listed on the statewide database, including licensed and license-exempt practitioners. The following pages give some data on these programs for FY22.
The Illinois Trainers Network (ITN) provides training to individual trainers and facilitators as well as child care providers on topics such as ECE Credential Level 1, developmentally appropriate practices, Program Infant Toddler Care series (PITC), School Age and Youth Development Level 1, Early Childhood Developmental Screening, and others. Child care providers can access these trainings through their local CCR&Rs.
Training Activity
ExceleRate IllinoisTM Training
| ExceleRate IllinoisTM |
FY22 |
FY21 |
FY20 |
| Number of Participants |
1,370 |
1,017 |
2,513 |
*Some of the ExceleRate Illinois-approved topics are multi-session trainings.
*ExceleRate Illinois Training are part of the Illinois Trainer's Network
Illinois Trainers Network (ITN) Training
| (ITN) Training |
FY22 |
FY21 |
FY20 |
| Number of ITN curricula offered |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| Number of participants |
2,719 |
2,075 |
1,173 |
*Some of the ITN curricula are multi-session trainings.
*Number of ITN Curricula does not include ExceleRate training curricula.
CCR&R Training Offered
| CCR&R Training Offered |
FY22 |
FY21 |
FY20 |
| Number of training sessions held |
1,388 |
1,320 |
1,384 |
| Number of training participants |
17,269 |
14,436 |
17,577 |
| Number of training hours achieved |
41,067 |
33,008 |
35,524 |
Online Training
| Online Training |
FY22 |
FY21 |
FY20 |
| Number of online trainings topics offered |
94 |
97 |
82 |
| Number of online trainings participants |
209,721 |
172,771 |
220,524 |
| Number of online trainings hours achieved |
441,581 |
358,465 |
481,895 |
Gateways to Opportunity Professional Development System
The Gateways to Opportunity Professional Development System provides supports for professionals working with children, youth and families. These supports include Credentials; the Gateways Scholarship Program; the Great START Wage Supplement program; Professional Development Advisors; and the Gateways to Opportunity Registry.
Great START (Strategy to Attract and Retain Teachers)
Great START is a wage supplement program available to the lowest wage earners employed by licensed child care centers and family child care homes; it recognizes those who have achieved an educational level higher than the one required by DCFS Licensing Standards, and recipients must have been employed by the same program for at least one continuous year or by a program that holds a current ExceleRate Illinois Silver or Gold Circle of Quality for at least six months and work an average of 15 hours a week. Participants renew their eligibility every six months.
| Great START |
FY22 |
FY21 |
FY20 |
| Total Participants |
3,118 |
3,333 |
3,983 |
Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program
The Gateways Scholarship Program is available to individuals employed by licensed child care centers and licensed family child care homes. The scholarship enables practitioners to earn degrees, certificates or credentials in early care and education and school age child care.
| Gateways Scholarship |
FY22 |
FY21 |
FY20 |
| Family Child Care Practitioners |
82 |
114 |
119 |
| Child Care Center Staff |
470 |
609 |
569 |
| Credits Taken |
5,915 |
7,470 |
4,695 |
| Degrees Completed |
134 |
22 |
25 |
Gateways to Opportunity Registry
The Gateways to Opportunity Registry (Registry), administered by INCCRRA, is a resource and a tool to drive the quality and accountability of the professional development that is available to early learning, school-age and youth practitioners. It is also used to track the CCAP provider training completion. Anyone who works with or on behalf of children, youth and families in Illinois can become a member of the Gateways Registry. As of June 30, 2022, the Registry membership was 106,619 an increase of 7,738 members over FY21. The Registry membership includes licensed and license exempt Day Care Centers, Family Day Care Homes, and Group Day Care Homes. Registry membership is required by IDCFS Licensing Standards for licensed programs.
Type of Program and Position (Where Registry Members are Working)
Based on employment data for the 106,619 current Registry members:
- 4% work in Indirect Service, such as child care resource and referral and higher education.
- 96% work in Direct Services
- 73% work in Licensed Child Care Centers.
- 14% work in Licensed Family/Group Child Care Homes.
- 13% work in License-exempt child care settings.
Gateways to Opportunity Credentials
The Gateways Credentials validate an individual's educational attainment and professional experience. The credentials are recognized by the State of Illinois in the IDCFS Licensing Standards for Day Care Centers and in the IDHS Great START program. ExceleRate Illinois TM has credential requirements for the Bronze, Silver and Gold Circles of Quality. A variety of credentials are available for practitioners who work with, or on behalf of, children, youth and families.
