A bridge year before kindergarten
For children turning five by November 30. A longer morning to build confidence, independence and readiness for kindergarten.
- Age 5 by November 30
- 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
- Two, three, or five mornings
- $400–$650 per month
A personal, no-pressure visit with Dr. Michelle Peterson · About 30 minutes
Mornings, schedules & tuition
2026–27 school-year details, for reference. Ask us about future enrollment.
Now accepting Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). Eligible families can use CCAP towards tuition.
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.
More time to grow before kindergarten
Your child practices early literacy, math and working with others in a small, supportive classroom.
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
Our kindergarten prep program runs from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM — a full morning that prepares five-year-olds for the longer school days ahead. The schedule includes an expanded Academic Play block that reflects your child's growing capacity for sustained, focused learning.
Why the Longer Academic Block Matters
At three and four, children build their capacity for focused learning in 90-minute blocks. By five, that capacity has grown — and Kindergarten Prep respects that growth by expanding Academic Play to two and a half hours.
This isn't busywork. Dr. Peterson's doctoral research in early childhood education confirms that children at this developmental stage are ready for more sustained engagement with academic concepts — letters, sounds, numbers, writing, and the early logic skills that underpin everything from reading comprehension to mathematical reasoning.
The Purposeful Play Framework structures that engagement through play-based activities specifically scaffolded for kindergarten-readiness skills. Your child isn't sitting at a desk drilling worksheets. They're building, creating, experimenting, and problem-solving their way toward the exact competencies that kindergarten teachers look for on day one.
Daily Enrichment Rotation
Every enrichment session is taught at a five-year-old depth — building on concepts introduced in the 3's and 4's programs and preparing your child for the academic expectations of kindergarten.
See the classroom.
Ask your questions.
Whether your child missed the public school cutoff or you're simply looking for the strongest possible kindergarten preparation available in Central Illinois — we'd love to show you what Kindergarten Prep looks like in person. Schedule a tour to meet our teachers, see the program, and ask every question you have.
If you're not quite ready for a tour, that's okay. Send us a question, and someone from our team will be in touch. Or call 309-291-3292.
Questions About Kindergarten Prep
What is the age requirement for Kindergarten Prep?
What if my child turns 5 after November 30th?
How is Kindergarten Prep different from the 4's Preschool?
How will I know if my child is ready for kindergarten after completing this program?
Can my child go to Spark's Kindergarten after Kindergarten Prep?
Is there a difference between two, three, and five days a week?
Have a Question?
Questions about the birthday cutoff, scheduling, or kindergarten readiness? Ask us — we'll get back to you personally.
Your information is private. We'll only use it to answer your question.