Since 1970, CNE has been committed to making sure all children in our community, from birth to age five, have access to high quality early education and childcare. We provide no-cost early childhood education to 234 eligible children each year with funding from the federal Head Start/Early Head Start program and the Illinois StateBoard of Education Preschool for All program. We also support over 300 children andfamilies each year by connecting them to a variety of critical resources, including childcare subsidies so families can afford quality early education and care for their children, and mental health and other therapeutic services for young children and families impacted by trauma. Our dream is to give every child in our community a Strong Start to Kindergarten to set them up for success in school and beyond, and we strive every day towards that goal.
Connecting all of our youngest learners and their families to equitable, high-quality early childhood experiences that reflect diverse cultures and abilities while fostering a sense of belonging.
CNE's Board Equity Committee spearheaded the effort to revise and update CNE's mission statement as well as our statement of vision and values, both rooted in concepts of equity and belonging.
We believe high-quality early education and meaningful support can change a child's life.
We believe every family deserves equal access to opportunities and optimal support to thrive in their daily lives.
We believe all families are unique and their culture and identities will be embraced and valued.
We believe parents and caregivers are their child's most important teachers and advocates.
We believe in creating a culture where all of our families and partners, including our staff and board members, feel like they belong.
We believe in the importance of collaborative partnerships to develop a culturally responsive, trauma informed early childhood community.