The years between ages 3 and 4 are when children transform from curious toddlers into confident, capable learners. At Fantasy Island Schools for Kids, our preschool in Chicago is built around that transformation – providing an English-language, gifted curriculum with Polish and Ukrainian language support, that turns everyday curiosity into real academic readiness. An overwhelming majority of our students go on to complete our kindergarten program and earn acceptance into gifted programs at local elementary schools. That journey starts here, in preschool.
Our preschool in Chicago is not a holding space between daycare and kindergarten. It is a structured academic program designed to develop the whole child – intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. Here is what that looks like in practice.
Children develop early reading and writing skills through phonics, storytelling, vocabulary building, and guided reading activities. Literacy instruction happens in English, preparing children for American schools, while weekly Polish classes help children from Polish-speaking homes keep building their first language. By the end of the preschool year, children recognize letters, form words, and begin reading simple texts.
Preschoolers explore numbers, patterns, shapes, measurement, and basic problem-solving through hands-on activities and guided play. Our approach makes abstract math concepts tangible – children count real objects, sort by real categories, and discover patterns in the world around them. This foundation prepares them for the more advanced numeracy work they will encounter in kindergarten.
Children are natural scientists – they observe, question, test, and discover. Our preschool curriculum channels that instinct through structured exploration of topics like weather, seasons, plants, animals, and basic physics. Sensory play, simple experiments, and outdoor observation are built into the weekly schedule, giving children hands-on experience with the scientific method before they even know what to call it.
Creativity is not an extra at Fantasy Island – it is a core part of how children learn and grow. Our preschoolers participate in enrichment classes in visual art, music, and dance as part of the regular program. These activities develop fine motor skills, self-expression, spatial awareness, and the confidence to share ideas with others.
Learning to share, take turns, resolve conflicts, express feelings, and work as part of a group – these skills are just as important as academics at the preschool level. Our small class sizes and experienced teachers create an environment where children practice these skills every day through structured interaction, collaborative projects, and guided reflection.
Our preschool in Chicago teaches in English, because our goal is to prepare children to continue their education in American schools. At the same time, maintaining and developing a child’s native language matters. Most of our teachers speak Polish, structured Polish language classes are held every Friday, and Ukrainian-speaking teachers provide language activities for Ukrainian-speaking children.
For Polish- and Ukrainian-speaking families, this means children build full English readiness for kindergarten while staying connected to the language they speak at home. For English-speaking families, it means a strong English-language academic program in a warm, multicultural community.
Our preschool in Chicago is the middle step in a complete early childhood program that begins at age 2 and ends with kindergarten graduation. The results of this progressive approach speak for themselves – an overwhelming majority of our kindergarten graduates are accepted into gifted programs at Chicago-area elementary schools. That level of achievement starts with the academic habits, thinking skills, and confidence built during the preschool years.
A nurturing, multilingual introduction to structured learning through play, songs, stories, and sensory exploration.
The program you are reading about now – academic preparation covering literacy, math, science, art, and social-emotional growth.
Full academic preparation for gifted program acceptance and elementary school success. Learn more about our kindergarten program.
Our preschool is designed for children ages 3 to 4. Children typically enter preschool after completing our daycare program, but we also accept preschool-age children who are new to Fantasy Island.
English is our primary language of instruction. We also offer Polish and Ukrainian language support: most of our teachers speak Polish, structured Polish classes are held every Friday, and Ukrainian-speaking teachers lead language activities for Ukrainian-speaking children.
No. English is our primary language of instruction, so children do not need to know Polish. Polish classes and Ukrainian language activities support children who speak those languages at home.
We maintain small class sizes with low student-to-teacher ratios to ensure individualized attention. Contact us for current ratios by age group.
Yes. Three freshly prepared meals daily at no additional cost.
Yes. We offer both full-time and part-time options. Availability varies by age group.
Call us at 773-206-4627, fill out our contact form, or schedule a tour. We recommend visiting while classes are in session so you can observe our program firsthand.
See our preschool in Chicago in action. We invite you to visit Fantasy Island Schools for Kids, walk through our classrooms and playground, meet our teachers, and discover how our curriculum prepares children for kindergarten and beyond.
Read what our families say about us or contact us today to book your visit.
