VOCEL Child Parent Academy 2023-2024
VOCEL will be breaking up the year into 2 different 14-week hybrid sessions that will focus on major child development topics to help you and your kiddos learn and grow together. Meaning that there will be cohorts held in person & classes held online. Each of the sessions will still be full of stories, music, and of course, lots of play!
Session 2:
Session 1:
September 11th, 2023
- December 15, 2023
February 12th, 2024
- May 17th, 2024
What you can expect:
Weekly classes both virtual & in-person filled with fun activities for children to play safely and comfortably!
Group discussions for adults to share & learn about childhood development
Modified curriculum to meet the child where they are & support group for parents of children with diverse abilities
Brain bags filled with learning tools, art supplies & more
Ready4K text message tips based on your child's age
Access to free resources, like diapers, clothing and more!
Space is limited for in-person VCPA classes. We highly encourage you to join us for both sessions so that you and you little one get the most out of this coming year, but you are welcome to sign up for each session separately.
VCPA Virtual Enrollment ends on Monday, March 11th!
In-Person Enrollment ends on April 15th!
Have some questions? Email us at info@vocel.org
We’ll get in touch. We also have some Frequently Asked Questions listed below.
Child Parent Academy: Frequently Asked Questions
If you don’t see your question answered below, email us at info@vocel.org and a team member will get in touch.
What is VOCEL?
VOCEL, which stands for Viewing Our Children as Emerging Leaders, is a non-profit organization focused on early learning and family support. VOCEL’s mission is to help ensure every child has the foundation to learn, grow, and lead.
What is VOCEL’s Child Parent Academy (VCPA)?
The Child Parent Academy is VOCEL’S flagship program and is a dynamic, two-generation early learning accelerator where young children (0-4 years) and their caregivers learn side-by-side. Starting in 2022, VCPA is offered at select in-person sites located at schools on the west, southwest, and south sides of Chicago and as virtual classes that can be accessed from anywhere. Both in-person and virtual VCPA classes are held weekly and include activities and play for child development and space for parent discussion to learn and connect with other people raising small children.
Who is eligible to enroll in this program?
This program is for any child aged 0-4 years old and their caregiver, which can be a parent, day-care provider, grandparent, aunt, neighbor, etc. For in-person sites, a maximum of 10 children can enroll. If enrollment is greater than available spaces, VOCEL prioritizes communities where parent-child classes are limited or hard to access.
How much does it cost?
The Child Parent Academy is totally free to all families enrolled.
Why should I sign up?
The first three years of a child’s life are critical to their learning and development. The Child Parent Academy is designed to support babies’ and toddlers’ development in language, social-emotional skills, and creativity and prepare children for school, while also building a network of support for caregivers who are a child’s first teachers.
What will I need to participate?
Virtual VCPA only requires that you have a device that will allow you to participate in zoom sessions and/or chat and view pre-recorded videos. That’s it! If you are interested in participating, but don’t have a device, please drop us a note by emailing us at info@vocel.org.
In-person VCPA classes require just you and your little ones!
Is this program offered in Spanish?
Yes! All of our cohorts are bilingual (English and Spanish). A full list of our cohorts can be found here.
What schools are participating in VOCEL’s Child Parent Academy?
Currently, VOCEL partners with 19 schools in communities throughout Chicago and in-person classes are hosted at a selected number of these partner schools. However, all families are welcome! You do not need to attend a partner school in order to sign up for the Child Parent Academy. Our current school partners and their locations can be found here.
