Early Childhood Center

Joliet Junior College’s Early Childhood Center is no longer accepting new clients.

Important COVID-19 Information

Due to the pandemic, please be aware of the following rules.

  • Only one parent/guardian can drop off your child. Masks are required for both the parent/guardian and the child.
  • Temperature checks for the child and parent/guardian are required. These temperature checks will take place when the child is dropped off and right before the child is taken home.
  • Children will not be permitted to bring outside objects into the building (backpacks, toys, drinks, etc).
  • Children are expected to wear masks at all times. If parents do not provide a mask for their child, one will be provided for them.
  • For a full list of rules, view this document about Operations Information.

The Early Childhood Center wants to keep your child safe. Our COVID-19 Reopening & Safety Plan outlines new rules and regulations to keep safety at the forefront of our operations.

View Illinois COVID-19 Guidelines

Child Care Tuition Assistance Available

You may be eligible to receive financial assistance for childcare through CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School).

To qualify, you must:

  • Be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours per semester at JJC
  • A JJC student with a declared major
  • The caregiver of a child (or children) enrolled in the Early Childhood Center preschool program for children ages 3 to 5 years of age
  • Eligible for a PELL grant through the JJC Financial Aid office

Learn More About CCAMPIS
CCAMPIS Financial Assistance Application

Questions About Enrolling Your Child?

Email ammartin@jjc.edu.

About the Early Childhood Center

  • What to Expect

    • We make it possible for students or employees with children ages 3-5 years old to attend classes or work while incurring minimal child care expenses (Please note: During the Spring 2021 semester, the ECC is only accepting applications from JJC Students, Faculty & Staff parents).
    • We maintain a program of learning experiences while providing care and protection in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment.
    • We provide guidance and encourage the social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth of the individual child.
    • We provide opportunities for social interactions during short tours and activities on campus.

  • Our Philosophy

    The Early Childhood Center was established to provide young children with a safe and healthy environment where they are nurtured and cared for by responsible caregivers. It is open to members of the JJC community, students and staff. Childcare professionals take a developmental approach to the preschool curriculum and follow the guidelines developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

  • State Licensed Full Day/Part Day Preschool Program

    The Early Childhood Center is a nationally accredited, ExceleRate GOLD, learning laboratory for JJC students enrolled in early childhood education programs. The center is state licensed and operated by childcare professionals, student workers, and volunteers interested in gaining experience in an early-education setting.

    The center accepts children from the ages of three to five years old. The Early Childhood Center offers full-day and part-day options to better serve the needs of our student-parent population and offer flexibility in scheduling.

    The Center's hours of operation for the Fall & Spring semesters are 7:30am-5:00pm, Monday - Friday. We follow the academic calendar for holidays, semester breaks and professional development. When the College is closed, the ECC will also be closed.

    Fees for registration, deposits and tuition can be found on the Enrollment Information page. Students may use their PELL awards to pay for child care services. We also accept Child Care Assistance Programs (CCAP) through Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCR&R). Limited scholarships may be available through an application process when funding is available.

    Early Childhood Center Earns National Accreditation

About the Early Childhood Program

  • Development

    ECC takes a developmental approach to its preschool curriculum and follows guidelines established by the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The staff at the center supports and encourages children to actively participate in the learning process through both child-initiated and teacher-supported activities.

  • Encouragement

    The classrooms provide a language-rich environment and interest areas that promote decision-making, problem solving, and reasoning skills through prediction learning, observation, and experimentation. Children are continually encouraged to explore, discover, and formulate based on their construct of knowledge

  • Language & Literacy

    Offering a wide variety of learning materials and flexibility in daily classroom schedules, the center also offers children a thematic approach to their learning experiences. Our highly skilled staff expands on the children's knowledge utilizing the creative curriculum and themes based on meaningful topics and studies. 

    All classroom activities are designed to achieve long-range goals for children in all domains, and include language and literacy, math and science, social and emotional development, physical health and development, and creative arts.

  • Inclusion

    Joliet Junior College is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, unfavorable military discharge, or any other unlawful basis in its admission, employment, educational programs, and activities.

    Inquires should be addressed to:
    Director of Human Resources
    Joliet Junior College
    1215 Houbolt Road
    Joliet, IL 60431-8938

Additional Information

  • Staff

    Beverly Cavanaugh 
    Manager, ECC 
    Phone: (815) 280-2280 
    E-mail: bcavanau@jjc.edu

    Hello, my name is Beverly Cavanaugh, and I am the manager for the Joliet Junior College Early Childhood Center. I have been with JJC since 1996. I am very excited about the new semester and the dynamic teaching team we have here in the Early Childhood Center. I look forward to meeting each of you personally as we work as a team to provide the highest quality of care and early education for your children. I would encourage you to become actively involved in one of our many parent volunteer opportunities.

    • A.A Child Development, Prairie State College

    • B.A. Speech, Governors State University

    • B.A. Psychology, Governors State University

    • M.A. Communication & Training, Governors State University

    • Mental Health First-Aid Certification

    • CPR, First-Aid Certification

    • Food Sanitation & Management Certification

    • Illinois Directors Credential Level 3

    • LGBT Safe Zone Certified

    • ECE Credential level 5

    • Darkness to Light, Sexual Abuse Prevention Certification