This collection was reprocessed in February 2026; the original order was largely maintained. This collection contains the records of the Cookie Monster Day Care Cooperative, documenting the Center’s administration, finances, curriculum, and participation in state-funded programs. It is divided into five series: Administrative and Curricular Records, Illinois Department of Child and Family Services Compliance Records, Child Care Food Program Records, Illinois Department of Public Aid Contractual Records, and Financial Records.

Series I: Administrative and Curricular Records, 1973-1982 documents the organization and operation of the Center including its administrative structure and leadership; objectives and policies; curriculum; membership standards and rates; publicity; and day-to-day operations. Materials include by-laws, meeting minutes, annual reports, contracts, photographs, curricular materials, membership policies, CETA and student employment policies, and an employee manual. Arranged alphabetically.

Series II: Illinois Department of Child and Family Services Compliance Records, 1972-1982 contains forms and correspondence made in compliance with standards set by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services which licensed and regulated the Center, including licenses, immunization forms, and employee informational forms and timesheets. Access to children’s records, staff records, and forms documenting medications administered by Center staff is restricted subject to approval by archives staff. Arranged alphabetically.

Series III: Child Care Food Program Records, 1979-1982 contains menus, inventories, manuals, forms, correspondence, payment reports, and related records documenting Cookie Monster’s participation in the Child Care Food Program, a federally-funded nutrition program operated by the State Board of Education. Arranged alphabetically.

Series IV: Illinois Department of Public Aid Records, 1977-1982 contains contracts, invoices, attendance sheets, and related records documenting the operation of a contractual program through which the Illinois Department of Public Aid paid Cookie Monster for child care services provided in families in need. Arranged alphabetically.

Series V: Financial Records, 1974-1982 includes bookkeeping notebooks, bank statements, financial statements, and tax forms documenting the financial transactions and operations of the Center. Access to bookkeeping records from 1977-1982 is restricted subject to archives approval due to the presence of personally identifiable information. Arranged alphabetically.