Murry's Child Development Center

10/25/2025

10/14/2025

🎃 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗗!! 👻 Here is our full 2025 list of residential trick-or-treating hours in Southern Illinois! All trick-or-treat hours will take place on Friday, October 31st.

09/25/2025

CARBONDALE, Ill. (WSIL) -- City officials with the Carbondale Fire Department and Carbondale Police Department will offer free car seat inspections on Friday, September 26. The event will run from

09/04/2025

A program that has given thousands of Southern Illinois children the gift of books is now calling on the community to help keep it alive.

Read SI, the regional affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, has seen record enrollment in 2025. Nearly 9,000 local children have already received more than 65,000 books. According to organizers, the cost of running the program has doubled, and donations aren’t keeping pace.

“This program is a lifeline for early literacy,” said Lori Longueville with Read SI. “The overwhelming response from families shows how vital it is, but we need the community’s help to keep it going. Every dollar raised directly impacts a child’s future by fostering a love of reading and learning.”

Without additional support, counties like Franklin and Randolph may have to stop enrolling new children as soon as next month. So far, Read SI has raised about 30% of its $120,000 goal to sustain the program across 18 counties.

To mark the Imagination Library’s national “9 to 5 Day” on September 5, Read SI is launching a new partnership with area schools and early learning programs. Districts in Jackson, Johnson, and Williamson County have already pledged support.

The program, which mails free books each month to children from birth to age five, has been credited with sparking curiosity and building lifelong learning skills. The cost to sponsor one child for a year is $16.

Community members, organizations, and businesses are encouraged to donate at www.readsi.org.

08/26/2025

Child Care can be costly! We can help you pay for it!

08/26/2025

Ameren Illinois says income-qualified households can now apply for a one-time $150 grant through their local LIHEAP office to help with higher energy bills.

The program comes in addition to nearly $58 million in assistance that Ameren customers have already received this year. Earlier this month, Ameren also announced $4 million in funding for community agencies to support families dealing with high electricity costs and extreme summer heat.

According to Ameren, high energy bills this summer have been caused by reduced energy supplies, extremely hot and humid weather, and increased usage at home. Ameren officials say this combination has left many families with higher-than-normal bills.

Customers can apply for the $150 credit through their local LIHEAP agency. To check eligibility or find an office, visit HelpIllinoisFamilies.com or call 833-711-0374 while funds are available.

Ameren is also encouraging customers to look into energy efficiency programs and other financial assistance options to help manage future bills.

03/26/2025

Please find information below regarding kindergarten screenings for the 2025-2026 school year.