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Early childhood education programs in Chicago, Illinois

32 early childhood programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

12 schools offer these early childhood education programs with classes in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area, and every one is approved for workforce funding: 29 by Illinois and 3 by Indiana. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Childcare workers look after children's needs and help their early development. What they need varies by state and employer, from no formal education to a certificate in early childhood education; most often states ask for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which takes coursework, experience and a period of being observed working with children.1 The CDA takes a high school diploma or GED, 120 hours of early childhood education, 480 hours of work with the age group you choose within three years, a portfolio and the CDA exam.2

In Chicago, 1 of the 32 programs takes students without a high school diploma, 3 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 28 ask for earlier courses first.

By kind, the 32 programs here are child care or preschool certificate (23 programs) and early childhood education (associate degree, 9 programs).

See the 32 programs

All 53 early childhood programs in Illinois, including online programs

How much do early childhood education programs cost in Chicago?

$4,061 to $4,485

is what the 3 programs with a price cost if you pay yourself

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not reported
None of the 32 programs report it
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
32 to 64 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Chicago may also offer early childhood education programs. How these figures are made

Are there free early childhood education programs in Chicago?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 32 early childhood programs in Chicago approved for WIOA funding

Filters
What you need to enroll
Kind of program
School
How it's taught
How to show the list

32 programs

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Early Childhood Education AAS 25EA

    College of Lake County

    Grayslake

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    College of Lake County, GrayslakeEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimated$29,100
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out

    3 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Early Childhood Education AAS 25EA at College of Lake County
    More details about Early Childhood Education AAS 25EA at College of Lake County
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    56%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,286
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    313
    Earned a year, estimated
    $29,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    students trained with WIOA funding
    3
    Program website, Early Childhood Education AAS 25EA at College of Lake County

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Technical Certificate (tc)

    Ivy Tech Community College

    Gary

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Ivy Tech Community College, GaryChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$34,000
    Price if you pay yourself$4,485
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Technical Certificate (tc) at Ivy Tech Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Technical Certificate (tc) at Ivy Tech Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    61%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,504
    Length
    52 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $510
    Students counted
    27
    Earned a year, estimated
    $34,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,485
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Technical Certificate (tc) at Ivy Tech Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education - Technical Certificate (tc)

    Ivy Tech Community College

    Valparaiso

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Ivy Tech Community College, ValparaisoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,061
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Technical Certificate (tc) at Ivy Tech Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education - Technical Certificate (tc) at Ivy Tech Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    104 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,745
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,061
    Program website, Early Childhood Education - Technical Certificate (tc) at Ivy Tech Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Early Childhood Education Technical Certificate (tc)

    Ivy Tech Community College

    Gary

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Ivy Tech Community College, GaryChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$4,061
    Program website, Early Childhood Education Technical Certificate (tc) at Ivy Tech Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education Technical Certificate (tc) at Ivy Tech Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    52 weeks, 15 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,745
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,061
    Program website, Early Childhood Education Technical Certificate (tc) at Ivy Tech Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridPrerequisite courses

    Assistant Teacher Certificate

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harper College, PalatineChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Assistant Teacher Certificate at Harper College
    More details about Assistant Teacher Certificate at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Assistant Teacher Certificate at Harper College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridPrerequisite courses

    Child Development (AAS)- SS050

    Joliet Junior College

    Joliet

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Joliet Junior College, JolietEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Child Development (AAS)- SS050 at Joliet Junior College
    More details about Child Development (AAS)- SS050 at Joliet Junior College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Child Development (AAS)- SS050 at Joliet Junior College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)In personEducation and courses

    Child Development: Pre-School Education AAS

    Olive Harvey College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Olive Harvey College, ChicagoEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Child Development: Pre-School Education AAS at Olive Harvey College
    More details about Child Development: Pre-School Education AAS at Olive Harvey College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Child Development: Pre-School Education AAS at Olive Harvey College

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personEducation and courses

    Child Development: Pre-School Education-AC

    Olive Harvey College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Olive Harvey College, ChicagoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Child Development: Pre-School Education-AC at Olive Harvey College
    More details about Child Development: Pre-School Education-AC at Olive Harvey College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Child Development: Pre-School Education-AC at Olive Harvey College

