The Doorway to Learning Childcare Center is an Early Head Start and Illinois State Board of Education grant-funded program. Housed in the Family Center, the program offers quality, standards-based full-day childcare services for a total of 24 children between the ages of six weeks to three years. The program also provides parenting classes/workshops, parent/child supports, and connections to community services based on the needs of the family.

We are committed to partnering with parents/guardians and providing an engaging and culturally diverse learning environment that promotes each child's individual development. We are dedicated to delivering child-centered programming, with the overall goal of increasing school readiness for all of our children. Early Head Start has a long history of providing comprehensive and high-quality programs to all children from birth to age three as well as pregnant women and their families. We offer a variety of services to children, including health, nutrition, dental, and social-emotional wellbeing, as well as special needs programs and parent engagement.

This Parent Handbook will help you understand more about our program, the many program options, how we prepare children for school, and how raising and teaching children includes many people along the way. The Doorway to Learning Childcare Center team is committed to delivering high-quality, comprehensive early care and education services to all of our children in order to build tomorrow's future leaders.

District 65 residents who meet both Early Head Start and Illinois Action for Children eligibility requirements are qualified to apply for this infant/toddler daycare program. DTL operates Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and includes breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack daily.

For more information about the Doorway to Learning Childcare program, please call (847) 859-8960.

Early Start
The Early Start family support program is funded in part by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Evanston Community Foundation. Early Start is a home visiting program for the parents of children, ages birth to three years. This program includes home visits, guidance in the care and development of young children, assistance in securing services to meet material needs, mental health support, case management, and advocacy. Our Family Support Advocates help parents:

• more fully enjoy their child;
• strengthen their ability to care for their child;
• feel more comfortable and confident about raising children; and
• lay a foundation for a lifetime of learning. 

Program services include parent education and training, case management services, parent/child activities and child development education and activities. This program annually serves the families of 60 to 80 children. An eligibility form is available for interested families who live within the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 attendance area.

A variety of activities, classes and workshops are held Monday through Thursday at various times to meet the availability and needs of families. For more information, please call (847) 859-8960.