Building a Village When Systems Fall Short – By Cynthia

I’m a parent of two children, ages 8 and 3, and a Birth to Five Illinois Family Council member. For the first years of my children’s lives, we relied on licensed, home-based child care run by my mother. It was stable, trusted care that allowed our family to work and maintain balance. 

 
When my mother passed away, her child care closed immediately due to licensing requirements. Overnight, we lost both a loved one and the child care system our family depended on. At the same time, we were navigating grief, raising two young children, and managing with limited local support. 

 
My oldest child was already attending a dual-language program through our school district, but my youngest, who was 19 months old at the time, was left without care. We did not qualify for Early Head Start or child care subsidies, yet full-time care would cost over $1,200 per month, plus aftercare and coverage during school breaks. We earned too much to qualify for support, but not enough to absorb these costs without hardship. It took five months to find child care that felt safe, reliable, and financially possible. During that time, we navigated long waitlists, limited program options, and frequent schedule adjustments to provide our children with as much stability as possible. 

 
Today, both of our children attend programs within our school district, and we have built strong relationships with school and community programs, including affordable options through our local park district. We are grateful for what is working, even as the financial burden and the complexities of navigating care that aligns with work schedules and children’s needs remain a constant reality. 

 
Reflecting on this experience is one of the reasons I joined the Birth to Five Illinois Family Council. I hold many privileges, and even with them, accessing stable and affordable care has been incredibly difficult. Being part of the Council has strengthened my commitment to helping build systems that respond to families with flexibility, dignity, and real support.