Gateways Registry

Joining the Gateways Registry allows you to track your education, Credentials, and training online in your personal and secure Professional Development Record.

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Online Training

Gateways i-learning is the hub of online training for Illinois child care providers. You can locate online training for IDCFS Licensing, ExceleRate Illinois, and other courses related to caring for children.

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Training Calendar

Search the Gateways Training Calendar for professional development events around the state. You can search by county, date, or keyword to find just the training you need.

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Credentials

Earn a Gateways Credential to show you are proud to be an early care and education professional.

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Gateways Scholarship

Gateways Scholarship

Need money to further your education in child development or early childhood education? Apply for a Gateways Scholarship!

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Great Start Program

Great START Wage Supplement Program

Do you want extra money for completing college coursework and staying employed at the same place? Great START does just that! Get more information about how you can participate!

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Gateways Credentials

Are you considering applying for a Gateways Credential? Gateways Credentials are symbols of professional achievement that validate knowledge, skills and experience. They are an individual achievement that you can be proud of.

Gateways Credentials are awarded and recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care and Development. They are required for some Circles of Quality in ExceleRate Illinois and can be used to help with employment decisions in early learning programs.

Below are the Credentials offered by Gateways. You can click each Credential title to see information about applying, specific requirements, and the forms you will need.

ECE Credential 1

ECE Credential

For ECE professionals working with children from birth to age 8

Infant / Toddler

Infant Toddler Credential

For child care professionals working with children from birth to age 3

Illinois Director

Illinois Director Credential

For administrators of ECE and School-Age Programs

School-Age Credential 1

SAYD Credential

For professionals working with children and youth ages 5-18

Technical Assistance Credential

Technical Assistance Credential

For professionals who offer relationship-based professional development

Family Child Care

Family Child Care Credential

For a professional working in their home as a family child care provider for children ages birth through 12 years

Family Specialist

Family Specialist Credential

For professionals who provide direct services to children and families, such as Parent Educators, Family Advocates and Case Workers

ESL & Bilingual Credential

ESL & Bilingual Credential

For ECE professionals who have formal college education, training, and experience with multilingual/multicultural children and families

Higher Education Directory

Search for colleges and universities in your area that offer courses in child development and child care related topics

Entitled Institutions

Entitled Institutions

For colleges and universities interested in becoming entitled for one or more Gateways Credentials

Professional Development

 
 

Professionals employed by an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) licensed full-day, full-year* child care program or family/group child care home, or IDCFS licensed school-age child care programs operating a minimum of nine months per year. Professionals must also be working in one of the following positions:

  • In IDCFS licensed programs: Family Child Care Provider, Family Child Care Assistant, Group Home Provider, Group
    Home Assistant, Director, Assistant Director, Teacher, Assistant Teacher, School-Age Teacher,
    School-Age Assistant
  • In an ISBE Funded Preschool for All (PFA) program that operates for a minimum of nine months per year: Teacher or Teacher's Aide.

*A full-day, full year program operates 8 or more consecutive hours per day, for a minimum of 47 weeks per year.

 

The Gateways Scholarship Program is an individual-based scholarship opportunity, for practitioners working in early care and education. The program provides financial assistance for early childhood education and child development (ECE/CD) coursework and degrees offered through participating colleges and universities, dependent on available funding. The Gateways Scholarship Program is administered by INCCRRA and funded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

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Excelerate Program

ExceleRate Illinois helps you prepare children for success in school and life.

It also provides standards, guidelines, resources, and support to help you make sensible changes that lead to better quality outcomes for children.

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