Preschool Enrollment in Oak Brook: Get Your Child Ready for School
In Oak Brook, parents tell us their biggest worry is picking the right first school for their child. We get it—this is a big step for your whole family. This page explains how to sign up your child, what age they should be, and what papers you need. You can visit our school, meet our teachers and see if it feels like the right fit. Our preschool in Oak Brook has been helping families since 2008, and we’ve learned that kids do best when parents feel confident about their choice.
Kids 3 to 5 Can Join Preschool Programs
We are proud to accept children that are 3,4 or 5 years old. Rolling enrollment applies to the 2-year old class, they simply must be 24 months old to start. They can start at any point during the school year.
To enroll in the 3’s classroom, your child should be turning 3 by September 1 to start in the fall. Here’s what we’ve noticed after years of enrollments: parents often ask if their August or September birthday child is “ready.” The truth is, every child is different.
Many 3-year-olds walk in with extreme confidence. Others are more apprehensive and cling to mom’s leg for the first week. Both reactions are completely normal. In general, it does not take children long to settle in and adjust well to the routine of preschool.
Many Oak Brook families sign up in January for fall classes because word travels fast in our community. One parent tells another at Oakbrook Center, and suddenly we’re fielding calls. If you’re reading this in February, there is still time. If it’s June, don’t panic—we usually have a spot or two open up over summer.
Signing Up Needs Basic Forms and Shot Records
When you enroll your child, you need to bring several papers. We know this part feels like homework, but it goes faster than you think. Grab your child’s birth certificate—the official one with the state seal, not the hospital keepsake. Your child must also have a recent physical form, dated no sooner than six months before the first day of school. The form, which we will provide, includes space to record immunizations.
The enrollment forms ask for basic stuff—your child’s name, your address, emergency contacts and permissions for a variety of school related activities. The whole packet takes about 20 minutes to complete if you have everything ready.
Your Child Learns to Play and Work with Other Kids
Preschool is where the magic happens—it provides a structured environment for children to learn how to successfully navigate a group setting in ways that playgroups cannot. Our teachers gently guide students as they learn essential skills like sharing, practicing polite language (“excuse me” instead of pushing), and understanding that everyone gets a turn.
We see incredible transformations every single year. The child who grabbed toys in September is soon helping a friend zip their coat by February, and the child who hits when frustrated learns to use words instead. Our teachers facilitate this crucial process with both patience and clear classroom expectations and rules.
Our small class sizes ensure your child receives individualized attention and never gets lost in the crowd. With a ratio of 20 children and two teachers, we are able to notice and provide extra support whenever a student needs it. We believe that a confident, kind child who knows how to make friends will thrive in any school environment, recognizing that these foundational social skills are just as crucial as learning the alphabet.
Pre-K Gets Children Ready for Kindergarten
Our Pre-K program is specifically designed for 4-year-olds heading into kindergarten next fall, and we guarantee your child will be ready. We build foundational literacy and numeracy daily, using engaging methods like songs, games, and stories to teach letters and sounds, name writing, and counting to 20 and beyond.
More critically, we prioritize the essential readiness skills that local District 58 and District 181 kindergarten teachers identify as the most important for success: learning to follow directions, sitting attentively during circle time, and confidently asking for help when needed. The structure of this daily learning leads to remarkable transformations; we’ve seen children transfer in January who didn’t know a single letter, yet they were reading simple words by May. A child is truly ready not when they know everything, but when they are excited about learning—a feeling a parent confirmed when their daughter started “playing school” at home with stuffed animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old does my child need to be for preschool in Oak Brook?
Most programs take children who turn 3 by September 1. That’s the official rule. But here’s what we actually recommend: if your child’s birthday is in August, come tour in the spring before they turn 3. Watch how they interact with the classroom. Some late-summer birthday kids are ready. Others do better waiting a year. You know your child best, and we’re here to help you decide—not pressure you either way.
Can my 4-year-old start pre-K if we missed the deadline?
Call us right now—seriously. We sometimes have families move out of state in October or November. When a spot opens up, we fill it within days. The official deadline matters for planning, but real life is messy. We’ve enrolled children in January who caught up just fine. The worst thing we can say is that we’re full. The best thing is that your child starts learning tomorrow.
What papers do I need to sign up my child in Oak Brook?
Bring your child’s original (with the state seal) birth certificate, proof of a recent physical, dated less than six months prior to the first day of school. That’s it for the must-haves. We provide all the medical and enrollment forms here. Pro tip from families who’ve done this: take a photo of the birth certificate and immunization records with your phone. You’ll need copies of these again for kindergarten, camp and sports. Having them saved digitally is a lifesaver.
Do Oak Brook preschools take kids with special needs?
Absolutely, and we’re better for it. We work with District 58 to provide speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other services right in our classroom. Inclusion benefits every single child, not just the ones receiving services. Kids learn empathy, patience and that everyone has different strengths. If your child has an IEP or you suspect they might need support, tell us at enrollment. We’ll make a plan together before day one.
When should I start signing up for preschool in Oak Brook?
January through March is the sweet spot for fall enrollment. That said, we’ve had parents call in July and get in. Our advice? Don’t wait. Tour a few preschools, trust your intuition, and pick the one where the teachers smile at your kid and actually seem happy to be there. That matters more than fancy equipment or the perfect curriculum.
Ready to enroll your child? Contact our Oak Brook preschool today to schedule a tour. Come see our classroom, meet our teachers, and watch how we work with kids. Bring your questions—all of them. This decision matters, and we want you to feel good about it. Most families know within five minutes of walking through our door whether this is the right place. We look forward to meeting your family.