Early Childhood Education

Overview

Early Childhood Education ensures all children ages birth through age eight have equal access to comprehensive high-quality program options, and support on a developmental continuum. Working within a context of children, families and communities, we are committed to creating an engaging learning environment that supports and respects the unique potential of each individual through best practice.

Goals

Through common goals and high expectations, the Office of Early Childhood Education is dedicated to building a strong foundation and igniting a passion for lifelong learning for children and their families. We:

Prepare students for the future by providing challenging and rewarding experiences
Provide quality education and child care services
Create engaging learning environments that encourage all students

Current initiatives

Chicago Public Schools is committed to preparing children for the future: for work, higher education, and family and civic responsibilities. Early Childhood Education understands that the process begins very early in life. Our initiatives include:

Preschool for All
Head Start
Child-Parent Centers
Tuition-based Preschool

To learn more about our current programs and initiatives, visit our Early Childhood Education Programs page.

Chicago: Ready to Learn!

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) are releasing a coordinated set of applications designed to ensure that all children have access to high quality early learning services in every area of the city beginning in the 2013-14 school year through a coordinated resource allocation process.

This process is open to everyone (new and existing providers, including schools) interested in providing quality early childhood services. Chicago Public Schools is seeking proposals for funding from eligible and qualified respondents for both Preschool for All (PFA) serving 3-5 year olds, and Prevention Initiative (PI) serving birth to 3 year olds.

Download the complete applications, instructions, program descriptions, and information from the recently held pre-submittal conferences are available at: www.cityofchicago.org/bids/chicagoreadytolearn

Applications are due October 1 at 4:30 p.m. for community-based providers, and November 2 at 4:30 for CPS schools.

Information sessions will be held for Principals and school-based applicants in September. Information will be posted shortly.

We welcome your interest in this opportunity and invite you to apply!
Question can be sent to: readytolearnrfp@cps.edu

Call for Reviewers for Chicago: Ready to Learn!

Chicago Public Schools—Office of Early Childhood Education is seeking quotes from institutions of higher education to assist in the review process of a city-wide Request for Proposals for early childhood program funding through Chicago: Ready to Learn! Help us in ensuring this competitive process is successful. Click here for more details.

Accomplishments

Early Childhood Education continues to make improvements so we can better serve the families and community. As our programs continue to expand so does our reputation for quality programs: