Little Angels Learning Center

Little Angels Learning Center Receives City Grant To Build Englewood Campus

For years, Little Angels Learning Center has operated in a single room at Alpha Temple Church, 6701 S. Emerald Ave., in a tight space across the street from the upcoming development. The center serves children from newborns to 6 years old.

Leaders needed $5.9 million to transform nearby vacant lots into a state-of-the-art center, said Nashone Greer-Adams, founder of Little Angels Learning Center.

Between 2019 and 2020, they received $2.4 million in grants from the city and another $1.5 million in grants from the state, Greer-Adams said. For the past two years, they also hosted fundraisers with hopes community partners and donors would help them reach their goal, Greer-Adams said.

After three attempts at receiving a community development grant, leaders at the learning center finally secured the funding they needed to “close the construction costs” this month, Greer-Adams said. They hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the daycare Saturday.

“It was a blessing of a blessing times 10,” Greer-Adams said. “We don’t know how we would have closed the gap without it.”

Read the full Block Club Chicago story.

Something Good in Englewood recognizes parents with awards for their dedication, emphasizes spirit of support

“For the people doing good in their neighborhood, their deeds are not always recognized.

But the Englewood community dedicates a whole weekend to doing just that, and more. As CBS 2’s Steven Graves reported Friday, the goal is to make change for generations to come.

Parent Antonio Clark will tell you he has never gotten awards quite like the ones he got on Friday. One of them was the “most cheerful award.”

“The award that means the most to me? The early morning arrival,” Clark said.

On Friday, Clark’s kids’ school – Little Angels Learning Center at 6701 S. Emerald Ave. – recognized dedication.”

Read the full CBS News story.

Mothers build black, brown coalition in fight to restore funding for early learning centers

“More than 100 people packed the basement of a quaint church in Englewood, where a panel of African American and Hispanic mothers sat nervously as music softly played.

The black and brown mothers spent months organizing the town hall last month, where they could talk about their fears of losing established early learning centers in their neighborhoods.

As the city launches universal, full-day prekindergarten for 4-year-olds citywide, it also is rolling out a new funding system — and now, some early learning centers have seen their funds reduced or eliminated, forcing 102 classrooms in 35 neighborhoods to close. Those that won’t close say they will have to cut back on services.”

Read the full Chicago Sun-Time story.

Supporter Testimonials

All five of my children attended Little Angels. It’s been more than 10 years since I sent my first child, and it was hard…I knew people who had bad and tragic experiences with daycare. When I went to Little Angels to get more information they sat and talked to me for an hour, they let me know that they had an open-door policy and I could come at any point throughout the day, because I wanted to know what was going on. That made me comfortable. And then I saw that when it was time to go to Little Angels, my child never cried, she always wanted to go, there were never any issues, and I was like, “I can do this.”

I saw how Little Angels was giving resources back to the community: food clothes, information, teaching us about education. And that made me an advocate, especially when our funding was threatened. We partnered with Henry Booth House, we went to City Hall; I passed out leaflets letting them know about what was going on. We went to Washington D.C. and I spoke with our U.S. senator about getting more funding.

Little Angels taught me that, me being a parent, I have a voice — they taught me, showed me, that we are our kids’ first teachers, so we have to set an example and pave the way for them. I want parents to have a voice, to be on the boards, to get involved with organizations like Kids First Chicago, because I knew that black and brown children are being denied quality daycare.

Little Angels is truly special. We don’t have a lot of daycares where teachers have been there for 10-plus years. Little Angels teachers are involved in the community, they engage with the family, they’re not there to just get a paycheck. The kids exceed — they learn to cope with situations, not just be reactive; they learn to eat better, not junk food but fruits and vegetables. And when the students go on to elementary school they are accepted to STEM schools, they maintain connections to the older kids through the summer program, they help them with financial literacy and they take college trips.

Little Angels is the best, just awesome. Everything that has something to do with perfect, they’re above. Outstanding. They are keeping families together, and they understand the needs of the community. Because of Little Angels I’m a better “me,” a better parent — I’ve been through a lot, and to have a support system, when you’re not used to having one? At first it was uncomfortable, but I accepted it, and when I did, it helped me let go, and then I could help other people and become a presence in my community, because we mean something.

— Ms. LaTe’Shia Hollingsworth, parent & advocate, The Campaign for Equitable Funding

I live in Englewood, and all of my daughters went to Little Angels. I learned a lot about being a parent — for example, a few years ago, when we were lobbying for promised funding, I learned about civic engagement and how to advocate for my kids; we called our council people and allies, we voiced our opinions, I even took two trips to Springfield. Through that experience we learned how to stand up for what we want and what we believe in: You don’t just hope that elected officials do right by your children, you make sure that they do what you want them to do. We learned how to fight for our children. I always credit Little Angels for being the the first people to show me the power of my voice as a parent.

I transitioned from a parent volunteer to a parent employee. Ms. Greer-Adams helped me continue my education, and she gave whatever she could, even if it meant she had to sacrifice. That selflessness imparted something in me: She cared not just for my children, but for our family.

Little Angels is, was, and will continue to be, the foundation of our family. My kids are confident young adults, and they learned togetherness, they still reach back for that connection to Little Angels for so much that comes up in their lives. 10 years later, I still see the ways that Little Angels impacted me, my husband and our kids. Little Angels is a true example of a community caring, the community knows they can come here for help and won’t be judged.

— Ms. Constance Berry, parent & advocate, The Campaign for Equitable Funding

I’ve been a Little Angels parent for 12 years, all five of my children have gone there. My first time going there was because it was walking distance from my home, but I saw that it was so much more than the daycare on the corner.

My children want to learn, find out new things, they want to explore, and that’s because of the exposure they’ve had at Little Angels. That foundation gave them the opportunity to have experiences they might not have had; they were accepted to gifted academies, and Little Angels took the time to have them tested, help do the paperwork…they help your children take advantage of the opportunities.

Little Angels invited me in, they nurtured me. They invited parents in. I started volunteering every day and grew to love it. I pursued my CDA (Child Development Associate) credential, and it was all because of Little Angels’ support. I give them credit for where I am today: They don’t just grow the children, they grow the parents, too.

Little Angels is amazing! It’s my home, it’s family, it’s support, it’s my comfort zone.

— Ms. Cherelle Bilal, parent & advocate, The Campaign for Equitable Funding

Team Member Testimonials

Little Angels brings joy to Englewood. We give our students tender loving care, we nurture our little ones as well as teach them skills. I have noticed that a lot of our scholars have been selected to gifted schools they really grow academically; we even had one student that has graduated from high school with several scholarships to college, and that started from here.

Not only do we engage with the children, but also we are involved with the parents . We make the parent feel important and special through consistent praise, warmth and energy. There can be so much chaos, and we parents and residents, we need a place where love and peace are exhibited, where we our little ones can be expressive and we can express ourselves, too.

Little Angels is where excellence is our expectation.

— Ms. Lakeisha Veal, Parent Ambassador

We have a strong team to get the work done. I love being able to share my personality when greeting the parents at pickup and drop-off — at the end of the day, when my kids leave happy and with a smile on their face, I can tell that they are responding to our environment in a positive way.

Little Angels makes you want to come to Englewood. This community has limited resources, but we are open arms and a warm smile.

— Ms. Ditiway

I have been working with Little Angel since 2009. I get great joy out of how the children grow and develop — when they come in, they first cry and carry on, but as they develop, they will sing and make eye contact with our educators. We work to be a fun, loving place for parents to bring their children: We have great expectations for their growth and development.

Little Angels is a part of so many community activities, and I think that’s absolutely fantastic!

