As of July 1, 2026, child care licensure is managed by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood. For providers, nothing is changing. All licensing representatives and staff remain ready to assist you. If you have questions related to licensure, please reach out to IDEC directly at Questions.IDEC@illinois.gov or your current CCR&R.

Health and Safety Tips for Children

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accidental childhood injuries are the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 19 years, claiming the lives of 25 children every day and sending millions more for treatment in hospital emergency rooms. Common causes of accidental childhood injuries include: drowning, falls, fires or burns, poisoning, suffocation and motor vehicle crashes. While tragic, the good news is many of these injuries are preventable. For more information and tips to keep children safe, read the DCFS publication A Helpful Guide for Parents and Caregivers in English, Spanish, Polish and Hakka Chinese.