How It Works
ExceleRate Illinois includes Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) Licensed Child Care Centers, Licensed Family Child Care Homes, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Preschool for All and Center-Based Prevention Initiative Programs, Head Start/Early Head Start Programs, and Chicago Public School Preschool Programs.
Early learning and development programs operate in different settings and demonstrate their quality in various ways, including compliance with licensing standards, federal and state grant requirements, and accreditation systems. ExceleRate Illinois focuses on programs individually, by allowing programs to meet consistent standards through providing different forms of evidence. Choose your setting below to view specific details about the application process:
Licensed Child Care
Licensed Family Child Care
Preschool for All/Prevention Initiative
Head Start/Early Head Start
If your program has at least one DCFS licensed classroom you will need to apply for ExceleRate Illinois using the Licensed Child Care Center standards.
How It Works 