Programs

We work with Early Learning Partners in the west and south suburbs.

Early Learning Partners

It’s the same Early Learning curriculum offered in our Early Learning Programs, just a little closer to home. 

If you live in the west or south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois Action for Children works with select child care centers to provide high-quality early learning programs. For eligible families, these programs are provided free of charge.

We’ve partnered with each child care center to make sure your children enjoy a safe, quality education with qualified teachers and staff. Following the guidelines established in Illinois Action for Children’s Early Learning Programs, we promise that your children will receive an outstanding education and much more.

Illinois Action for Children’s Early Learning Partners offer:

  • Safe, quality early education
  • Qualified teachers and staff
  • Opportunities for children with special needs
  • Healthy, nutritious meals
  • Transportation

Our Curriculum is Play-Based

With all Illinois Action for Children’s Early Learning partners, children learn through their interests and are assessed three times a year using the Teaching Strategies GOLD assessment system.

This assessment measures child growth in 10 areas:

  • Social-emotional
  • Language
  • Physical
  • Cognitive
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Science and Technology
  • Social Studies
  • The Arts
  • English Language Acquisition

Results are shared with families during parent-teacher conferences. These conferences are also a great time for parents to set and discuss goals for their children.

We’re Committed to the Success of Parents Too!

IAFC offers:

  • Literacy and Financial Planning workshops
  • Employment-Readiness training
  • Resources for children with disabilities
  • Referrals for GED and ESL classes

Learn More

To learn more about our Early Learning Partners, contact us or contact them directly using the maps on the left.

Early Learning Partner Site Directory


View the directory below for locations, contact information, ages served, and primary funding sources for each of our partner sites. Funding sources include:
Early Head Start/Head Start = EHS/HS
Preschool for All = PFA
Prevention Initiative = PI

Partner Map

A Step Up Career Academy

2745 Bernice Road
Lansing, IL. 60438

Phone: 708.474.2511
Owner: LaShaunessye Williams
astepupdaycare@yahoo.com
Ages: 3-5 (PFA/HS)

Bright Visions Academy

14804 S. Cicero Avenue
Oak Forest, IL 60452

Phone: 708.535.9392
Owner: Tanya McKinney
brightvisionla@yahoo.com
Ages: 3-5 (PFA)

Calumet City Kids Academy

670 River Oaks Dr.
Calumet City, IL. 60409

Phone: 708.862.4442
Director: Barbara Van
Owner: Daniel Knight
barbaravanccka@aol.com 
Ages: Twos (PI)
Ages: 3-5 (PFA/HS)

Crickets Learning Academy

3217 W. 147th Street
Midlothian, IL 60445

Owner: Rae Leverette
Phone: 708.897.9788
raeleia@cricketslearningcenter.net
Ages: 3-5 (PFA) (One Classroom)

Cuddle Care Scholars

13700 South Stewart
Riverdale, IL. 60827

Phone: 708.487.9184
Owner: Rochelle Golliday
cuddlecare@comcast.net
Ages: Infants, Toddlers, and Twos (PI)

Mari’s Bumble Bee 2

17750 Chicago Ave
Lansing, IL 60438

Phone: 708.418.5588
Owner: Marisol Lopez
Director: Janiris Lopez
marisbumblebee2@gmail.com
Ages: 3-5 (PFA)

17750 Chicago Ave
Lansing, IL 60438 708-418-5588
Owner: Marisol Lopez
Director: Janiris Lopez
marisbumblebee2@gmail.com
Ages: 3-5 (PFA)

Honey Bear Daycare

2359 N. Manheim Road
Melrose Park, IL. 60164

Phone: 847.455.8687
Owner: Wanda Guerra
Director: Amanda Guerra
wandaguerra@icloud.com
Ages: 3-5 (PFA)

IAFC - Chicago Heights Early Learning Center

202 S. Halsted
Building C1
Chicago Heights, IL 60411

Phone: 708.365.1541
Director: Crystal Powell
Crystal.powell@actforchildren.org
Ages: 3-5 (HS/PFA)

Steps to the Future

346 W. Sibley Blvd.
Dolton, IL 60419

Phone: 708.896.6849 
Owner: Misti Ganious-Thomas
stepstothefuturedaycare@yahoo.com
Ages: Twos (PI) (One Classroom)
Ages: 3-5 (PFA) (One Classroom)

IAFC - Dolton Early Learning Center

729 Engle Street
Dolton, IL. 60419 

Director: Elise-Cole Rogers
elise.cole-rogers@actforchildren.org 
Ages: Infants, Toddlers and Twos (EHS/PI)
Ages: 3-5 (HS/PFA)

IAFC - Ford Heights Early Learning Center

1055 Berkeley Avenue
Ford Heights, IL. 60411

Phone: 708.365.1536
Director: Janet Parker
Email: janet.parker@actforchildren.org
Ages: Twos (EHS/PI)
Ages: 3-5 (HS/PFA)

IAFC - Harvey-South Holland Early Learning Center

16515 South Park Ave.
South Holland, IL 60473

Phone: 708.365.1531
Site Director: Renee Boyd-Jennings
Email: renee.boyd-jennings@actforchildren.org
Ages: 3-5 (HS/PFA)

Kidd’s Palace

421 Ashland
Chicago Heights IL 60411

Phone: 708.754.5147
Owner: Lynn Easterling
mrseaz1@kiddspalace.com
Ages: 3-5 (PFA)

Kiddy Kulture

396 E. 159th Street
Harvey, IL 60426

Phone: 708.331.4300
Owner: Tammy Henry
Director: Whitney Collins
th childcare@yahoo.com
whitneyo2004@yahoo.com
Ages: Toddlers and Twos (PI)
Ages 3-5 (PFA)

Kiddie Scholars

1031 Kostner Avenue
Matteson, IL. 60443

Phone: 708.481.7190
Owner: Felicia Wallace
Director: Irish Jernigan
Email: childcare@kiddiescholars.com
Ages: Infants and Toddlers (PI)
Ages: 3-5 (PFA)

Kiddie Scholars Too

22323 Thomas Dr.
Richton Park, IL. 60471

Phone: 708.898.0458
Owner: Felicia Wallace
Site Director: Mia Muhammad
childcare@kiddiescholars.com
Ages: Infants (PI)
Ages: 3-5 (PFA)

Mother Goose

4112 183rd St.
Country Club Hills, IL. 60478

Phone: 708.647.9140
Director: Keya Alexander
mothergoosecfl@gmail.com
Ages: Twos (PI)

Rochelle’s Little Angels

117 N. 19th Ave.
Melrose Park, IL 60160

Phone: 708.338.2001
Owner: Rochelle Miles
Director: Antoinette Dortch
rochellelittleangles@yahoo.com
Ages: 3-5 (PFA)

Small World Learning Center - Franklin

9750 W. Grand Avenue
Franklin Park, IL 60131

Phone: 847.455.1234
Owner: Michael Dell'armi
Director: Marry Meler
grand@smallworld.com
Ages: 3-5 (PFA)

Small World Learning Center - Melrose

1827 N. 25th Avenue
Melrose Park, IL 60160

Phone: 708.345.1234
Owner: Michael Dell'armi
Director: Ixtzel (Izzy) Cristobal  
melrose@smallworldlc.com
Ages: 3-5 (PFA)