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Preschool and Child Care Information

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*We invited area preschools to offer basic information and descriptions for this listing. This guide is a compilation of the responses we received; the library does not endorse schools or curriculum but offers this information as a resource for the community. All schools listed below are located in Mount Prospect.

District 57 Circle of Friends 

Ages: Children ages 3-5; children must turn three on or before September 1st. Children who are five years old on or before September 1st must enroll in kindergarten. 

Description

Circle of Friends features a blended preschool model; half of the students qualify through an Individualized Education Plan due to moderate to severe special education needs and half of the students are typically developing peers who pay tuition. It is a language rich program co-taught by a special education teacher and a speech-language pathologist. Two assistants also support each classroom. Occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social work services are provided based on students’ needs. Circle of Friends meets Tuesday-Friday for 2.5 hours. Class size is approximately 16 students. Bus transportation is not available for tuition-paying Circle of Friends students.  

Location and Contact

  • Website: www.d57.org 
  • Address:  Westbrook School  
    103 S. Busse Rd., Mount Prospect, IL 60056 
  • Contact: Karl Anderson, Assistant Principal and Early Childhood Coordinator
    kanderson@d57.org 
    (847) 394-7340 x2006

District 57 is committed to providing supportive programming and services to meet the needs of our youngest learners. Each month, Westbrook offers free screenings for children who demonstrate one or more of the following characteristics: 

  • Speech is difficult to understand or does not talk like other children his/her age; 
  • Has difficulty following directions or expressing themselves with words; 
  • Has difficulty getting along with other children; 
  • Is an English language learner; 
  • Has difficulty with coordination or motor skills; 
  • Has difficulty problem solving or coping with ordinary routines & expectations;
  • Experiences family difficulties that may put the child at risk for academic progress. 

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Mt. Prospect Park District – Mountaineers Preschool 2023-2024 

Ages: 

Almost 3s – Must be 3 by February 1, 2024 – Located at Central Community Center 

  • Monday/Wednesday — Monthly Fee: $152/Residents; $167/Non-residents 

3 Year Old – Must be 3 by September 1, 2023 – Located at RecPlex

  • Monday/Wednesday/Friday — Monthly Fee: $267/Residents; $282/Non-residents 
  • Tuesday/Thursday — Monthly Fee: $181/Residents; $196/Non-residents 

Pre-Kindergarten – Must be 4 by September 1, 2023 – Available at both RecPlex and Lions Recreation Center

  • Monday/Wednesday/Friday — Monthly Fee: $267/Residents; $282/Non-residents 
  • Tuesday/Thursday — Monthly Fee: $181/Residents; $196/Non-residents 

Multi-Age (3.5-5 years) – Must be 4 by February 1, 2024 – Located at RecPlex

  • Monday/Wednesday/Friday — Monthly Fee: $267/Residents; $282/Non-residents 
  • Tuesday/Thursday — Monthly Fee: $181/Residents; $196/Non-residents

Location and Contact

  • Website: www.mppd.org
  • Address: RecPlex
  • 420 W Dempster St., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056
  • Contact: Amy Heinrichs
    aheinrichs@mppd.org
    847-640-1000 x205

Description

Mountaineers Preschool provides an ideal early learning environment. Each little learner is engaged in a playful, explorative and problem solving environment supported by both open play and structured activities. Individual and group lessons are implemented daily by a lead and or more assistant teachers. A combination of Handwriting Without Tears and Jolly Phonics curriculums are utilized in all classrooms. Classes focus on social/emotional development, large motor skills, language and fluency, scientific exploration and life skills.

Check out our 2023-2024 Parent Handbook for more information.

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River Trails Park District 

Ages: Classes for 2.5–4 years 

Description

Our Trail Blazers program is a developmentally appropriate program designed to help children grow and learn in a stimulating and nurturing environment. We look at the ”whole child” including intellectual, social, emotional, physical and creative growth. Children develop differently in each area so the curriculum is carefully planned to include activities that help each child learn and grow in all areas. Children will be introduced to the basic academic and social skills of preschool and will be encouraged to develop problem solving skills, self-confidence and creativity. Activities will include math, science, language skills, art, motor movement, music and dramatic play. All areas of each child’s growth are important and we provide opportunities for intellectual, social, physical and creative growth. Activities are presented in individual and group, structured and unstructured settings and Jolly Phonics curriculum is used for Kindergarten readiness. Our goal is for each child to develop a love of learning, tools to continue to learn, and a positive image of themselves. 

