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Enroll at Start Early’s Lake County Early Learning Centers

We are accepting applications for children ages 6 weeks through 5-years-old to enroll in our early learning centers. Apply today for our Beach Park and Waukegan locations.

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Start Early Lake County offers comprehensive birth-to-five early education and care, providing children with the necessary skills to succeed in school and life. Review the below options to learn more about our program, see if you qualify and to enroll your child.

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Learn more about our program locations and data-backed curriculum.

About Start Early Lake County

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See if You Qualify

Review our eligibility guidelines to confirm you qualify for our programs.

View Eligibility Guidelines

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Complete our online application inquiry form to start your enrollment process.

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About Start Early Lake County's Programming

Start Early Lake County provides two center-based program options located in the Beach Park and Waukegan areas.

  • Our Beach Park program is a newly constructed center located in the Oak Crest Elementary School at 38550 N. Lewis Avenue, Beach Park, IL 60099. This center offers full-day Preschool for All and Head Start programming for children ages 3 – 5 years. For more information on our Beach Park site, please email us at InfoBeachPark@StartEarly.org or call us at (847) 599-5700.
  • Our Waukegan program is located at 1411 S. White Oak Drive, Waukegan, IL 60085. This center offers infant/toddler full-day Early Head Start/Prevention Initiative programming for children ages 6 weeks- 3 years. For more information on our Waukegan site, please email us at InfoWaukegan@StartEarly.org or call us at (773) 773-7299.

Both of our center-based programs utilize the award-winning Creative Curriculum to provide children the tools they need for future academic readiness and success. With bilingual staff, small teacher-to-student ratios and certified, caring teachers, Start Early Lake County offers high-quality individualized learning options perfect for your child. We also provide diverse learners and disability services, as well as dedicated family support, so that your child and family thrive.

Fill out our enrollment form, and someone from our team will contact you within 48 business hours regarding your eligibility. If you are pregnant and are interested in doula services through Start Early’s Healthy Parents & Babies® program, please visit our pre & postnatal services page where you can learn more about our Lake County doula services and enroll.

Eligibility

Income Requirements and Ages of Children Served

In order to qualify for our early childhood education programs and enroll at our centers in Beach Park and Waukegan, you must meet the federal poverty guidelines and have a child, age five or younger, that you would like to enroll. If your income is above the federal guidelines based on your family size, and/or your child is older than five years of age, you will not qualify for our programs.

Federal Poverty Guidelines

Start Early Lake County Enrollment Form

Now accepting applications for children under 5 (children must be 4 or under on September 1st of the school year) for our Beach Park and Waukegan sites. Beach Park accepts applications for children that are 3-5 years of age, and Waukegan accepts applications for children ages 2 years or younger. Diverse learner and disability supports are available.

To get started in the enrollment process, please complete this initial contact form and someone will be in touch with you within 48 business hours. If you have immediate questions regarding the status of your application, please call (773) 496-5419 or email jramirez@startearly.org.

By providing your zip code, we are able to share resources and program referrals relevant to your location. This form is for families interested in our Start Early Beach Park and Waukegan program sites. If you fall outside of those areas, we would suggest visiting our Early/Head Start Network page to apply for a program closer to you.
Income
It looks like you selected that you do not meet the income requirements according to the federal poverty guidelines, which means you are ineligible for our Early/Head Start services. We appreciate your interest but will not be able to process your inquiry.
If you are unsure if you meet our income eligibility standards, please review the federal poverty guidelines to make your determination, or please reach out to our team at infobeachpark@startearly.org or infowaukegan@startearly.org to help in this determination.
It looks like you selected that you do not have a child, or children, age five and under that you would like to enroll, which means you are ineligible for our services. We thank you for your interest and encourage you to apply in the future, should you qualify.
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If you are enrolling more than one child, please click "enroll another children" to include their information.

If you have additional questions, please email infobeachpark@startearly.org or infowaukegan@startearly.org.


Start Early Lake County and Early/Head Start Network

Start Early Lake County is a directly operated program of Start Early and is a part of our Early/Head Start Network.

Want to learn more about Start Early’s Early/Head Start Network? Visit our community-based agency page for more details on all our Early/Head Start Network programs!

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