Q: “What are your hours of operation?”
A: We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. We have a staff lunch break from 12:00 PM to 12:50 PM.
Q: “Are you open all year round?”
A: We operate on a “school year” calendar from September to May, following district 118’s seasonal breaks and most bank holidays. The first days of school are the Wednesday and Thursday after Labor Day, ending the Thursday and Friday prior to Memorial Day.
Q: “Do you offer full day care?”
A: The only program that offers 5 day care for 5 hours a day is our full day Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten class which operates from 8:45 AM – 1:45 PM, Monday through Friday. In an effort to offer as many spots to as many families as we can, all other sessions are part time.
Q: “Can we join your program if we are not Christian? How is religion integrated into your program?”
A: Absolutely! We encourage families of all backgrounds and faiths to join our school. We do not focus our curriculum on teaching from the bible or about our religion, but focus our curriculum on Christian values of kindness, love, community, friendship, and gentleness while also appreciating the natural world that God has created for us. We do sing Johnny Appleseed prior to snack, along with a fingerplay about our gratefulness for the world God has created around us. We acknowledge and celebrate all Christian holidays in our school. We also love to explore other cultures and celebrations from around the world to teach appreciation of how diverse and beautiful other communities around the world are.
Q: “What ages are you licensed for?”
A: We are licensed through DCFS for children 3 years old through 6 years old.
Q: “What programs do you offer?”
A: We offer Preschool, Pre-kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten programs. Ages for each program are based on the September 1st cutoff set forth by the Illinois Board of Education. Preschool is for children who turn 3 prior to September 1st. Pre-Kindergarten is for children who turn 4 prior to September 1st. Our Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten class is for children turning 4 or 5 prior to September 1st.
Q: “What are the different session times?”
A: Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten sessions are 2.5 hours long. Morning preschool sessions are from 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM. Morning Pre-Kindergarten sessions run from 9:15 AM – 11:45 AM. All afternoon sessions run from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM. Our half day JK/Kindergarten program runs from 8:45 AM – 12:00 PM and full day runs from 8:45 AM – 1:45 PM.
Q: “How many classrooms do you have?”
A: We have 5 classrooms in our school. Classrooms 1 through 4 are for preschool and pre-kindergarten. The Great Hall is for our Junior Kindergarten/Kindergarten program.
Q: “What are your ratios and group sizes?”
A: We follow DCFS teacher to child ratios as written in the Rules 407. Three and four year old ratios are 1 teacher to 10 children. Five and six year old ratios are 1 teacher to 20 children. Our classroom group sizes are based off of square footage per child in each room, which is determined by our DCFS representative and reflected on our license. Classroom one is licensed for 20 children. Classroom 2 and 3 are licensed for 14 children. Classroom 4 is licensed for 10 children. Our Great Hall classroom is licensed for 20 children.
Q: “Do you spend all day outside?”
A: We try to get outside every single day, weather permitting. This means in rain or shine, as long as conditions are safe and the students are comfortable! Our goal is to spend at least an hour outside each day, but as much as possible when we can. It is also our goal to spend no more that 1 hour inside during each session.
Q: “What type of curriculum do you use?”
A: Our curriculum style is inspired by Creative Curriculum with a mixture of child and teacher led activities that surround a play based philosophy. Nature based curriculum is intertwined throughout our planned activities and classrooms. We also have elements of emergent curriculum, as some of our lessons are based around the children’s interest in the moment. Our curriculum style doesn’t just check one box, but rather uses a blend of different curriculum styles to best fit the students interests, the unique program we offer, and our school’s philosophy as a whole.
Q: “Do you allow screen time?”
A: Any screen time is going to be limited to no more that 15-20 minutes and is always educational based to help supplement a lesson. Parents are notified prior to any special screen time that will last longer than that, such as a movie day, so they may opt their child out. Screen time is never used during snack time, as this is an important time for children to converse and develop communication and social skills. We also will occasionally do brain breaks with short, age appropriate videos that encourage gross motor movement or mindfulness exercises such as yoga or meditation.
Q: “Do you interact with the animals every day?”
A: While we do not interact with the animals every day, we do try to get up there often when the barn is not too busy with tours, camps, or open barn.
Q: “How strict are you on the “fully potty trained” policy? What if my child has an accident? What if they need help still?”
A: Our school is not licensed for the changing of diapers or pull-ups, so all of our students are required to be in underwear. If they have an accident at school, we will change them if they have extra clothes in their bag. If they do not, we will have to call to have them picked up. If your child still needs help with pulling pants up or down, or help wiping, we can assist if needed.
Q: “Do you accept religious or medical exemptions for vaccinations?”
