CLC Children's Learning Centers earn state quality award

The Children's Learning Centers at the College of Lake County's Grayslake and Lakeshore campuses have been recognized by the state of Illinois as Gold Circle of Quality centers.

The designation recognizes the centers' dedication to continuous quality improvement by demonstrating quality on 15 standards and meeting or exceeding benchmarks, as validated by an independent assessor. ExceleRate Illinois is the state's new quality rating and improvement system for early learning and development providers.

"Every early learning and development provider who participates in ExceleRate Illinois makes quality a priority," said Theresa Hawley, executive director, Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development. "The higher the designation, the higher the program's demonstrated quality and comprehensiveness in meeting children's early learning needs."

"We are very proud to receive the Gold Circle of Quality," said Sandy Groeninger, director of the CLC Children's Learning Center. "Providing quality in early learning and development helps our children be better prepared for success in school and in life."

The CLC Children's Learning Centers are nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

In October 2013, the centers were awarded a four-year grant for $125,055 a year to fund child care for low-income CLC parents. "This equals more than 20,000 hours of care used by parents while they were in class or studying, which is directly related to CLC student success," Groeninger said. The Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program Grant is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

Teresa Aguinaldo, CLC dean of Student Life, commended the work of Groeninger and Carlotta Conley, Lakeshore Campus coordinator, and their staffs.

"Our Children's Learning Centers are staffed by dedicated professionals who plan innovative projects for the children to enjoy and learn from," Aguinaldo said. "Recent examples include creating a 'Spider Museum' and an 'Early Learning Trail' at the Grayslake center, tending two flower beds in the Waukegan Community Garden and attending weekly story times at the Waukegan Public Library. I am so proud of the staff for all they do to insure high quality educational programming for our youngest CLC students."

This fall, the Grayslake center has 80 children enrolled (full and part time), while the Lakeshore Campus center cares for 45 children (full and part time). The centers offer affordable year-round care for children ages 2-6, and for school-age children up to age 12 during the summer. Children are enrolled to accommodate their parents' class, study and work schedules. For information, contact the Children's Learning Center at (847) 543-2053.

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