Along the Rock: S3 Ep 158-Why Early Childhood Education Is in Crisis — And What the Sauk Valley Can Do About It
On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long is joined by Abby Hoskins, Maggie Fern, and Rachael DeSpain for a conversation about the work of the Birth to Five Illinois Action Council and its ongoing efforts to strengthen early childhood education across Lee, Ogle, and Whiteside counties.
Hoskins explained that Birth to Five Illinois works with communities across the state to evaluate the availability of early childhood programs, identify gaps between existing services and family needs, and bring together community leaders to develop solutions. The organization’s approach centers on collaboration through a Family Council made up of parents and caregivers, an Action Council composed of leaders from education, business, healthcare, government, faith organizations, and other sectors, and partnerships with groups such as the Sauk Valley STARS Coalition.
Fern and DeSpain discussed the role of the Action Council, which combines the experiences of professionals working in early childhood education with feedback gathered directly from families. By listening to parents and caregivers, the council develops priorities that reflect the community’s real needs rather than assumptions.
During the conversation, the guests highlighted several accomplishments from the past year, including the launch of the OWL Early Childhood Resource Hub, the creation of a child care toolkit, and the addition of mental and behavioral health resources to support families and providers. Those initiatives were developed in response to findings from the Region 47 Early Childhood Needs Assessment and the council’s updated report examining how local needs have changed over the past several years.
While progress has been made in increasing awareness of available resources, the council continues to identify significant challenges. Families still struggle to find available child care, and providers continue to face workforce shortages that limit the number of children they can serve.
Fern described working directly with licensed child care centers and home providers, helping them become licensed, remain in business, and navigate the day-to-day challenges they face. She noted that many providers are operating at capacity while others struggle with staffing, making recruitment and retention a major priority.
DeSpain emphasized that early childhood educators do far more than supervise children. Staff members support children’s development while also assisting entire families through a wide range of services. Despite the importance of that work, compensation often remains low, making it difficult to recruit and retain qualified professionals. She also stressed the importance of providing mental health resources for educators, whose responsibilities extend well beyond the classroom.
To help address these challenges, the Birth to Five Illinois councils are launching a recognition campaign designed to celebrate early childhood educators throughout the region. The initiative aims to increase appreciation for providers, encourage community support, and raise awareness of the vital role these professionals play in preparing children for lifelong success.
The guests encouraged residents to participate by following the council’s updates through its newsletters, social media channels, and the OWL Early Childhood Resource Hub. Community members are also invited to connect with council members, learn about local initiatives, and contribute ideas that can help improve early childhood education throughout the region.
Throughout the discussion, one message remained consistent: supporting early childhood education benefits everyone. Strong child care systems help children, families, educators, employers, and the broader community. By working together and recognizing the value of early childhood professionals, the council hopes to build a stronger foundation for future generations.