This grant will support One Hope United’s efforts to achieve National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation for the new Aurora Early Learning Center. With accreditation, this center will be a best practice center and demonstration lab for Aurora’s child care professionals.
Of the 35 licensed centers in Aurora, none are accredited and only four participate in the Illinois Quality Rating System. This $50,000 grant will provide the playground, classroom equipment, and staff development training necessary to achieve accreditation. The Aurora Early Learning Center will coordinate efforts with the United Way and City of Aurora S.P.A.R.K. (Strong, Prepared And Ready for Kindergarten) initiative to invite early childhood providers, educational institutions, and the Aurora Community to share best practices and resources for early childhood learning and to tour, observe and view benchmarks for quality in the NAEYC accredited program.