Englewood Gets Brand New Early Childhood Education Center

Mayor Emanuel and CPS CEO Janice Jackson announced the expansion of a new Early Learning Center to serve three and four-year-olds in Englewood.

With the support of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, we announced in May that we’re investing $20 million to bring free, universal full-day Pre-K to an additional 3,700 four-year-olds, a 50 percent increase from SY 17-18.

“I’m excited to know that we’re expanding a high-quality program right here in a community that needs it the most,” said Dr. Jackson. “The school system, as well as the city, are committed to revitalizing the Englewood community. And it starts from early childhood education, all the way through college.”

This is part of an ambitious five-year plan to expand access to universal Pre-K for approximately 24,000 4-year-olds over the next five years, with a focus on serving children and families most in need of services.

In the first year, expanded programming will focus on families of four who make less than $46,435 per year. Before Mayor Emanuel took office, less than 6,000 4-year-olds had access to Pre-K; this plan will ensure that 24,000 children are served by the 2021-2022 school year.

Currently, Little Angels shares a space with Alpha Temple Church, 6701 S. Emerald Ave. Through the city’s Large Lots program, Little Angels will have a new location built on the lots, serving approximately 100 children a year, from 0-5 years-old.

Capital investments in early education were recently released in the CPS budget, including the first year of funding towards making Pre-K universal in Chicago.

Four additional early education sites, which will open between Fall 2018 and Fall 2019, will be at:
Dore Elementary;
Perez Elementary;
Gads Hill Center and,
Asian Human Services Passages Charter School.

If you would like more information about our preschool programs, please visit GoCPS, our universal application platform that provides a single point of entry to access a comprehensive menu of over 600 programs for three- and four-year olds. All locations can be found at http://www.chicagoearlylearning.org.