Illinois ranks 8th in the nation for preschool enrollment – that’s pretty awesome! But some areas do not have enough publicly funded preschool spaces to serve at least 80% of low-income children. We call these areas “preschool deserts.” To turn them into preschool oases, the Illinois State Board of Education has grants available to expand existing programs and to launch new ones.
The Illinois State Board of Education has extended the application deadline for the Early Childhood Block Grant to June 30th! A wide range of entities are eligible to apply, with $75 million available in FY 2024 to expand preschool access to 5,000 more children.
The 2024 Early Childhood Block Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education is aimed at increasing access to preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds across the state and filling critical gaps in underserved areas. Organizations such as schools, daycares, churches, community centers, and more can apply for funding to start or expand a preschool. And there’s help available for new applicants!
Learn more and apply at https://isbe.net/preschool.