Location and Contact

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District 59 Early Learning Center 

The CCSD59 Early Learning Center (ELC) is a state-of-the-art facility constructed with children in mind. Our goal is to support the development of the whole child and to provide a safe, nurturing environment in which children will grow socially, emotionally, intellectually, and physically. Our dedicated, caring staff design engaging, developmentally appropriate, hands-on learning opportunities to meet the needs and interests of our learners. Our program is coordinated with the CCSD59 K-8 program. In addition, we partner with and engage our students’ families by offering additional learning opportunities to parents and guardians.

Child must turn 3 by September 1, 2023. 

Location and Contact

  • Website: https://elc.ccsd59.org 
  • Address: 1900 W Lonnquist Blvd, Mount Prospect, IL 60056
  • Contact: Please contact the main office for more information about enrollment: 847-593-4306 

Program Offerings

  • Tuition-based programming – for children who are typically developing
  • Grant-based programming – The Preschool for All Program is a preschool program funded by an Illinois state grant for children ages 3-5 years old (not eligible for kindergarten) who meet program criteria 
  • Special education programming – for children who have a disability 

Tuition-Based Program Details

  • This is a five-day a.m. or p.m. program with placement based on available openings.
  • Monthly Tuition: $300
  • Sliding scale tuition fees are available for those who qualify
  • Transportation services (bus) are available for those who qualify

Screening 

CCSD59 provides preschool screenings/assessment of children ages 3-5 in the following areas: communication, motor, cognitive, social/emotional and vision/hearing. This assessment is used to determine eligibility for services and programming provided at the ELC. For further information concerning preschool screening, please contact our office at 847-593-4306. 

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St. Paul Lutheran School 

Ages:

  • Saint Paul enrolls students from 3 years of age in pre-kindergarten, up through 8th grade.  
  • Children need to be 3-years-old by November 1st and potty trained to enroll.
  • We offer both full-day and half-day options for pre-kindergarten with options to enroll for 2, 3, or 5 days of school.  
  • Those enrolling in kindergarten may choose a full-day, 5-day per week schedule, or enroll for combo kindergarten that allows for half-days on Mondays and Fridays. 

Description

  • Enrollment for new families begins in February.
  • Before and after school care typically starts at 7 a.m., and ends at 6 p.m.  
  • Tuition is discounted for families enrolling more than one student.
  • Our school has achieved National Blue Ribbon status, and is also accredited by the National Lutheran School Accreditation.  
  • A sense of community is built through the many opportunities for families to be involved in both school and church activities.  
  • As a faith based program, we foster a caring community with a focus on ‘service over self’ at all levels, with age-appropriate service opportunities. 
  • Our pre-k program is play based, utilizing Illinois Early Learning Standards as an appropriate guide.  
  • We maintain appropriate staff to student ratios, with a maximum group size of 16 students with 2 adults in our pre-k program.  
  • Daily opportunities for large motor play both indoors and out at our early childhood play space.  
  • Ongoing parent communication helps teachers partner with families.

Location and Contact

  • Website: www.saint-paul.org 
  • Address: 100 S. School Street, Mount Prospect, IL 60056 
  • Contact: Amy Cimarusti, Admissions Director and Pre-Kindergarten Director 
    847-255-6733

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St. Raymond School 

Ages

  • Preschool: Our preschool program serves children ages 3-5. Students must be 3 years old by September 1st of the year they will enroll in the preschool program. St. Raymond School offers mutli-age classrooms, mixing 3 and 4 year old students in a variety of options such as 3-Day and 5-Day morning programs and Monday-Friday full day programs.  We also provide an extended care option for the morning and afternoon.  Our curriculum includes research based programs such as Jolly Phonics and Handwriting Without Tears. We instill a thorough foundation for literacy and language as well as math development through play-based activities.  
  • Kindergarten: Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by September 1st of the year of enrollment.

