Looking for a daycare or preschool in Norwood Park? Fantasy Island Schools for Kids is an English-language daycare, preschool, and kindergarten for children ages 2 to 6, located at 6100 N Milwaukee Ave on the eastern edge of Norwood Park. Since 2009, Northwest Side families have trusted us with the years that matter most – with a gifted curriculum, small classes, three meals cooked on-site every day, and Polish and Ukrainian language support for children who speak those languages at home.
Norwood Park is one of Chicago’s most residential, family-oriented neighborhoods – tree-lined streets, single-family homes, and a small-town feel anchored by landmarks like the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House, the oldest house in the city. It is also a commuter neighborhood: many parents ride the Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line from the Norwood Park station on Northwest Highway or drive the Kennedy Expressway to work.
That is why our hours match a full workday – Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Our school sits on the Milwaukee Avenue corridor, so drop-off and pickup fit naturally into a Norwood Park morning and evening routine, without crossing the city.
Fantasy Island Schools for Kids is in the Norwood Park area, on Milwaukee Avenue. These are the neighborhood places families tell us about when they visit.
The Union Pacific Northwest Line station at 6088 N Northwest Hwy opened in 1907 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Parents who commute downtown can drop off from 7:00 AM, and pickup stays open until 6:00 PM.
At 5624 N Newark Ave, this 1833 house is a Chicago Landmark and is widely considered the oldest building in Chicago. It now holds the Norwood Park Historical Society Museum, a good weekend outing after a week of hands-on, experiential learning with us.
The Chicago Park District park at 5801 N Natoma Ave has a fieldhouse built in 1928, a dog park, and the only outdoor pool on the North Side with a water slide, per the Park District. Weekends here pair well with our full-day program, open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM on weekdays.
Bounded by Harlem, Bryn Mawr, and Avondale Avenues, this National Register district is known for Queen Anne and Tudor Revival homes. Its center is about 0.9 mile from our school in a straight line, so the drive is short.
A parade has run through Norwood Park every Memorial Day since 1922, according to Wikipedia. It is the kind of neighborhood tradition children ages 2 to 6 grow up around. Our teachers all hold Early Childhood Education certifications, and we are open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Oriole Park, at 5430 N Olcott Ave, covers about 19.5 acres with playgrounds, an interactive spray pool, and a fieldhouse. It is a favorite for families of children in our daycare age group, ages 2 to 3, who like to burn off energy before a nap.
Our daycare program gives toddlers a warm, predictable first experience of school. Certified early childhood teachers guide children through play-based learning, songs, stories, and hands-on activities that build language, independence, and social skills. Full-time and part-time schedules are available, and three freshly cooked meals are included in tuition – no packed lunches needed.
In our preschool, curiosity becomes structured learning. Our gifted curriculum covers early literacy, math, science, social studies, and art through experiential, multi-sensory lessons. Small class sizes mean every child gets individual attention, and enrichment – music, dance, art, STEM, and Brain Gym – is part of every week, included in tuition.
Our kindergarten is rigorous yet fun, with one clear goal: preparing children to thrive in American schools. Whether your child will continue at a neighborhood CPS school or apply to selective and gifted programs through GoCPS, our kindergarten-readiness curriculum builds the reading, math, focus, and confidence those next steps require. An overwhelming majority of our kindergarten graduates are accepted into gifted programs.
Norwood Park parents tend to know exactly what they want: a safe, licensed program with qualified teachers, real academic preparation, and a place where their child feels at home. Here is what sets Fantasy Island apart.
English is our primary language of instruction, because our goal is to prepare children for American schools. At the same time, we help children keep their home language: 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.
Our activity-focused curriculum combines experiential and collaborative learning across literacy, math, science, and the arts. It prepares children for more than kindergarten readiness – an overwhelming majority of our graduates are accepted into gifted programs.
Three nutritious meals are freshly prepared in our on-site kitchen every day from locally sourced ingredients – included in tuition at no extra cost. Parents skip the packed lunches, and children build healthy eating habits together at the table.
