See what local families say they need for their children across the State
Family Stories
Birth to Five Illinois is on a mission to shift the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) landscape across Illinois by centering the voices and experiences of families. Where there are families, there are stories: stories of bureaucracy and systemic shortcomings, and stories of families and children thriving in the face of compassionate providers and exemplary services. We are here for it all!
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.
Sitting, Waiting, and Wishing - By Jessica Wilson
Time has not been on our side. It feels like we are wasting the most crucial time of development in his life.
Path for Success – Ashely Morse
ECSE preschool is an important part of my son’s life and in my opinion, imperative to success in early education.
Is Anyone Really Out There to Help – By Sinah Gosnell
What we need most are people who will listen and tell us where to find services.
Inclusive Care for All Children - By Aurea Garvin
All children deserve a chance to grow, learn, and thrive regardless of how much their parents make.
Signs of Child Care Mistreatment
The first day of child care can either be a dream or a nightmare…
Delaying Services Through Lack of Referral - By Mackenzie McWade
The doctor’s dismissal of any issue was enough to make me feel like I was being paranoid…
The Road Less Traveled to Transition - By Dena Chapman
…while children are matriculating through their transitions, so too are their parents and caregivers!
What We Need - Danielle Jackson
It is cheaper for me to drive 1,100 miles a month to take my kids to my family to watch them…
Pros/Cons of My Child’s Experience with Early Childhood – By Tiffany McSpadden
I feel the longer kids engage in learning, the better off they will be.
Educational Love - By Anonymous
Early Childhood Education has been a huge blessing to my child and myself.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Providers Need Love Too! - By Jasmine Castro
My greatest success has been the EXCEPTIONAL experiences my toddler has had with his provider.
Lack of Reliable Child Care - By Kelley
Six years later, I still have not returned to the workforce because of issues with child care.
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.
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.
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.