Indian Hill Early Learning Center houses the Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten Classes for District 128. Our PreK program is called The Neighborhood Preschool and serves all students who reside in District 128. The preschool is tuition based and provides a blended learning environment for our preschoolers with special needs. Each preschool class is staffed by certified early childhood teachers with special education credentials.

The philosophy of The Neighborhood Preschool is that all children learn through active exploration and interaction within their home, school, and community environments. Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. And finally, young children should have access to a developmentally appropriate learning environment where each individual’s development is actively supported and facilitated. We believe that play is a child’s work.

The Indian Hill kindergarten program is full-day and provides a strong academic foundation for later learning. Children participate in a wide variety of experiences that enhance cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. The curriculum is aligned to the Common Core Standards adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education. Half-day kindergarten enrollment is available per parent request.

Due to the prevalence of severe food allergies, Indian Hill is a nut free school. No peanuts, tree nuts, or nut products, are allowed at school.

For more information about the preschool or kindergarten programs, please contact Indian Hill at (708) 597-1285.

The Neighborhood Preschool at Indian Hill offers a high quality, early childhood education program aligned with the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards and the Common Core. The philosophy of the Neighborhood Preschool is based on the principles of Developmentally Appropriate Practice as outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The Creative Curriculum is implemented to engage and instruct young children in all developmental domains. Individual student assessments utilizing The Developmental Continuum, Early Learning Scale, IGDIs, and student portfolios guide the instructional program implemented for each child. All children will participate in preschool screening prior to enrollment with parental consent.

The daily schedule provides children with a balance of meaningful child selected and teacher directed activities in a carefully arranged environment. Children are engaged in small-group, large-group, and individual activities that are guided by the teachers. There is also ample opportunity to work independently or with peers in centers designed to promote writing, creative/imaginative play, computer skills, visual arts and creativity, language and literacy, math, science, sensory, and fine and visual motor skills. A balance of active play and quiet activities are provided. Opportunities for physical activity to support gross motor development are provided each day through active play in indoor and outdoor areas with space for children to move freely and safely. The gym and outdoor playground are equipped with age appropriate equipment and materials for development of balance, coordination, spatial awareness, and movement skills. Children play outside everyday, weather permitting. Several field trips are planned each year based on curricular topics and activities.

Family involvement is a cornerstone of the preschool program at Indian Hill. Research shows that when parents and educators are partners in early education, they establish an ongoing system, which can reinforce the effects of the program while it’s in operation and help to sustain the effects over time. Parent involvement is crucial to a successful program. Opportunities for parent involvement at Indian Hill include: classroom volunteer, field trip chaperone, guest reader, guest presenter, materials preparation, and box tops helper.

 Registration occurs in February or March annually and dates and procedures can be found on the website.