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4's Preschool · Morton, Illinois

Preschool for 4‑year‑olds in Morton, IL

Bigger questions. Growing independence.
A year for building, wondering, and working things out together. Purposeful play helps your four-year-old grow in confidence for kindergarten and beyond.

Explore their preschool morning See mornings & tuition
8:30⁠–⁠11:30 AM Two, Three, or Five Mornings 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio January 2027 · 5 Mon/Wed/Fri & 1 Tue/Th places available
Children observing growing plants together during a STEM activity at Spark Academy
Looking closer. Finding something new, together. 4's Preschool
For your child
Age 4 by the first dayFully potty trained before starting
Their morning
8:30⁠–⁠11:30 AMTwo, three, or five mornings
Monthly tuition
$350–$600All-inclusive · Supplies & daily snack

5:1 Student-to-Teacher Ratio

Ideas worth exploring together.

At four, the questions get bigger and the projects more ambitious. Your child has room to follow an idea, work with a friend, and discover what they can do.

  • Growing minds. Early reading, number sense, and problem-solving woven into play.
  • Growing friendships. Listen, share ideas, and create something together.
  • Growth you can see. A 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, individual learning goals, and ongoing conversations about your child.
See how purposeful play builds learning →
Small discoveries, bigger questions Seedlings in a wooden observation tray, a magnifying glass and a handful of geometric pieces invite looking closely, noticing and asking why.
Small Class · 10–12 Children

Two, three, or five mornings: choose Tuesday/Thursday, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, or Monday–Friday to fit your child's stamina and your family's schedule.

8:30 ⁠–⁠ 11:30 AM Rhythm

A familiar rhythm. New discoveries.

Three hours of purposeful play, with challenges that grow alongside your child.

Morning Hours 8:30 ⁠–⁠ 11:30 AM
Class Cap & Ratio 10–12 · 5:1 Ratio
Academic Play
90 minutes
Stories, numbers, and collaborative challenges, guided by their teachers.
Developmental Playroom
30 minutes
A changing monthly world for bigger ideas and imaginative teamwork.
Daily Enrichment
30 minutes
Language, science, art, communication, and movement, shaped for four-year-olds.
Outdoor Play
15 minutes
Fresh air and room to move.
Snack & Bathroom Break
15 minutes
A shared snack and everyday independence.
Which enrichment happens on our days?

Monday: Spanish. Tuesday: STEM. Wednesday: Art. Thursday: Communication. Friday: Music & Movement. Your child enjoys the subjects offered on their attendance days.

Flexible Schedules

Their days. Your choice.

Every option includes the full Purposeful Play program. Choose the rhythm that fits your child and your family.

Curriculum, enrichment, school supplies, art materials, and daily snacks. No supply lists or mid-year costs.

Enrichment Rotation by Attendance Days

Tue / Thu 2 Mornings STEM & Comm.
Mon / Wed / Fri 3 Mornings Spanish, Art & Music
Mon – Fri 5 Mornings All 5 Enrichments

All options: 8:30⁠–⁠11:30 AM

Two morningsTuesday / Thursday Jan 2027: 1 place available
$350 / mo
Three morningsMonday / Wednesday / Friday Jan 2027: 5 places available
$450 / mo
Five morningsMonday–Friday Ask about January availability
$600 / mo

January 2027 Tour: Tap a schedule to pre-fill your visit request

Request a tour · Mon/Wed/Fri Request a tour · Tue/Th
  • Billed over 10 months, alongside the public school year.
  • One $100 non-refundable deposit per child. It is additional to tuition, not credited toward it.
  • For a midmonth start, tuition is prorated for the scheduled days from your child's first day.

Financial Assistance Available Spark Academy proudly accepts Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) funding for all core programs. Eligible families may qualify for assistance with preschool costs. Learn More About CCAP

Start with a visit to Spark →

Common Questions

A few questions, answered.

Straightforward details on choosing two, three, or five mornings, kindergarten readiness, and how Purposeful Play prepares four-year-olds.

What is the age requirement for the 4's program?
Children must be four years old by their first day of school and must be fully potty trained.
How do I choose the right number of days?
We recommend thinking about two things: your child's stamina and your family's schedule. Two days is a complete, rich program. Three days deepens peer relationships and curriculum engagement. Five days is ideal for children preparing for a full daily kindergarten schedule. If you're unsure, start with two or three — you can always add days.
Is the 4's program academically rigorous enough?
Yes. The Purposeful Play Framework is built on Dr. Peterson's doctoral research in early childhood education and the Experience Early Learning whole-child curriculum. The 4's program includes structured academic play, five enrichment disciplines, individualized learning paths, and developmental assessment. It is not a daycare program — it is a purposeful, research-grounded pre-K experience.
What's the class size?
Maximum 10–12 students per class with a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Can my child start mid-year?
Yes, subject to availability. Contact us to discuss your child's specific timing.
How will I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?
Dr. Peterson's individualized assessment approach means your child's development is tracked throughout the program — not just at year-end. You'll have ongoing communication with your child's teachers and a clear picture of their readiness as kindergarten approaches. Learn more about our Kindergarten Prep program for children turning 5 before November 30th.

Ask Us Anything

What would you like to know?

Ask about start dates, schedules, tuition, 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 see their next big step.

Come explore the classroom with your child. We'll talk through two, three, or five mornings and find the rhythm that fits.

✓ About 30 minutes ✓ Bring your child ✓ No pressure to enroll
Schedule a Tour

Prefer to call? 309-291-3292 We may be in the classroom. Leave a message. We return calls on weekdays, usually the same day.

  1. Request a tour.

    Share your name and a way to reach you. We'll follow up to arrange a time for your family.

  2. See their day. Talk it through.

    Explore the classrooms, meet the team, and talk about the program, schedule, and start date that fit.

  3. Get ready for their first day.

    When you're ready, we'll guide you through enrollment and help your child feel at home.

Have a question before you visit? Ask us. →