2023-2024 Annual Tuition Rates

  • 3-DAY AM Class: Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 8:10 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. – $3,155/year
  • 5-DAY AM Class: Monday-Friday, 8:05 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – $5,407/year
  • Full Day Class: Monday-Friday, 8:05 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. – $8,777/year
  • AM Kindergarten: Monday-Friday, 8:05 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – $4,230/year 
  • Full Day Kindergarten: Monday-Friday, 8:05 a.m. – 3:10 p.m. – $7,837/year

*Note: additional fees are not included in the above tuition rates

Location and Contact

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St. Mark Preschool

Ages: Ages 3-6 years

Description 

St. Mark Preschool and Enrichment Center has been developing the confidence and self-esteem of young learners in our community for over 65 years! Since Preschool is your child’s first school experience, we believe in providing a welcoming, safe, and encouraging environment. Their experience here helps lay the groundwork for a successful school journey. 

The preschool program is child-centered with an emphasis on learning through self-discovery and all the senses, encouraging curiosity and assisting your child to develop at a comfortable pace. Your son or daughter will learn by making and by doing, while developing social skills and relationships that can last well beyond the preschool years.

Children in Kindergarten Enrichment will experience inquiry-based learning with an emphasis in STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Students work collaboratively while practicing real-world problem solving.

Flexibility is a key difference in our program design and schedule. We are open five days a week from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. during the school year and offer 3- and 4-Year-Old Preschool, Half Day/Full Day Care, and Kindergarten Enrichment. We offer continuing daycare in the summer months and camp experiences including recreational and STEAM camps.

Location and Contact

  • Website: www.stmarkmp.org 
  • Address: 200 S. Wille Street, Mount Prospect, IL 60056 
    (West end of the St. Mark Lutheran Church building) 
  • Contact: Director, Allison Finnegan 
    847-873-1110 

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ABCD Academy

Ages: Classes offered for 6 weeks-5 years 

Description

Our mission at ABCD Academy is that your children get noticed, feel appreciated, and their opinions are heard and accepted. By applying modern early childhood education methods we provide a developmentally appropriate environment in which our preschoolers learn to speak both Polish and English, acquire the skills of solving problems, making friends, and overcoming difficulties through fun and play activities.

Location and Contact

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Kiddie Academy

Ages: Programs for children 6 weeks-12 years 

Description

Every day your child’s imagination grows and their curiosity gathers momentum—Kiddie Academy of Mount Prospect empowers and celebrates all of it. Our Life Essentials® learning approach and curriculum encourages children to explore and progress in their own way, and at their own pace. At Kiddie Academy of Mount Prospect, your child will grow socially, physically, emotionally and intellectually. Our highly trained teachers are there every step of the way to guide, nurture and cultivate your child’s development.

Location and Contact

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Grace Lutheran Preschool

Ages:

  • Almost 3’s class (must be 3 by 2/1/24):
    • Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
    • Tuition – $140 per month 
  • 3 year olds class (must be 3 by 9/1/23):
    • Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  
    • Tuition – $210 per month 
  • 4 year olds class (must be 4 by 9/1/23):
    • Option 1: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
      • Tuition: $210 per month
    • Option 2: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
      • Tuition: $325 per month

Location and Contact

There is a 5% discount for current church members.

Description

Our Mission is to nurture each child as a unique individual, created in the image of God, and to support their growth, development, and self-confidence in a warm and caring community. Grace Preschool engages in a play-based curriculum so that each child can develop their whole being — mental, social, emotional and physical to their full potential. Children have class time dedicated to group time including calendar, weather, flag, story time and singing of songs as well as free choice time at our interest centers.  

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Park View Montessori

Ages: 6 weeks-6 years

Description

Park View Montessori School strives to create an enriched environment so children are inspired to reach their highest potential using the Montessori philosophy of education. This fosters a strong sense of community and respect for self, others, and the environment, which builds a strong academic foundation for a lifetime of learning.

Location and Contact

A Montessori environment is a community in miniature. The children are expected to follow the rules established in that community.  This is not always an easy task for a preschooler. At this age, children believe that they are the center of the universe and everything revolves around their wishes and whims. When they enter the Montessori environment, they quickly discover that they have to sublimate their wants and desires to those of the larger group. In this way, they begin learning the important lessons of self-control, sharing, and good citizenship.

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Busy Bees Montessori

Ages: 6 weeks-6 years

Description

Busy Bees Montessori’s mission is to provide peaceful Montessori Education that promotes academic growth and prepares children to engage their life as active citizens with values and leadership.

We are committed to guiding children with the joy of learning for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarten in the Village of Mount Prospect.

The prepared environment promotes activities for the areas of practical life, sensorial, language, math, music and science. Our students have the opportunity to find out just who they are, on their own timetable, in a child-centered environment where their individuality is cherished.

