When you need longer care.
Child care centers may serve infants through school-age children and offer full-day schedules. Some include preschool classrooms and a structured curriculum. Ask what the experience looks like for your child’s age.
Choosing an early learning environment
Daycare vs. preschool
Look closely at the hours, people and learning experiences that will shape your child’s day.
Start with your family’s whole day.
Care and learning can happen together. A program’s name tells you less than its actual schedule, teachers and approach.
When you want a school morning.
Spark Academy is a boutique, play-based preschool. Core programs run for three or four morning hours, with intentional learning and small classes. Families needing a longer day arrange separate care.
Compare the experience.
Use the same questions for every program you visit.
| What matters | Ask any program | At Spark |
|---|---|---|
| Daily rhythm | Which hours and days are covered? What happens during school breaks? | Three- or four-hour mornings, depending on the core program. |
| Ages & independence | Which ages are served, and what help is available with daily routines? | Core programs begin at age three. Children must be fully potty trained. |
| Learning | What is the curriculum, and how do teachers guide play? | The Purposeful Play Framework: Academic Play, Developmental Playroom and daily enrichment. |
| Teachers & group size | Who teaches the class? How many children share each teacher’s attention? | A 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, with degreed, credentialed classroom teachers. |
| Family communication | How are children’s progress and day-to-day experiences shared? | Ongoing observation and communication with your child’s teachers. |
| Costs & inclusions | What is the billing period, and which fees or materials cost extra? | Core tuition: $100–$700/month. Curriculum, supplies, art materials and daily snack included. |
Look for intentional learning.
Watch how adults respond to children, guide an activity and help with a difficult moment. Ask what a teacher hopes children will practice through their play.
At Spark, Dr. Michelle Peterson designs the curriculum around the Purposeful Play Framework. Learning goals shape the morning.
A resource for comparing quality
ChildCare.gov’s visit checklists help families look at safety, interactions, activities and program practices. Its child care center overview explains why services and oversight can vary.
Compare the whole weekly cost.
Spark’s 3’s Preschool is $350/month for two mornings. Kindergarten is $700/month for five mornings. Add any afternoon care and transportation your family needs before comparing totals.
Core tuition is billed over ten months, with a $100 nonrefundable deposit. Teachers, curriculum, supplies, art materials and daily snack are included.
What about tax benefits?
Preschool care may qualify for the Child and Dependent Care Credit when work-related and other eligibility rules are met. Kindergarten tuition is treated differently. Start with the IRS eligibility guidance and education-expense rules, or ask a tax professional about your circumstances.
Our preschool tax guide →Five questions for a visit.
- Who plans the curriculum, and who teaches my child?
- What does a typical morning look like?
- How many children and teachers are in the room?
- How will we talk about my child’s progress?
- How can families see and participate in classroom life?
Questions families ask.
Is there a legal difference between daycare and preschool?
The name alone does not tell you which licensing rules apply. Requirements and exemptions depend on the program and jurisdiction. Ask to see the program’s licensing or oversight information and check its state record. Spark Academy is DCFS licensed.
Is preschool better than daycare for my child?
Compare the specific programs rather than relying on the label. Look at responsive teachers, curriculum, group size, hours and how the program supports your child. Child care centers can offer preschool education as well as care. Spark is a morning preschool for families seeking a purposeful, play-based school experience.
Is preschool worth the cost?
Compare tuition alongside the hours covered, additional care, transportation and any fees. Spark’s core tuition ranges from $100 to $700 per month depending on the program, with ten monthly payments and a $100 nonrefundable deposit. Preschool care may qualify for tax benefits when your household meets the applicable rules; eligibility is not automatic.
What qualifications should a preschool teacher have?
At minimum, look for teachers with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field, along with state credentials or a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. At Spark Academy, every classroom teacher holds a degree and state credential, and the curriculum is designed by Dr. Michelle Peterson, Ed.D.
Can my child attend both daycare and preschool?
Yes, and many families do. A common arrangement is preschool in the morning (a structured educational program two to five days per week) and afternoon care through a family member, nanny, or part-time daycare. This gives the child the developmental benefit of intentional preschool education while providing the full-day coverage working families need.
See a Spark morning.
Meet the teachers and see purposeful play in the classroom.
Prefer to call? 309-291-3292