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.
Region 1-B-B: What Families Say They Need
"…information is vital to ensuring there is equity in the allocation of resources throughout the Region…"
Region 1-A: What Families Say They Need
“…many programs are just not designed for the lives of families…”
Region 1: What Families Say They Need
"We really need to look at supporting working families and their essential need for affordable child care."
A Parent’s Perspective on Children’s Mental Illness: Liza Long
“Until people are willing to put their names on these stories, this isn’t real.”
Is It Any Wonder? - By Anonymous
…when someone asks me “how did you do it?” I do not have an answer.
Good, Dependable, Affordable Child Care is Pretty Much Nonexistent – By Breanna Kobus
Knowing it would be next to impossible to find a sitter that could handle his condition and his colostomy bag, I kept him in the salon while I worked, which wasn’t always easy.
Wyatt’s Story – By Anonymous
Our Birth to Three program has been wonderful in helping us get the services we need and making sure Wyatt is ready to start Pre-K…
Son with Special Needs without Any Services – By Anonymous
They just said we were on a waitlist for that intervention, and nothing ever happened.
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.