Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Our centers are licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) under 89 Ill. Admin. Code, Part 407. Each location holds its own individual license, and we undergo regular DCFS inspections to ensure we meet all health, safety, and staffing standards.

We follow (and in many classrooms exceed) Illinois’s required ratios: - Infants (6 weeks–14 months): 1:4 - Toddlers (15–23 months): 1:5 - Two-year-olds: 1:8 - Three-year-olds: 1:10 - Four-year-olds: 1:10 - Preschool (five-year-olds): 1:20

Low ratios mean your child gets more individual attention, faster response to needs, and a safer environment overall.

We serve children ages six weeks through six years in full-time care and preschool programs, plus before- and after-school enrichment for kindergarten through 6th grade.

We welcome and encourage tours. Seeing the classrooms, meeting the teachers, and asking questions in person is the best way to feel confident in your choice — just contact your nearest location (Yorkville, Huntley, Plainfield, or Elburn) to schedule one.

Illinois requires a completed health/physical exam form, current immunization records, a copy of your child’s birth certificate, and a complete enrollment packet with emergency contacts and an Authorized Pick-Up form. We’ll walk you through every form.

Yes. Illinois requires all childcare staff to pass FBI and Illinois State Police fingerprint checks, plus checks against the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) and the sex offender registry — before they ever work with children.

Illinois requires lead teachers to have a minimum of 60 semester hours of college coursework (including hours in early childhood education), and directors must meet additional education and experience requirements. Our teachers are trained and certified, and every classroom has staff certified in pediatric CPR and First Aid.

All of our locations have a secured front entrance, and each parent is issued an individual code to enter the building and sign their child in — so access is controlled and tracked from the moment someone walks in. Children are only released to people listed on the child’s Authorized Pick-Up form, and anyone picking up must show government-issued photo ID — even grandparents or family friends need advance written authorization if they’re not already on the form.

Every classroom has a staff member certified in pediatric CPR and First Aid. We’ll notify you immediately for any injury or illness, and in a severe accident or emergency, we’ll call an ambulance right away and notify you as soon as the situation is stable. We also run regular fire and emergency evacuation drills with the children.

A child is considered “sick” and can’t attend if they have a fever over 101°F, diarrhea or vomiting, or are too lethargic to participate in daily activities. If your child becomes sick at school, we’ll call you for pickup, and they need to be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning. If a contagious illness is detected in a classroom, we post a notice within 24 hours, and an affected child may only return with written physician authorization. It’s worth knowing that increased illness exposure in the first year or two of group care is common and often means fewer illnesses later in elementary school, as your child’s immune system builds early defenses.

Parents notify the Director of any allergies and complete a Food Allergy Emergency Action Plan and Treatment Authorization form. Any documented allergy tied to a scheduled meal gets an appropriate alternative automatically.

Yes, with the right paperwork. Medication must be in its original container — prescriptions need the full pharmacy label, and over-the-counter medication needs a legible manufacturer label and is only given per those instructions. OTC medication for children under two requires written physician authorization. A completed Medical Authorization form is required, and the Director or Director Designee verifies both the form and the medication before anything is dispensed.

Tuition varies by location and by your child’s age, so please contact your nearest center — Yorkville, Huntley, Plainfield, or Elburn — directly for current rates. We do not charge a registration fee.

Yes — we accept CCAP and all forms of government childcare assistance. CCAP is Illinois’s state subsidy program for eligible working families, administered through DCFS, and can significantly offset your weekly childcare costs. Note: families using childcare assistance are not eligible for our vacation tuition credit.

Many families can claim the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for licensed childcare expenses. We’re happy to provide your annual tax statement each January — but we always recommend confirming your specific eligibility with a tax professional.

Yes — families with multiple children enrolled receive 10% off tuition for the oldest child.

Tuition is due on or before Monday each week, regardless of attendance (unless a vacation credit is used). A 10% late fee accrues automatically every Tuesday if tuition isn’t paid in full, and we offer automatic payment by credit or debit card to help you avoid that. All payments are non-refundable.

Yes — after 12 consecutive months of full-time care (5 days/week), each family earns one week of tuition-free vacation per year of attendance. The week must be taken in full and expires after 12 months if unused.

Daily schedules vary by classroom and age group, from infant routines built around each baby’s individual needs to more structured toddler and preschool days with group activities, meals, and lessons. Illinois requires at least two occasions of age-appropriate outdoor or active play daily and limits passive screen time, both of which are built into every classroom’s routine.

