Charleston, IL

Charleston Community Child Care Center is a highly-regarded nonprofit facility offering comprehensive childcare services from infancy through school age. The center emphasizes play-based learning with structured educational components aligned with Illinois Early Learning Standards. Their experienced staff includes certified early childhood educators who maintain low teacher-to-child ratios. The facility features age-appropriate classrooms, secure outdoor play areas, and nutritious meal programs. Parents consistently praise the center's nurturing environment, strong communication, and commitment to developmental milestones tracking. The center is known for its inclusive atmosphere and flexible scheduling options to accommodate working families.

Little Jewels Learning Center provides a structured educational environment with a balanced approach to academic preparation and social development. The center implements Creative Curriculum with hands-on learning activities that promote cognitive, physical, and emotional growth. Qualified early childhood teachers focus on individualized learning plans and maintain detailed progress reports. Safety is prioritized with secure entry systems, comprehensive background checks, and regular safety drills. The facility includes modern classrooms, dedicated nap areas, and age-appropriate playgrounds. Parents highlight the center's clean environment, qualified staff, and effective communication about their child's daily activities and developmental progress.

The EIU Child Development Lab serves as both a high-quality early childhood program and a training facility for university students in early childhood education. Operating under the guidance of certified master teachers and faculty supervisors, the lab provides research-based curriculum emphasizing developmentally appropriate practices. The program focuses on emergent curriculum where children's interests guide learning experiences in literacy, math, science, and social studies. The facility features observation rooms, specialized learning centers, and outdoor discovery areas. While primarily serving as a preschool laboratory, the program is renowned for its exceptional teacher qualifications, innovative teaching methods, and strong parent-education partnership model that includes regular conferences and workshops.