ProjectCHILD

09/10/2026

🌟 Thinking About a Career in Early Childhood? Or Ready to Take the Next Step? 🌟

There are so many ways to grow, learn, and build a career while making a difference in the lives of young children and families!

Join us for this FREE virtual training:

🎓 Career Pathways in Early Childhood Education and Care
📅 Tuesday, September 15, 2026
⏰ 6:00–7:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual via Zoom

Ashley Baldridge, Higher Education & Workforce Development Navigator, will help participants explore:

• Career opportunities in early childhood throughout Illinois
• Education and professional development pathways
• Resources and financial supports that may be available
• Information about earning a CDA
• How a Navigator can support you as you plan your next steps

Whether you're brand new to early childhood, working toward a credential or degree, or wondering what opportunities are available to you, this is a great place to start!

✨ Your work with children matters—and there are resources available to help you grow in the profession.

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer to register, and please share with someone who might be interested in beginning or growing their early childhood career!

09/09/2026

📣 FREE VIRTUAL TRAINING for Early Childhood Professionals!
💬 Building Language Through Meaningful Interactions
📅 Tuesday, September 15
⏰ 6:00–8:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual — join us from home!
Some of the most powerful teaching we do happens during ordinary conversations with children.
How do we turn those everyday moments into interactions that build language, relationships, curiosity, and thinking?
Join us for two interactive hours packed with practical strategies for working with children. We’ll explore meaningful back-and-forth conversations, developmentally appropriate questions, the T.R.E.A.T. framework, and ways to extend children’s thinking without taking over their play or doing all the talking!
✨ Free training. Practical ideas. Strategies you can use tomorrow.
Scan the QR code on the flyer to register, and please share with an early childhood teacher who might want to join us!

09/04/2026

Project CHILD will be closed on Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day. The office will re-open on Tuesday, September 8th at 8:00 am.

08/25/2026

Register for your spot at the Sip & Support in September!

08/13/2026

Need CDA Assistance: Contact Your Higher Education & Workforce Development Navigator, Ashley Baldridge Today!

When you renew your CDA®, you do not just get a new expiration date. You get a shareable digital badge you can post anywhere that shows you are current and credentialed.

If your CDA lapsed, our Renewal Amnesty gives you a path back, open now through April 2027. https://bit.ly/3SLzw9E

08/07/2026

Update on CCAP payments - payments through 8/4/26 were issued and providers can now view their transaction in the Illinois Office of the Comptroller payment portal. https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://illinoiscomptroller.gov/vendor-services/vendor-payments-new__;!!MuFk!hFKcH0FQPlYK07_n01AKsT7RJdwlVrGVDtCflz0D-IU5-AEdQ-zT3oDgAXc2AHNMH7j3Op4YjXTLawfVUM06G0hiyz_-XHRr$.

08/07/2026

We have been notified by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) that there have been delays processing CCAP payments. The department is working with the Comptroller's office to ensure that payments are processed as quickly as possible. As soon as a solution is made know to us, we will post it here.

08/04/2026

Did you know you can scan documents directly from your phone? Scanning provides much clearer results than simply taking a picture. Follow the instructions below to learn how to scan and share your documents with ease!

07/30/2026

I am excited to share that enrollment is open for the Extending Preschool Children's Thinking course!

This course is free, offered for college credit and perfect for two-year-old teachers, preschool teachers and teachers of school-age-children who are looking to deepen conversations with children while getting information and ideas on spaces and materials for the classroom.

Course Highlights:
* Virtual Class via Zoom - no travel needed!
* Dates: Wednesdays, 6:00 to 8:30pm
September 2nd, 9th & 23rd
October 7th & 21st
November 4th & 11th
December 2nd
* Earn free college credit or DCFS In-service hours
* Apply strategies and ideas directly into your own care setting

NEXT STEPS:
1. Review the flyer below for all the details.
2. Scan the QR code on the flyer or click here ECE 1601 to
reserve your spot in the class.
3. After completing the Google form, you will receive
your formal college registration forms and additional next
steps to finalize your enrollment.
4. Mark your calendar for the first class: Wednesday,
September 2nd at 6:00pm on Zoom.

If you have any questions about the course, enrollment process, or requirements, feel free to reply to this email.

I am looking forward to working with you and your staff and exploring new ways to make preschool children's thinking deeper and more meaningful!

07/17/2026

We are experiencing some delays when setting up new childcare providers into the Illinois comptroller system. We have made them aware of the situation and are working on a solution.