Free Resource: Working Parent Checklist
We created this comprehensive checklist to help working parents navigate preschool selection and make the transition smoother.
What's Inside: Everything you need to evaluate preschools and prepare for enrollment:
20 essential questions to ask on any preschool tour
How to evaluate teacher credentials and turnover rates
Red flags to watch for in "working parent friendly" claims
Transition tips for the first two weeks
How to maintain work-life balance during the adjustment period
What to pack for daily drop-off (printable list)
How to use Tadpoles app effectively
Take a Virtual Tour
Programs
Take a Virtual Tour
See our Lincoln Park classrooms and what makes our school so special
Take a Virtual Tour
Explore our Logan Square classrooms and what makes us so special in Logan Square
A Day in Our Infant Room
While each baby follows their own rhythm, here's what a typical day might look like. All activities are gentle and responsive to each infant's needs.
7:30 – 9:00 AM
Arrival & Morning Care
Gentle greetings, diaper changes, bottle/feeding as needed. Teachers share information with parents during drop-off.
9:00 – 11:00 AM
Play & Exploration
Tummy time, sensory baskets, mirrors, music, and movement. Older infants engage in floor play with age-appropriate toys. Bottles and naps as needed.
11:00 – 12:30 PM
Afternoon Rest & Play
Nap time following each baby's schedule. Wake to gentle sensory activities, books, songs, and one-on-one interaction with caregivers
12:30 – 3:00 PM
Lunch & Rest
Bottle/feeding time. Introduction to solid foods for babies developmentally ready. Quiet time with lullabies and soothing activities.
3:00 – 6:00 PM
Late Afternoon
Afternoon bottles/snacks as needed. Calm play activities. Weather permitting, stroller walks around the neighborhood. Preparation for pickup with detailed daily reports via Tadpoles.
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Our Leadership
About
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Stephanie Interview
Why Our Teachers Choose to Stay at FYC
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7:30 – 9:15 AM
Arrival & Center Opens
Greetings, breakfast for early arrivals. Children choose from blocks, art, dramatic play, books, puzzles. Teachers connect with families during drop-off.
9:15 - 9:45 AM
Potty/Diapers/Snack
Bathroom breaks with help for independence and hygiene. Clean diaper changes with close care and supervision. Students eat together, practice social skills and independence.
9:45 -11:00 AM
Circle Time and Learning Centers
Extended play at learning centers. Teachers rotate through small groups for focused literacy, math, science, or art activities. Children work on ongoing projects.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Outdoor Exploration
Park walks, playground time, nature observation, gross motor play. Running, climbing, collecting leaves, drawing with chalk, playing group games.
12:00 - 12:45 PM
Lunch & Conversation
Family-style lunch with teachers. Practicing independence, manners, and conversation. Discussing favorites, asking questions, building vocabulary.
12:45 – 2:45 PM
Quiet Time & Rest
Stories, calm music, dim lights. Most children rest quietly on cots. Non-nappers do quiet activities—books, puzzles, drawing. Teachers prepare afternoon learning.
2:45 – 3:30 PM
Wake Up/Story Time/Snack
Afternoon snack together. Interactive read-aloud with discussion, predictions, and connections to children's experiences.
3:30 – 4:30 PM
Outdoor Exploration/Gross Motor
Park walks, playground time, nature observation, gross motor play. Running, climbing, collecting leaves, drawing with chalk, playing group games.
4:30-6:00 PM
Pickup & Reflection
Calmer activities as class size shrinks. Reflecting on the day together. Teachers share highlights with families. Daily summaries via Tadpoles.
7:30 – 8:30 AM
Arrival & Independent Work
Morning greetings, breakfast. Children engage in sustained independent activities—reading, writing in journals, continuing projects from previous days.
8:30-9:00 AM
Morning Meeting
Group time with calendar math, weather graphing, daily schedule review, sharing time. Building community, practicing presentation skills, and starting the day together.
9:00-10:30 AM
Literacy & Math Workshop
Small group instruction rotating through reading, writing, and math activities. Individualized skill-building while others engage in related center work. Differentiated by ability.
10:30-11:30 AM
Outdoor Exploration & Science
Nature walks with scientific observation, park experiments, gross motor challenges, collaborative outdoor games. Connecting learning to the natural world.
11:30 AM-12:15 PM
Lunch & Social Skills
Family-style lunch with conversation practice. Learning table manners, taking responsibility for cleanup, engaging in complex discussions with peers and teachers.
12:15 – 1:30 PM
Quiet Time & Rest
Read-alouds, quiet individual reading, rest for those who need it. Non-nappers engage in sustained quiet activities—puzzles, drawing, writing.
1:30 – 2:00 PM
Snack & Read-Aloud
Afternoon snack with chapter book read-aloud. Building listening comprehension, vocabulary, and love of longer narratives.
2:00 – 4:00 PM
Project Work & Choice Time
Extended time for complex projects—building cities, creating plays, art installations, science experiments. Children plan, execute, document, and present their work.
4:00 – 6:00 PM
Second Outdoor Time & Pickup
Weather permitting, second outdoor session. Calmer activities as friends leave. Reflection on learning. Daily summaries sent to families via Tadpoles.
7:30 – 8:30 AM
Arrival & Morning Play
Warm greetings, breakfast for early arrivals. Free play at centers—blocks, books, puzzles, dramatic play. Teachers observe interests and engage one-on-one.
8:30-9:00 AM
Morning Meeting
Circle time with songs, movement, books, and calendar. Children practice sitting together, taking turns sharing, and building community.
9:00-10:30 AM
Active Learning & Small Groups
Sensory tables, art projects, building challenges, dramatic play. Teachers rotate through small group activities while others explore independently.
10:30-11:30 AM
Outdoor Exploration
Park walks, playground time, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, nature observation. Gross motor development through climbing, running, jumping.
11:30 AM-12:00 PM
Lunch & Self-Help Skills
Family-style lunch with teachers. Practicing utensil use, pouring, serving themselves, cleaning up. Conversation and manners.
12:00 – 2:00 PM
Rest Time
Stories, lullabies, dim lights. Most toddlers nap; non-nappers have quiet activities like books and puzzles. Teachers prepare afternoon activities.
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Wake Up & Snack
Gentle wake-up with soft music. Afternoon snack, potty breaks, transition back to active play.
3:00 – 5:00 PM
Afternoon Exploration
Second outdoor time weather permitting. Art, music, building, dramatic play. Teachers document learning, send Tadpoles updates.
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Pickup & Family Connection
Calmer activities as friends are picked up. Teachers share highlights of the day with families. Daily summaries sent via Tadpoles.