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                                        We were founded by the late Betty Drake in 1973.  

The Growing Place is an early childhood program that is certified as a Gold Circle under Quality Counts: Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) through the Illinois Department of Human Resources (IDHS) and the Illinois Network of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA).  This holds us to a high standard of excellence and we exceed DCFS licensing standards.

We are a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization which has offered quality child care in the DeKalb Community since 1973.

We are also a member of the Community Coordinated Child Care (4C), the Kishwaukee United Way, and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce.

Executive Director:   Caitlin Lee 

Program Director:  Annie Johnson

School Age Director:  Vicky Ferlias

Assistant Director: Jennifer Ursin

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