Gateways Registry

Joining the Gateways Registry allows you to track your education, Credentials, and training online in your personal and secure Professional Development Record.

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Online Training

Gateways i-learning is the hub of online training for Illinois child care providers. You can locate online training for IDCFS Licensing, ExceleRate Illinois, and other courses related to caring for children.

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Training Calendar

Search the Gateways Training Calendar for professional development events around the state. You can search by county, date, or keyword to find just the training you need.

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Credentials

Earn a Gateways Credential to show you are proud to be an early care and education professional.

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Gateways Scholarship

Gateways Scholarship

Need money to further your education in child development or early childhood education? Apply for a Gateways Scholarship!

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Great Start Program

Great START Wage Supplement Program

Do you want extra money for completing college coursework and staying employed at the same place? Great START does just that! Get more information about how you can participate!

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Gateways Credentials

Are you considering applying for a Gateways Credential? Gateways Credentials are symbols of professional achievement that validate knowledge, skills and experience. They are an individual achievement that you can be proud of.

Gateways Credentials are awarded and recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care and Development. They are required for some Circles of Quality in ExceleRate Illinois and can be used to help with employment decisions in early learning programs.

Below are the Credentials offered by Gateways. You can click each Credential title to see information about applying, specific requirements, and the forms you will need.

ECE Credential 1

ECE Credential Level 1

An entry level credential for those just entering the field

ECE Credential 2-6

ECE Credential Levels 2-6

For ECE professionals who have education beyond high school and experience with children birth to age 8

Infant / Toddler

Infant Toddler Credential

For child care professionals working with children from birth to age 3

Illinois Director

Illinois Director Credential

For administrators of ECE and School-Age Programs

School-Age Credential 1

SAYD Credential

For professionals working with children and youth ages 5-18

Technical Assistance Credential

Technical Assistance Credential

For professionals who offer relationship-based professional development

Family Child Care

Family Child Care Credential

For a professional working in their home as a family child care provider for children ages birth through 12 years

Family Specialist

Family Specialist Credential

For professionals who provide direct services to children and families, such as Parent Educators, Family Advocates and Case Workers

Higher Education Directory

Search for colleges and universities in your area that offer courses in child development and child care related topics

Entitled Institutions

Entitled Institutions

For colleges and universities interested in becoming entitled for one or more Gateways Credentials

Professional Development

 
 

All levels and options on the Great START Scale that require college coursework also require a minimum number of semester hours in ECE/CD

Quarter hours will be converted to semester hours by multiplying the quarter hours by .67 to ensure the semester hour requirements for each level and option are met.

Procedure for Levels 1 through 2E:

  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 1 if they are/have the following:
    • Assistant teachers, family childcare providers:
      • 6 semester hours in Early Childhood Education (ECE)/Child Development (CD)
  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 2, Options A, B, C, D, and E if they are/have the following:
    • Assistant teachers, family childcare providers:
      • Option A: Child Development Associate (CDA)
      • Option B: Certified Childcare Professional (CCP)
      • Option C: A Montessori Credential from the American Montessori Society or the Association Montessori International only
      • Option D: 12 semester hours toward a degree (9 semester hours in ECE/CD)
      • Option E:  FCC Level 2 OR SAYD Level 2

 

Procedure for Levels 3A through 5B:

  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 3, Options A and B if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, assistant teachers:
      • Option A: 24 semester hours toward an associate degree in ECE/CD (with 9 semester hours in ECE/CD)
      • Option B: 24 semester hours in a related field (with 9 semester hours in ECE/CD)
  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 3, Option C if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, teachers, and assistant teachers:
      • CDA/CCP/Montessori Credential plus 12 semester hours toward a degree
  • Eligible applicant’s will be funded at Level 3, Option D if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, assistant teachers:
      • ECE Level 2
      • OR FCC Level 3
      • OR SAYD Level 3
  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 4, Options A, B, and C if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, and assistant teachers:
      • Option A: an approved community college Early Childhood Certificate
      • Option B: 36 semester hours toward an associate degree in ECE/CD (with 12 semester hours in ECE/CD)
      • Option C: 36 semester hours toward a degree in a related field (with 12 semester hours in ECE/CD)
  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 4, Option D if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, and assistant teachers:
      • ECE Level 3
      • OR ITC Level 2
      • OR SAYD Level 4
      • OR ESL/B Level 2
  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 5, Options A and B if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, and assistant teachers:
      • Option A: 48 semester hours toward an associate degree in ECE/CD (with 15 semester hours in ECE/CD)
      • Option B: 48 semester hours toward an associate degree in a related field (with 15 semester hours in ECE/CD)

