Qualifications:
Must be at least 19 and have a high school diploma or equivalency certificate (GED) and 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university, including 6 semester hours in courses directly related to child care and/or child development (birth to 6 years) or 1 year (1560 clock hours) child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten or licensed day care center and 30 semester hours of credits from an accredited college or university, including 6 semester hours in courses directly related to child care and/or child development or a Child Development Associate credential.
Provider/Child Ratio:
Age Range Ratios For Center Based Care in Illinois State
Infants (1:4)
Toddlers (1:5)
2 years (1:8)
Preschool (1:10)
Schoolage (1:20)
Mixed age group ratio for youngest child in group
Age Range Ratios For Family Child Care in Illinois State
Maximum provider/child ratio is (1:12), which includes providers own children under age 12, and with no more than 6 children under age 5 and no more than 3 under 30 months ; OR a school age group consisting of 8 school age children.
Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Illinois Department of Children & Family Services
406 East Monroe Street, Station 60
Springfield, IL 62701-1498
Phone: (217) 785-2688
Fax: (217) 782-6446
Child Care Subsidy Agency
Illinois Department of Human Services
Office of Child Care and Family Services
400 West Lawrence, 3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62762-0001
Phone: (217) 785-2559
Fax: (217) 524-6030
Head Start - State Collaboration Office
Bureau of Child Care & Development
10 Collinsville Avenue, Suite 203
East St. Louis, IL, 62201
Phone: (618) 583-2083 or (618) 583-2088
Fax: (618) 583-2091
Child Care Food Program Agency
Division of Nutrition Programs & Support Services
Illinois State Board of Education
100 North First Street
Springfield, Illinois 62777-0001
Phone: (217) 782-2491
Fax: (217) 524-6124
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
207 W. Jefferson St., Suite 503
Bloomington, IL 61701-3961
Phone: (309) 829-5327
Toll Free: (800) 649-1884
Fax: (309) 828-1808
Office of Child Support Enforcement
Division of Child Support Enforcement
Illinois Department of Public Aid
509 S. 6th St., 6th Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62701
Phone: (800) 447-4278
Fax: (217) 524-4608