Birth to Five Family

Community Playgroup Wrapped for 23-24

EPEL completed the 23-24 free community playgroup, providing families with children ages birth to five opportunities to connect with other parents and caregivers, access to community resources, library books and cards on the Gail Borden library bus, and engage in early learning experiences to build foundational readiness skills for school and life.The playgroup met once a week from August 18 to May 15, following the school schedule.

These family interactions give EPEL and its partners the opportunity to build trust, gain insights, and receive authentic feedback needed to improve the early childhood system, embodying the principle of 'no decisions about them, without them.' EPEL uses these conversations to reflect and ask, 'Did we make progress towards achieving change?'

Thank you to Zion Lutheran Church for providing free space and our community partners who bring the expertise and energy so children have the opportunity to PLAY, LEARN, GROW and THRIVE!

* See some families below and in the video who attended playgroup this year. We are the real deal, so we have a runner in the front and a dad chasing which is what a typically developing child at 18 months might do when asked to sit. :)

The indoor playgroup has concluded, but families can join Learning On the Go family engagement sites in neighborhoods. 

See the schedule below and join us at a neighborhood engagement site starting next week through the end of July. Families will connect with community partners and other families to build relationships, increase awareness and equitable access to opportunities.

Children receive a bag of school tools and new books each week, listen to stories, sing songs, and engage in early learning activities with their parents or caregivers.

About EPEL: EPEL is committed to enhancing the impact of local early childhood initiatives that foster the readiness of children for school and life in the greater Elgin communities. This commitment is realized through integrating expertise and resources from over 150 partners. The Vision is for all young children and their families in the Greater Elgin Area have equitable opportunities to thrive. 

Mission: EPEL engages families, organizations, the early childhood workforce, and healthcare providers dedicated to creating a collaborative community-wide system of support for every young child to succeed in school and life.

CONTACT: 

Amber Peters, Executive Director

847-452-2457 amberpeters@elginpartnership.org