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Preschool for 4-year-olds

Build kindergarten confidence through purposeful play. Choose two, three or five mornings a week in Morton.

  • Age 4+ by the first day
  • 8:30–11:30 AM
  • Two, three, or five mornings
  • $350–$600 per month
Request a Tour Prefer to call? 309-291-3292

A personal, no-pressure visit with Dr. Michelle Peterson · About 30 minutes

5:1 Student-to-Teacher Ratio Led by Dr. Michelle Peterson, Ed.D. Morton, IL
Four-year-old children collaborating on a purposeful learning project at Spark Academy preschool in Morton, Illinois

Mornings, schedules & tuition

2026–27 school-year details, for reference. Ask us about future enrollment.

4's Preschool · 3 Schedule Options
$350–$600 /month
2 Days / Week
Tuesday / Thursday
$350/mo
3 Days / Week
Monday / Wednesday / Friday
$450/mo
5 Days / Week
Monday – Friday
$600/mo
Every option includes the full Purposeful Play curriculum, enrichment rotation, and Developmental Playroom.

Now accepting Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Eligible families can use CCAP towards tuition.

Hours: 8:30–11:30 AM  ·  Age: Must be 4 by the first day of school  ·  Potty Training: Required

All-inclusive tuition. Teachers, curriculum, supplies, enrichment and daily snacks are included. No supply lists or hidden fees.

Payment Terms: Tuition is billed over 10 months. The 2026–27 full-year payment discount deadline was August 15, 2026. Enrollment requires a $100 non-refundable deposit.

Build skills for kindergarten

Early reading and math, deeper friendships and growing independence — practiced through hands-on play, every day.

Small classes

A 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

Expert-led learning

Founded by Dr. Michelle Peterson, Ed.D.

Purposeful play

Hands-on learning, enrichment and outdoor play.

Our approach to learning · Compare preschool daily schedules

Explore the daily schedule & enrichment

A morning of purposeful play

The 4's daily schedule follows the same proven rhythm as the 3's program, with the same rich enrichment rotation and the same Developmental Playroom — because consistency matters for young children. What deepens is the complexity of the activities, the expectations for engagement, and the academic scaffolding layered into every session.

Academic Play
1.5 hours

Deeper cognitive engagement, early literacy and numeracy, collaborative problem-solving, and independent thinking — all through teacher-guided purposeful play.

Developmental Playroom
30 minutes

Advanced collaboration, creative initiative, and social-emotional development in a monthly-rotating, student-directed environment.

Daily Enrichment
30 minutes

A rotating schedule of Spanish, STEM, Art, Communication, and Music & Movement — deepening each subject at a four-year-old level.

Outdoor Play
15 minutes

Physical confidence, gross motor development, and peer relationship skills.

Snack & Bathroom Break
15 minutes

Conversation, community, and growing independence in self-care routines.

Hours: 8:30–11:30 AM  ·  Schedule Options: T/Th · M/W/F · M–F

The Developmental Playroom — A Spark Exclusive

Every day, your child spends 30 minutes in a dedicated, separate environment unlike anything they'll find at another preschool in the area.

The Developmental Playroom changes completely every month, rotating with our nine curriculum themes throughout the year. For four-year-olds, the setups invite more complex collaboration, more ambitious creative projects, and more independence — because at this age, children don't just want to explore. They want to build, lead, and make something they're proud of.

Four-year-old children collaborating in the Developmental Playroom at Spark Academy

Enrichment at Four — Going Deeper

The daily enrichment rotation doesn't just repeat what your child experienced in the 3's program. The activities, vocabulary, and expectations evolve alongside the children's growing capabilities.

Mon Spanish
Tue STEM
Wed Art
Thu Communication
Fri Music & Movement
Mon Spanish — vocabulary expands, simple phrases emerge, language confidence grows
Tue STEM — more complex experiments, hypothesis-building, early engineering challenges
Wed Art — diverse media, intentional technique, and creative confidence
Thu Communication — storytelling, presentation, listening, and early literacy
Fri Music & Movement — rhythm, coordination, collaborative performance, and joy

By the end of the 4's year, your child will have experienced hundreds of hours of structured enrichment across five disciplines — a breadth that most elementary schools don't offer until third or fourth grade.

Enrichment moment at Spark Academy showing STEM activity with four-year-olds

See the classroom.
Ask your questions.

Four is a big year. The preschool you choose for this stage matters — not because it needs to be perfect, but because it needs to be the right fit for your child. We'd love to show you what the 4's program looks like in person. Our tours are informal, about 20–30 minutes, and designed to give you a real picture of what your child's day at Spark would look like.

Request a Tour Have a Question? We'd Love to Hear From You

If you're not quite ready for a tour, that's okay too. Send us a question, and someone from our team will be in touch. Or call 309-291-3292.

Wondering about Kindergarten Prep? Learn more →

Founded by Dr. Michelle Peterson, Ed.D. 5:1 Student-to-Teacher Ratio DCFS Licensed · Morton, IL

Questions About the 4's Program

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.

Have a Question?

Have a question about scheduling, the 2/3/5-day decision, or anything else? We're here to help.

Your information is private. We'll only use it to answer your question.

Picture your child at Spark. Come see 4's Preschool in person.
Request a Tour