— Ms. Hayes

I’ve been here 12 years, and that warm fuzzy feeling I get when I enter the door delights me. Everyone greets you with warm smiles and a “hello” — even if parents are having a not-so-good day, they still manage to smile or laugh when dropping off their children or the day, because we treat everyone as family. There’s a bond that all the team members have with one another.

Little Angels is important to Englewood because not only does the school meet the needs of the children, we also try to meet the needs of the families, so their children can become better learners. It gives me great joy to see the parents accomplish their own goals that they set for themselves, and to know that I had a hand in helping them.

— Ms. Byars

I’ve been at Little Angels for almost 20 years, and I can say that we are always willing to go that extra mile for our families. When families have concerns, teachers and/or administrators speak with the families about their concern and give them materials that can help them with that concern. We connect with many families and develop relationships. We’re a team that goes above and beyond.

The greatest joy I get is being part of a community that helps children learn, grow and develop to their greatest potential. And it’s important to support our neighborhood — during the Covid pandemic, we passed out food each week, and also provided masks, sanitizer and gloves.

Little Angels is family to Englewood. We support and bring people together to advocate and support each other, period.

— Ms. Turner

All four of my children attended Little Angels. I had years of experience in daycare, and I saw things at Little Angels that I didn’t see from my experiences — the people at Little Angels were dedicated, involved with the parents, the kids always had assignments…I had to know what Little Angels was doing that the places different from the places I had been working, so one day I took off work to see.

I saw that they were meeting with parents and giving them an opportunity to participate. And as my children went on from Little Angels, I saw how confident they were; they weren’t intimidated, they knew how to wash their hands, how to raise their hands, just how to be in a classroom. Teachers would always comment positively and ask what school they came from. Little Angels took my kids a long way, and that foundation still takes them far.

When I was able to come to Little Angels, Ms. Greer-Adams showed compassion for me and helped me find a way forward professionally. I had been the field for so many years but no one showed me that kind of love or expressed interest to invest in my education, no one gave me the opportunity. Now, people have showed me what I need to do to be a better teacher: the scholarship, the best practices; at Little Angels I could watch and see, and that’s what allowed me to understand the process, and that’s how I passed my test.

Little Angels is a phenomenal place. I can recommend them to anyone, from anywhere. We’re a family, we’re a big family.

— Ms. Octativa Fleming

Teacher Testimonials

All children are unique. We know that they learn best through play, active exploration, and an engaging environment. Our children show tremendous growth in literacy, phonics, alphabet recognition, and reading print. They are realizing that print says something.

Our programs include yoga, therapy play, parent-child interaction, staff therapy, and just general help for the whole family. I’m delighted by the consistency of parent involvement, teacher-child interactions and high assessment scores for our classes.

Little Angels is a beacon of hope for children and families in the Englewood community: a change, a resource, a brighter horizon. Little Angels is making a difference, giving the community something to feel good about with the presence of an open heart, mind and spirit.

— Ms. Renee Hayden

We are a part of the formative part of our children’s foundation, teaching them how to become great citizens in their early years and as they grow up. During their time with us they grow a lot, especially in literacy and learning to count, and mentally, socially and emotionally, some even spiritually.

Little Angels cares for all types of families. That generosity and our inclusivness mean a lot to me — we have every culture and nationality, be it the teaching team, volunteers, parents or children in our care. Little Angels is a safe haven; it’s a place people can lean on, like a mother to the Englewood community at large.

— Ms. Christina Njoloma

What makes Little Angels unique is the care we have for the entire family, and also the family environment that we have as a team. The neighborhood faces a lot of crime and poverty: Our babies deserve this space, where they will be treated fairly and with respect. They need all of us as positive educators. When they come to school with huge smiles on their face, it is the most rewarding feeling; I have also been seeing our alumni come back to us, and they have continued their education and just positively furthering their lives.

Little Angels is a home for our babies, and they always say home is where the heart is.

— Ms. Ebony P.

