A Lucky Child Care & Preschool Experience - By Brittany Lemons

When I think about the successes and challenges of Early Childhood Education and Care services in my community, I am extremely lucky my children had great child care and education experiences at our former child care center. My oldest son started at Ivy League Day School in Marion County, Illinois when he was two years old. My daughter was 6 months old, and my youngest son started at 6 weeks old. Overall, we spent almost 5 years with them, and I cannot begin to put into words all of the amazing things they provided for my children during that time.

My oldest completed the Kindergarten Prep program in 2020, a time when most children had their preschool experience cut short. He entered kindergarten reading, knowing more than he probably needed to know to enter first grade. Our daughter started Kindergarten this year and has no problem sitting at her desk or completing tasks. She also has great handwriting. Our youngest was engaged in activities every day and I loved getting updates about what and how they were learning. I also completely trusted his teachers and the staff with managing his scary allergic reactions.

Looking back at my family's time there, I realize that my children received so much love and support from their teachers and the staff. I feel that consistent type of quality care is the reason my older two children so easily transitioned into kindergarten. They have been ingrained with the affirmations by their teachers that they can do anything. I am lucky that my youngest son has transitioned into a great home child care program where I hope he has the same success. I wish all children could experience that type of care and education in our region; all children deserve continuous quality care.