Illinois childcare licensing
Illinois child care state pre-k program
Pre-K eligibility, provider requirements, and funding. This page isolates the configured Illinois figures, related explanations, and primary source links from the full licensing guide.
Cited to 89 Ill. Admin. Code 407Verified June 2026Summary only, not legal advice
- Program
- Illinois Preschool for All (PFA) — ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant
- Age eligibility
- Three- and four-year-olds not yet in kindergarten; PFA Expansion funds full-day slots for four-year-olds in high-need communities.
- Income eligibility
- No absolute income cap, but programs must prioritize children at risk of academic failure (screening-based) and low-income families; Smart Start Illinois is expanding toward preschool access for every eligible family.
- Provider requirements
- School districts and community-based organizations (including licensed child-care centers) funded through the ISBE Early Childhood Block Grant; lead teachers must hold an Illinois Professional Educator License with an early-childhood endorsement, and programs follow the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards (IELDS).
- Funding
- State-funded via the Early Childhood Block Grant (competitive grants to districts and community providers); no parent tuition for funded slots.
- Education department role
- The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) administers PFA and publishes the IELDS; a new unified Illinois Department of Early Childhood is being phased in to consolidate early-childhood programs.
- Source
- Figures effective 2026. Official Illinois program source
Citation: 89 Ill. Admin. Code 407
Disclaimer: The figures on this page are a plain-English summary of Illinois requirements; always confirm current rules and details directly with IDEC before making operational decisions. This page is a summary for informational purposes only and is not legal or compliance advice. Confirm with Illinois Department of Early Childhood.