Community Child Care Connection (525-2805) helps parents find and even
pay for child care.
Early Start (525-3163) is a District 186 program for children ages
three to five. Screening process required and waiting lists possible.
Head Start is based out of the Springfield Urban League, 1108 E. Cook
(528-0893). Early intervention and education programs for low-income children
at various locations.
Funshop provides early-learning programs in Lincoln Park for children
ages 16 months to 5 years. Call 753-6234 for registration and program information.
Imani, Inc., 907 Wirt Ave (523-8978) is an enrichment program for low-income
families and children. (www.bufi.org/imani.html)
Memorial Medical Center’s Health Resource provides infant massage classes (babies six weeks to six months of age), weekly mom and baby support groups (birth to 12 months), and baby sign language classes. Call 788-3333 for room location and registration.
M.O.P.S. (Mothers of Pre-schoolers) is a Christian group offering crafts
classes, motivational speakers, and mutual encouragement (698-8422).
Music Factory, 1153 W. Governor (793-2697).
Parents as Teachers, 2630 S. Whittier (525-3315).
Parent Help Line (544-5808 or 888-727-5889). Statewide service that
provides support, information, and local referrals for parents of children ages
0 to 19.
Parent Place, 2211 W. Wabash (546-5257), offers parenting classes, parent networking and child-abuse prevention programs.
YMCA Discovery Preschool, 701 S. Fourth (544-9846), is a nine-month
program for children ages three and four (follows Springfield School District
186’s schedule). Tuesdays and Thursdays for three-year-olds; Monday, Wednesday,
and Friday for four-year-olds. Each day lasts from 9 to noon. Prices range from
$50 to $75 a month, depending on the age of the child and YMCA membership.
2003-2004 Family Yellow Pages is a resource guide put out by the Sangamon County Superintendent of Schools. Available at most schools and social service agencies, but due to a lack of funds no new copies are being printed.
This article appears in May 22-28, 2003.