Location and Contact

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White Oak School

Ages: 2-8 years

Description

We at White Oak are greatly concerned with your child’s welfare. We strive toward helping your child in their physical, emotional, mental, and intellectual development. Our program is planned to develop a creative mind as well as gross and fine motor skills. These goals will be achieved through the use of easel and finger painting, clay, crayons, chalk, scissors, stories, singing, dancing, rhythm, basic exercises, and free and creative play.

Location and Contact

Quick facts about White Oak School and Day Care: 

  • Since 1960, family owned and operated  
  • Open daily year round Ages 2-8; Nursery School; Before and After School Care  
  • State subsidized payment plans accepted  
  • Half acre location within a residential area  
  • Large outdoor play area with age and developmentally appropriate equipment  
  • State licensed with fully qualified and CPR/First Aid trained staff  
  • Out of school field trips  
  • Nutritionally balanced meals and snacks prepared on-site in our fully equipped kitchen 
  • Developmentally appropriate curriculum designed and implemented to reach the needs of every child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth within a consistently staffed environment

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Mount Prospect Child Care Center

Ages: 15 months-5 years

Description

Our Vision: To become the leading early childhood center of choice for young children, providing family-friendly service, direction, and collaborative liaisons for a diverse community.

Location and Contact

Our Mission: To support quality early childhood education and related services, while striving to empower young children through family-friendly support and education. 
 
We endeavor to fulfill that mission each day and year by:   

  • Providing resources and information to teachers, families, and the community regarding early childhood issues.   
  • Forming meaningful collaborations with teachers, families, community, and other interested agencies.   
  • Becoming advocates for our young children and their families. 

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St. Emily School

Ages: 3-4 years

Description

Pre-Kindergarten is your child’s introduction to formalized learning.  As such, St. Emily’s 3 and 4 year old Pre-Kindergarten provides a faith-based, engaging and nurturing environment in which your child can comfortably explore, wonder, question and investigate the world.  Our program provides the opportunity for your child to develop spiritually, emotionally, academically, and physically.  Emphasis is placed on early social skills, interaction with peers, sharing, being a good friend, cooperation and taking turns.

Location and Contact

A typical full day focuses on academics in the morning and a more relaxed schedule in the afternoon. For instance, the morning will always consist of prayer and then any combination of calendar, weather, jobs, table toys, art projects, water-table, coloring and cutting, songs and finger-play, books, colors, shapes, numbers, journaling, letters, phonics skills, handwriting instruction, and a snack. After lunch there is a rest time and then another snack with time to play games, finish up morning work, and outdoor play.  Computers, Spanish and physical education are also incorporated into the program.  

We hold sacred the lives entrusted to us and pledge to foster an environment consistently conductive to the development of a positive self image in each child. 

Tuition and fees are competitive and allow us to hire a professional faculty and staff who will get to know your child on an individual basis and provide an excellent and fun learning environment.

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Community Presbyterian PDO

Ages: 1-4 years

Description

Community Presbyterian Church’s Parents Day Out (PDO) programs are dedicated to providing children with a safe and loving environment. Our goals are to help your child grow socially, creatively, and academically through the use of centers, group and independent play, music and crafts. Teachers provide a stimulating, enjoyable, and caring environment and work with each child and their parents to nurture their growth and development. We offer four-hour classes with our school year programs as well summer camp programs for children ages one through five.

Location and Contact

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Kindercare

Ages: 6 weeks-6 years

Description

From curriculum to teachers, our approach to early education inspires a love for learning. We offer a warm, safe, and nurturing environment designed to develop your child’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. It’s our mission from the moment you walk into our center that you feel welcomed and a part of our KinderCare family! 

Bussing available to Westbrook Elementary School.

Location and Contact

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Bright Horizons 

Ages: 6 weeks-6 years

Description

We’ve been a proud community member since 1987 and we recognize how important new beginnings are in your child’s development. That’s why our highly trained teachers focus on stimulating curriculum that engages children with hands-on materials each day. We have gardening boxes so your little one can discover how plants grow, a reading nook to spark a love of books, and wonderful outdoor learning and play areas so they can interact and connect with the outdoors. We offer flexible enrollment options and a convenient location by Golf and Elmhurst Roads, Hunt Club on The Lake, and the Redemption Bible Church. Come visit us today!

Location and Contact

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