CHICAGO — After nearly a decade of setbacks, fundraising, and sheer determination, Little Angels Learning Center has finally opened its doors to a brand-new $5.7 million facility in Englewood — promising a transformative future for early childhood education on the South Side.
Founder Nashone Greer-Adams, who’s operated the center out of a single church room for years, now leads a state-of-the-art campus that spans 15,000 square feet and includes therapeutic spaces, staff lounges, and a parent resource center.
A Vision Years in the Making
The newly constructed building, located at 6704 S. Emerald St., sits directly across from the Alpha Temple Church where Greer-Adams originally founded Little Angels in 1994. From serving families near Parkway Gardens to now nearly tripling her center’s capacity, Greer-Adams called the ribbon-cutting event “emotional.”
“It’s a home away from home,” she said. “Every little corner and crack in the school is beautiful.”
Each classroom is fitted with its own bathroom and even saltwater fish tanks, designed to offer calming sensory engagement for young students.
Support for Families Beyond the Classroom
The center supports children from 6 weeks to 5 years old, but Greer-Adams says their goal is broader: to service the entire family unit.
The campus features:
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A therapeutic intake space for children facing emotional distress
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Gross motor movement rooms, both indoor and outdoor
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The Robert R. McCormick Parent Resource Center
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A staff lounge with a balcony for educators to decompress
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Living spaces for teaching interns, donated by a former student
Years of Setbacks and a Community That Rallied
Though the idea of expansion had been on the table since 2018 — when former Mayor Rahm Emanuel granted $1.4 million to help expand the center — progress was rocky.
In 2019, city funding was cut by over 30%. By mid-2020, the Department of Family and Support Services forced the center to shut down, citing unmet academic standards. In response, families protested outside Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s home until the center was allowed to reopen in 2021.
Additional funding struggles followed, but support from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, and the CME Group eventually helped close financial gaps and allow construction to finish.
“Where He guides is where He provides,” said Greer-Adams, reflecting on her faith throughout the process.
Room to Grow, Learn, and Heal
With capacity for 140–150 children, the new building is expected to allow a smooth transition over the next 18–24 months.
It will also introduce:
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Two new mental health consultants
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A family support specialist
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Expanded internship housing for aspiring educators
“To see our youth rise and shine through all the adversities — that’s what gets me up every morning,” said Greer-Adams. “This space will help make that possible.”
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