The Need

Early Education Shouldn’t Be a Luxury

The first five years of life are critical for brain development, language acquisition, and social-emotional growth. High-quality early childhood education builds the foundation for long-term academic success.

Yet for many working families in Evanston and across Illinois, child care is financially out of reach.

The Affordability Gap

In Illinois:

Infant care averages $16,000+ per year
Preschool care averages $11,000+ per year
Child care often consumes 20% or more of household income — far above the recommended affordability benchmark of 7%

In communities like Evanston, tuition rates can be even higher.

While public programs such as Head Start and CCAP provide essential support, many families fall into a gap:

They earn too much to qualify for assistance —
but not enough to comfortably afford tuition.

These families are often forced to delay enrollment, reduce work hours, or rely on unstable care arrangements.

Why It Matters

When children miss access to high-quality early learning, the impact extends beyond the classroom.

Children who attend strong early childhood programs are more likely to:

Enter kindergarten prepared and confident
Develop strong literacy and language skills
Graduate high school
Experience long-term economic stability

Early education is not babysitting — it is foundational.

The Families in the Middle

The families most affected are working households who:

Do not qualify for public subsidy
Have multiple children in care
Are balancing rising housing and living costs
Depend on stable child care to remain employed

Without support, quality early education becomes an impossible choice.

Our Community Deserves Better

Care4Kidz exists to close this affordability gap.

By providing tuition assistance to working families who fall outside traditional funding programs, we help ensure that every child — regardless of income — has access to a strong start.