Where do you fit in?

Students

Are you a high school or college student who is interested in early childhood as a career? If so, you’ve picked a vitally important career that’s a real gateway to opportunity! Check out the many career opportunities available. Choose a college that fits your needs with the help of the Higher Education Directory . Find out about financial aid, grants, loans, and scholarships . Or explore some Illinois Job Links to learn more about early childhood as a career in our state. Use the ECE Resources to find professional organizations, advocacy groups, and research reports on early care and education. The FAQs will answer questions you may have about Gateways or contacting a Professional Development Advisor. If you are interested in attending a conference or workshop about early childhood near you, take a look at the Illinois Training Calendar section.

Parents and Families

Are you looking for child care? We can help! Your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Agency maintains a comprehensive listing of family and center-based child care providers in your area. CCR&Rs can also help you select a high-quality program for your child. Enter your zip code into the "What ECE Resources are available in my area?" input box in the left hand column and we’ll tell you how to reach your nearest CCR&R. We can also help you find information on what constitutes high-quality care and help you find out whether you are eligible for assistance in paying for child care. And if you think you might be interested in a career that involves working with young children, please check out our Career Opportunities section. Read research reports on the critical link between professional development to quality in early care and education settings. Find parent support organizations that provide services directly to, or in support of, parents or guardians of preschool- or school-age children.

Early Care and Education Professionals

Welcome to Gateways to Opportunity! Whether you’re a director, teacher, family child care provider, a teacher’s assistant, home visitor, school-age care provider, or parent educator, you’ve come to the right place. Gateways to Opportunity is the Illinois statewide support network designed to provide you with guidance, opportunities to advance in your career, encouragement, and recognition. Read the updated ECE News on the home page to stay abreast of issues, events, and reports in early care and education. Find out about the career opportunities open to you. Learn more about the various credentials available to early care and education professionals in Illinois. Get acquainted with your Professional Development Advisor, who can help you navigate a path to advancement. The FAQs will answer some of your questions about professional development in Illinois. Visit the statewide training calendar and find ways to earn CEUs or CPDUs. Explore ways that you can receive financial assistance to pay for more training and education so that you can increase your employment options. Learn about the ways your center can get financial support for accreditation. You can even look for a job—or post one—here! If you are interested in attending a conference or workshop about early childhood near you, or talking to someone who can advise you about your early childhood career choices, enter your zip code into the "What ECE Resources are available in my area?" input box in the left hand column. We will let you know what’s going on in your area. Subscribe to Inside Gateways, Gateways’ quarterly e-newsletter, to stay up to date on current issues in the field of early care and education professional development. Use your advanced knowledge and leadership skills to become a Professional Development Advisor or a registered trainer for the Illinois Trainer’s Network.

Teacher Educators

The landscape of early care and education in Illinois is changing. The Gateways to Opportunity Web site can help you keep up to date on what your students need to know in order to be prepared for a satisfying career. Find the latest information on the core professional knowledge and competencies now recognized around the state as part of the essential foundation for early childhood professionals. Help your students become acquainted with the many terms and acronyms used in early care and education. Let your students know about the Career Opportunities and the various credentials available to early care and education professionals in Illinois. The FAQs will answer some of your questions about professional development in Illinois. Read the updated ECE News on the home page to stay abreast of issues, events, and reports in early care and education. Subscribe to Inside Gateways, Gateways’ quarterly e-newsletter, to stay up to date on current issues in the field of early care and education professional development. Check out the description of your program in the Higher Education Directory. Think about sharing your expertise with early childhood professionals around the state by becoming a registered trainer or presenting at conferences. And check out our ECE resources. Read about innovative practices in higher education to overcome obstacles that hinder early care and education practitioners from furthering their education. Join a listserv with other early childhood faculty to discuss common concerns and share resources.

School-Age Program Professionals

Do you care for school-age children during out-of-school time? Gateways to Opportunity provides the resources and support you need to stay informed about your profession. You can connect to training organizations, advocacy groups, and research that address school-age program needs. Locate workshops and conferences for school-age professionals and the wider early care and education profession.  Review the range of program settings and roles available for school-age and early care and education professionals in Illinois. Post a job opening -- or look for one -- on the Job Board. Find out about the latest developments and news in the school-age profession in Illinois by visiting Gateways to Opportunity. Subscribe to Inside Gateways , our quarterly e-newsletter, to stay up to date on current issues in the field of school-age professional development.

Corporations and Foundations

Illinois’s new Gateways to Opportunity professional development system is intended to improve early care and education in Illinois. We’re investing in early childhood professionals who work with young children in the years before kindergarten because research consistently supports the idea that the formal education of staff is a key indicator of high-quality early childhood programs. Access research reports supporting the link between qualified staff and quality programs. Read reports that discuss the economic impact of the early care and education industry in Illinois. Find out about early childhood initiatives in Illinois that help to increase the quality, availability, or accessibility of early childhood or school-age programs. Become acquainted with the many terms and acronyms used in early care and education. Learn more about the background of this effort, the key players, and how you can become involved to support statewide efforts to do a better job of getting young children ready for school.

Advocates

Looking for resources to help you speak out on behalf of early care and education? You can find research that supports the link between high quality early childhood programs and positive outcomes for children. Find data on the salaries, benefits, and turnover rates among the early childhood workforce in Illinois and the US to help support the case to improve compensation levels of those who teach and care for young children. Partner with others involved in early childhood initiatives in Illinois who share similar goals. Attend a conference to refine your leadership and advocacy skills. Read the updated ECE News on the home page to stay abreast of issues, events, and reports in early care and education. Become acquainted with the many terms and acronyms used in early care and education. Subscribe to Inside Gateways, Gateways’ quarterly e-newsletter, to stay up to date on current issues in the field of early care and education professional development.