Parenting Resources
Project Oz 502 S. Morris Avenue, Bloomington 1(309)827-0377
-Project Oz provides parenting classes presenting topics such as life skills, communication skills, and anger management. No fees.
Partners in Parenting 905 N. Main Street, Normal 1(309)862-4686
Partners in Parenting provides parenting classes and workshops for parents of children ages 0-5.
-The Drop In and Play is a weekly program offering parents and children (ages 0-3) the opportunity to meet and socialize together. -Growing Together newsletter is a monthly publication providing information on child development, parenting, fun activities, health, and nutrition discussions for parents of children ages (0-5). -No fee
Normal Parks and Recreation Department 611 S. Linden, Normal 1(309)454-9540
-Normal Parks and Recreation offers a variety of programs targeted for all areas of the enviroment, fantastic facilities, parks, and family centered special events.
Fussy Baby Hotline 1(309)834-5260 Have a fussy baby? This is a hotline for you to call when you dont know where else to turn. They provide telephone support for parents dealing with those fussy babies. It's a 24 hour service and is open year round.
Even Start Family Education Program 905 N. Main Street, Suite 2, Normal 1(309)888-9884
-Provides adults with children ages (0-5) in need of adult education. Parenting classes, early childhood programs, and parent child activities are included. -No fee, free child care, and free transportation is available.
The Children's Rights Council of Illinois 1(888) 802-1110 Email: [email protected]
-The Children's Rights Council of Illinois provides support networks for single parents at the county level, including McLean County. Emphasizing the need to support father involvement and to enhance the roles of both parents of divorced and separated families for the sake of children.
The Children's Foundation 403 S. State Street, Bloomington 1(309) 827-0374
-Provides Healthy Start and Healthy Homes, which are home visiting programs for parents. Information on prenatal care, infant care, child development, discipline, parenting sills, and more is provided. -No fees -Child care is provided during group meetings. -Healthy Start provided through a partnership with The Baby Fold. -Parents Care and Share Support Groups -The Children's Foundation is a child care center that serves children between the ages of 6 weeks through age 12. -They also offer a free Early Start Pre-Kindergarten program for 3, 4 and 5-year-olds who meet the eligibility requirements.
Crisis Nursery 403 S. State Street, Bloomington, IL 61701 Phone: (24-hour hotline) 309-834-5260
The Crisis Nursery provides shelter for homeless children, or children in a bad situation. They help out parents that are very stressed and give them breaks. The Crisis Nursery understands many families are isolated with little or no support systems. They offer a helping hand when parental stress becomes to much, and a parent just needs a break. The Child Care staff of the Crisis Nursery provides nurturing and attentive care 24 hours / 7 days a week, to children ages birth through six years. Please do not hesitate to call the Crisis Nursery, all parents need a break to have time to themselves.
The Child Care Resource and Referral Network 207 W. Jefferson #301, Bloomington 1(309)828-1892
-The Child Care Resource and Referral Network (CCRRN) is committed to supporting families, child care providers, and employers in their pursuit of quality child care and family support services that are both available and affordable. The CCRRN strives to assure access to education, assistance and support to families, child care providers, employers, and other community agencies. Contact by phone or walk-in assistance is available at the CCRRN.
BroMenn's 24/7 Mom's Line 1(309) 452-6667
-BroMenn Healthcare offers a 24/7 hotline for mom's who have questions or concerns about their baby.
Bloomington Parks a Recreation Department 115 E. Washington Street, Bloomington 1(309) 434-2260
-The Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department offers tons of activities and programs for adults, children, and the family. Many are free, and some scholarships are available for those that are not free. A variety of afterschool and Saturday programs are available throughout the school year, ranging from elementary basketball to the Junior Zookeeper program. Summer programs include day camps, tennis lessons, T-ball and other recreational pursuits.
Bloomington Housing Authority 104 E. Wood Street, Bloomington 1(309) 829-3360
-Survival Skills For Women includes topics of assertiveness, personal health, nutrition, money management, self advocacy, coping with crisis, community resources, drug training, parent training and more. No fee
The Baby Fold 612 Oglesby, Normal 1(309)454-1770
The Baby Fold provides the Healthy Start program for expecting parents or new parents and provides information on child development, discipline, parenting skills and more. They are partners with The Children's Foundation. Child care is available. No fees required. They also provide the Nurturing Program which helps build parenting skills and knowledge that focuses on nurturing self, as well as children. No child care available. $50 fee.
Activities for Kids
Bloomington/Normal has a variety of different events to keep your kids occupied so you won't feel the urge to sell them on ebay! All you mom's out there can relate to the pains of motherhood. You love your children, but sometimes your house can get smaller and smaller. The walls keep closing in and you just have to get out of the house.
A great place to take the kids to work out everyone's frustrations is the Children's Discovery Museum. If you are not familiar, it is a museum for kids to learn basic science while having a whole lot of fun. The parents will enjoy the time spent at the museum, too. Heck, the parents might learn something they should know already.
The Challenger Learning Center is also a lot of educational fun for kids.
Parks
Places for Fun
The Pepsi Ice Center The Pepsi Ice Center of Bloomington is attached to the US Cellular Coliseum. They offer a variety of ice skating programs throughout the year. Inside is a snack bar, skate rental and lockers for customer convenience. The ice center also offers Birthday Parties, Skate Sharpening and Skating Accessories. For dates to schedule open skating check out their upcoming dates on their calendar http://www.cityblm.org/parks/Pepsi-Ice-Center/pdfs/OpenSkate.pdf
Grady's Family Fun Park - Batting Cages, Go Karts, Bumper Boats, Bumper Cars, an 18 hole Deluxe Miniature Golf Course, a Video Arcade, and various carnival rides.
