Smart Start Child Care at IDHS is a component of Smart Start Illinois, a multi-year plan to provide every child with access to preschool, increase funding to childcare providers to raise wages and quality, invest in new expanded early childhood facilities, and reach more vulnerable families with early support. Smart Start Illinois demonstrates the state's ongoing commitment to children, families, teachers, and childcare providers.
Smart Start Child Care at IDHS features –
Previously, Smart Start Transition Grants provided a bridge between COVID relief funding and Smart Start Workforce Grants, helping Illinois stabilize the child care industry in the wake of the pandemic.
These investments are just the start, as Smart Start Child Care will continue to deliver innovative approaches to help meet the quality and capacity goals of Smart Start Illinois both now and into the future.
Ad Hoc Committee for Smart Start Child Care
Smart Start Stakeholder Input
Having feedback and input from those working in early childhood education and care is a priority as the state develops Smart Start Illinois. An ad-hoc committee of the IDHS-DEC Child Care Advisory Council began meeting in November 2022. This committee focuses on Smart Start Child Care, and providing insight, feedback, and raises questions and thoughts as the state develops a plan for this work. This committee is made up of individuals that work in child care, and agencies that support child care. Below are the presentations that are provided at each ad-hoc committee meeting.
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November 2022
(791 KB)
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December 2022
(1.56 MB)
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January 2023
(663 KB)
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February 2023
(976 KB)
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April 2023
(1.97 MB)
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June 2023
(2.02 MB)
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August 2023
(1.09 MB)
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September 2023
(1.09 MB)
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October 2023
(1.01 MB)
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November 2023
(1002 KB)
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December 2023
(3.83 MB)
document
February 2024
(3.95 MB)
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March 2024
(511 KB)
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April 2024
(1.06 MB)
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June 2024
(687 KB)
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October 2024
(471 KB)
It also provides standards, guidelines, resources and supports to help you make sensible changes that lead to better quality outcomes for children.