Gateways to Opportunity

09/03/2026

Second Nature Beyond the Barriers
October 24, 2026
Presented by: Northern Illinois Nature Play Association

The Second Nature Conference takes place October 24, 2026, at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s focus is Beyond the Barriers.

The conference will explore barriers such as access to natural settings, licensing and regulatory issues, navigating risky play, and creating inclusive opportunities for marginalized groups. Discussions will focus on ways to break down these barriers and create space for children, educators, families, and communities to experience the freedom and benefits of play in nature.

The keynote presenter is Jessica Fong, editor of Seeing Ourselves in Nature.

Register today!

Check out the schedule for Second Nature 2026

09/02/2026

Great news! If your Great START application was made eligible in August, your check is mailing today, Wednesday, September 2, 2026!

We are currently accepting Great START new and renewal applications.

For more information about Great START or to apply today, visit our website! If you have questions about your Great START application, email [email protected].

Great START (Strategy to Attract and Retain Teachers) is a wage supplement program that acknowledges child care practitioners who have completed college coursework and stay at their current place of employment. Great START recipients are sent a check every six months (based on continued eligibility)...

09/02/2026

It’s National Childhood Injury Prevention Week. This is a time to raise awareness for child safety measures, preventing injuries, and saving lives!

Child injury is predictable and preventable. Click the link below for 10 easy ways to reduce child injury.

September is National Childhood Injury Prevention Week, it is a time for raising awareness of child safety measures.

09/01/2026

Illinois is an exciting place to start a career in Early Childhood Education and Care. Illinois is ranked in the top ten for Child Care accessibility and also has an ongoing commitment to fund scholarship and apprenticeship programs that expand the Child Care workforce.Find out about credentials, trainings, and speak with a Professional Development Advisor that can help you plan for a career in ECEC!

Illinois Cares For Kids

08/31/2026

08/28/2026

Early Intervention (EI) is a federal program that provides services for families with children (0 – 36 months) in order to meet developmental milestones. EI helps children with disabilities or developmental delays achieve developmental milestones.

Illinois is committed to building a strong and thriving system of support for families and young children across the state. Learn more about Early Intervention on the IDEC website.

Starting July 1, 2026, the Illinois Department of Early Childhood will officially become the lead agency for Child Care Licensing, Head Start State Collaboration Office Grant, Home Visiting, Early Intervention and the Child Care Assistance Program, Early Childhood Block Grant, and a range of other e...

08/27/2026

Second Nature Beyond the Barriers
October 24, 2026
Presented by: Northern Illinois Nature Play Association

The Second Nature Conference is October 24, 2026 at Brookfield Zoo, Chicago from 9-3. This year’s focus is Beyond the Barriers. You will look at barriers such as access to natural settings, licensing and regulation issues, navigating risky play, and the inclusivity of marginalized groups. You will examine how you can break down those barriers and create space for yourselves, your children and your greater communities to topple the walls keeping children from the freeing world of play in nature. The Keynote Presenter is Jessica Fong, editor of Seeing Ourselves in Nature.

Register today!
https://secondnature2026.sched.com/

08/26/2026

The Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map (IECAM) has a mission to provide comprehensive early childhood data and maps to local and state agencies and other stakeholders to improve outcomes for Illinois children. Developed in 2006, users include policy makers, legislators, administrators, grant writers, educators, early childhood advocates, researchers, and the general public.

Explore the IECAM website, including the interactive data hub, to learn more about this unique service.

IECAM provides comprehensive early childhood data and maps to local and state agencies and other stakeholders in order to improve outcomes for Illinois children. IECAM is funded by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Our users include po...

08/25/2026

Find out when your Registry Director Portal Access Expires!

In the Director Portal go to Reports, then click the Membership tab. Open the “Authorized Program Contacts” report. This report will show everyone that has access to the programs director portal along with expiration dates for that access.

https://registry.ilgateways.com/be-a-member/director-portal