Looking for a kindergarten, preschool, or daycare near Jefferson Park? Fantasy Island Schools for Kids is just north along Milwaukee Avenue at 6100 N Milwaukee Ave. Our English-language program serves children ages 2 to 6 with a gifted curriculum, small classes, three meals cooked on-site every day, and Polish and Ukrainian language support – and has since 2009.
Jefferson Park is the Northwest Side’s transportation hub. The Jefferson Park Transit Center connects the CTA Blue Line, the Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line, and many bus routes, and the Kennedy Expressway runs right through. The neighborhood is also home to the Copernicus Center, a landmark of Chicago’s Polish community.
For parents who spend part of the day in transit, our location on Milwaukee Avenue – and our hours from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday – make drop-off and pickup straightforward.
Jefferson Park is a Chicago community area a short drive southeast of our school, along the same Milwaukee Avenue. These are the places families from the area talk about when they visit.
The Blue Line, the Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line, and many CTA and Pace buses meet at Milwaukee and Lawrence. Our school is about 2 miles northwest of the Transit Center on Milwaukee Avenue.
The Copernicus Center and the shops on Lawrence Avenue reflect the area’s Polish heritage. Most of our teachers speak Polish, and we hold structured Polish classes every Friday.
Families who use the park’s playground and programs on Long Avenue tell us they like that our day also includes outdoor play, music, and Brain Gym.
Gladstone Park is part of the Jefferson Park community area, right between the Transit Center and our school. See our Gladstone Park page for that neighborhood.
Parents who work in the shops and offices along Milwaukee Avenue can reach us in a few minutes and pick up by 6:00 PM.
Jefferson Park borders Portage Park to the south and Norwood Park to the northwest, and we enroll families from both.
Our daycare program helps two- and three-year-olds feel safe and capable in their first classroom. Through play, music, stories, and hands-on discovery, certified teachers nurture language and social skills. Full-time and part-time care are available, and three freshly cooked meals are part of every day.
In preschool, Jefferson Park children ages 3 and 4 dive into our gifted curriculum: phonics and early writing, counting and shapes, science experiments, community and culture, and plenty of art. Small classes and enrichment – music, dance, STEM, and Brain Gym – keep every child engaged.
Our kindergarten has one clear goal for Jefferson Park families: children who are ready for whatever comes next, whether a neighborhood CPS school or a selective or gifted program through GoCPS. The curriculum is rigorous yet fun, and an overwhelming majority of our graduates are accepted into gifted programs.
The reasons parents from Jefferson Park give most often:
We believe children can succeed in English without losing the language of home. Instruction is in English; Polish lessons happen every Friday with our Polish-speaking teachers, and Ukrainian-speaking staff keep Ukrainian alive for children who speak it.
Our experiential, collaborative curriculum covers literacy, math, science, social studies, and the arts at an advanced pace. It works: an overwhelming majority of our kindergarten graduates are accepted into gifted programs.
Healthy eating is part of learning here. Three freshly cooked, locally sourced meals are served daily and included in tuition.
Small groups give teachers time to know every child well. All teachers hold Early Childhood Education certifications, and all staff are First Aid and CPR certified.
Our center holds Illinois day care license #483511. Families give us 4.8 stars on Google and 100% recommend us on Facebook. Read parent reviews.
Brain Gym twice a week. Our founder Beata Bielic, a certified Brain Gym instructor, leads short, playful movement sessions that build focus, balance, and coordination. Weekly music classes with a qualified music teacher are included too, and we accept families in the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), including through Illinois Action for Children.
7:00 AM – The doors open and children ease in with free play.
Breakfast – The first of three meals cooked on-site.
Morning Circle – The day’s plan, songs, and stories.
Focused Learning – Literacy, math, science, and art at each child’s level.
Outdoor Play – Games and exploration outside.
Lunch, Then Quiet Time – Rest for the youngest, challenge work for kindergartners.
Enrichment Hour – Music, movement, STEM, and Polish or Ukrainian activities.
Late Afternoon – Afternoon meal, play, and pickup until 6:00 PM.
Our school is at 6100 N Milwaukee Ave, about 2 miles northwest of the Jefferson Park Transit Center.
Step by step:
Coming by transit? Pace route 270 runs northwest on Milwaukee Avenue from the Jefferson Park Transit Center – check current schedules at pacebus.com.
Most drive north on Milwaukee Avenue – we are at 6100 N Milwaukee Ave, a few minutes from Jefferson Park. Transit commuters can connect from the Jefferson Park Transit Center.
Yes. Our kindergarten-readiness curriculum is designed for that, and an overwhelming majority of our graduates are accepted into gifted programs.
Children ages 2 to 6: daycare for ages 2-3, preschool for ages 3-4, and kindergarten for ages 5-6. We do not enroll children under 2.
Lessons are taught in English. Children from Polish- and Ukrainian-speaking homes receive language support – weekly Friday Polish classes and activities with Ukrainian-speaking teachers.
Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We are closed on weekends.
Yes – three freshly prepared meals a day, made in our kitchen, at no extra cost.
Yes. We offer full-time and part-time schedules. Contact us to check availability for your child’s age group.
Yes. CCAP families are welcome, including those receiving assistance through Illinois Action for Children.
Call 773-206-4627 or send us a message to schedule a tour.
Tuition is approximately $300-$400 per week, depending on the program and schedule. It includes three meals cooked on-site, music, Brain Gym, and our Gifted Enrichment Program. We also accept CCAP.
Yes. We are an Illinois state-licensed day care center (License #483511). All of our teachers hold Early Childhood Education certifications, and all staff are First Aid and CPR certified.
No. We enroll children ages 2 to 6 only: daycare for ages 2-3, preschool for ages 3-4, and kindergarten for ages 5-6.
Fantasy Island Schools for Kids has a 4.8-star rating on Google. Here is what some parents wrote.
“We love this place and most importantly, our 3 year old absolutely loves being there! Absolutely loving and caring ladies! Could not ask for a better place for our daughter!”
Gregory P., Google review, 2020
“This place is amazing. My daughter has been going here for about 2 years and she loves it! She learns so much and the staff are phenomenal. I always trust that my child is well taken care of. Top notch!”
Michelle M., Google review, 2020
“Both my kids (2 and 5 years old) transitioned here from a home daycare and couldn't be happier with our decision. They provide excellent care and both enjoy coming here every day. The staff and owner are very caring and attentive.”
Jenifer A., Google review, 2020
Tuition is approximately $300-$400 per week, depending on the program and schedule. It includes three meals cooked on-site every day, music, Brain Gym, and our Gifted Enrichment Program. We accept families in the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). See Tuition & CCAP for details, or schedule a tour to talk about your child’s schedule.
Leave your phone number and your child’s age. We will call you to pick a time to visit our classrooms at 6100 N Milwaukee Ave. Prefer to talk now? Call 773-206-4627.
Choosing a kindergarten or preschool near Jefferson Park is easier after you have seen our classrooms and playground and met our teachers.
Call 773-206-4627 or contact us online to book a tour, or read what families say about us.
