Illinois Pediatricians Team Up With ExceleRate Illinois

CHICAGO, Dec. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- ExceleRate Illinois, the state's new quality rating and improvement system for all early learning programs, today announced a collaboration with the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) to generate awareness for the importance of quality early learning programs among pediatricians and their patients' families.

"This collaboration is a perfect fit for ExceleRate Illinois because pediatricians are such a trusted and 'go-to' resource for parents," said Theresa Hawley, Ph.D., executive director, Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development.  "We are delighted to launch this collaboration, which complements ICAAP's involvement in early learning initiatives and helps extend our message to parents about the importance of quality early learning programs to their child's healthy development," she said. 

Through a website (www.excelerateillinois.com), parents can access resources about how a quality early learning program can prepare their child for success in school and in life.  A searchable database helps parents find quality programs in their community and will be updated as more programs receive a Circle of Quality.  Parents can also look up their local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Specialist for additional assistance.  Early learning programs receive an ExceleRate Illinois Circle of Quality (Licensed, Bronze, Silver or Gold) designation following an application and verification process demonstrating that they have met specific requirements. 

"Our members are dedicated to improving children's health and well-being and our collaboration with ExceleRate Illinois is a natural extension of that commitment," said Scott Allen, executive director, ICAAP.  "We are pleased to work with ExceleRate Illinois to help Illinois parents understand just how important a quality early learning experience is to their child's education and development," he said.    

Over the coming months, the collaboration will explore and pursue a variety of initiatives including: online and in-person training; resource sharing and presentations at meetings and conferences. 

ExceleRate Illinois: Four Quality Designations
ExceleRate Illinois helps early learning programs accelerate quality initiatives and make quality an ongoing priority through four quality designations:    

• Licensed Circle of Quality: a foundational designation; recognizes compliance with Illinois Department of Children and Family Services licensing standards
• Bronze Circle of Quality: recognizes staff qualifications, professional development and training to prepare programs for success as they progress through the ExceleRate Illinois system
• Silver Circle of Quality: recognizes a rigorous self-assessment and implementation of a continuous quality improvement process, as verified by an independent assessor. Programs meet or exceed specific quality benchmarks on learning environment and instructional quality; program administrative standards; staff qualifications, and professional development
• Gold Circle of Quality: independent assessors validate programs that demonstrate quality on the 15 standards of ExceleRate Illinois. These programs meet or exceed specific quality benchmarks on learning environment, instructional quality, and all program administrative standards; group size and staff/child ratios; staff qualifications, and professional development

More than 1400 licensed child care, Head Start and Preschool for All early learning programs hold a Gold or Silver Circle of Quality. 

Importance of Quality Early Learning
In the first five years of life, key brain functions develop more than at any other time.   In fact, this early brain development process helps children develop the ability to see, hear and talk.  And it gives children the ability to solve problems, make decisions and so many other important skills.  After age 5, the brain development process slows, making it more difficult to build these skills.  ExceleRate Illinois focuses on whole child development by creating standards to help infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers develop intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally.  And it provides a framework for early learning and development professionals to identify opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills.

About ExceleRate Illinois
ExceleRate Illinois is administered through INCCRRA under the joint direction of the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Illinois State Board of Education, and is funded through the federal Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge Grant program.  For more information, visit:
www.excelerateillinois.com, http://www2.illinois.gov/gov/OECD or www.inccrra.com.

About the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
The Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (ICAAP) is an organization of approximately 2,000 pediatricians in Illinois. Primary activities include advocacy on behalf of children, families, and health professionals in Illinois; the provision of continuing medical education and other resources for pediatricians, pediatric specialists, and other child health care providers; and collaboration with other state organizations and agencies on programs and projects that improve the health and well-being of children. Visit www.illinoisaap.org.

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SOURCE Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development