Programs
Every Stage.
Every Child.
Every Program.
Discover our childcare programs in Lake Zurich and Island Lake — from infants to kindergarten readiness, all built on The Creative Curriculum®, long-tenured teachers, and a community that genuinely cares. CCAP accepted.
Our Childcare Programs Are Built to Grow With Every Child
Every program at The Learning Tree Center is rooted in The Creative Curriculum® — one of the most widely researched early childhood frameworks in the United States. It isn't a rigid lesson plan; it's a framework for truly watching and responding to each child's unique developmental path.
Our teachers are trained to observe, document, and intentionally plan next steps for each child — nurturing not just academic readiness, but the social-emotional resilience and curiosity that makes learning last a lifetime.
From our infant rooms to our pre-K classrooms, every environment is designed to promote independence, discovery, and belonging. Both centers hold the Silver Circle of Quality from ExceleRate Illinois — independently verified quality you can trust.
8 Development Domains We Nurture
Social-Emotional
Confidence, self-regulation, friendships
Language & Literacy
Vocabulary, stories, communication
Math Concepts
Counting, patterns, reasoning
Science & Tech
Curiosity, observation, STEM
Social Studies
Community, culture, world
Creative Arts
Music, movement, expression
Physical Development
Gross & fine motor skills
English Language
Literacy foundations for all learners
All Childcare & Preschool Programs
at Lake Zurich & Island Lake
All childcare programs are available at both our Lake Zurich and Island Lake centers. CCAP accepted at both locations.
Infant Program
Gentle, responsive care in a warm and secure environment. Our infant teachers form deep bonds that help babies feel safe to explore, discover, and grow.
- 1:4 teacher-to-infant ratio — exceeding DCFS standards
- Sensory play, tummy time, and language-rich routines
- Daily Brightwheel updates to keep parents connected
- Consistent caregivers for a secure attachment experience
Toddler Program
Supporting the incredible burst of independence, language, and social development that happens in the toddler years through structured play and exploration.
- Language-rich routines that support vocabulary explosion
- Self-help skill development for growing confidence
- Structured routines that build security and independence
- Outdoor play and seasonal school garden
Two's Classroom
A bridge between toddler and preschool, our Two's program builds on emerging curiosity and social confidence with intentional play-based learning.
- Small group activities that build early social skills
- Introduction to classroom routines and community
- Creative exploration through art, music, and movement
- Smooth transition planning into the preschool program
Preschool / Pre-K
Our flagship preschool prepares children for kindergarten through project-based learning, early literacy, math concepts, and deep social-emotional development.
- Full Creative Curriculum® implementation with GOLD assessments
- Early literacy: phonological awareness, print concepts
- STEM exploration, science experiments, engineering challenges
- Kindergarten readiness conferences with parents
Multilingual Program
Daily Mandarin immersion and Spanish exposure woven into every routine — because the earlier children encounter language, the more naturally it takes root.
- Native Mandarin-speaking teacher for authentic immersion
- Daily Mandarin songs, stories, routines, and vocabulary
- Weekly Spanish exposure across all classrooms
- Cultural celebrations building global awareness
Enrichment Program
Weekly expert-led activities that build confidence, coordination, and creativity well beyond the classroom — included as part of our standard programs.
- Karate — focus, discipline, and physical confidence
- Soccer — teamwork, movement, coordination
- STEM Lab — hands-on science and engineering
- Creative arts, fitness, and the Jungle Bus adventure
Summer Camp Program
A 14-week summer adventure packed with themed weekly explorations — from outer space to ocean wonders — designed to keep young minds active, curious, and having the time of their lives over summer break.
- 14 weekly themes covering STEM, nature, art, culture & adventure
- All enrichment activities included: karate, soccer, STEM Lab, arts
- Available for all ages — infants through Pre-K
- CCAP accepted · Lake Zurich & Island Lake centers
Your Child's Journey at The Learning Tree Center
Our programs are designed as a seamless developmental continuum — so your child can grow with us from infancy all the way to kindergarten, with familiar faces and consistent relationships every step of the way.
Ready to Find the Right Program?
Schedule a free tour at our Lake Zurich or Island Lake center — meet the teachers and see the classrooms for yourself.