EPEL (Elgin Partnership for Early Learning) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that serves as the hub of the early childhood system in the eleven communities within School District U-46. We collaborate with the community to raise awareness about the importance of early learning, connect families to resources, and improve access to early childhood initiatives and education programs. Focusing on children five years and under, EPEL supports families and providers, using local data and parent input to build a connected system that is easy for families to navigate.
Through a collective impact approach, EPEL promotes holistic development for young children in the Greater Elgin Area. Our mission is to unite families, early childhood professionals, healthcare providers, and organizations to create a comprehensive system that enables every child to thrive.
EPEL emphasizes three interconnected systems essential to positive outcomes for children and families: early learning and development, family support, and health. By working collaboratively across these systems, we foster thriving children and families.
Our Mission
EPEL brings together families, organizations, early childhood professionals, and healthcare providers to build a collaborative, community-wide support system, ensuring every young child has the opportunity to succeed in school and life.
Our Vision
Young children and their families in the Greater Elgin Area have equitable opportunities to thrive.
Equity Statement
EPEL is committed to ensuring that all children, regardless of background or social identity, have access to high-quality early care and education. In collaboration with our stakeholders, we work to promote policies and practices that intentionally address the diverse needs of children and families.
Our Purpose
- Ensure a shared vision for young children is embraced by the community and put into action.
- Raise awareness and increase access to high-quality care and early learning experiences for families.
- Coordinate efforts across birth-to-five programs to maximize impact and efficiency.
- Support the improvement and capacity building of early childhood professionals and organizations.
- Respond to community data to identify strengths, gaps, and needs.
Since our founding in 2011, EPEL has pursued a vision of young children and their families in the Greater Elgin Area have equitable opportunities to thrive. Achieving this vision requires the collaboration of a village, centered around the three key systems of early learning and development, family leadership and support, and health. Thriving children and families are always at the heart of our work.
Our Work
With the collaboration of over 150 organizations, EPEL’s efforts are organized into four mobilization paths:
Together, we develop coordinated resources and services while identifying and addressing gaps in the system, using data and family input to ensure the needs of our youngest learners are met. EPEL is dedicated to improving practices through the lenses of equity, advocacy, and data-driven decision-making.
Our Why
Children have approximately 2,000 days from birth until they enter kindergarten, and 90% of brain growth occurs within the first five years of life. It is our community’s collective responsibility to support young learners during this critical period, ensuring they are prepared for school and life.
Understanding the significance of these early years, community leaders formed EPEL as a collective impact partnership to promote the healthy development of young children through local system development.