- Illinois Director Credentials (IDC): The IDC is appropriate for directors and program coordinators of early childhood and school-age child care settings. It is awarded at three (3) levels: Associate, Bachelor, and Graduate. The credential has requirements in: General Education; Education specific to Early Childhood Education/Child Development; Education specific to Management and Administration; and Work Experience and Professional Contributions to the field.
- ECE Credential: is appropriate for professionals working in early childhood settings. It is awarded at six (6) levels ranging from Level 1 (an entry level credential earned by completing a 48 clock-hour training covering many topics related to leading programs for this age group, birth to 8 years of age, including but not limited to human development) to Level 6, which is the Graduate Level Credential. ECE Credential Levels 2-6 have requirements in General Education, Early Childhood Education, Work/Practicum Experience and Professional Contributions to the field.
- Infant Toddler Credential (ITC): is a specialization for the ECE Credential and is appropriate for professionals working with children younger than three years of age. It is awarded at five levels from Level 1 (12 ECE credits and 3 Infant Toddler credits) to Level 6 (Graduate Degree). Levels 2-6 have requirements in General Education, Early Childhood Education specific to Infants/Toddlers, Work/Practicum Experience specific to Infants/Toddlers, and Professional Contributions specific to Infants/Toddlers.
- School-Age/Youth Development (SAYD) Credential Level: is an entry level/48 clock-hour training covering many topics related to leading programs for this age group (8 - 18 years of age), including but not limited to human development; health and safety; program development; community relations; communication with parents, and others. SAYD Credential Levels 2-5 have requirements in General Education, Early Childhood Education, Work/Practicum Experience and Professional Contributions for the field.
- Family Child Care Credential (FCC): is for professionals working as a family child care provider with children ages birth through 12 years. It is awarded at four levels from Level 2 (6 credits in ECE/SA plus 3 credits in FCC) to Level 5 (Baccalaureate Degree). Levels 2-5 have requirements in General Education, Early Childhood Education, Family Child Care (FCC), Work/Practicum Experience and Professional Contribution specific to ECE and FCC.
- Family Specialist Credential (FSC): is for direct service professionals who work with families using a strength based model to promote optimal child care family outcomes. It is awarded at four levels from Level 2 (6 credits of FSC content) to level 5 (Baccalaureate Degree). Level 2-5 have requirements in General Education, Education specific to Family Specialists, Work/Practicum Experience and Professional Contribution specific to FSC.
- Technical Assistance Credential (TA): is designed for professionals working in a variety of roles that relate to relationship-based professional development, such as technical assistance providers, coaches, mentors, and professional development advisors. It is awarded at three (3) levels: Associate, Bachelor, and Graduate. This credential has requirements in: General Education; Education specific to Early Childhood/School Age (EC/SA), and EC/SA coaching, mentoring or technical assistance, Work Experience specific to Early Childhood/School Age (EC/SA), EC/SA coaching or technical assistance, and Professional Contributions to the field.
- ESL & Bilingual Credential: The Gateways ESL & Bilingual Credential is an add-on to the ECE Credential. It is for early care and education professionals who have formal college education, training, and experience with multilingual/multicultural children and families, either in the form of supervised observation/experience or direct work experience.
| Credential |
First
Awarded
in |
FY20 |
FY21 |
FY22 |
Total
Awarded |
| ECE Credential - Level 1 |
FY06 |
7,970 |
5,451 |
5,332 |
54,312 |
| ECE Credential - Levels 2-6 |
FY08 |
1,188 |
1,883 |
1,960 |
18,004 |
| Infant Toddler Credential |
FY09 |
648 |
1,113 |
778 |
8,042 |
| Illinois Director Credential |
FY00 |
302 |
562 |
399 |
4,324 |
| SAYD Credential - Level 1 |
FY11 |
6 |
3 |
57 |
518 |
| School-Age Credential-Levels 2-6 |
FY16 |
44 |
46 |
39 |
483 |
| Youth Development Credential |
FY16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
49 |
| Family Child Care Credential |
FY16 |
75 |
82 |
69 |
625 |
| Family Specialist Credential |
FY16 |
219 |
308 |
398 |
1,488 |
| Technical Assistance Credential |
FY |
9 |
4 |
14 |
102 |
| ESL & Bilingual Credential |
FY21 |
0 |
8 |
2 |
10 |
| TOTAL |
n/a |
7,461 |
9,460 |
9,048 |
87,957 |