 

Procedure for Levels 5C though 6B:

  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 5, Options C, D, and E if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, teachers, assistant teachers:
      • Option C:  Associates degree in a field other than ECD/CD (with 15 semester hours in ECE/CD)
      • Option D:  60 semester hours of coursework toward an associate degree in a field other than ECE/CD (with 15 semester hours in ECE/CD)
      • Option E:  ITC Level 3, FCC Level 4, or ESL/B Level 3
  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 6, Options A and B if they are/have the following:
  • Family/group home providers, teachers, assistant teachers, directors, and assistant directors:
    • Level 6, Option A:  associate degree in ECE/CD
    • Level 6, Option B:  associate degree in any field with 18 semester hours in ECE/CD (minimum of 21 semester hours in ECE/CD for Directors/assistant directors)

 

Procedure for Levels 6C and above:

  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 6, Option C if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, teachers, assistant teachers, directors, and assistant directors:
      • 60 semester hours towards a 4-year degree in a field other than ECE/CD (with 15 semester hours in ECE/CD)
    • Demonstration of coursework toward a bachelor’s or associate degree will be determined by a single transcript from a 4-year institution or a combination of transcripts from 2 and 4-year institutions, with the latest completed coursework being from a 4-year institution 
    • Applicant’s official transcripts need only show coursework in progress at the 4-year institution
  • Exceptions may be granted in cases where an individual is dually enrolled or in which a course of study toward a degree at a 4-year institution occurred immediately prior to the latest community college work
    • Dual enrollment program examples:
      • National Louis University and City Colleges of Chicago
      • Northern Illinois University and Rock Valley College
  • The maximum number of hours counted from a 2-year institution will be 68 semester hours
    • When combining hours from more than one transcript the 68-hour rule applies for all courses from all 2-year institutions
    • Should a 4-year institution not accept 68 semester hours from the 2-year institution(s) PD Specialists will:
      • Calculate the 68 semester hours of courses that apply towards graduation from the 2-year institution(s)
      • Add those hours to the number of hours of coursework towards graduation at the 4-year institution
  • If a 4-year institution transfers more than 68 semester hours, the total number of transfer credits will be accepted
    • Transcript must indicate that the 4-year institution was the last institution attended, or dually enrolled in a 2-year and 4-year institution simultaneously
    • A minimum of 15 semester hours in ECE/CD (minimum of 21 semester hours in ECE/CD for Directors/assistant directors)
    • Directors/assistant directors may be funded at 6C with their last school attended being a 2-year institution
  • Level 6, Option D:  90 semester hours toward a 4-year degree in an unrelated field (with 15 semester hours in ECE/CD) (minimum of 21 semester hours in ECE/CD for Directors/assistant directors)
    • Transcript must indicate that the 4-year institution was the last institution attended, or dually enrolled in a 2-year and 4-year institution simultaneously
  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 7 if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, teachers, assistant teachers, directors/assistant directors:
    • Level 7, Option A:  72 semester hours toward a bachelor’s degree in ECE/CD
      • A transcript from a 4-year institution with at least 1 completed course towards a bachelor’s degree AND 68 semester hours from a 2-year institution or equivalent combination to a total of 72 or more semester hours
      • Last institution attended must be a 4-year institution with a minimum of 18 semester hours in ECE/CD
      • Minimum of 21 semester hours in ECE/CD for Directors/assistant directors
    • Level 7, Option B:  90 semester hours towards a bachelor’s degree in related field with 18 semester hours in ECE/CD (minimum of 21 semester hours in ECE/CD for Directors/assistant directors)
    • Level 7, Option C:  A bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field with a minimum of 18 semester hours in ECE/CD (minimum of 21 semester hours in ECE/CD for Directors/assistant directors)
    • Level 7, Option D:  ECE Level 4 or ESL/B Level 4
  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 8 if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, teachers, assistant teachers, directors, and assistant directors
      • Level 8, Option A:  A transcript from a 4-year institution with completed coursework towards a bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of transcripts (last institution attended must be a 4-year institution) to total 90 semester hours or more (with a minimum of 24 semester hours in ECE/CD)
      • Level 8, Option B:  bachelor’s degree in a related field (with a minimum of 24 semester hours in ECE/CD)
      • Level 8, Option C:  bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field (with a minimum of 30 semester hours in ECE/CD)
      • Level 8, Option D: ITC Level 4, SAYD Level 5, OR IDC level 1
  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 9 if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, teachers, assistant teachers, directors, and assistant directors
      • Level 9, Option A:  bachelor’s degree in ECE/CD
        • Degrees such as Human Development that specifically state the degree is for childcare directors/teachers may be applicable for placement at 9A at the discretion of the PD Coordinator
      • Level 9, Option B:  master’s degree in an unrelated field (with 30 semester hours in ECE/CD)
      • Level 9, Option C:  FCC Level 5
  • Eligible applicants will be funded at Level 10 if they are/have the following:
    • Family/group home providers, teachers, assistant teachers, directors/assistant directors
      • Level 10, Option A:  Master’s Degree in ECE/CD
        • OR ITC Level 5
        • OR IDC Level II
        • OR ECE Level 5
      • Level 10, Option B:  IDC III
        • OR ECE Level 6
        • OR ITC Level 6

