Little Hearts Center Receives Gold Circle of Quality

Effingham Unit 40's Little Hearts Early Childhood Center received the Gold Circle of Quality designation from ExceleRate Illinois, the State's Quality Recognition and Improvement system for early childhood education and care programs.

“ExceleRate Illinois helps families make more informed choices about their children's early learning,” said Jamilah R. Jor’dan, Ph.D., Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development. “It establishes standards to help infants, toddlers and preschoolers develop intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. Additionally, it provides a framework for early learning and development professionals to identify opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills.”

"We are proud to receive the Gold Circle of Quality," said Jennifer Fox, Little Hearts Early Childhood Center. "Providing quality in early learning and development will help our children in Effingham be better prepared for success in school and in life."

A release from ExceleRateIllinois.com states that research in science and brain development shows that children who are more meaningfully engaged in early learning experiences from infancy through the first five years of life are more likely to be successful in school and in life. With the right engagement, children can form a healthy foundation of neural pathways in the brain, which impact their ability to think, react, process and grow.

ExceleRate Illinois is a comprehensive system that includes Licensed Child Care Centers, Licensed Family Child Care, Preschool for All, Center-Based Prevention Initiative Programs, Head Start and Early Head Start Programs. For more information or to find a Child Care Resource & Referral Agency in your area, visit www.ExceleRateIllinois.com.

ExceleRate Illinois is administered through INCCRRA under the joint direction of the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Illinois State Board of Education.