Care-o-sel

Care-O-sel Child Care and Education sprang literally from a field of dreams. Janice Lowder wanted to create a space where children could learn and discover through play. She purchased the land on the north edge of Virden in the1986.

The center was built that Summer and opened it's doors on October 6, 1986. There were 12 students with 1 teacher and her aid.

A collaboration was formed in 1989 when the Care-O-sel subcontracted the Prekindergarten-At-Risk Program from the local school district. Two teachers and two aides were hired to provide forty-five children with preschool classes. Room for the program at the center was created by moving the school age portion of the program to the Virden elementary school.

All special needs children - three, four and five - moved to the center with their teacher and aid in 1992. This inclusion was supported by the State Board of Education. A teaching team was formed from the child care workers, the prekindergarten staff and the special education teachers.

Accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children was achieved in 1994. The program was one of the 300 in the the State of Illinois to be accredited. This honor attests to the high quality of care and education children and their families receive through the program.

Additional Information: Provider First Licensed on 12/20/09.Silver Circle of Quality;