Penny Lane School Receives 'Gold Circle of Quality' From State

OAK LAWN, IL — Penny Lane Schools in Oak Lawn and Chicago Ridge received the Gold Circle of Quality designation from ExceleRate Illinois, the state's new quality recognition and improvement system for early learning and development providers.

"Every early learning and development provider who participates in ExceleRate Illinois makes quality a priority," Cynthia L. Tate Ph.D. said in a news release, executive director, Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development. "The higher the designation, the higher the program's demonstrated quality and comprehensiveness in meeting children's early learning needs."

ExceleRate Illinois helps families make more informed choices about their children's early learning. It establishes standards to help infants, toddlers and preschoolers develop intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. Additionally, it provides a framework for early learning and development professionals to identify opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills.

"We are proud to receive the Gold Circle of Quality," said Laura Allison, Penny Lane School LTD. "Providing quality in early learning and development will help our children in Oak Lawn be better prepared for success in school and in life."

Penny Lane Schools was established in 1988, and operates two schools at 4527 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn, and 10255 Ridgeland Ave., Chicago Ridge. The school offers educational programs with extended day care for children ages 6 weeks to 13 years old. The schools are privately owned by Christine and Jack Bonczyk.

Research in science and brain development shows that children who are more meaningfully engaged in early learning experiences from infancy through the first five years of life are more likely to be successful in school and in life. With the right engagement, children can form a healthy foundation of neural pathways in the brain, which impact their ability to think, react, process and grow.

ExceleRate Illinois is a comprehensive system that includes Licensed Child Care Centers, Licensed Family Child Care, Preschool for All and Center-Based Prevention Initiative Programs, Head Start and Early Head Start Programs.

For more information or to find a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency in your area, visit ExceleRate Illinois. The program is administered through the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies under the joint direction of the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Illinois State Board of Education.