On Monday, more than 150 community leaders, educators, families, partners and supporters gathered at the future site of Educare Lake County to mark a milestone years in the making. With hard hats, shovels and sense of possibility, the morning offered a glimpse of the high-quality early childhood program that will welcome 174 children birth to age 5 in fall 2027.
“At Start Early, we know the earliest years of life shape so much of a child’s future, and that’s why this celebration marked more than the start of construction,” Start Early President Diana Rauner shared. “It reflected years of listening, planning and partnership – and a shared commitment to ensuring every child in Lake County has access to the high-quality early learning experiences and family supports they need to thrive.”
From left to right: Joe Krueger, Vice President Operations at Mortenson; Mayor Billy McKinney, City of Zion; Celena Sarillo, Start Early President-elect; John Schreiber; Diana Rauner, Start Early President; Molly Cullum; Dr. Julious Lawson, Zion Elementary District 6 Superintendent; David D. Fermaint, Zion Park District Board Chair; Juan Gabriel Moreno, JGMA President & Founder.
The groundbreaking brings the nationally recognized Educare model to Lake County. Developed by Start Early more than 25 years ago with the opening of the first Educare school in Chicago, the model has grown into a national network of 27 schools focused on strong family engagement, embedded professional learning and a commitment to continuous improvement.
For the children who will walk through its doors, Educare Lake County will be a place to learn, play and grow during the most important years of development. For families, it will offer trusted relationships, comprehensive supports and a community of educators and partners working beside them. And for Lake County, it represents continued investment in the systems, spaces and people that help young children succeed.
Educare Lake County will be located at 1800 27th Street in Zion, IL.
When completed, Educare Lake County will provide full-day, year-round early learning programming designed to support healthy development, kindergarten readiness and long-term success. The school will include nurturing classrooms, experienced, bilingual educators and family support services in a modern learning environment built specifically for infants, toddlers and preschoolers and those who care for them.
“Educare Lake County will be a reflection of the broader, community-driven effort to strengthen early learning, support families and contribute to the long-term vitality of this region,” Celena Sarillo, Start Early President-elect, said. “It will be a place where educators are supported, where strong partnerships with families are centered and where children have the foundation they need to thrive.”
Celena Sarillo, Start Early President-elect
Throughout the morning, speakers reflected on the years of partnership and planning that brought the project to life. Project supporters and leaders from Start Early, Zion Elementary School District 6, the City of Zion and JGMA spoke to what is possible when communities, practitioners and experts work together to advance efforts to expand access to high-quality early learning and family supports.
“Today is a proud day for the City of Zion,” City of Zion Mayor Billy McKinney said. “Projects like this happen when public and private partners align around a shared goal. Educare Lake County will support working families, strengthen our workforce and create opportunity. The City of Zion is proud to stand behind this effort and support its success.”
As construction begins, Start Early remains grateful to the many partners and advocates whose dedication helped turn a shared vision into reality. Educare Lake County is supported by a leadership investment from John and Kathy Schreiber. Other lead supporters include the Klaff Family Foundation, Gorter Family Foundation, Hunter Family Foundation, The Steans Family, Richard and Margaret Romano Charitable Trust, Nancy & Steve Crown, The Hasten Foundation and Vivo Foundation. Together, their support contributes to a broader public-private effort in the region to expand access to high-quality early education and family support services for young children and families.
The groundbreaking was just the beginning of a new chapter for early learning in Lake County and a continued invitation to build alongside us. Together, we’re building more than a school. We are helping to build a place where children can thrive, families can feel supported and the promise of high-quality early learning can take root for generations to come.
Follow our story and progress and learn about how you can partner with us at EducareLakeCounty.org.
