Chicago Heights Welcomes Griffin Early Childhood Center
Free Preschool and Parent Programs to Begin in 2010-11 School Year


1.     What is the Griffin Early Childhood Center?
The Griffin Early Childhood Center (GECC) is a multi-year, multi-program education initiative available to all families and their preschool-age children in Chicago Heights and surrounding communities. GECC is a philanthropically funded initiative between Chicago Heights School District 170  and its research partners to identify and foster the best environment for young children to achieve, both now and later in their lives.  GECC preschool programs will begin in the fall of 2010 and will follow the Chicago Heights District 170 school calendar.The programs GECC will offer are brand new to Chicago Heights and include a comprehensive full-day preschool program and parent tutoring academies for parents and their children.

2.    Are there any fees or tuition?
No. GECC preschool and parent programs are 100% free-of-charge to all participants. Funding for all GECC programs and research has been provided by the Kenneth and Anne Griffin Foundation. 


3.    Who is eligible to sign up?
All families living in Chicago Heights and surrounding communities with children aged between 3 and 5 on or before September 1, 2010, are eligible to participate in the Griffin Early Childhood Center.  We encourage eligible families who are interested in learning more to email us at info@griffincenter.org with the following information:
  •  Parent or guardian name, mailing address, phone number, and email address
  • Number of eligible preschoolers in the family
A key member of our team will follow up with you to continue the GECC registration process.

4.  What educational services can I receive from the Griffin Early Childhood Center?

Program 1: The GECC Preschool

  • A free full-day innovative preschool serving children aged 3-5
  • The preschool will open in the Fall of 2010 at two existing Chicago Heights School District 170 school sites – Highland School and Washington-McKinley School
Program 2: GECC Parent Academy A:

  • Bi-weekly (or monthly) workshops for children and their families on early childhood education, parenting strategies, nutrition and wellness, and a number of other topics.
  • Families receive biweekly (monthly) payments for successful participation in the program.
Program 3: GECC Parent Academy B:

  • Bi-weekly (or monthly) workshops for children and their families on early childhood education, parenting strategies, nutrition and wellness, and a number of other topics.
  • Parents are paid a lump sum when the child enters college based on successful participation in the program.
 
5.  If my child is admitted to a GECC preschool, does that mean I'll also be participating in a parent academy?
No.  There is no overlap between the preschool and parent academy programs.  Families participating in the preschool will not be involved with the parent academies, and vice versa.


6.  Will bus service be offered?
Free daily round-trip bus service to both GECC preschool locations will be offered to all enrolled preschool students residing in Chicago Heights, South Chicago Heights, Ford Heights, and parts of Steger and Park Forest. Children will receive door-to-door service, although parents must be present in the home at the time of both pickup and drop-off. While families from other communities are warmly welcomed to participate in the GECC, please know that school bus service to communities other than those named above will not be provided.


7.  How do I register? 
While our website is still under construction, please let us know of your interest in the GECC programs by sending an email to info@griffincenter.org.  (In the future, eligible families will be able to register via traditional mail, email, phone, and here, on our website.)  Do you know an eligible family who would be interested in our program?  Please send an email to info@griffincenter.org with the family's contact information or to learn more about the benefits available to you for referring family and friends to our programs.


8.  If I fill out a registration form, does it mean my child is definitely enrolled? 
No.  While most of the families who register will be assigned a spot in our preschool or parenting programs, because of the limited number of openings, there is no guarantee that your child will be enrolled in your first-choice program, nor is there a guarantee that we will be able to accommodate every family into a particular program at all.  Families will be selected into each of the GECC programs using a random lottery. If  due to space limitations you are not assigned to one of our programs during the lottery, your family will be added to our "Wait List," and we will notify you immediately if an opening becomes available.

 
9.  How can I find out more about GECC?
For further information or to begin the registration process, please email us at info@griffincenter.org.  (Additional means of contact -- including a dedicated phone number and an "Ask Us" link on this website -- will be in place shortly.  We thank you for your patience.)

Thank you so much for your interest in the Griffin Early Childhood Centers -- we hope you'll join us!


Mailing Address:
Griffin Early Education Center
c/o School District 170
Administration Building
30 West 16th Street
Chicago Heights, IL  60411
(Phone number coming soon)