SPARK Aurora Early Childhood Collaboration

SPARK Aurora Early Childhood Collaboration Lighting the way so all of Aurora’s children reach their full potential!

SPARK is a partnership among the City of Aurora, Fox Valley United Way, School Districts 129 (West Aurora), 131 (East Aurora), 204 (Indian Prairie) and 308 (Oswego), Aurora Public Library and Illinois Action for Children in partnership with local Aurora agencies who serve children and families

Goals:

· Ensure all families are aware of the importance of early learning and connecting them wit

h programs and services.

· Coordinate efforts among the school districts’ early childhood programs, Head Start, child care providers, and other early learning programs to maximize both impact and efficiency

· Support quality improvement in early childhood education and care programs in Aurora

· Support the expansion of formal and informal early learning opportunities in Aurora

Thankful Thursday Aurora Lions ClubThis Thankful Thursday we thank the Aurora Lions Club for providing vision screenings...
06/04/2026

Thankful Thursday Aurora Lions Club

This Thankful Thursday we thank the Aurora Lions Club for providing vision screenings for children at the Countdown to Kindergarten Fair.

Their team screened 23 children and identified 3 referrals for follow-up care, helping ensure children can see clearly and succeed in learning environments.

We appreciate their dedication to early vision health in our community.

Este Thankful Thursday agradecemos al Aurora Lions Club por brindar exámenes de visión en la Feria Countdown to Kindergarten.

Su equipo evaluó a 23 niños e identificó 3 referidos para seguimiento, ayudando a asegurar que los niños puedan ver con claridad y tener éxito en el aprendizaje.

Agradecemos su dedicación a la salud visual en nuestra comunidad.

Free hands-on activities and local agencies join SD131 Jumpstart THIS Friday at Lebanon Park from 10-12! ¡Únase a SD131 ...
06/03/2026

Free hands-on activities and local agencies join SD131 Jumpstart THIS Friday at Lebanon Park from 10-12!

¡Únase a SD131 Jumpstart ESTE viernes en Lebanon Park de 10 a.m. a 12 p.m.! Actividades gratuitas para niños y recursos de agencias locales.

Thankful Thursday Colgate Bright Smiles Bright FuturesThis Thankful Thursday we recognize the Colgate Bright Smiles Brig...
05/28/2026

Thankful Thursday Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures

This Thankful Thursday we recognize the Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures Mobile Dental Clinic for supporting children’s health at the Countdown to Kindergarten Fair.

With 61 children screened and 153 education sessions provided, their team helped families understand the importance of early dental care and healthy habits that support school readiness and attendance.

We are grateful for their continued commitment to children’s health.

Este Thankful Thursday reconocemos al programa móvil Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures por apoyar la salud de los niños en la Feria Countdown to Kindergarten.

Con 61 niños evaluados y 153 sesiones educativas, su equipo ayudó a las familias a comprender la importancia del cuidado dental temprano y los hábitos saludables que apoyan la preparación escolar.

Agradecemos su compromiso continuo con la salud infantil.

Community Leadership at the Countdown to Kindergarten FairWe were honored to welcome State Representative Barbara Hernan...
05/22/2026

Community Leadership at the Countdown to Kindergarten Fair

We were honored to welcome State Representative Barbara Hernandez to the Countdown to Kindergarten Fair, where she shared inspiring remarks in support of Aurora’s children and families.

She thanked SPARK, community partners, and families for coming together to support early childhood readiness and emphasized the importance of events like this in building a strong, connected community. She encouraged families to explore the wide range of resources available, from health and developmental supports to early learning and childcare programs.

She also invited families to take the next step in connecting with services, including completing developmental screenings, submitting intake forms, and learning more about local supports that help children get a strong start in kindergarten and beyond.

Her message highlighted a shared commitment across the community to ensure every child has access to the tools, care, and opportunities they need to thrive.

Tuvimos el honor de recibir a la representante estatal Barbara Hernandez en la Feria Countdown to Kindergarten, donde compartió mensajes inspiradores en apoyo a los niños y familias de Aurora.

Agradeció a SPARK, a los socios comunitarios y a las familias por unirse para apoyar la preparación temprana y destacó la importancia de eventos como este para fortalecer una comunidad conectada. Animó a las familias a explorar los recursos disponibles, desde apoyos de salud y desarrollo hasta programas de aprendizaje temprano y cuidado infantil.

También invitó a las familias a dar el siguiente paso para conectarse con servicios, incluyendo completar evaluaciones del desarrollo, llenar formularios de admisión y conocer los apoyos locales que ayudan a los niños a tener un buen comienzo en el kínder y más allá.

Su mensaje resaltó el compromiso compartido de toda la comunidad para asegurar que cada niño tenga acceso a las herramientas, el cuidado y las oportunidades que necesita para prosperar.

