Early Childhood Programs

The Preschool for All (PFA) program is designed to serve the most at-risk children in our community.  Program eligibility is determined based on multiple at risk factors identified through a screening process. Priority for enrollment is given to the most at risk children. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, “At-risk children are those who, because of their home and community environment, are subject to such language, cultural, economic and like disadvantages that they have been determined, as a result of screening procedures, to be at risk of academic failure. A disproportionate share of all children considered to be at-risk come from low income families, including low-income working families, homeless families, families where English is not the primary language spoken in the home, or families where both parents are teenagers or have not completed high school.”

For information on how to set-up a developmental screening please see the steps below:

1. Call the Early Learning Center (ELC) 847-230-1700: After providing some basic information, you will receive an envelope (via US mail) with instructions on paperwork to complete.
2. Complete Paperwork: Fill out all the forms you receive in the mail and follow the drop-off instructions outlined on the cover letter.
3. Get a Screening Appointment: Once all the required paperwork is completed we will give you an appointment for a developmental screening.
4. Bring your child to the Screening: Screenings take place at the Rafferty Administration Center   (524 E. Schaumburg Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60194). On the day of the screening, your child will participate in a vision and hearing screening, a play-based developmental screening, and an English proficiency screening (for children who speak another language at home other than English).  The screening lasts 50 minutes to 1 hour and parents stay with their children the whole time.  Results of the screening are shared with parents.
5. Get Screening Results: You will receive a letter via US mail indicating if your child is eligible for the Preschool for All At-Risk Program.

For more information about this program call 847-230-1762 or email [email protected].

The Early Childhood Special Education Program (ECSE) is for children between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. This program serves children who are identified as having a disability and who are eligible for special education services through an evaluation process and an Individualized Education Program (IEP). For more information about this program please call 847-230-1763 or email [email protected]

Home Visiting Program (Prenatal- age 3)

Qualifying families partner with Parent Educators and receive support in the areas of parent-child engagement, child development and family well-being.  In addition, Parent Educators conduct regular developmental, health and family-based screenings and facilitate the access to community resources such as food pantries, clothing closets, and health and wellness.

To apply for this program, please follow the steps below:

1. Send an email to [email protected]: Parent educators will provide information about our programs.  You will receive an envelope (via US mail) with instructions on paperwork to complete.
2. Complete and Turn in Paperwork: Fill out all the forms you receive. Once all the paperwork is completed, Parent Educators will make arrangements to collect registration paperwork from you.
3. Family Interview: After receiving the necessary paperwork, Parent Educators will contact you to complete a family interview to determine if your family is eligible for our program.
4. Eligibility Results: You will receive a call indicating if your family is eligible for the Prevention Initiative Home Visiting Program.

Community Resource Centers (0-5 years old)

In these centers, located throughout the community, Parent Educators facilitate a variety of parent-child interactions opportunities for families living within District 54 boundaries. For more information about this program, please email [email protected].