The Play Lab Family Centered Early Intervention

03/28/2026

03/20/2026

Only 37% of 4-year-olds are enrolled in state-funded pre-K, and in 22 states, enrollment still hasn't recovered to pre-COVID levels.

The gap is real, but cities are stepping up. New research from CityHealth & NIEER shows that 3 in 4 of America's largest cities now offer pre-K reaching at least 30% of their 4-year-olds — proof that local action can drive change.

Read the full report 🔗 https://www.cityhealth.org/resource-center/pre-k-in-large-american-cities/

03/12/2026

03/06/2026

Calling all advocates!

Let’s make our voices heard for Illinois’ youngest learners! Join us in Springfield on Wednesday, May 13 for Early Childhood Advocacy Day and shape the future of early childhood education and care.

Learn more and register today: https://bit.ly/49N9qrq

03/06/2026

Decisions about child care funding and oversight must prioritize the stability that children need to thrive.

03/06/2026

03/05/2026

12/07/2025

Check out my article, “Play 101: The Basics,” a reproducible handout for newbies, in the latest issue of Exchange magazine, out now. Up next: presenting at Exchange’s 12/5 Protecting Play online conference. See you there!

11/10/2025

REPOST:

On Wednesday, November 5th, federal agents entered the licensed early learning center Rayito de Sol and detained Diana, an early childhood educator. This harmful act has caused fear and confusion among the children and families of Rayito de Sol, as well as the broader early childhood community. The aggressive incident undermines the sense of safety and stability that is essential to the well-being of the children our early learning system is designed to support.

Please join the parents of Rayito de Sol to pack the court in support of Diana on Thursday, November 13th at 9:30am, at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse (219 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60604).

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El miércoles 5 de noviembre, agentes federales ingresaron al centro de educación infantil Rayito de Sol, que cuenta con licencia, y detuvieron Diana, a una educadora. Este acto perjudicial ha generado temor y confusión entre los niños y las familias de Rayito de Sol, así como en toda la comunidad de la primera infancia. Este incidente violento socava la sensación de seguridad y estabilidad, esencial para el bienestar de los niños a quienes nuestro sistema de educación infantil está diseñado para apoyar.

Únase a los padres de Rayito de Sol para llenar la corte en apoyo de Diana el jueves 13 de noviembre a las 9:30am, en el Tribunal Federal Dirksen (219 S Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60604).