The Kishwaukee College Early Learning Center (ELC) has received continuing accreditation from the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAC) through 2027. The Kish ELC provides high-quality early childhood care and education for children ages 1-5.
Serving more than 1,300 early learning programs in 35 states, NAC offers early childhood leaders the opportunity to demonstrate and document quality performance using research-based criteria and evidence-based practices. The Kish ELC last received accreditation in 2019 and has worked to complete an intensive program evaluation to maintain NAC accreditation standards. Following its review, the NAC granted the Kish ELC continuing accreditation in November.
“The ELC staff works hard every day to make sure the quality measures outlined in the NAC standards are met, allowing us to provide high-quality care to children and their families. We work to create a welcoming, safe environment where we can foster the development of the children in our care,” said Maria Lombardo, Director of the Early Learning Center.
The ELC has undergone various improvements since its last accreditation in 2019. In 2020, the College received a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to relocate the ELC. State Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) and former state Rep. Tom Demmer (R-Dixon) were instrumental in helping the College secure funding to support the project. The center moved to a newly renovated space in the College’s Campus Operations Building in 2021, allowing the ELC to increase enrollment, expand services and improve facilities.
Along with the NAC accreditation, the ELC has received the Gold Circle of Quality rating in the ExceleRate Illinois Quality Rating and Improvement System administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services.
The Kish ELC offers part-time and full-time enrollment options and is open to the public. To learn more about the ELC or enrolling a child in the program, visit www.kish.edu/elc.