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personEducation and courses

    Child Development: Pre-School Education-BC

    Olive Harvey College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Olive Harvey College, ChicagoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Child Development: Pre-School Education-BC at Olive Harvey College
    More details about Child Development: Pre-School Education-BC at Olive Harvey College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Child Development: Pre-School Education-BC at Olive Harvey College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridNo diploma needed

    Early Childhood Associate of Applied Science

    Elgin Comm. College District #509

    Elgin

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Elgin Comm. College District #509, ElginEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Early Childhood Associate of Applied Science at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    More details about Early Childhood Associate of Applied Science at Elgin Comm. College District #509
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Early Childhood Associate of Applied Science at Elgin Comm. College District #509

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Early Childhood Education AAS

    Waubonsee Community College

    Sugar Grove

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Waubonsee Community College, Sugar GroveEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Early Childhood Education AAS at Waubonsee Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Education AAS at Waubonsee Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Early Childhood Education AAS at Waubonsee Community College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridPrerequisite courses

    Early Childhood Education Degree

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harper College, PalatineEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Early Childhood Education Degree at Harper College
    More details about Early Childhood Education Degree at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    64 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Early Childhood Education Degree at Harper College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Early Childhood Education and Care AAS Degree

    College Of DuPage

    Glen Ellyn

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    College Of DuPage, Glen EllynEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Early Childhood Education and Care AAS Degree at College Of DuPage
    More details about Early Childhood Education and Care AAS Degree at College Of DuPage
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    120 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Early Childhood Education and Care AAS Degree at College Of DuPage

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    Early Childhood Educator Level 2 Certificate

    Moraine Valley Community College

    Palos Hills

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Moraine Valley Community College, Palos HillsChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Early Childhood Educator Level 2 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Educator Level 2 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Early Childhood Educator Level 2 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    Early Childhood Educator Level 3 Certificate

    Moraine Valley Community College

    Palos Hills

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Moraine Valley Community College, Palos HillsChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Early Childhood Educator Level 3 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College
    More details about Early Childhood Educator Level 3 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Early Childhood Educator Level 3 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridPrerequisite courses

    Family Care I

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harper College, PalatineChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Family Care I at Harper College
    More details about Family Care I at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Family Care I at Harper College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridPrerequisite courses

    Family Child Care II

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harper College, PalatineChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Family Child Care II at Harper College
    More details about Family Child Care II at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    40 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Family Child Care II at Harper College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    Gateways ECE Level 2

    Kishwaukee College

    Malta

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kishwaukee College, MaltaChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Gateways ECE Level 2 at Kishwaukee College
    More details about Gateways ECE Level 2 at Kishwaukee College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Gateways ECE Level 2 at Kishwaukee College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    Gateways ECE Level 3

    Kishwaukee College

    Malta

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kishwaukee College, MaltaChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Gateways ECE Level 3 at Kishwaukee College
    More details about Gateways ECE Level 3 at Kishwaukee College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Gateways ECE Level 3 at Kishwaukee College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    Infant/Toddler Level 2 Certificate

    Moraine Valley Community College

    Palos Hills

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Moraine Valley Community College, Palos HillsChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Infant/Toddler Level 2 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College
    More details about Infant/Toddler Level 2 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Infant/Toddler Level 2 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    Infant/Toddler Level 3 Certificate

    Moraine Valley Community College

    Palos Hills

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Moraine Valley Community College, Palos HillsChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Infant/Toddler Level 3 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College
    More details about Infant/Toddler Level 3 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Infant/Toddler Level 3 Certificate at Moraine Valley Community College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridPrerequisite courses

    Infant/Toddler Teacher

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harper College, PalatineChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Infant/Toddler Teacher at Harper College
    More details about Infant/Toddler Teacher at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Infant/Toddler Teacher at Harper College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridPrerequisite courses

    Infant/Toddler Teacher Assistant

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harper College, PalatineChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Infant/Toddler Teacher Assistant at Harper College
    More details about Infant/Toddler Teacher Assistant at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    16 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Infant/Toddler Teacher Assistant at Harper College

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personPrerequisite courses

    Pre-School Ed. Advanced Certificate (Child Development)

