Play, explore, create, and grow with us here.
A fully licensed day care and after school program in Bloomingdale, serving children since 1982.
How we see children
We use the Creative Curriculum because it starts with what children already do: play. It is a play-based approach built around interest areas, so a child who loves blocks finds blocks, and a child who loves paint finds paint. Teachers use those interests to build confidence and creative thinking. The goal is not to hurry children along. It is to let them lead with their curiosity while a teacher plans next steps.
Walk into a room and you see interest areas: blocks, books, art, pretend play. Teachers follow what children are drawn to instead of steering them. Small groups gather around a project. A teacher kneels to a child's eye level and asks what they notice. Materials sit within reach, so children choose and return them. Creativity shows up in the child and the teacher both.
Every teacher here is fully background checked and fingerprinted, holds certification in First Aid and CPR, and attends annual training. The center is fully licensed by the state. The 5500+ square foot facility holds seven individual classrooms, two fenced-in playgrounds, and a 5000-square-foot play area and auditorium. If you want details on any standard, please ask.
What you notice in practice
Teachers kneel to a child's eye level and wait for an answer. They follow the child's interest rather than a script, so a sudden fascination with wheels becomes counting, sorting, and talk. Small groups let a teacher notice who is ready for more and who needs a quieter start.
Rooms are set up in interest areas with materials a child can reach and put back. The day moves in a steady rhythm: play, tidy, gather, eat, rest, go outside. Transitions come with a warning and a song, so no one is surprised. Longer stretches of play sit between the routines.
How we work with families
At pickup, you hear what your child did that day, not just that they were fine. A teacher might mention a block tower that finally stood or a book your child asked for twice. Have a question about naps, meals, or a bump on the knee? Ask at the door or call during the day. Staff answer as soon as they can step away from the room.
The first weeks are gradual. You and your child visit, then stay a little longer each time, until goodbye feels ordinary. Teachers learn your child's cues, and you tell them what helps at home. Ask about the schedule that fits your family. You can also ask what to pack and what to leave home.
