ExceleRate Illinois recognizes early learning providers who make quality a priority. ExceleRate Illinois is a statewide quality recognition and improvement system designed to make continuous quality improvement an everyday priority among early learning providers. The program establishes standards for helping infants, toddlers and preschool age children develop intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. It provides a framework for early learning professionals to identify opportunities for improvement, increase their skills and take steps to make positive changes.

This quality rating and improvement system allows you to make quality an objective part of your early child care and education decisions. Ultimately, the system helps you feel confident your child has the best opportunity to learn and grow. 

Child care providers participating in ExceleRate Illinois must meet or exceed quality benchmarks beginning with licensing standards set by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS). The standards grow more rigorous as child care professionals advance from the Licensed Circle of Quality through the Bronze, Silver, and Gold circles.

ExceleRate Illinois also recognizes early learning providers for their ongoing efforts to improve the quality of their care by awarding Circle of Quality designations:

The Licensed Circle of Quality tells you that the program meets state licensing standards for quality. It is the foundation for quality.

The Bronze Circle of Quality recognizes the qualifications of program staff. It tells you that the program has completed ExceleRate Illinois trainings and are engaged in continuous quality improvement.

The Silver Circle of Quality recognizes that the program has met quality goals. Silver Circle programs meet or go beyond quality standards in three areas: learning environment and teaching quality; administrative standards; and training & education. Programs are actively engaged in continuous quality improvement.

The Gold Circle of Quality recognizes programs that meet or go beyond the highest quality goals. Gold Circle programs have met the highest quality standards in three areas: learning environment and teaching quality; administrative standards; and training & education. Programs are actively engaged in continuous quality improvement.

Every early learning provider who participates in ExceleRate Illinois makes quality a priority.
The higher the Circle of Quality designation, the more each provider makes meaningful improvements to their program to better prepare children for school and life.