VOCEL Child Parent Academy 2025-2026
Open enrollment for Session 2 (February 2 – May 1, 2026) begins early December 2025. Session II will be offered to our three virtual classes + three in-person sites (Dvorak, Bronzeville and Bass) that have space.
Space is limited — sign up early to secure your spot Join an in-person cohort at a neighborhood school or participate virtually from the comfort of your home—either way, every session is packed with stories, music, and, of course, plenty of play!
Session 2:
Session 1:
September 15th, 2025
- December 12th, 2025
February 2nd, 2026
- May 1st, 2026
What you can expect:
Weekly classes filled with fun activities where kids and their adults learn & play together
Connect with other caregivers through guided conversations about child development and self-care
Support group for parents of children with disabilities
Free essentials like diapers, clothes, toys, and more
Learning tools, art supplies & more
Age-based tips sent straight to your phone through Ready4K
A joyful celebration to wrap up the session!
Space is limited for in-person VCPA classes. We highly encourage you to join us for both sessions so that you and your little one get the most out of this coming year, but you are welcome to sign up for each session separately.
Have some questions? Email Cristen at Cristen@VOCEL.org
We’ll get in touch. We also have some Frequently Asked Questions listed below.
Child Parent Academy: Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t see your question answered below, email us at info@vocel.org and a team member will get in touch.
What is VOCEL?
VOCEL, which stands for Viewing Our Children as Emerging Leaders, is a non-profit organization focused on early learning and family support. VOCEL’s mission is to help ensure every child has the foundation to learn, grow, and lead.
What is VOCEL’s Child Parent Academy (VCPA)?
The Child Parent Academy is VOCEL’S flagship program and is a dynamic, two-generation early learning accelerator where young children (0-4 years) and their caregivers learn side-by-side. Starting in 2022, VCPA is offered at select in-person sites located at schools on the west, southwest, and south sides of Chicago and as virtual classes that can be accessed from anywhere. Both in-person and virtual VCPA classes are held weekly and include activities and play for child development and space for parent discussion to learn and connect with other people raising small children.
Who is eligible to enroll in this program?
This program is for any child aged 0-4 years old and their caregiver, which can be a parent, day-care provider, grandparent, aunt, neighbor, etc. For in-person sites, a maximum of 10 children can enroll. If enrollment is greater than available spaces, VOCEL prioritizes communities where parent-child classes are limited or hard to access.
How much does it cost?
The Child Parent Academy is totally free to all families enrolled.
Why should I sign up?
The first three years of a child’s life are critical to their learning and development. The Child Parent Academy is designed to support babies’ and toddlers’ development in language, social-emotional skills, and creativity and prepare children for school, while also building a network of support for caregivers who are a child’s first teachers.
What will I need to participate?
Virtual VCPA only requires that you have a device that will allow you to participate in zoom sessions and/or chat and view pre-recorded videos. That’s it! If you are interested in participating, but don’t have a device, please drop us a note by emailing us at info@vocel.org.
In-person VCPA classes require just you and your little ones!
Is this program offered in Spanish?
Yes! All of our cohorts are bilingual (English and Spanish). A full list of our cohorts can be found here.
What schools are participating in VOCEL’s Child Parent Academy?
VOCEL partners with schools in communities throughout Chicago and in-person classes are hosted at a selected number of these partner schools. Our current school partners and their locations can be found here.
