our curriculum & services
Based on the latest developmental theories and research, showing what children need to thrive in the first 5 years.
Educare is focused on continual improvement, reviewing the effectiveness of our lesson planning, and innovating education and support strategies, so that we can create a lasting positive impact on every family that attends our school and utilizes our services.
Our Programs
Age Group Priorities
our approach
Comprehensive Head Start & Early Head Start Services
As a Start Early, Early/Head Start Network program, we provide wrap-around services, which means we focus on early learning as well as additional services that will help your child succeed. This means you are provided with an assigned family support specialist who will help you get involved in family engagement opportunities while also providing you options and access to the following services:
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Innovative Teaching
By tapping into the latest social emotional learning practices, Educare Chicago creates and maintains safe and supportive classroom environments that encourage cooperation, collaboration and social emotional development in children. In these settings, we proactively address each child’s behavior, leading to healthier classroom relationships and stronger academic outcomes.
Highly Trained & Caring Staff
Each of our classrooms have a Lead Teacher, Teacher Assistant, and Teacher Aide so that every child receives individualized support throughout the school day. Additionally, our staff and teachers are prepared with data-driven approaches to teaching, so they can better support your child’s learning journey. In addition to their qualifications and certifications, our teachers receive practice-based coaching that focuses on self-reflection and continuous quality improvement. Start Early provides embedded professional development opportunities that empower all staff to do their best.
Low Staff-to-Child Ratios
At Educare Chicago, infants and toddlers are in a classroom with no more than eight children and no less than three teaching staff. Our preschoolers are in classrooms with no more than seventeen children and no less than three teaching staff as well.
Year-Round Prenatal Through PreK Care
Educare Chicago serves children and their families prenatally through age 5. Our expanded doula (prenatal) and home visiting services (postnatal through age 3) are made possible through our partnership with Healthy Parents & Babies®. For more details, please contact our team at info@educarechicago.org or the Healthy Parents & Babies® team at HPB@StartEarly.org.
We are open Monday – Friday, 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM for families with the child care subsidy approval and 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM for families without the child care subsidy approval.
Consistency is Key
We practice “Continuity of Care,” meaning our children stay with the same group of teachers for Early Head Start (0-3) and then transition to a new group of teachers for Head Start (3-5) who they will remain with until they transition out of the program to kindergarten. This practice creates stronger bonds early in your child’s education and strengthens the learning your child does daily through these relationships.
Support Inside and Outside the Classroom
We believe in supporting the whole family, not just the child. With this in mind, each classroom has an assigned family support specialist whose primary role is to partner with families to provide additional support and resources.
Comprehensive Services in a Friendly Setting
Navigating health, nutrition, wellness and/or diverse learning needs can feel overwhelming, but Educare Chicago has you covered. We have specialized health & nutrition services to help you navigate and coordinate your child’s needs. We also have disabilities & mental health services that provide internal and external supports for children with diverse learning and/or suspected/diagnosed disabilities, making sure your family has access to the interventions and services necessary to help your child thrive at our school.
