received hearing or vision screening this year
Register for the Good Life Race!
Register now for the Junior Dash, the Youth Mile or the 5K run/walk.This event is a great way to get kids on a path to a healthy lifestyle!
Proceeds benefit the Collaboration for Early Childhood and the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry
Learn more...
Parent Information & Support
You are your child's first and most important teacher. The Collaboration provides you with tools and resources for the first 5 years of your child's life. If you have questions, we have answers.
Learn MoreProviders / Educators
Do you work with children from birth to age 5? The Collaboration offers you resources to provide families with the services they need and professional development to continue your training.
Learn MoreDevelopmental Screening
Developmental screenings can improve a child’s health and well-being by identifying their strengths as well as any challenges which may exist. We offer details on referrals and next steps.
Learn MoreWe champion high-quality early childhood care and learning experiences and support for families so all children develop their full potential.
Upcoming Events
Early Childhood Resource Directory
Find Child Care, Preschools or Family Child Care
- Please select a category then search by keyword.
No results.
- View a map of all the center-based child care centers in the Directory.(Family child care centers are not shown for privacy purposes.)
- Download the complete 2016-2017 Early Childhood Directory in PDF format here.
Why Early Childhood?
As a result of the differences in early childhood environments and experiences, approximately two-thirds of the achievement gap challenging Oak Park’s schools is in place when children walk through the kindergarten door. Furthermore, research shows that one of the best investments of public funds is in programs and services that support our very youngest children and their families.
Skills developed in the first 5 years of a child’s life are crucial to future success.
Our network of community partners builds a strong early childhood collaboration.
A child's brain forms 700 connections every second during their first years.
There are 4800 children 5 and younger in Oak Park and River Forest.
The world doesn't change one person at a time.
It changes as networks of relationships form among people who discover they share a common cause and vision of what's possible.
This is good news for those of us intent on changing the world and creating a positive future.