Early Care and Education Funding Design Institute: Participant Portal

Welcome!

Welcome to the participant portal for CELFE’s Early Care & Education Funding Design Institute! We’re so glad you’ll be joining us for the inaugural cohort of this exciting new initiative to advance early care and education financing.

This page will serve as your hub for information related to the Institute, including updates and reminders, course materials and resources, location information for the conference center and hotel, and answers to frequently asked questions about event logistics. Important information will also be shared with participants via email.

As we get closer to the Institute, you can also expect to learn more about our presenters and guest speakers and connect with fellow participants through a participant directory. Stay tuned—we’re excited to learn, collaborate, and chart a new path forward together!

Updates and Reminders

Important reminders that are also emailed to participants will be posted here and updated frequently, leading up to and throughout the Institute:

Click here to complete the pre-kick-off survey by July 24, 2026.

Please contact institute@celfe.org with any questions!

Location

NIU Naperville Conference Center

The Early Care & Education Funding Design Institute will take place at the NIU Naperville Conference Center, located at 1120 East Diehl Road, Naperville, IL 60563. The conference center will serve as the primary location for the Institute’s in-person programming. Click here to view the NIU Naperville Conference Center floor plan.

Getting There
The conference center is located just south of Diehl Road. When arriving from Diehl Road, follow the entrance drive toward the building and continue to the main entrance, marked with a star on the aerial map below. Parking is available in the lots surrounding the conference center.

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Aerial view of the NIU Naperville Conference Center showing the entrance from Diehl Road and the building entrance.

Hotel: Hampton Inn Chicago/Naperville

Participants will stay at the Hampton Inn Chicago/Naperville, located at 1087 East Diehl Road, Naperville, IL 60563. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of the NIU Naperville Conference Center.

For additional information about the hotel and its amenities, visit the Hampton Inn Chicago/Naperville website.
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Agenda

The agenda below provides an overview of the Institute’s three days of learning, collaboration, and reflection.

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Course Materials & Resources

Links to relevant course materials will be shared closer to the institute’s start date.