The concept of creating a learning environment where every child is welcomed, loved and valued was born in 1989 when Jill was an exchange student in rural Portugal. It expanded in 1996 but was set in motion in 2005 - in Jill's apartment living room. The students' parents coined the name "Jill's Place" and encouraged a move to Carcavelos where Jill's Place remained for 15 years and developed our identity. A set of parents chose to invest in our expansion project (to open in September of 2028). We updated our name to include older students while maintaining the same values which grew our reputation. EGI is Jill's Place with a new name but the same heart. Children can begin at 18 months and stay in their 'home away from home through age 11 with a knowledgeable, supportive and child-centered team of professionals who create a world of student-driven collaborative learning and teaching.