Providers Need Love Too! - By Jasmine Castro 

Region: Region 1-B-CCounty: Cook (South)Category: Success/CelebrationCategory: WorkforceCategory: Cost
Written By Maggie Koller

My greatest success has been the EXCEPTIONAL experiences my toddler has had with his provider. She's been with my 3-year-old for a year and her tenacity to teach my son to excel where he's already recognizing words and adding numbers... is just AMAZING!!! South Suburbs of Chicago needs more early education teachers like her!!

What I would love to see is higher financial assistance for families! I believe the calculations should increase as the cost of living has.

Also, too many educators are leaving the industry because what programs pay them is not enough for the work they do! Early childhood educators in Illinois are in the bottom half of the nation! This should DEFINITELY be changed. Eight hours a day, 5 days a week and you're ONLY allowing $800/child?? It's absurd! No amount of money is enough for what they do and an increase in pay is definitely due.

A graphic of an adult and a child looking down at a book. The Illinois map with a Region highlighted in blue is in the background. A quote from the story is at the bottom of the graphic.
Maggie Koller
Previous

First Experiences as New Parents in a New Environment - By Grace Keller, Levi Alexander, and Walker Alexander
Next

Lack of Reliable Child Care - By Kelley