Fresh 3's Fridays
Start when your child turns 3
Friday · 8:30–11:30 AM
Ages 3 through kindergarten · Morning programs
Preschool near East Peoria.
First friendships, purposeful play and teachers who know your child. Find us in Morton, then picture a Spark morning in your family's week.
Spark Academy · In Morton, Illinois
1989 N Morton AveMorton, IL 61550 Get directions from your address →
- Our Campus
- 1989 N Morton AveMorton, IL 61550 · Welcoming East Peoria families in Tazewell County
- Preschool Hours
- 8:30–11:30 AMFresh 3's Fridays, 3's Preschool & 4's Preschool
- K-Prep & Kindergarten
- 8:00 AM–12:00 PMKindergarten Prep & Private Kindergarten · 5:1 ratio
East Peoria Starting Points
Start with your side of East Peoria.
The Levee District and the ICC campus are different starting points. Fondulac District Library and ICC's East Peoria campus make useful references for a first look at the drive to Morton.
Levee District Reference
Levee District
Fondulac District Library400 Richland Street, East Peoria, IL 61611
Directions from Levee District →
ICC Campus Reference
ICC area
Illinois Central College · East Peoria campus1 College Drive, East Peoria, IL 61635
Directions from ICC area →Check the trip at school time.
If your morning includes work or a class at ICC, check school-to-work as well as home-to-school. A preschool morning ends at 11:30 AM; Prep and Kindergarten finish at noon. Plan who can make that return trip.
In Google Maps, use your own starting address and choose a weekday arrival time where available. Traffic and construction can change the estimate.
- Preschool
- 8:30–11:30 AM
- Kindergarten Prep & Kindergarten
- 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Core Morning Programs
A morning that fits your child.
Start with their age, then choose the days. Each program page has the full details and schedule options.
Compare all programs →3's Preschool
Start when your child turns 3
Mon/Wed or Tue/Thu · 8:30–11:30 AM
Combine classes for two, three or five mornings, subject to availability.
4's Preschool
Age 4 by the first day of school
Tue/Thu, Mon/Wed/Fri or Mon–Fri · 8:30–11:30 AM
Kindergarten Prep
Age 5 by November 30
Tue/Thu, Mon/Wed/Fri or Mon–Fri · 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Kindergarten
Age 5 by September 30
Mon–Fri · 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Children must be fully potty trained before starting. These are morning school programs without full-day or extended care. We'll confirm available days and a start date with you.
5:1 Student-to-Teacher Ratio
Make the visit about your child.
Watch how a teacher joins their play, helps them try again and makes room for a new friendship. With a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, your child has someone close by.
Founded and led by Dr. Michelle Peterson, Ed.D., Spark brings her doctoral research in early childhood education into everyday learning. Ask to see the Developmental Playroom and how purposeful play works.
Tours take about 30 minutes. Bring your child. We'll follow up on your request to arrange a time, with no pressure to enroll.
East Peoria Families FAQ
Before you visit from East Peoria.
Answers on our Morton campus address, fitting preschool around work or ICC schedules, rolling age-3 starts, and morning hours.
Where would my child attend from East Peoria?
All of Spark's core programs meet at 1989 N Morton Ave in Morton. The East Peoria landmarks on this page are starting points for directions, not additional school locations.
Can preschool fit around my East Peoria work or college schedule?
Compare both drop-off and pickup with your commitments. Preschool meets 8:30–11:30 AM; Kindergarten Prep and Kindergarten meet 8:00 AM–12:00 PM. You can ask us about available attendance days before choosing a program, but these are morning school programs without full-day or extended care.
Can my child start after turning three during the school year?
Yes. Fresh 3’s Fridays and 3’s Preschool both welcome children when they turn three, including during the school year. Children must be fully potty trained before starting. We’ll confirm openings and a start date with you.
Does Spark offer full-day daycare?
Spark is a play-based preschool with morning programs. Fresh 3’s Fridays, 3’s Preschool and 4’s Preschool run 8:30–11:30 AM. Kindergarten Prep and Kindergarten run 8:00 AM–12:00 PM. These programs do not provide a full day of child care.
Is tuition assistance available?
Yes! Spark Academy accepts the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) for all core programs. CCAP helps eligible Illinois families with qualifying child care expenses. Contact us to learn more about using CCAP at Spark Academy.
Can we visit before choosing a program?
Absolutely. A tour takes about 30 minutes, and your child is welcome. Meet the team, explore the classrooms and talk through age, schedule and readiness. You can explore this school year or plan for next year, with no pressure to enroll. We’ll follow up on your tour request to arrange a time.
Ask Us Anything
What would you like to know?
Ask about start dates, schedules, morning commute timing, or your child's first school experience. You don't need to be ready for a tour.
Tap a topic to start your question:
Dr. Michelle Peterson will reply personally by email. She responds on weekdays, usually the same day.
Your information is private. We'll only use it to answer your question. Privacy Policy
Visit Spark Academy
Come picture your child here.
Meet the teachers, explore the classrooms, and tell us about your child.
✓ About 30 minutes
✓ Bring your child
✓ No pressure to enroll
Prefer to call? 309-291-3292 We may be in the classroom — leave a message. We return calls on weekdays, usually the same day.
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Request a tour.
Share your name and a way to reach you. We'll follow up to arrange a time for your family.
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See their day. Talk it through.
Explore the classrooms, meet the team, and talk about the program, schedule, and start date that fit.
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Get ready for their first day.
When you're ready, we'll guide you through enrollment and help your child feel at home.