Parenting & Childcare Blog | Children's Land

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Daycare classroom with play areas and learning centers

Toddler

Daycare Cameras for Parents: What to Ask About Monitoring

More daycares now have cameras in classrooms, but setups differ a lot. Some show parents a lobby monitor, others offer a live app, and some record only for staff. Here is what each setup means and what to ask before you enroll.

Kindergarten

Illinois KIDS Assessment: What It Measures in Kindergarten

Every Illinois kindergarten teacher fills out the KIDS survey in the first weeks of school. It is based on observation, so there is nothing to study for. Here is what it measures, what the statewide results show and what helps children feel ready.

Early learning classroom with toys and small furniture

Early Pre-school

ExceleRate Illinois: Circles of Quality and What They Mean

ExceleRate Illinois is the state quality rating system for child care and preschool. Programs earn a Licensed, Bronze, Silver or Gold Circle of Quality. Here is what each level means, how to look a program up, and what a rating does not tell you.

Pre-school

Preschool for All Illinois: Who Qualifies and How It Works

Preschool for All is free, state-funded preschool for 3 and 4-year-olds in Illinois. Seats go first to children with risk factors, and most programs run part of the day. Here is who qualifies, how to apply and how families combine it with full-day care.

Toddler

Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) for Families

Illinois launched a new Department of Early Childhood on July 1, 2026. It now runs child care licensing, CCAP, Preschool for All and Early Intervention. Here is what changed for parents, what stayed the same, and where to look things up.