Our trained and certified teachers combine each child’s individual interests with a structured, theme-based curriculum covering art, dramatic play, literacy, math, music, nature, and science. Preschoolers are introduced to reading and math starting at age three, and our before/after-school program supports homework and group learning for K–6th graders.

Yes — Illinois state standards require daily outdoor and active play, and we build movement and fresh air into every day, weather permitting.

Yes, for every age group except infants — breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack, following a monthly menu that meets state and federal nutrition guidelines. Parents provide formula, breast milk, and baby food for infants. Any outside food brought in (including birthday treats) must be nut-free.

Toddlers and preschoolers nap for two hours daily, with individually assigned cots and sheets washed weekly. Infants and toddlers are directly supervised by staff at all times, including during naps. Children are welcome to bring a labeled stuffed animal and blanket for naptime.

We use positive redirection first — gently guiding a child’s attention elsewhere when misbehavior starts. Time-outs are used when appropriate, capped at one minute per year of the child’s age, and you’ll always be told at pickup if one was used. If behavior issues continue, we loop in parents for a two-week behavior support plan, with a follow-up meeting to check progress.

Smart watches must stay in “school mode” (no messaging, calls, games, or notifications) and phones/tablets must be silenced and kept in backpacks during the day. If you need to reach your child, just call the office directly and we’ll pass along the message.

We use an electronic communication app that sends a detailed daily report with classroom notes, photos, and school news, and you’re always welcome to contact the office to speak with your child’s teacher directly.

Separation anxiety is completely normal, especially between 6–18 months, and it typically fades within the first couple of weeks. We recommend a short, confident goodbye routine, bringing a comfort item from home, and trusting that our teachers are experienced in helping children settle in.

Yes — we have an open door policy, so parents are welcome to visit at any time. You’ll also receive daily updates with photos and notes through our communication app, and you can always call the office to check in.

It varies by age, but teachers and administrators always work closely with families to make sure each child’s move to a new classroom goes smoothly and successfully, at a pace that’s right for them.

We’re open Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

We’re closed for New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and President’s Day (staff in-service). We close early at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. If a holiday falls on a weekend, it’s observed the nearest weekday.

We offer part-time enrollment for families attending four full days or less per week, with fixed days set at enrollment. Note that part-time tuition is a flat weekly rate regardless of actual attendance, and part-time days can’t be swapped or made up if a child misses a scheduled day.

We close promptly at 6:00 p.m. If you know you’ll be late, please call the center as soon as possible. A late fee of $1.00 per minute applies after 6:00 p.m. If we can’t reach a parent within 30 minutes, we’ll contact emergency contacts; after 45 minutes with no contact, we’re required to notify local police and/or DCFS. Your child is always cared for calmly and never made to feel at fault.

We just need written notice at least two weeks before your child’s last day. Tuition (including any late fees) continues to accrue until we receive that written notice, and all payments remain non-refundable.

Illinois childcare enrollment tends to peak in late summer and fall as families prepare for the new school year, so we recommend reaching out as early as possible — especially for infant spots, which fill fastest due to strict 1:4 ratios.

Yes — with locations in Yorkville, Huntley, Plainfield, and Elburn, we can often accommodate families who relocate or need a closer option, subject to availability at each site.

Yes, throughout the year. Parents are notified in advance and must sign a permission slip; a fee covers transportation and other costs, and we sometimes ask for parent chaperone volunteers. Transportation is by bus, though parents may drive to meet the group at the destination.

Not for our toddler room — but yes, full potty training is required before moving up to our preschool classroom.

Yes. We require a Food Allergy Emergency Action Plan on file, provide safe meal alternatives, and require all outside food (including birthday treats) to be nut-free.

We open at 6:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.

Only people listed on your child’s Authorized Pick-Up form, and they’ll need a government-issued photo ID at pickup — even for family members not already on the list.

A $1.00-per-minute late fee applies after our 6:00 p.m. close. Just call ahead if you know you’ll be late.

Every location has a secured front entrance, and each parent gets their own individual code to enter the building and sign their child in

— plus children are only released to authorized individuals with photo ID.

Look for state licensing, low staff-to-child ratios (Illinois requires 1:4 for infants), background-checked staff, and a caregiver who develops a routine matched to your baby’s needs at home — all things we build our infant program around.