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Kindergarten Prep · Morton, Illinois

A confident step toward kindergarten.

Time to practice, friendships to grow, and ideas to explore. A purposeful morning that helps your child feel ready for the school years ahead.

Schedule a Tour Tuition & enrollment
For your child
Age 5 by November 30Fully potty trained before starting
Their morning
8:00 AM–12:00 PMTwo, three, or five mornings
Monthly tuition
$400–$650All-inclusive · Supplies & daily snack

Readiness grows in everyday moments.

A fall birthday, or a little more time before kindergarten? Your child can build the academic, social, and emotional foundations for their next step, in a small class where they are known.

  • Curious minds. Letters, numbers, and problem-solving through 2.5 hours of teacher-guided Academic Play.
  • Everyday confidence. Practice taking turns, following directions, sharing feelings, and managing belongings.
  • Progress you can see. A 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, individual assessment, and ongoing conversations with your family.
See how purposeful play builds learning
What comes after Kindergarten Prep?

Continue into Spark's private Kindergarten, move on to another public or private kindergarten, or homeschool with enrichment from Discovery Station. We'll talk with you about your child's development as you plan their next step.

Children exploring play dough with their teachers in a Spark Academy classroom
Small discoveries, with a teacher close by.

More time to follow an idea.

A four-hour morning with a longer Academic Play block, while keeping room for imagination, movement, and friendship.

Academic Play
2.5 hours
Deeper literacy, number sense, and critical thinking through purposeful play.
Developmental Playroom
30 minutes
A changing monthly world for bigger ideas and imaginative teamwork.
Daily Enrichment
30 minutes
Language, science, art, communication, and movement at a five-year-old depth.
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.

A rhythm that fits your child.

Two, three, or five mornings. Every option includes the full Purposeful Play program.

Two morningsTuesday / Thursday
$400 / mo
Three morningsMonday / Wednesday / Friday
$500 / mo
Five morningsMonday–Friday
$650 / mo

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

  • Billed over 10 months, alongside the public school year.
  • $100 non-refundable deposit reserves your child's spot.
  • Save 10% when you pay for the full year by August 15.

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

Start with a visit to Spark

A few questions, answered.

What is the age requirement for Kindergarten Prep?
Your child must be five years old by November 30th and must be fully potty trained. This cutoff is specifically designed to serve two groups of families: children who turn 5 between September 2nd and November 30th — the group that falls between public school cutoffs — and young five-year-olds who are technically eligible for kindergarten but aren't quite ready for a full kindergarten classroom. For those children, Kindergarten Prep provides the additional year of development in a small, structured environment so they enter kindergarten confident and fully prepared.
What if my child turns 5 after November 30th?
Children who turn 5 after November 30th should consider our 4's Preschool program, which is designed for four-year-olds and children not yet eligible for Kindergarten Prep. Contact us and we'll help you figure out the right fit.
How is Kindergarten Prep different from the 4's Preschool?
Kindergarten Prep includes a 2.5-hour Academic Play block (versus 1.5 hours in the 4's program), runs from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM (versus 8:30–11:30 AM), and is specifically designed for children who are developmentally ready for the intensified preparation that kindergarten demands. The curriculum expectations, peer interactions, and academic scaffolding are calibrated for five-year-olds, not four-year-olds.
How will I know if my child is ready for kindergarten after completing this program?
Dr. Peterson uses individualized developmental assessment tools throughout the year to track each child's progress. Parents receive ongoing communication about their child's development, and the picture of kindergarten readiness is built over the course of the program — not delivered as a single year-end evaluation.
Can my child go to Spark's Kindergarten after Kindergarten Prep?
Yes. Kindergarten Prep and Spark's Kindergarten program are designed as a natural progression. Many K-Prep families continue into Kindergarten at Spark — their child already knows the teachers, the environment, and the Purposeful Play Framework.
Is there a difference between two, three, and five days a week?
All schedule options cover the full Purposeful Play curriculum. More days means more time with peers, more repetition across the enrichment cycle, and more practice sustaining the longer school day. Families preparing for a five-day-a-week kindergarten schedule often benefit from the five-day option.

Let's talk about their next chapter.

Questions about their birthday, their readiness, or the right number of days? Ask us here, or visit the classroom and talk it through together.

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

Schedule a Tour

Prefer to call? 309-291-3292We may be in the classroom. Leave a message and we'll call you back the same day.

Why families choose Spark Meet Dr. Michelle Peterson Explore kindergarten readiness Compare all programs