    Harry S. Truman College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harry S. Truman College, ChicagoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Pre-School Ed. Advanced Certificate (Child Development) at Harry S. Truman College
    More details about Pre-School Ed. Advanced Certificate (Child Development) at Harry S. Truman College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    80 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Pre-School Ed. Advanced Certificate (Child Development) at Harry S. Truman College

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personPrerequisite courses

    Pre-School Education Basic Certificate (Child Development)

    Harry S. Truman College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harry S. Truman College, ChicagoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Pre-School Education Basic Certificate (Child Development) at Harry S. Truman College
    More details about Pre-School Education Basic Certificate (Child Development) at Harry S. Truman College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    84 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Pre-School Education Basic Certificate (Child Development) at Harry S. Truman College

  • Child care or preschool certificateIn personPrerequisite courses

    Pre-School Education Infant/Toddler Advanced Certificate

    Harry S. Truman College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harry S. Truman College, ChicagoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Pre-School Education Infant/Toddler Advanced Certificate at Harry S. Truman College
    More details about Pre-School Education Infant/Toddler Advanced Certificate at Harry S. Truman College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    112 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Pre-School Education Infant/Toddler Advanced Certificate at Harry S. Truman College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridEducation and courses

    Pre-School Education/AAS

    Kennedy King College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kennedy King College, ChicagoEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Pre-School Education/AAS at Kennedy King College
    More details about Pre-School Education/AAS at Kennedy King College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    80 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Pre-School Education/AAS at Kennedy King College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    Pre-School Education/AC

    Kennedy King College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kennedy King College, ChicagoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Pre-School Education/AC at Kennedy King College
    More details about Pre-School Education/AC at Kennedy King College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Pre-School Education/AC at Kennedy King College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    Pre-School Education/BC

    Kennedy King College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kennedy King College, ChicagoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Pre-School Education/BC at Kennedy King College
    More details about Pre-School Education/BC at Kennedy King College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Pre-School Education/BC at Kennedy King College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridEducation and courses

    Pre-School Education/Infant Toddler-AC

    Kennedy King College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Education and courses

    Kennedy King College, ChicagoChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Education and courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Pre-School Education/Infant Toddler-AC at Kennedy King College
    More details about Pre-School Education/Infant Toddler-AC at Kennedy King College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    48 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Pre-School Education/Infant Toddler-AC at Kennedy King College

  • Early childhood education (associate degree)In personPrerequisite courses

    Pre-School Education: Child Development AAS

    Harry S. Truman College

    Chicago

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harry S. Truman College, ChicagoEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Pre-School Education: Child Development AAS at Harry S. Truman College
    More details about Pre-School Education: Child Development AAS at Harry S. Truman College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    136 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Pre-School Education: Child Development AAS at Harry S. Truman College

  • Child care or preschool certificateHybridPrerequisite courses

    Teacher Certificate

    Harper College

    Palatine

    Accredited school

    Prerequisite courses

    Harper College, PalatineChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · Prerequisite courses

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfLeft out
    Program website, Teacher Certificate at Harper College
    More details about Teacher Certificate at Harper College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    32 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Left out
    Program website, Teacher Certificate at Harper College

How to pay for early childhood education programs in Chicago

WIOA funding can pay for early childhood education programs in Chicago

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for early childhood education programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.78

GI Bill for early childhood education programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.9

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in Chicago

How early childhood education programs compare with the rest of education and social services across Illinois: Child care and social services training in Illinois

Where the Chicago early childhood education program numbers come from

Which Chicago early childhood education programs are on this list?

These are the early childhood education programs with classes in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area that are approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).10 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Online programs are left out here; they are on the Illinois page. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what the area offers.

How the prices and results of Chicago early childhood education programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

How reliable are the Illinois figures?

The US Department of Labor's own results site lists Illinois among the states with "known data quality concerns".11 We leave out the share who finished for Illinois: only a few programs report it, and those at a typical 11%. We leave out prices for Illinois: the state files a code in place of each price, so no price can be shown.

Sources for the facts about early childhood education programs in Chicago

Show the 11 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Childcare Workers
  2. Council for Professional Recognition: CDA Credentialing Process Overview (February 2026)
  3. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  4. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  5. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  6. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  8. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  9. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  10. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List
  11. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: search page, note on states with known data quality concerns