Kish College to host Discover Kish for new students
Kishwaukee College will host Discover Kish, an informational event for new students and their families. Discover Kish is from 11 am-3 pm Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, at the College.
Read MoreProspective Families
A place where learning & fun go hand-in-hand
Prospective Families
The Kishwaukee College Early Learning Center (ELC) provides high-quality early childhood care and education for one through five-year-old children and their families. We believe that young children grow, learn, and develop in an environment where they feel safe, secure, and loved. We believe that a child’s first school experience sets the stage for all later learning; therefore we strive to make your child’s experience with our school a positive one.
The ELC has achieved Gold Circle of Quality rating in the ExceleRate Illinois Quality Rating and Improvement System administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services. 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 staff training and education. Programs are actively engaged in continuous quality improvement.
We provide care for children between the ages of one and five. Students attending our program are children of Kishwaukee College students & staff as well as community residents. Families DO NOT have to be affiliated with Kishwaukee College to use our program. (More than one-half of our families are “community” families.) Part-time and full-time enrollment is offered to meet your family’s needs.
Our daily schedule consists of: Child Choice Time at Interest Centers, Activity Times, Meal Times, Bathroom Breaks, Afternoon Rest Time, Group Times, and Outdoor Play. We provide both spontaneous and planned learning experiences that focus on the total development of each child — helping children to grow intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically.
- Monday-Friday: 7:15 am - 5:15 pm (Fall and Spring Semesters)
- Monday-Thursday: 7:15 am - 5:15 pm (Summer Term)
In addition to daily conversations, the staff communicates with families using our parent engagement app. Reminders, updates and need-to-know information are given to parents in letters or emails.
| Rate Description | 1-Year Room | 2-Year Room | 3-5 Year Room |
| Full-Day (5 days a week) |
$68.00/day | $56.00/day | $50.00/day |
| Full-Day (1-4 days a week) |
$70.00/day | $58.00/day | $52.00/day |
| Hourly (3-4.75 hours per day) |
$14.50/hour | $13.00/hour | $11.50/hour |
| $50 enrollment fee for new families billed at time of enrollment | |||
We are currently enrolling for the Fall Semester. To submit an application, please first read the Enrollment Letter (PDF). Next, complete the Early Learning Center Application and click submit. Please call the Center at 815-825-9781 to confirm that your application
has been received. Once your application has been received, you will receive an e-mail
from the Center's director to discuss the next steps in the enrollment process. We
recommend that you submit an Application at least 1 month prior to your desired start
date. The Center offers continuous enrollment. While children typically begin enrollment
at the start of our Fall (August-December), Spring (January-May), or Summer (May-August)
semesters; children may begin enrollment at other times as well to meet your childcare
needs.
Our Teaching Team includes dedicated, professionally trained and experienced teachers who use their talents to provide interesting learning experiences in our classrooms and on our playground. Our Lead Staff members each hold an Associate, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education. With a low child to adult ratio, we are able to provide individualized care and education for the children attending our school. To remain knowledgeable of current approaches in early childhood education, our staff members participate in a minimum of twenty hours of professional development each year. All Lead Teachers and the Director are certified in Pediatric CPR/AED and First Aid.
| NAME | TITLE |
|---|---|
| Maria Lombardo |
Director
|
| Charlotte McGraw | Assistant Director & Lead Teacher |
| Sandy Gould | Lead Teacher |
| Solveig Hopkins |
Lead Teacher
|
| Colette Mabrey | Lead Teacher |
| Sarah Wilcox | Lead Teacher |
The ELC is also nationally accredited by the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs. Accredited programs exemplify excellence in the care and education of young children.
The ELC is licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services, a participant in the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program, and a member of Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C).
News & Events
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Kish College Foundation program enhancements benefit educational needs
The Kishwaukee College Foundation awarded $99,978 in program enhancement funds to Kishwaukee College departments for the 2024-2025 academic year. The Foundation has various program enhancement funds established by the generosity of donors for specific purposes.
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