In October 2024, Plano Area Alliance Supporting Student Success (PAASSS) launched a year-long partnership with EduDream to better understand the early childhood education and care (ECEC) landscape across Grundy and Kendall Counties in Illinois. The goal: to collect meaningful data and generate insights that can guide strategic planning and strengthen local systems.
As part of the research, EduDream:
- Identified 8 priority communities in the region
- Collected and analyzed data from sources such as the U.S. Census and the Illinois Early Childhood Asset Map
- Developed early childhood projections through 2030
On June 5, 2025, EduDream facilitated a virtual learning session with the PAASSS leadership team and 25 community stakeholders, including educators, administrators, child care directors, and elected officials from across the region. The EduDream team shared key findings from the Region 24 early childhood education and care landscape analysis:
Key Findings:
- Region 24 experienced modest population growth, with Kendall County being larger than Grundy.
- Although the number of children 5 and under decreased from 2017 to 2022, it is projected to increase significantly by 2030.
- The financial standing of children in both counties is improving, with a decline in children living below the federal poverty level.
- Region 24 is becoming more racially and ethnically diverse.
- Childcare access varied between counties; Grundy saw a decline, while Kendall saw an increase from 2019 to 2022. A significant childcare slot gap is projected to continue through 2030.
- Childcare quality varied, with Grundy offering higher quality while Kendall had greater access in 2022.
- Kindergarten readiness in Region 24 varied across counties and districts, with declines in all three domains (Math, English Language Arts, Social-Emotional Development) and falling behind Illinois rates as of the 2022-23 school year.
The session previewed emerging trends and potential challenges—and sparked a clear call for continued conversation and collaborative planning. PAASSS is committed to keeping the momentum going. By bringing people together and coordinating local voices, we aim to face the road ahead with shared purpose, informed decisions, and collective action.
Stay tuned for next steps and the ways in which you can get involved.
Links to the Meeting Materials
Slide Deck (pdf download)
(pdf download)
(pdf download)