Child Care & Early Learning
One Hope United Early Learning and Child Development Centers cater to the individual needs of each child, family, and community in our care. We partner with parents to nurture each child’s growth as they become independent, confident, and inquisitive learners. Our curriculum-based programs focus on preparing students to succeed as they enter kindergarten.
Your Child's Journey
Our Centers Features
Kindergarten Readiness
We cater to each child’s unique needs, focusing on essential skills in reading, writing, critical thinking, and social interaction to prepare them confidently for kindergarten and beyond.
Active Learning
Healthy Living
Technology in the Classroom
Our interactive learning includes computers and SMART Boards. Stay connected with teacher updates through apps like Learning Genie.
Family Centered Care
Nationally Accredited
In 2023, we helped
1,224
children served in our early learning and child development centers
65
families with
first-time parents
42
mothers with childbirth coaching from trained and experienced doulas
80%
of our preschoolers meet or exceed literacy development goals
90%
of our children (birth to 3 years) meet or exceed physical development goal
Find the right
program for you
It’s back-to-school season and many parents of young children are facing the prospect of sending their kids to child care or preschool for the first time. OHU has developed this FAQ to help parents ask the right questions as they visit centers and make one of the most important decisions of their child’s academic life.
The early years of childhood learning are the most formative. Research has shown that children who are enrolled in a high-quality pre-kindergarten program are more likely to have higher reading skills by third grade than students who don’t attend pre-K programs.
Ask about the center’s staff and the tenure of their teachers. Also ask about the curriculum and whether it’s a family-centered environment. You want a sense of how welcoming the environment is for family.
Most early learning centers are licensed. Being accredited is an additional stamp of quality. Just 6% of all centers in the U.S. are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The accreditation ensures your school is providing a high quality and holistic approach that focuses on children, staff, family and community partnerships, and administration. You should also ask what percentage of the last graduating preschool class was kindergarten ready. You want to see numbers in the 90–100% range, because kindergarten readiness is a key milestone in kids’ academic lives and helps set them up for success all the way through high school and college. The majority of OHU centers are both licensed and accredited.
It tells them if there are opportunities for family to be involved, which is very important.
Evidence suggests that if parents are involved in their children’s education, kids perform better; it’s linked to higher student achievement. So, you want to feel welcome and included. For example, can you participate with your children to help them along developmentally? Are workshops and resources provided to parents?
Yes, you should definitely get a sense of the center’s energy. When you enter the center, does it feel family-friendly? Can you walk in at any point in time and feel welcomed? Or will staff look at you and wonder why you’re here? Do you get a sense you’re part of a community? Do you have opportunities to connect with other families?
Ask questions about what your child’s daily experiences will be like.
What is the curriculum they’re using? Are the daily lessons posted for parents to see? Ask to see their curriculum book, because it’s a guide for what the children will be learning throughout the day. Our curriculum is aimed at reaching all developmental milestones starting in infancy.
It’s not just what you see, it’s also what you hear! You should hear children’s voices predominate over adult voices. You should also hear conversations among peers (preschool age children), laughter, music and overall enjoyment.
Yes, look for a program with an open-door policy, which is encouraging you to visit throughout the day and be an active participant in your child’s early childhood experience. We also recommend that before enrolling your child, visit the program at varying times of the day. Your experience should be consistent regardless of the time. And don’t be shy about stopping in without a formal appointment.
Teachers should speak to the children at their eye level. Staff should be using language that is guiding and comforting versus directive and harsh. Observe whether the children seem comfortable with the staff – and don’t forget non-verbal body language such as eye contact and smiles.
We definitely recommend that you trust your instinct! If something doesn’t feel right about the program, look elsewhere. Not only does this decision need to be the right fit for your child, but also your family. There are far too many early childhood programs available to settle on one that isn’t the best fit
Find a Center Near You
Aurora Early Learning Center
525 College Ave
Aurora, IL 60505
Bridgeport Child Development Center I
3053 S. Normal Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
Bridgeport Child Development Center II
514 W. 31st St
Chicago, IL 60616
Busy Bee Children’s Center
2115 Ernie Krueger Cir
Waukegan, IL 60087
Elgin Child & Family Resource Center
210 National St
Elgin, IL 60120
Joliet Early Learning Center
500 Parks Ave
Joliet, IL 60432
We work with the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) to provide premier child care services at a reduced rate. Contact us for more information.