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!

Apply or Renew

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!

Apply or Renew

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.

Professional Development

 
 

Applicants are not automatically eligible every six months. They must continue to meet all eligibility requirements during the entire renewal and processing period.
Applicants have 30 days from the beginning of their reapplication month to submit their application.

  • Applications received within the applicant's renewal month will be processed with the same six-month renewal cycle. Applications received after the applicant's renewal month will be processed as a new application and will be reviewed with the current procedures. 
  • Any recipient who is found ineligible and reapplies for the program will be processed as a new applicant and have their application reviewed with the current procedures. 

You will receive a courtesy notification prior to your renewal month.

All Great START recipients must reapply every six months. Each application must be received within your renewal month. Application schedules are as follows:

Renewal Months
Original Eligibility Month Renewal Month (6-month cycle)
January July
February August
March September
April October
May November
June December

Great START applicants using confirmed, false documentation will be determined ineligible for Great START and possibly other Gateways to Opportunity or INCCRRA administered programs.

Examples of false documentation include, but are not limited to:

  • Forged/false signature
  • Altered college transcript
  • Altered/false wage documentation

IDHS will make the final decision on eligibility/ineligibility.
An applicant determined ineligible due to false documentation will remain ineligible for up to a maximum of three years from the determination date.

An applicant who has submitted confirmed fraudulent documentation will be required to reimburse INCCRRA for the most recent Great START Wage Supplement received, if payment was made when the fraudulent documentation was in effect.

Checks will be issued upon receipt of funding from IDHS.
Please keep an eye on our Facebook page to know when checks are mailed, or call our office toll free at (866) 697-8278.

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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.