Quality Facilities for All (QFA) is committed to expanding access quality care for infants, toddlers, and two’s (6 weeks – 35 months) across Illinois through a facility-forward approach.

About the Initiative

Quality Facilities for All (QFA) is an IFF Initiative dedicated to the expansion, enhancement, and stabilization of infant and toddler programs in high-need communities across Illinois.

We aim to achieve these objectives by addressing facility quality concerns related to indoor air quality, temperature, ventilation, noise, lighting, classroom furnishing, and outdoor play areas. These factors contribute to high-quality learning environments, which are proven to positively impact infants’ and toddlers’ learning, development, and well-being.

QFA includes two unique programs: a Grant and Professional Development Program and a Technical Assistance Program.

Participants have the option of tapping into these resources singly or in combination with one another, depending on each organization’s needs.

QFA Includes

Grant & Professional Development

The QFA Grants Program provides grants of up to $50,000 to early childhood education providers to expand infant-toddler capacity and/or enhance facility quality in these key areas: indoor air quality, temperature, ventilation, noise reduction, optimal lighting, and quality classroom furniture.

The program also includes an eight-week professional and leadership development workshop series that focuses on enhancing provider knowledge on creating and maintaining high-quality facilities and developing sustainable financial practices. In 2022, the QFA Grant & Professional Development Program focused on East St. Louis District 189. More communities will be included in 2023.

Technical Assistance

IFF will provide free technical assistance to support selected agencies applying to the State of Illinois’ Early Childhood Construction Grant (ECCG) Program. The IL ECCG Program is a state-sponsored initiative to award ECE providers $100 million in grants to support the renovation, expansion, and construction of new facilities to serve more children.

QFA’s technical assistance may include: conducting site visits, developing a strong plan and proposal, ensuring all necessary documentation is prepared, providing architectural and/or design support, developing a budget, creating a floorplan, providing assistance in proving ownership, and more.

How to Apply

Applications are currently closed.
Please check back for future opportunities.

Why are Quality Facilities Important for Early Childhood Education?

Improving facilities enhances provider capacity, children’s access to care and education, and parents’ ability to work and provide for their families. Furthermore, it helps ensure that the design and quality of early childhood education facilities reflect the dignity all children and their families deserve. A facilities-forward perspective can promote innovation in land usage, facility collaborations and building renovations. It could also set the standard of what learning environments for children should be reflective of regardless of their neighborhood or economic status and how academic success and pride in community can be cultivated.

Special Thanks To