CLC Children's Learning Centers receive state grant to admit 20 additional children at Lakeshore Campus

Thanks to a nearly $71,000 grant from the Illinois State Board of Education, the Children's Learning Center at the College of Lake County's Lakeshore Campus will admit 20 additional children ages 3 to 5 for the next five academic years, pending annual state approval.

The grant's annual disbursements are based on CLC meeting yearly requirements in several areas, according to Carlotta Conley, director of the Children's Learning Centers. They include serving children whose family's income is less than four times the federal poverty guidelines. Additionally, the children must be at risk of academic failure but also have shown gains developmental areas, including literacy, cognitive, social and emotional development.

"We are honored to receive this grant, as it shows our commitment to serving a diverse population in Lake County," Conley said.

The grant funding comes in the wake of other good news for the Children's Learning Centers. In April, the college received a renewed quality designation by the state of Illinois as Gold Circle of Quality centers. The annual stamp of approval includes 17 quality standards.

Additionally, the CLC Children's Learning Centers are nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Last October, the Centers received a nearly $400,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to provide assistance with childcare costs to 50 low-income students per year until 2021. CLC is one of only two schools in Illinois to receive the grant, and the college's proposal received a perfect score.

This spring, the Grayslake center had 88 children enrolled (full and part time), while the Lakeshore Campus center cared for 25 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 more information, contact the Children's Learning Center at (847) 543-2053.