Fantasy Island Schools for Kids is an English-language daycare in Chicago with Polish-speaking teachers and Polish and Ukrainian language support. Located at 6100 N Milwaukee Ave in the Norwood Park area, our daycare serves families who want their children to keep their home language while preparing for American schools – without sacrificing academic rigor or quality of care.
For Polish-speaking families in Chicago, finding childcare that honors their language and culture while preparing children for American schools can be a challenge. At Fantasy Island Schools for Kids, English is the primary language of instruction – because our goal is to prepare children to continue their education in American schools – and Polish is part of everyday life too.
Most of our teachers speak Polish, so children from Polish-speaking homes can always be understood and comforted in their own language. Structured Polish language classes are held every Friday, and children learn Polish songs and rhymes throughout the year. Ukrainian-speaking teachers also provide language activities for Ukrainian-speaking children, helping them continue developing their native language.
Our youngest learners are welcomed into a warm, homelike environment where they build trust, routine, and early communication skills. Experienced caregivers guide children in English, and Polish- and Ukrainian-speaking teachers help children from those families feel at home in their own language. Activities include songs, stories, sensory play, and structured social interaction – all designed to nurture confidence and curiosity.
Our preschool program builds on the daycare foundation with a gifted curriculum covering literacy, math, science, social studies, and art. Children engage in hands-on, experiential learning with enrichment classes in music, dance, and cultural studies. English-language academics prepare children for kindergarten, while weekly Polish classes and Ukrainian language activities keep their home languages growing.
Our kindergarten program prepares children for acceptance into gifted programs at local schools – and an overwhelming majority of our graduates achieve exactly that. The curriculum focuses on academic readiness, critical thinking, and social-emotional growth, taught in English with Polish and Ukrainian language support. Children leave Fantasy Island confident, capable, and ready to thrive in elementary school.
Polish and Ukrainian Language Support – English is our primary language of instruction. Most of our teachers speak Polish, structured Polish classes are held every Friday, and Ukrainian-speaking teachers lead language activities for Ukrainian-speaking children.
Gifted Curriculum – Our activity-focused, experiential curriculum goes beyond standard daycare programming. We incubate future leaders across the arts, sciences, and mathematics, and our results speak for themselves – the majority of our kindergarten graduates are accepted into gifted programs.
Three Meals Cooked On-Site – We prepare three nutritious, locally sourced meals fresh every day at no additional cost. Many of our recipes draw on Polish culinary traditions, giving children a taste of home alongside balanced nutrition.
Small Class Sizes – Low student-to-teacher ratios mean every child receives individualized attention. Our teachers know each child by name, by personality, and by learning style.
Licensed and Trusted – Fantasy Island Schools for Kids is a state-licensed daycare center in Illinois (License #483511) with a 4.8-star rating on Google and a 100% recommendation rate on Facebook.
Chicago is home to one of the largest Polish communities outside of Poland, and families in neighborhoods like Norwood Park, Edison Park, Gladstone Park, Jefferson Park, and Sauganash often seek childcare that reflects their heritage. Fantasy Island Schools for Kids is proud to be part of this community.
Our Polish daycare in Chicago is more than a place where children learn the language – it is a place where Polish traditions, holidays, and values are celebrated alongside American culture. Children participate in cultural events, learn Polish songs and rhymes, and develop a genuine connection to their family heritage.
Families of every background are welcome. English is the language of instruction for all children, so no prior knowledge of Polish is needed.
7:00 AM – Arrival and Free Play – Children settle in with self-directed activities and greet friends and teachers.
Morning Circle Time – Group learning through songs, calendar, weather, and language activities in both languages.
Curriculum Block – Guided instruction in literacy, math, science, or art following our gifted curriculum.
Freshly Cooked Lunch – A nutritious meal prepared on-site by our kitchen staff.
Outdoor Play – Physical activity on our large playground – running, climbing, and cooperative games.
Enrichment Activities – Music, dance, art, STEM, or cultural programs, or Polish and Ukrainian language activities.
Afternoon Snack and Quiet Time – Rest for younger children, extended learning for older groups.
Pickup (until 6:00 PM) – Parents receive updates on their child’s day and progress.
Not at all. English is our primary language of instruction, and children of all language backgrounds are welcome.
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. All teachers hold Early Childhood Education certifications.
Yes. Three freshly prepared meals are cooked on-site every day at no extra cost.
Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We offer both full-time and part-time spots.
6100 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646 – in the Norwood Park area, minutes from Edison Park, Gladstone Park, Jefferson Park, and Niles.
Call us at 773-206-4627 or fill out our contact form.
Too many toddlers spend their daycare day mostly eating, getting changed and playing alone while teachers are stretched thin. Here your 2 year old spends the day with ECE-certified teachers in a small class, singing, moving and learning new words, then stay with us through preschool and kindergarten in the same building. Learn more about daycare for 2 year olds.
For approximately $300 to $400 a week, full-time daycare here covers your whole workday from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, three home-cooked meals, weekly music class, Brain Gym and our Gifted Enrichment Program. We also accept CCAP. Your 2 or 3 year old spends those hours with ECE-certified teachers in a small class, so a long day is a full one. Learn more about full-time daycare.
Warm food made that morning in our own kitchen: three locally sourced meals every day, included in tuition at no extra cost for full-time and part-time children alike. You never pack a lunchbox again, and parents single out the food in their reviews, calling it all natural and cooked fresh three times a day. Learn more about daycare with meals included.
Choosing part-time days means choosing which parts of our week your 2 or 3 year old shares: Brain Gym twice a week, weekly music class, and structured Polish class every Friday. On every day they attend, your child gets the full English-language day and three home-cooked meals, so a shorter week never feels like a lesser one. Learn more about part-time daycare.
The daycare years are often when a home language either stays strong or quietly fades. Here your 2 or 3 year old learns in English to get ready for American schools, while most teachers speak Polish and structured Polish class runs every Friday. Your child does not need to speak Polish to join. Learn more about polish daycare.
On a typical day your 2 or 3 year old hears English through songs, stories and play, while Ukrainian-speaking teachers lead language activities in Ukrainian for Ukrainian-speaking children. Staff are trained in trauma-informed care, which matters for families who have recently arrived, and we accept CCAP for families who qualify. Learn more about ukrainian-speaking daycare.
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 Polish daycare in Chicago is about more than language – it is about finding a place where your child feels at home, is challenged to grow, and is prepared for the future. We invite you to visit Fantasy Island Schools for Kids and see the difference for yourself.
Explore our facility and classrooms, read what our families say about us, or contact us today to schedule your visit.