 

An official transcript is a transcript in a sealed envelope from the college or university. The applicant should not open this envelope. Official electronic transcripts are also accepted if sent from your college or university to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Copies of foreign evaluations may be accepted. Contact us for more information.

Center Based practitioners may verify employment by submitting the following required documents:

  • Four weeks of current and consecutive paystubs
    • If the application is received between the 1st -15th day of the month, previous months paystubs are acceptable
    • If the application is received between the 16th and last day of the month, at least one paystub should be from the current month
  • IRS Form W-2
    • W-2 cannot be handwritten
    • If a person cannot produce a W-2 because of being employed less than one year by their site he/she will be required to submit documentation from his/her employer verifying their start date. This letter needs to be signed and dated by the director. Example:  Due to previous center closing
  • Effective July 1, 2020, Great START Program applicants working at Silver or Gold ExceleRate Illinois sites can be eligible after six consecutive months of employment.  All other eligibility requirements must be met for these applicants to be found eligible.
    • A letter from the director must be submitted on company letter head and/or via email confirming the applicant’s start date, and that no consecutive time off greater than 3 days has been taken by the applicant within the six month time frame
    • If the 6-month period was interrupted by the COVID 19 pandemic, detailed information, including dates of departure and return should be included
  • If an applicant cannot produce four weeks of most recent pay stubs, the applicant must submit a payroll history or letter on company letterhead (if applicable) with hours worked, hourly pay, social security number of employee and federal and state withholdings
    • Letter needs to be signed and dated by the director
    • The applicant’s name must appear on all IRS tax forms
    • IRS Form 1099 is not accepted as proof of employment – refers to independent contractors, which are not funded under Great START

Family/Group Home Providers verify employment by submitting the following required documents:

  • Current parent handbook with hours and days day care is open and list of holidays and vacation time it is closed, OR
  • IRS tax form 8829 with total hours worked (line 4)

Upon review of an application and documentation submitted a Great START Specialist may request further documentation or information.

Yes! Great START builds on and complements the Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Program. The Gateways Scholarship Program assists early care and education and school-age care practitioners with attaining more education. 

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Excelerate Program

ExceleRate Illinois helps you prepare children for success in school and in life.

It also provides standards, guidelines, resources and supports to help you make sensible changes that lead to better quality outcomes for children.

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