A Community Coming TogetherThe Countdown to Kindergarten Fair was made possible through strong community collaboration a...
05/21/2026

A Community Coming Together

The Countdown to Kindergarten Fair was made possible through strong community collaboration and shared commitment to Aurora’s children. School districts, early childhood programs, healthcare partners, and community organizations came together with energy and purpose to support families. Every partner contributed time, expertise, and care to help create a welcoming space where families could connect, learn, and celebrate early childhood.

La Feria Countdown to Kindergarten fue posible gracias a una fuerte colaboración comunitaria y al compromiso compartido con los niños de Aurora. Distritos escolares, programas de educación temprana, socios de salud y organizaciones comunitarias se unieron con energía y propósito para apoyar a las familias. Cada socio aportó tiempo, experiencia y dedicación para crear un espacio acogedor donde las familias pudieran conectarse, aprender y celebrar la primera infancia.

Supporting Healthy Growth and Early LearningThe Countdown to Kindergarten Fair helped families take important steps in s...
05/20/2026

Supporting Healthy Growth and Early Learning

The Countdown to Kindergarten Fair helped families take important steps in supporting their child’s health, development, and early learning. Families accessed dental and vision screenings, developmental screenings, early literacy supports, and direct connections to services. In total, 61 dental screenings, 23 vision screenings, 15 developmental screenings, 16 new library cards, and 24 family intakes were completed, creating more than 300 connections that support early success in school.

La Feria Countdown to Kindergarten ayudó a las familias a dar pasos importantes para apoyar la salud, el desarrollo y el aprendizaje temprano de sus hijos. Las familias accedieron a exámenes dentales y de visión, evaluaciones del desarrollo, apoyos de alfabetización temprana y conexiones directas con servicios. En total, se realizaron 61 exámenes dentales, 23 exámenes de visión, 15 evaluaciones del desarrollo, 16 nuevas tarjetas de biblioteca y 24 registros familiares, creando más de 300 conexiones que apoyan el éxito escolar temprano.

Countdown to Kindergarten Fair 2026!The Countdown to Kindergarten Fair was a celebration of Aurora’s youngest learners a...
05/19/2026

Countdown to Kindergarten Fair 2026!

The Countdown to Kindergarten Fair was a celebration of Aurora’s youngest learners and the families who support them. Families and community partners came together to connect with early childhood resources, explore supports, and celebrate the journey to kindergarten readiness. 193 parents and caregivers and 220 children ages 0-5 participated alongside 26 early childhood agencies and 5 school districts. In one joyful day, more than 300 connections were made to health, learning, and school readiness supports.

Countdown to Kindergarten fue una celebración de los niños más pequeños de Aurora y de las familias que los apoyan. Familias y socios comunitarios se reunieron para conectarse con recursos de educación temprana, explorar apoyos y celebrar el camino hacia la preparación para el kínder. Participaron 193 padres y cuidadores y 220 niños, junto con 26 agencias de educación temprana y 5 distritos escolares. En un solo día lleno de conexión, se realizaron más de 300 conexiones con apoyos de salud, aprendizaje y preparación escolar.

Join us today for a special Play & Learn Play Group in partnership with TriCity Family Services focused on mental health...
05/18/2026

Join us today for a special Play & Learn Play Group in partnership with TriCity Family Services focused on mental health, wellness, and connection for parents and young children.

Parenting little ones comes with big emotions — for children and grown-ups. Today’s group is a space to play, learn, connect, and talk about the importance of caring for our mental health as families. Through play, conversation, and community, we’ll explore ways to support emotional wellness, manage stress, and strengthen healthy relationships from the earliest years.

Play & Learn Play Group
11 AM – 12 PM
Northern Lights Youth Center – SPARK Room
551 Fourth Ave. Aurora, IL 60505

Questions? Call 331-452-1268

¡Acompáñenos hoy para un grupo especial de Play & Learn Play Group en colaboración con TriCity Family Services enfocado en la salud mental, el bienestar y la conexión para padres, cuidadores y niños pequeños!

Criar a niños pequeños viene con grandes emociones — tanto para los niños como para los adultos. El grupo de hoy es un espacio para jugar, aprender, conectar y hablar sobre la importancia de cuidar nuestra salud mental como familias. A través del juego, la conversación y la comunidad, exploraremos maneras de apoyar el bienestar emocional, manejar el estrés y fortalecer relaciones saludables desde los primeros años.

Play & Learn Play Group
11 AM – 12 PM
Northern Lights Youth Center – Salón de SPARK
551 Fourth Ave. Aurora, IL 60505

¿Preguntas? Llame al 331-452-1268

05/07/2026

Address

44 E Galena Boulevard
Aurora, IL
60505

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