We accept children starting at 18 months of age. Our toddler program runs from 18 months through age 3, our preschool program serves children ages 3 through 5, and our kindergarten-readiness program is designed for children approaching school age. We do not offer programming for children younger than 18 months.
This question is answered first and stated plainly to eliminate any ambiguity about the minimum enrollment age.
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.
The school day follows a consistent, predictable sequence: morning arrival and circle time, structured learning blocks, outdoor play, on-site prepared meals, rest, and an afternoon activity period. The structure is intentional. Young children orient themselves through routine, and consistency across the day supports both learning and behavior.
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.
Yes. Our program is dual-language, meaning two languages are integrated throughout the full school day rather than confined to a single class period. Children encounter both languages during circle time, meals, guided activities, outdoor play, and transitions. This approach reflects how young children acquire language most effectively: through sustained, naturalistic exposure across varied daily contexts.
No. Children with no prior exposure to the second language develop proficiency alongside their peers through daily immersion. Language acquisition at this age is social and environmental, not instructional. Most children begin using vocabulary from both languages within a few weeks and move toward fuller expression as the year progresses.
Yes. Our multilingual environment acknowledges and reinforces the language children bring from home. Children from bilingual households benefit from having their home language present in the school setting. That continuity supports both identity and cognitive development. Families are welcome to discuss their specific language situation with our director before or during enrollment.
Research on early language development identifies the years before age five as the most effective window for acquiring a second language. Children who receive consistent dual-language exposure during preschool develop stronger phonological awareness, broader vocabulary, and greater cognitive flexibility than peers who begin language study later. These advantages carry into kindergarten and beyond. Waiting until elementary school to introduce a second language is not wrong, but it is less effective.
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.
Enrollment begins with a scheduled tour of our center. Tours take place while the program is in session, which gives families the opportunity to observe how the school operates day to day. Following the tour, we review available openings for the relevant age group and discuss next steps. Required documentation includes health records and immunization records per Illinois licensing requirements.
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. Our facility, staff credentials, health and safety practices, and staff-to-child ratios are subject to regular external inspection. Families may request documentation of our current license and most recent inspection record 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.