Parent Testimonials

We were new to Chicago, I found Little Angels after reading online reviews. People said so many nice things. When I went there, they helped me navigate systems and fill out paperwork.  I saw that they treated the kids and families well, and the teachers gave you detailed reports. When my son went on to school, he knew a lot of things already: colors and shapes, and he recognized his name.

Little Angels is an exceptional daycare, very dedicated to families and children in Englewood. They go above and beyond, and it’s a decision I will never regret.

— Ms. Abiola R.

My first connection to Little Angels was volunteering, helping out as a teenager. Because of all the good things I would see and hear, word of mouth from friends and families, I decided to send my son there when he was 2 months. I was a young mother, and it’s hard to trust someone with your child so early, but I had so much reassurance. They worked with me — all the staff and directors, the teachers, the people outside of the classroom, everyone is very hands-on and loving, very involved with everything. I knew my child would be safe.

Being around Little Angels, I learned how to communicate with my child more. Ms. Greer-Adams taught me how to talk to my son, to talk to him like a grown-up; she said that he’d pay attention to my lips moving then he’d mimic me, and that was healthy communication. As he got older, I noticed that he could calm down and explain himself to me. When he went to kindergarten, he was prepared, he knew how to wash hands, write his name, count, colors, recognize the calendar, write numbers.

Now, my son is 8 years old. The mayor knows him by name; he’s canvassed, and he’s involved in the community. I feel like going to Little Angels, the kids get exposed to so many things, like yoga, meditation, arts & crafts, the field trips… it opens their eyes to so much that’s out there, that other kids may not get to experience. And my son is brave —he wants to travel, he has a passport…he’s fearless and ready to take on adventure, and that was taught to him at an early age. Early childhood education sets the tone and stays with them for life. I see college, travel, study abroad, living in a different country, I can see all of that for my son based on the exposure he got from Little Angels.

Little Angels is, first and foremost, a blessing. They keep in touch with you even after your child leaves, and you can keep coming back to a place that feels like home. They are always so resourceful, letting you know about jobs, housing, groceries, things that can support you and help you grow.

— Ms. Imani Bowman

I would attend the celebrations and things that Little Angels would do in the community. I immediately felt comfortable sending my child to Little Angels because other kids in my family had gone there.

Little Angels makes you feel like family. I love that they make the parents feel comfortable. I had my child at an early age, and they offered a helping hand and shared resources. And because they supported me, I share resources with them, too, when I learn about jobs and schools. My daughter volunteered with the summer camp, a decision she made on her own, and I recommend Little Angels to everyone, especially single families and families in need, because of the warmth and comfort; they are authentic, they didn’t act a certain way in front of you and another way behind your back.

Little Angels is phenomenal, the best, outstanding, everything you need in a one-stop shop. I visit other providers, and I have friends who have kids in daycare, and Little Angels is one of the best, you just don’t find too many places like it.

— Ms. Lakesha Harris

My experience with Little Angels was amazing. Once I met Ms. Greer-Adams, I had no concerns; I had never met her before in my life, but just her presence alone let me know that my child would be safe. It’s clear that she is standing in her calling. She hires really good instructors, and she cares —the school invests in and checks on the children after they leave, they want to know that they’re doing well.

I didn’t have any assistance or help paying childcare costs, and they worked with me financially so my child could still have a quality education regardless. Childcare is expensive, so important that a place like Little Angels is in Englewood, where there aren’t a lot of facilities —Little Angels employs the adults in the neighborhood, and it lets kids stay in the neighborhood, so things like not having bus fare transportation don’t prevent you from being able to do for your child. The Center is accessible to the people who live in Englewood, and because most of the kids live in Englewood, they can have deeper connections when they’re not in school.

Little Angels is a godsend because I needed to send my daughter somewhere that was structured and safe. My child was cared for, they gave her confidence and direction, and I really think the foundation that Little Angels gave her prepared her academically and, most importantly, emotionally, for the achievements that she’s had so far. Little Angels poured into my child, and that’s why I will forever promote and support them. Words don’t even express my gratitude.