Small class sizes let our teachers know each child’s personality and learning style. All teachers hold Early Childhood Education certifications, and all staff are First Aid and CPR certified and complete ongoing training in child development, health and safety, and trauma-informed care.
Fantasy Island Schools for Kids is an Illinois state-licensed day care center (License #483511), serving Northwest Side families since 2009. Parents rate us 4.8 stars on Google, and 100% of Facebook reviewers recommend us. Read what our families say.
Brain Gym and music, every week. Twice a week, our founder Beata Bielic – a certified Brain Gym instructor – leads short, playful movement sessions that build focus, coordination, balance, and learning readiness. Weekly music classes with a qualified music teacher support creativity and self-expression. Both are included in tuition. We also accept families participating in the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), including families receiving assistance through Illinois Action for Children.
7:00 AM – Arrival and Free Play – Children settle in with self-directed activities while parents head to the Metra or the Kennedy.
Breakfast – A warm breakfast prepared in our on-site kitchen.
Morning Circle – Songs, calendar, weather, and conversation that build vocabulary and listening skills.
Curriculum Block – Guided lessons in literacy, math, science, or art, following our gifted curriculum and weekly themes.
Outdoor Play – Running, climbing, and cooperative games on our outdoor playground.
Lunch and Rest – A freshly cooked lunch, then quiet time for younger children and advanced learning activities for kindergartners.
Enrichment – Music, dance, STEM projects, Brain Gym, and Polish or Ukrainian language activities.
Afternoon Meal and Pickup (until 6:00 PM) – Parents hear about their child’s day before heading home to Norwood Park.
Our school is at 6100 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, in the Norwood Park area. From the Noble-Seymour-Crippen House it is about 0.9 mile in a straight line, to the northeast, and the drive is a little longer.
Step by step:
The CTA 68 bus runs along Northwest Highway past the Norwood Park Metra station; use the CTA Trip Planner for the best way from your stop to Milwaukee Avenue. Driving times change with traffic, and we are open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
We are at 6100 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646, on the Milwaukee Avenue corridor at the eastern edge of Norwood Park – a short drive from most Norwood Park homes.
Children ages 2 to 6, in daycare (ages 2-3), preschool (ages 3-4), and kindergarten (ages 5-6). We do not accept children under 2 years old.
English is our primary language of instruction. We offer Polish and Ukrainian language support: most teachers speak Polish, Polish language classes are held every Friday, and Ukrainian-speaking teachers lead activities for Ukrainian-speaking children.
Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We are closed on weekends.
Yes. Three nutritious meals are cooked on-site every day from locally sourced ingredients, at no extra cost.
Yes. We offer both full-time and part-time schedules. Contact us to check current availability for your child’s age group.
Yes. We accept families participating in the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), including families receiving assistance through Illinois Action for Children.
Our kindergarten-readiness curriculum is designed for exactly that. An overwhelming majority of our kindergarten graduates are accepted into gifted programs.
Call us at 773-206-4627 or send us a message and we will arrange a visit at a time that works for your family.
Yes. The Norwood Park station on the Union Pacific Northwest Line is at 6088 N Northwest Hwy, and our school at 6100 N Milwaukee Ave is a short drive from it. We are open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, so many commuting parents drop off in the morning and pick up after work. Check the Metra schedule for current train times.
We enroll families from Norwood Park, Edison Park, Jefferson Park, Park Ridge, and Niles, and children come from other Northwest Side neighborhoods too. We offer daycare for ages 2 to 3, preschool for ages 3 to 4, and kindergarten for ages 5 to 6.
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.
We are at 6100 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646. The driving map on this page shows the exact route from your area, and we are open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
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.
The best way to choose a daycare or preschool near Norwood Park is to see it in person. Visit Fantasy Island Schools for Kids, walk through our classrooms and playground, meet our teachers, and ask every question on your list.
Call 773-206-4627 or contact us online to book your visit. Have more questions first? Visit our FAQ page.
