Why Early Childhood Opportunities Matter
Brains are built, not born. 85-90% of brain growth occurs in the first 1,100 days of life. Studies demonstrate that children exposed to positive early experiences during the first 2,000 days typically exhibit improved school and life outcomes. Currently, only 20% of children entering School District U-46 demonstrate school readiness.
Early experiences and positive relationships with caring adults help build a strong, healthy foundation for readiness. Consequently, ensuring access to high-quality early care and education programs is essential for fostering children’s enduring long-term success in kindergarten and beyond
Community Demographics and Early Learning Landscape
Elgin is home to 112,000 residents, and the Greater Elgin Area includes more than 18,000 children ages five and under. School District U-46—the second-largest district in Illinois—serves Elgin and ten surrounding communities. Enriching Partnerships for Early Learning (EPEL) supports families and young children across the Greater Elgin Area by strengthening the early childhood system and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Our community faces the challenge of a substantial ‘slot gap,’ indicating a shortage of early learning opportunities compared to the number of eligible children residing at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. Specifically, the eleven communities within School District U-46, face a deficit of 2,552 spaces for children aged birth to two years old, and a shortage of 1,392 slots for children aged 3 to 5 years old.
EPEL is currently leading community planning to collaboratively build a plan to offer equitable access to additional high-quality programs. We use quantitative and qualitative data to measure progress, identify community needs, influence policy and co-create innovative approaches to strengthen families.
Community Data Birth to Five
Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map
Erikson Institute
The Illinois Risk and Reach 2019 Data Report presents county-by-county data on risk factors that undermine optimal child development as well as the reach of publicly funded programs and services that support early childhood well-being.
IECAM (Illinois Early Childhood Asset Mapping) Data
Your source for early childhood data in Illinois. Providing early childhood data and maps to inform communities and strengthen policy in Illinois.
Innovation Zone Data
