FAQ
We know choosing a preschool means you have questions—lots of them. We've answered the most common ones below, organized by topic to help you find what you're looking for quickly.
We serve children from 6 weeks through 5 years across four age-based programs:
Infant Program (6 weeks – 15 months): flexible feeding/sleeping, sensory exploration, developmental milestones support, daily report through tadpoles
Toddler Program (15 months – 2 years): language development, active learning, independence building
Preschool Program (2 – 3 years): potty training support, play-based curriculum, early literacy/math, friendship development, creative expression
Pre-K Program (3 – 5 years): kindergarten preparation, reading/writing foundations, scientific inquiry, executive function skills
All programs are available at both Lincoln Park and Logan Square locations with 2-day, 3-day, or 5-day scheduling options.
Play-based learning means we follow where children's curiosity leads. When a three-year-old asks why leaves change color, we don't pull out a worksheet—we go outside and collect leaves, sort them by color, wonder together, read books about trees, and paint with what we found. A week later, that child understands seasons not because we told them to memorize facts, but because they discovered it through their own questions.
Young children are wired to learn through touching, building, creating, and experimenting. A toddler doesn't learn "more" and "less" from flashcards—they learn it by pouring water between cups or dividing crackers with friends. Our teachers create environments full of interesting materials, then pay close attention to what captures each child's interest and extend that thinking through questions, additional materials, and new experiences.
The result? Children who love learning because learning feels joyful. Academic skills develop naturally, but more importantly, children develop curiosity, creativity, persistence, and confidence—the qualities that matter most for school and life success.
Absolutely. Our Pre-K graduates enter kindergarten with strong early literacy foundations, emerging writing abilities, a solid understanding of math concepts, and—most importantly—the executive function skills, confidence, and love of learning that set them up for long-term success.
Kindergarten teachers consistently report that our graduates are among their most prepared students, not just academically but socially and emotionally. We teach reading, writing, and math through meaningful hands-on activities rather than worksheets. Children learn phonics through games and songs, practice writing by authoring their own books, and explore math through cooking and building.
Research shows that play-based programs produce stronger kindergarten readiness than academic preschools. By focusing on curiosity, problem-solving, collaboration, and self-regulation alongside academic skills, we prepare children who are truly ready for the challenges and joys of elementary school.
At FYC, we don’t just meet state requirements, we exceed them. Our classrooms are intentionally overstaffed with consistent lead teachers, assistant teachers, and floating teachers to provide additional support, supervision, and individualized attention for every child. Low ratios mean teachers can truly know each child—their interests, temperament, developmental stage, and needs. DCFS ratios are listed below and are always maintained.
Infants (6 weeks – 15 months): 1:4 ratio
Toddlers (15 months – 2 years): 1:5 ratio
Preschool (2 – 3 years): 1:8 ratio
Pre-K (3 – 5 years): 1:10 ratio
Working parents tell us the Tadpoles app is their favorite feature. It transforms the workday from worry to connection—you're not wondering what your child is doing, you're watching them thrive in real time.
Photo & Video Updates
You'll receive photos and short videos. See your child's smile during circle time, watch them building with blocks, catch them being silly with friends.
Detailed Daily Logs
For infants and toddlers, every feeding, every diaper change, every nap is logged. Perfect for breastfeeding moms tracking supply or parents monitoring eating patterns.
Teacher Notes
Teachers share observations about your child's day: what they enjoyed, who they played with, what they're working on, any challenges navigated.
Milestone Celebrations
First words, first steps, new friendships, artistic creations are noted in our app and detailed in our twice yearly evaluations. Even when you're at work, you're part of every achievement.
Lunch: We provide catered lunch daily from Beyond Green Catering—nutritious, balanced meals that include vegetarian options and accommodate most dietary restrictions. Sample menu items include pasta with vegetables, chicken and rice, quesadillas, and fresh fruit.
Snacks: Morning, afternoon, and evening snacks are provided—typically fresh fruit, crackers, cheese, yogurt, or vegetables.
Dietary Accommodations: We work with families to accommodate allergies, vegetarian/vegan diets, and, cultural/religious restrictions. Let us know during enrollment and we'll coordinate with our caterer.
Infants: Parents provide formula/breast milk and any purees or first foods. We follow your feeding schedule and instructions exactly.
Schedule Your Tour
Schedule tours at both locations to see which neighborhood feels right for your family. Most families know within minutes which location is "theirs." Come meet our teachers and explore our spaces.