West Chicago early childhood school receives $1.1 million grant

An early childhood school in West Chicago has been awarded a $1.1 million federal grant for its Early Head Start program for under-resourced young learners.

U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood announced Educare West DuPage is the recipient of $1,112,540 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Underwood called Early Head Start "one of the most successful federal anti-poverty programs that ensures young children have high-quality learning opportunities."

Educare, a nonprofit organization, opened its early education center in 2012.

"Educare West DuPage is a research based, dual-language early childhood school that is continuing to strive toward its mission of preventing the achievement gap by offering the highest quality early childhood experiences for the children and families that are most in need in the West Chicago community," Executive Director Marcela Sweeney said in a statement.

"This federal grant will continue to enhance the community by elevating the importance of children's first five years of life and making certain that young children from under-resourced communities have the best possible opportunity for success."