We accept children starting at 2 years of age. Our daycare program serves children ages 2 to 3, our preschool program is designed for ages 3 to 4, and our kindergarten program prepares children ages 5 to 6 for elementary school and gifted program acceptance. We do not offer programming for children younger than 2 years old.
We are all three, structured as a continuum. Families with toddlers aged 18 months and older enroll in our daycare program. As children grow, they transition into our preschool classrooms and, when ready, into our kindergarten-readiness program. Families do not need to change schools as their child develops. The environment, the staff, and the expectations grow with them.
Our day runs from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Children arrive and settle in with free play, then share breakfast and a morning circle with songs, the calendar, and the day’s theme. Mid-morning is curriculum time – small-group lessons in literacy, math, science, and art from our gifted curriculum – followed by outdoor play. After a freshly cooked lunch, younger children rest while kindergartners continue with advanced learning activities. Afternoons bring enrichment such as music, dance, STEM, Brain Gym, or Polish and Ukrainian language activities, plus an afternoon meal before pickup. The exact rhythm is adapted to each age group.
Yes. Our program operates on a full-day schedule designed for working families. Full-day enrollment also produces stronger developmental outcomes than part-time attendance, particularly for kindergarten readiness. Children who spend consistent full days in a structured environment build the stamina and habits that formal schooling requires.
English is our primary language of instruction, because our goal is to prepare children to continue their education in American schools. We are not a dual-language immersion program, but we do offer Polish and Ukrainian language support: most of our teachers speak Polish, structured Polish language classes are held every Friday, and Ukrainian-speaking teachers lead language activities for Ukrainian-speaking children.
No. English is the language of instruction for all children, so no knowledge of Polish or Ukrainian is needed. Children of every language background are welcome.
Yes. Maintaining and developing a child’s native language is important to us. Most of our teachers speak Polish, so children from Polish-speaking homes can always be understood in their own language, and Ukrainian-speaking teachers provide language activities for Ukrainian-speaking children. Families are welcome to discuss their specific language situation with our director before or during enrollment.
Many of our children speak another language at home. Because most of our teachers speak Polish and some speak Ukrainian, children from those families can be supported in their own language while they build English through songs, stories, play, and daily routines – preparing them to continue their education in American schools.
Our preschool and pre-K curriculum is structured around the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards, which align directly with what Chicago Public Schools and most private kindergartens assess on entry. Beyond academic content, we focus on the behavioral and social habits that kindergarten teachers depend on: sustained attention in a group, following multi-step directions, managing transitions without distress, and engaging productively with peers. These are practiced daily, not introduced in the weeks before school begins.
We maintain small group sizes deliberately. Smaller groups allow teachers to observe each child closely, adjust instruction based on what they actually see, and give individual attention that larger classrooms cannot provide. Our staff-to-child ratios are maintained below Illinois DCFS minimums across all age groups. Families are welcome to ask about current ratios for specific age groups when they visit.
For most children, yes. Full-day enrollment means more consistent routine exposure, more time for peer interaction practice, and more structured learning across the day. Children who move to full-day participation before age 5 consistently show stronger self-regulation, social confidence, and academic readiness at kindergarten entry. Part-time enrollment is a reasonable starting point for younger children, but the transition to full-day before kindergarten produces measurably better outcomes.
We are located at 6100 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646. The center sits along the Milwaukee Avenue corridor on Chicago’s Northwest Side, accessible from Norwood Park, Jefferson Park, Gladstone Park, Edison Park, and Portage Park. Families from Niles, Park Ridge, Skokie, Harwood Heights, Norridge, Edgebrook, and Sauganash also attend based on commute routes.
Our center is a short drive from Norwood Park, located along Milwaukee Avenue, which serves as a main artery through the Northwest Side. Many Norwood Park families find the route convenient as part of a morning commute. We encourage families to map the drive from their specific address to confirm fit before scheduling a tour.
We do. Families from Niles, Park Ridge, and Skokie currently enroll at our center. The Milwaukee Avenue corridor provides a practical connection from these communities into Chicago’s 60646 ZIP code. We recommend that families from these areas confirm the drive time fits their daily routine before committing to enrollment. We aim to serve families for whom our location is genuinely practical, not just possible on a map.
Our primary enrollment area includes: Norwood Park, Jefferson Park, Gladstone Park, Edison Park, and Portage Park. We also regularly serve families from Sauganash, Edgebrook, Harwood Heights, Norridge, Niles, Park Ridge, and Skokie. If you are unsure whether our location works for your family’s routine, we are happy to discuss it before you schedule a tour.
Call us at 773-206-4627, fill out our contact form, or schedule a tour to visit in person.
Yes. Three freshly prepared meals are provided on site each day: breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. Meals are included in the program structure. Families with dietary restrictions or food allergy concerns should discuss those directly with our director at the time of enrollment so we can confirm how we are able to accommodate your child.
Yes. Fantasy Island Schools for Kids operates under an active license issued by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (License #483511). Our facility, staff credentials, health and safety practices, and staff-to-child ratios are subject to regular inspection. Families may request documentation at any time.
We suggest asking every program you consider the following: Is the center currently licensed by Illinois DCFS? What are the staff-to-child ratios by age group, and how do they compare to state minimums? What credentials do lead teachers hold? How is progress communicated to parents? Can we observe a classroom while children are present? A program that answers these questions clearly and confidently is more likely to deliver what it promises. One that redirects or generalizes is worth investigating further.
