Early Learning Center

Join us during your child’s regular Pre-K session:
🕙 10:00–11:15 AM – for morning Pre-K classes
🕑 2:00–3:15 PM – for afternoon Pre-K classes

We’re excited to welcome families into our classrooms for Family Fun Friday!
This special event is more than just fun—it’s an opportunity for parents and caregivers to experience their child’s learning environment firsthand.

Come see the spaces where your child learns and plays, meet their friends and teachers, and observe the daily routines and strategies our staff use to support growth and development. You’ll also discover simple ways to extend that learning at home!

We look forward to spending this meaningful time together! 💛

ELC 20th Anniversary T-Shirt
Submit your order form and payment by October 3.

⭐ Mark your calendars! Early Learning Center’s 20th Birthday Celebration — October 9, 4:00–5:30.

Come be part of the fun! We’re seeking volunteers to support the ELC’s 20th Birthday Celebration on October 9, 2025, from 5:00–6:30 p.m. Simply fill out the form at the bottom of this letter and return it to school to sign up.

ELC Reminders

Please join us for an Open House on Monday August 25th, 2025 from 12:15-7:00. Come meet your teacher and see your classroom. We look forward to seeing you!

Please review the ELC's Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Please join us for our first-ever district-wide Back-to-School event.

This event is designed to bring families, educators, and community partners together to celebrate the start of a new school year—and we'd love to have you join us!

Event Details:
📅 Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025
🕒 Time: 3:00–7:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Springfield Public Schools Administrative Office – 3063 Fiat Ave., Springfield, IL

This family-friendly event will feature:
School supply and backpack giveaways
Music
Food and treats
A variety of exhibitors sharing valuable information and resources for families and educators!

Please join us for our first-ever district-wide Back-to-School event. This event is designed to bring families, educators, and community partners together to celebrate the start of a new school year—and we'd love to have you join us! Event Details: 📅 Date: Thursday, July 31, 2025 🕒 Time: 3:00–7:00 p.m. 📍 Location: Springfield Public Schools Administrative Office – 3063 Fiat Ave., Springfield, IL This family-friendly event will feature: School supply and backpack giveaways Live student performances Food and treats A variety of exhibitors sharing valuable information and resources for families and educators!

📚 Early Learning Center: 2025–2026 School Year Info 📚 We’re excited to welcome new and returning families to the Early Learning Center! 📝 Registration Dates: Monday, August 4th: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday, August 5th: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM First Day of School: Wednesday, August 27th ➡️ Please note: The first day of school for Pre-K students is later than the rest of the district. We can’t wait for a wonderful school year ahead! 💛✨ If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Calling all families with children entering Kindergarten in the 2025–2026 school year! Make sure your student is ready for school this fall by taking them to the Walk-In Clinic for Kindergarten Immunizations at Sangamon County department of Public health! If you can't make this opportunity please make sure to schedule a back to school physical for your student with your primary care physician. 🗓 Monday, May 5th 🕝 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM 📍 Sangamon County Department of Public Health 2833 South Grand Avenue East, Springfield, IL No appointment needed—just walk in! Getting your child’s immunizations done early helps ensure a smooth start to the school year.

The ELC Big Truck Day Online Store is open now through May 2! We accept cash or checks for payment.

Please join the ELC for our annual Big Truck Day!

The Week of the Young Child will be celebrated from April 7-11. The ELC has planned many fun activities, including a week of spirit wear. Please see the attached flyer for more information.

Family Literacy Night is coming up soon!

PROJECT SCOPE: As you know District 186 regular calendar students do not return to school until Tuesday, January 7 (Balanced Calendar students return January 14th). However, our SCOPE program for SCOPE students will still be in operation as scheduled for Monday, January 6, but run condensed hours and locations: Tomorrow Monday, January 6, 2025 - Scope will be open from 7:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. Locations: Addams, Enos, Fairview, McClernand, Ridgely and Wilcox - report to Ridgely Elementary Butler, Dubois, and Graham - report to Dubois Elementary Black Hawk, Feitshans, Harvard Park, Hazel Dell, Iles, Laketown, Lee, Matheny and Southern View- report to Iles School Lindsay, Marsh and Sandburg- report to Lindsay Elementary

District 186 is hosting a career fair on January 9, 2025 4-6 p at the District Office, 3063 Fiat Ave.

ELC students will have a 2:30 dismissal on Friday December 20, 2024.

Please join us for Family Fun Friday on Friday November 22nd during your child's school hours. We will be featuring performances by the Tater Tots. Due to limited space, only 1 adult per student. Adults must be on student's approved emergency contact. We will not be able to accommodate siblings.

The Central Illinois Foodbank will be hosting a Thanksgiving Distribution on November 25th at 4:00. The Foodbank will be giving out turkeys, apples, broccoli, pumpkin pie, blocks of cheese and a Thanksgiving themed dry box of goods. The limit is 2 boxes per vehicle. We will also have hygiene items available for anyone who needs them. While supplies last!