Preschoolers Enrolled to Date
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Since 2017, we have led successful preschool enrollment campaigns, enrolling 100,000+ children citywide. Over the past decade, we've focused on reducing access barriers for Chicago's youngest learners, leading strategic communications, marketing, web design, and outreach efforts.
In 2017, we supported the rollout of one of the most extensive preschool and Head Start collaborations in the nation for Chicago Early Learning, a network of 500+ preschool programs across the city, backed by the Mayor's Office, Chicago Public Schools, and the Department of Family and Support Services.
We use a multi-tiered campaign with tailored strategies for hard-to-reach communities, partnering with various organizations and leaders. Through increased enrollment citywide, we aim to ensure all children ages 0–5 have access to high-quality early education and improve kindergarten readiness for children citywide.
Strategy
Branding
Marketing
Outreach
Web Design
Over-the-Top Advertising
Video Production
Event Planning
Brand Strategy & Development
Out-of-Home Advertising
Social Media Marketing
Influencer Marketing
Content Marketing
We delivered a refreshed visual identity for Chicago’s unified early education enrollment campaign, empowering CPS Pre-K and community-based programs to enhance recruitment.
The children who participated in our photoshoot helped us hand paint the design elements featured throughout the artwork, allowing the brand to evolve with vibrancy and authenticity to reflect preschool playfulness while reinforcing clarity and accessibility.
Our strategic, data-driven approach integrated paid media, social engagement, in-person outreach, and trusted voices to reach parents citywide, prioritizing under-enrolled areas and migrant families while enhancing administrative support and stakeholder collaboration.
Designed to boost awareness of Chicago Early Learning, the Tiny Mic Drop short-form video series engaged parents with shareable content, increasing visibility and application completion. Recently, it featured special guest Mayor Brandon Johnson and earned a Silver Addy from the Chicago Advertising Federation. By blending humor and informative messaging, the series strengthened trust, encouraged participation, and reinforced CEL’s commitment to accessible, high-quality early learning for all Chicago families.
Our rebrand for Chicago Early Learning introduced a vibrant, modern, and memorable identity that inspires parents about their child's success in early education. The logo represents inclusivity, featuring three eager hands of different sizes and backgrounds — all excited to learn.
To get the word out about enrollment on social media, Vera used a three (3)-step strategy that consisted of education, collaboration, and responsive family engagement support. This social media saturation strategy was especially beneficial for driving traffic to CEL’s social media platforms, resulting in a net audience growth of 77.1%.
Total Impressions
Total Engagements
Total Clicks to CEL’s Website
Vera designed and currently manages Chicago Early Learning’s website at cps.edu/ChicagoEarlyLearning, launched in April 2023 to improve usability and provide valuable resources for families. The site received 65,000 new users in April 2023, with an estimated 921,000 engagements within the first six months.
Visitors Gained
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Returning Users
Our contributions included relational outreach through activities like canvassing, tabling at events (e.g. Chance the Rapper's Books and Breakfast and Bud Billiken Parade), and partnerships with organizations such as Chance The Rapper's Books & Breakfast, Illinois Action for Children, Bridging the Gap, and Enlace.
Families Reached via In-person Canvassing
Pieces of Material Distributed to families throughout Chicago
of families reached through in-person canvassing who reported having in-depth conversations with CEL
Feedback from families continues to shape and inform Chicago Early Learning recruitment platforms, which are strengthened by the centralized brand.
