See what local families say they need for their children across the State

Family Stories

Birth to Five Illinois has created this welcoming space for parents and caregivers to share their family story of ECEC challenges and successes. It is our hope that as families share their stories, we will amplify the disparities in the system so we can work collectively and strategically to mend what is broken, while also celebrating what’s working.

If you have a story to share, please visit our submission page.

Share Your Story

Maggie Koller 4/25/23 Maggie Koller 4/25/23

Educational Love - By Anonymous

Early Childhood Education has been a huge blessing to my child and myself.

Maggie Koller 4/25/23 Maggie Koller 4/25/23

17 Years Searching for Quality Child Care, and Still More to Go! - By Anonymous

We have also had instances where one child was at a home-based child care center in one part of the county, and another one was at a different home-based child care center simply because there weren't openings for both of them in the same place or any others.

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

All-in Advocacy - By Lisa Burnett (Mother to Livia Bane, Region 4 Council Manager)

When the cry for help came to encourage lawmakers to continue to fund child care and providers, my family and I were all-in.

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

Early Childhood and Beyond - By Krystle Huelsmann

I want to know which programs are best for different diagnosis, what child care options support those with diagnoses, and how to navigate through the financial ends of each; those would be my top searches.

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

Finding Day Care - By Erica Hanke-Young

I feel like the thing we need most is information on child care early enough for us to make a plan. I will need information and enough time to figure out what to do for our family.

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

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

Finding the Birth to Five Illinois Family Council has been the greatest success in helping me start my journey as a mother and to find quality care for our son.

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

Providers Need Love Too! - By Jasmine Castro

My greatest success has been the EXCEPTIONAL experiences my toddler has had with his provider.

Guest User 4/21/23 Guest User 4/21/23

Lack of Reliable Child Care - By Kelley

Six years later, I still have not returned to the workforce because of issues with child care.

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

With Open Arms - By Birth to Five Illinois: Region 4 Staff

Lisa’s energy for providing quality child care and good jobs within her community is inspiring.

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

Shelli Badger, Someone You Should Know! - By David

I have been fortunate enough to work closely with an exceptional Speech and Language provider in our school district, #129.

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

The Love That Sparked My Passion - By Brittany Lemons

I still see her smiling face in pictures and wonder about all the many lives she's touched with her kindness.

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

The Advocacy Fight for Children with Challenges - By Jacqueline S.

It's exhausting trying to make ends meet when we're essentially being penalized for having a child with special needs.

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

Long-Distance Child Care - By Cheyenne Camden

My greatest challenge is child care. It prohibits me from working full time.

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

Single Stay-At-Home-Mother of 4 - By Kaitlin Heinz

My family definitely needs trustworthy and high-quality child care that is affordable! There is virtually NO OPTION in my town!

Maggie Koller 4/21/23 Maggie Koller 4/21/23

The Balancing Act of Child Care and Work, With No Options - By Anonymous

I need access to child care in our area, quality child care that is open actual working hours and has the ability to take school-age children, even if they have days off from school.