Pillars’ Child and Family Development Center has received the Gold Circle of Quality designation from ExceleRate Illinois, the state’s new quality rating and improvement system for early learning and development providers. ExceleRate Illinois helps families make more informed choices about their children’s early learning. It establishes standards to help infants, toddlers and preschoolers develop intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. “The higher the designation, the higher the program’s demonstrated quality and comprehensiveness in meeting children’s early learning needs,” says Theresa Hawley, executive director, Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development. To achieve a Gold Circle of Quality designation, a program must meet several standards and requirements as well as undergo an onsite assessment—making it both a tough designation to obtain and an exciting validation of efforts to provide quality early childhood learning.

“We are proud to receive the Gold Circle of Quality,” says Charron Garcia, associate vice president of Pillars’ Child and Family Development Center. “Providing quality in early learning and development will better prepare our children for success in school and in life.” ExceleRate Illinois is a comprehensive system that includes Licensed Child Care Centers, Preschool for All and Center-Based Prevention Initiative Programs, Head Start, and Early Head Start Programs. Licensed Family and Group Child Care Homes will be included next year. Learn more at www.pillarscommunity.org.