A: All DCFS licensed schools are legally required to allow any medical or religious vaccinations per the Child Care Act of 1969 unless they have a waiver of that law. So in short, yes we do allow religious and medical exemption. However, as a private 501 (c) (3) school and program, we do highly recommend and hope that all of our students be fully vaccinated per the CDC timeline as we do have immunocompromised students, teachers, and family members at and associated with our school that we hope to do our best to protect from any infections or disease that can be avoided by vaccinations. If you would like to join our program and are religiously or medically exempt from vaccinating your child, we would still need a letter of exemption and a complete physical signed by a licensed physician.
According to the DCFS Rules 407 for the licensing of child care centers, section 407.310, the following is required for any religious and/or medical exemptions: “In accordance with the Child Care Act, a parent may request that immunizations, physical examinations and/or medical treatment be waived on religious grounds. A request for waiver shall be in writing, signed by the parent or parents, and kept in the child’s record. 8) Exceptions made for children who should not be subject to immunizations or tuberculin tests for medical reasons shall be indicated by the physician on the child’s medical form. 9) Day care centers shall maintain an accurate list of all children enrolled in the center who are not immunized, as required by Illinois Department of Public Health rules (77 Ill. Adm. Code 695.40, List of Non-Immunized Child Care
Q: “What qualifications do your teachers have?”
A: Any qualification our teachers have meet at least the minimum of the DCFS requirements for their job title. All teachers have a minimum of at least one year of experience working with children in an education or childcare setting. All teachers are over 19 years of age and have their high school diploma or equivalent.
Lead Teacher Qualifications:
- 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university with 6 semester or 9 quarter hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development from birth to age six OR
- One year (1560 clock hours) of child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center and 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of credits from an accredited college or university with 6 semester or 9 quarter hours of courses related directory to child care and/or child development from birth to age six; OR
- Completion of credentialing programs approved by DCFS.
Q: “What does the registration and enrollment process look like?”
A: The registration and enrollment process is all online. Registration is completed through our “Registration Information” page on our website. Registration is a one time $150 non-refundable fee to hold your child’s spot. Once you register, you will need to complete the enrollment paperwork and pay the first and last month’s tuition prior to your child starting. Enrollment requirements include a state issued birth certificate and a recent DCFS medical report.
Q: “When does registration open to the public for the beginning of the school year?”
A: Registration for the start of school in the Fall happens in 3 stages starting in January of the same year. The first state is private registration for all current families. Second stage is a private, priority registration for new families who are committed to starting with us in the Fall. The third stage is registration going public online and any one is free to register. This usually happens in the beginning of February. The best time to get up-to-date information for the next school year is in early December of the year prior. (For example: if you would like your child to join in Fall of 2025, send us an email to inquire in December of 2024.)
Q: “Do you accept mid-year enrollments?”
A: We do! A popular time for mid-year enrollment is right after our Winter break which usually is the second week in January. All mid-year enrollments are based on available space in your desired session.
Q: “How much is your tuition? Do you cooperate with any tuition assistance programs?”
A: A tuition sheet can be provided upon inquiry which lists all prices for all programs. Our tuition is priced per month. It is common practice for private centers to raise tuition 3-5% annually, so our tuition changes each year. Tuition is also based around commentative pricing for centers in the area, taking into account the type of environment we provide and demand from the community for spots. Our school does not operate with any tuition assistance programs.
Q: “Do you give sibling tuition discounts?”
A: We give a 5% sibling discount on the lower of the tuitions.
Q: “What are your tuition payment options?”
A: You have several options! You can pay online via credit or debit card through a private link sent on the 15th of the month prior. You can also call in a payment to the front office using your credit or debit card. You can pay cash or check at the front office located in The Lodge. You may also send a cash or check in a marked envelope in your child’s backpack. You also have the option of paying the full annual tuition in cash or check and receive a 3% discount.
Q: “What is the difference between Junior Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten?”
A: Pre-Kindergarten is for part time, half day students and is only for 4-5 year old children. Junior Kindergarten is 5 days a week with the option of full or half day sessions. Junior Kindergarten is also combined with our Kindergarteners, so it is a mixed class of 4-6 year old children.
The main difference in curriculum would be that the Junior Kindergarteners would have some exposure to the Everyday Mathematics and Wonders early literacy programs. They would also have some exposure to kindergarten curriculum but everything will be scaffolded to each individual child’s needs and abilities.
In the pre-kindergarten, 2.5 hour, 2 or 3 day program, kiddos will have exposure to the same style of play based, creative curriculum but with developmental milestones strictly for 4-5 year olds rather than being exposed and exploring the kindergarten milestones. Another difference is that pre-k students will have exposure to the Jolly Phonics program with early literacy and writing skills integrated into the program rather than the Wonders program.