Impactful programs & initiatives grounded in data, research, and relationships.
Together with parents, educators, and community partners, we are catalyzing a network of change agents to bring quality early learning to every child.
Programs
Child-Parent Play Classes
VOCEL offers a dynamic and free learning experience for children aged 0-4 and their parents or caregivers. They engage in interactive sessions, either virtually or in person, where they learn together through various enjoyable activities in a safe and nurturing environment.
Participants have the option to join sessions virtually or attend in-person classes held at schools across Chicago.
Leveraging the latest research in early learning and adult capabilities, VOCEL-led child-parent play classes are intentionally designed for both young children and their parents/caregivers. VOCEL believes that young children can build a foundation for future academic learning by ensuring that their parents/caregivers have the knowledge, social capital, and support to help their children succeed.
Community-led Play Classes
Motivated by a strong demand for group-based early learning and family support, VOCEL’s community-led classes are spearheaded by parent leaders, as opposed to VOCEL staff. They cultivate informed and enthusiastic proponents for developmentally suitable practices in early childhood education within the communities they aim to assist. Simultaneously, they are capable of providing top-notch programs to families at a reduced cost compared to the conventional Child Parent Academy.
Through the training of school personnel and members of the community to administer the Child Parent Academy curriculum, VOCEL extends its reach to a wider spectrum of families. This also fosters a stronger foundation within both the school and local communities, leading to a lasting impact year after year.
VOCEL Leaders
VOCEL holds the belief that schools should prepare themselves for young children just as diligently as children prepare for school. To facilitate this, VOCEL has developed professional development resources aimed at aiding ECE leaders within the Chicagoland area in formulating their vision for achieving excellence in early learning.
The distinguished VOCEL Leaders team, work in close partnership with these leaders. Together, they focus on Adult SEL for school leaders and their P-2 teams, identify the most crucial challenges in their early learning programs, problem solve as a community of learners and receive continued support and thought partnership from the VOCEL team and their peers. This collaborative effort is geared towards supporting the SEL needs of adults, the implementation process and enhancing outcomes for the youngest learners in their care.
VOCEL Educators
VOCEL Educators learning community offers support to teachers working with pre-K through second grade students. It guides them in understanding and applying developmentally appropriate techniques, with a focus on mental health supports, play-based learning, and social-emotional development. Within the learning community, teachers will collaborate with a supportive community to develop actionable plans aimed at enhancing critical areas within their schools.
Teachers are empowered to transform their expertise, aspirations, and objectives into tangible actions. They will have the backing of a coach and a group of peers, all committed to supporting one another, and ultimately, fostering the success of each other's students.