2024-2025 School Year Programs
Our programs feature low teacher-to-student ratios and bright, lively classrooms. You can read more about each program below and pictures of our beautiful classroom learning spaces. All program ages are based off the September 1st cutoff. The order that children work through our programs from youngest to oldest is Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten, then Kindergarten.
We offer two or three day, part time Preschool and Pre- Kindergarten sessions. Each session is 2.5 hours in the morning or afternoon on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday or Tuesday and Thursday.
We will be offering a brand new program in the 2024-2025 school year! We will be introducing a 5-day Junior Kindergarten program that will operate in combination with our 5-day Kindergarten, known as our JK & K program! The class will now be for children ages 4 to 6 years old. This program is perfect to help prepare our students for longer school days in elementary school while also getting to experience the unique and wonderful program we offer.
Information for this year or next year, including tuition rates, is available upon inquiry. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about our school, or would like to set up a tour, contact the school director Danielle Bell, by calling 708-361-8933 or emailing FarmandNature@TheCenterPalos.org.
Our Preschool Program
Ages: 3 – 4 Years (3 prior to September 1st)
3 Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays
2 Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Morning Session: 9:00-11:30 AM
Afternoon Session: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Preschool is a wonderful introductory program to a learning environment. Our preschoolers spend their first year getting used to a school setting, routine, expectations, and schedules. We focus on social and emotional development and help foster healthy relationships with peers. We also focus heavily on self-help skills and independence.
Preschoolers also participate in developmentally appropriate activities that reach toward Illinois State Standards for 3-4 year old children, setting them up to transition to our Pre-Kindergarten program the following year. They are introduced to letter and sound recognition through the Jolly Phonics Program. Teachers plan developmentally appropriate activities that promote learning math, science, cognitive, and motor skills appropriate for this age group.
Our Pre-Kindergarten Program
Ages: 4 – 5 years (4 Prior to September 1st)
3 Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays
2 Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays
Morning Sessions: 9:15 – 11:45 AM
Afternoon Sessions: 1:00 – 3:30 PM
Our Pre-Kindergarten program designed for 4 & 5 year old children. The goal of our pre-k program is to still focus a majority of our attention on social and emotional development while also introducing more academic curriculum that reaches toward Illinois State Standards, setting students up for success in the Kindergarten program. Pre-K students are introduced to phonics and writing through the Jolly Phonics Program. Our teachers plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities that reach toward developmental milestones in mathematics, science, social studies, and more.
Our Junior Kindergarten & Kindergarten Program`
Ages: 4-6 years (4 or 5 prior to September 1st)
Monday – Friday
Half Day: 8:45 – 12:00 PM
Full Day: 8:45 AM – 1:45 PM
Our JK & K program is perfect for helping to prepare our students for longer school days in elementary school while also getting to experience the unique and wonderful program we offer. Students in this program still get to explore learning through play while also being introduced to a rich academic curriculum. They will explore milestones in the Kindergarten Early Learning Standards set forth by ISBE. They will explore early literacy through Jolly Phonics and the Wonders program. They will also learn math through the Everyday Mathematics program. Our JK & K students still have developmental learning stations in their class that promote learning through play such as dramatic play, blocks, manipulatives, and science.
Ready to register right now? Head over to our Registration Information page to get started. Still have some questions? You can fill out an inquiry form on our Information and Tour Request page and visit our FAQ page.