MCC’s Children’s Learning Center receives Circle of Quality designation

The McHenry County College Children’s Learning Center recently received the Silver 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, 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 Silver Circle of Quality,” said Lisha Linder, director of the Children’s Learning Center at MCC. “Providing quality in early learning and development helps children be better prepared for success in school and in life.”

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. It is administered through the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies 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.

MCC’s Children’s Learning Center offers child care for 15-month to 3-year-olds and 3- to 5-year-olds, as well as preschool programs for 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds. It also serves as a learning opportunity for MCC’s Early Childhood Education students, who help lead the program. All programs are available to MCC students, employees, and members of the community.

For more information on the Children’s Learning Center, visit www.mchenry.edu/clc.