Roller Skating Prairie Aviation Museum Historic Normal Theater
Child Care Services
GBC aba
Location: 706 Oglesby Suite 200 Normal
312.882.1024 Phone
One of the hardest jobs as a parent is finding quality pre-academic services when your child has special needs. At the Caterpillar Autism Leaning Center, we are offering an autism-friendly learning environment as an alternative to traditional preschool-like settings.
We take every opportunity to integrate social skills and cooperative play into your child’s day, while teaching them the academic skills to be success in school. We strive to teach our children all skills that are necessary to be independent in life, while creating a safe and nurturing environment.
At the Caterpillar Autism Learning Center, your child will benefit from:
- 1:1 support from behavior technicians trained on principles of applied behavior analysis
- BCBA oversight of individualized goals, instruction, and programming
- Opportunities for facilitated social skills with peers
- Play-based and child led learning
- Focus on building pre-academic skills to prepare your child for more traditional academic settings
Learning is split between whole group and individualized instruction. Some areas we focus on include:
- Pre-academic skills – attending to and following tasks
- Building Independence – following classroom routines, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving
- Social and emotional skills – pretend play, interacting with others, taking turns, sharing, building empathy and perspective taking
- Communication skills - talking, listening, requesting help, understanding others
- Self-help and adaptive skills - eating, dressing, potty training
Webpage: https://www.gbcaba.com/our-services/caterpillar-autism-learning-center
Debra T. Thomas Learning Center
Locations:
(Each Location is open Monday-Friday 6:00am to 6:00 pm)
6 Westport Court, Bloomington, Illinois 1(309) 663-5708.
1711 Rt Dunn Drive , Bloomington, Illinois. 1(309) 557-0065
Mission Statment:
"We provide tender loving care, in addition to structured, yet innovative curriculum geared toward preparation for kindergarten. We strive to meet the needs of the family by providing care for children ages six weeks through twelve years.We also provide a program for school-age children before and after school, including transportation, and during the summer. We look forward to providing an educational and nurturing experience for your child"
Debra T. Thomas Learning Center offers child care and pre school programs for children ages six weeks to 12 years of age. Each and every child and family that walks through the door is welcomed with love and care. The teachers are very knowledgeable and experienced. The environment and facility is very neat, clean and child friendly.
This daycare center offers and Infant & Toddler program, Pre-School program, and a School Age program. Each program is designed to benefit your child learning and development. The staff is very friendly and very willing to teach the children and involve the families within the program and educational needs of the children. Each child is treated equally with tender loving care. If you are looking for a good safe place to enroll your child, Debra T. Thomas Learning Center should be your first stop. You are able to visit and tour the center as well as talk with the staff if you have any questions or want more information reguarding the program and what it has to offer.
webpage: http://debratthomaslearningcenter.com
YWCA http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=djIOK7OZG&b=62423 It is located at 1201 N. Hershey Rd. Bloomington, IL 61704. The phone number is (309)454-1451. The mission of the YWCA is to Eliminate Racism and Empower Women. The Child Care serves over 500 children as young as six weeks old. There are before-and-after school programs in local elementary schools. The before-and-after school program starts at 6:30 am and ends once school starts. Once school is out the after school program begins and they ask for the children to be picked up by 5:30 pm or a late charge will be added to your account. Snack is provided for both the morning and afternoon in these programs. When there is no school, the YWCA will still care for your children at the school all day with lunch provided. the YWCA also provides Preschool-for-All classes. In the Preschool-for-All classes, children from 2 to 4 years old are introduced to a social and educational environment. The teachers plan hands on activities and allow their students to explore the unique play spaces in their rooms. Your child will feel safe and secure in these programs. In the summer, they provide a summer camp all summer long. The kids will enjoy doing artwork, cooking, going on field trips, reading and journaling, participating in individual and group games, swimming, and free time. They ask that you drop your kids off by 9:00 am due to scheduling of field trips.The YWCA also provides swim lessons. All of the programs are licensced by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
Anita Conrad School-Age Program Director, ext. 274 Epiphany, Holy Trinity, Heyworth, Stevenson, Irving [email protected]
Susie Geraghty School-Age Program Director, ext. 273 Bent, Oakland, Sheridan, Washington [email protected]
fees: Before & After school 5 days: $80 4 days: $65 3 days: $55
Before OR After school 5 days: $65 4 days: $55 3 days: $45
Schools
There are many good schools, both public and private, to choose from. Check out the Education page for more information. For a good pre-school option, check out the Chesterbrook Academy
Events
Worldwide Play Day is Saturday, September 24th.
"Fun things to do with kids in Bloomington-Normal during summer break"
Cornbelters home games have seating as cheap as $6 each in the reserved bleachers or $5 if you purchase before the day of the game. On Sundays they have a promotion called “Frontier Family Four Pack” where you can get four box seats, four hot dogs, and four fountain drinks for $40 which I think is an awesome deal! Wherenberg Theater in Normal offers a different movie for children every Wednesday or Thursday at 10am throughout the summer. You can find more details here: http://www.wehrenberg.com/presenting.aspx?pid=333 There are 3 spray parks: McGraw, Miller, & Tipton which are FREE and the kids will have a blast!
Bloomington Normal has many opportuinties for parents in the surrounding areas. Starting from taking a test to the everyday living of being a parent. Being a parent lasts forever.
