Prenatal to 3 years
Giving your child the best start in life begins even before they’re born. The earliest days of a child’s life provide the foundation for the rest of their life. Parents can play the most important role, but this can be a busy and difficult time for young families. ECA provides a community-based network of organizations and programs to help parents access the support they need especially at this critical time. When we support children in their earliest years, infants grow into healthy toddlers who thrive, and are ready for school and life.
Early Head Start
(center-based or home visiting)
For pregnant women and children ages 0 - 3 from qualifying families*
Early Head Start (Center based)
(for children 0-3 from families with low income according to the federal poverty guidelines)
• Infant Welfare Society of Evanston, Baby Toddler Nursery: 2200 Main Street
• Swift Childcare Early Education Center: 8260 Elmwood, Skokie
• Metropolitan Family Services/ NTDSE
Early Head Start (Home visiting)
(for children 0-3 and pregnant women from families with low income according to the federal poverty guidelines)
• Childcare Network of Evanston: 1335 Dodge Ave.
• Metropolitan Family Services/ NTDSE
Prevention Initiative (Center based)
(for children 0-3 and prenatal parents determined to be “at risk” of academic failure)
• Mosaic Early Childhood Center: 4023 Dempster
Prevention Initiative (Home Visiting/Family Support)
(for children 0-3 and pregnant women from families with low and moderate income)
• Infant Welfare Society of Evanston: 4121 Oakton (located in Skokie but also serving Evanston families)
• Family Focus of Evanston: 2010 Dewey Ave.
Private scholarships
From many Niles Township preschools and programs are also available.
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
For children with caregivers who are either employed or in an eligible educational activity and meet qualifying family income limits*.
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
(For children with caregivers who are either employed or in an eligible educational activity & have family income below allowable limits) Childcare Network of Evanston offers eligibility assistance and Action for Children oversees the CCAP program for our area. Action for Children will provide the necessary application forms if your family qualifies. Reach them through their website–actforchildren.org–or call 312-823-1100 Child Care Assistance Eligibility Calculator
• Mosaic Early Childhood: 4023 Dempster, Skokie
• Swift Childcare Early Education Centers: 8260 Elmwood, Skokie
• Tot Learning Center: 3701 Howard Ave, Skokie
• Poko Loko: 5645 Dempster St, Morton Grove
• Mosaic Montessori Early Childhood:4700 Oakton St. Skokie
• Oakton College Early Childhood Education Center, 7701 N. Lincoln Ave. Skokie
• Kids Academy Early Learning Center: 9233 Shermer Rd., Morton Grove
Let ECA help your family get the resources you need
Early experiences in a child’s first three years of life shape brain development, and healthy development for all other systems in the body. This earliest period of a child’s life has substantial effects on both short-term and long-term outcomes in learning and behavior, as well as physical and mental health.
