Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning

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2025-2026 DONATE

The Basics of Greater Elgin

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IMPACT

EPEL RESOURCES

The Basics of Greater Elgin

The Basics of Greater Elgin

Rooted in five science-based parenting and caregiving principles, The Basics provides simple yet powerful ways to support young children’s development in everyday life.

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The 5 Basics Principles

The 5 Basics Principles

80% of brain growth happens in the first three years of life. Use these Basics tips to connect with infants and toddlers.

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Basics Insights Text Messaging

Basics Insights Text Messaging

Basics Insights is a free text messaging program for parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers that sends science-based tips to boost your child’s development. Receive two messages a week until your child turns 3.

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Find Childcare

Find Childcare

Find child care options based on locations. Several providers offer childcare assistance funding if needed. You can also see if you qualify for funding assistance here.

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CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CCAP)

CCAP

The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), assists low- income working families with paying for childcare services.

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FAMILY ENGAGEMENT GUIDE

Family Engagement Guide

This Guide is a valuable tool that offers developmentally appropriate daily activities to enhance the skills needed to be ready for Kindergarten.

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COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Community Resources

EPEL creates family/caregiver opportunities for leadership, family voice, and experiences through Meeting Families Where They Are in the neighborhoods, laundromats, mobile food pantries and pop-up sites.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Community Engagement

Community Engagement includes building awareness of the importance of early learning through initiatives in the community.

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HOW EPEL HELPS

How EPEL Helps

EPEL and our partners offer many resources that help families with young children be happy, healthy and ready for Kindergarten.

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EPEL IN THE COMMUNITY

Playing, Learning, Growing, Thriving EPEL Playgroup

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Latest News

Exploring Careers that Shape the Future

October 7, 2025

Introducing middle school students to future career paths helps them see what’s possible and start envisioning how they can make a difference. Events like the Explore event, hosted by the Alignment Collaborative for Education, give students the chance to connect with professionals …

SBB Research Group Foundation

October 7, 2025

We’re honored to share that the SBB Research Group Foundation has answered the call for early childhood by investing in Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning (EPEL). This generous support will strengthen EPEL’s efforts to engage, inform, and equip families — …

Free Connect & Play Group

September 3, 2025

Connect & Play is a free, bilingual playgroup for families with children birth to five. Families gather in welcoming, neighborhood-based settings to explore play-based learning, build early literacy and social-emotional skills, and connect with other parents and caregivers. Each session includes …

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