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A Program for Every Age.
One School for Every Beginning.

From your child's very first Friday to the last day of kindergarten -- Spark Academy offers programs designed for every stage of early childhood. All rooted in the same doctoral-led, play-based approach. All in one community.

Not sure which program fits your child? Use the age guide below.

Start with Your Child's Age

Select the program that matches your child's age and stage -- each link takes you to the full program page with schedule, tuition, and daily schedule details.

PHOTO: Wide shot of children from multiple age groups engaged in different activities. Warm, natural light. Homelike environment.
Starting Point — Fridays Only

Fresh 3's Fridays

The gentlest first step into the Spark community.

3
years
Schedule
Fridays, 8:30–11:30 AM
Tuition
$100/month

A one-day-a-week introduction to everything Spark offers -- the same curriculum, the same teachers, the same Purposeful Play Framework -- in a single morning each week. Designed for families who want to take the first step without a full-week commitment, and for children who can enroll the very day they turn three.

Learn About Fresh 3's Fridays →
PHOTO: A newly-turned 3-year-old in their first Spark morning. Warm tones, close-up or medium shot.
For 3-Year-Olds

3's Preschool

Where first friendships form and first curiosities take off.

3
years
Ages
Must be 3 by the first day of school of school
Schedule
T/Th or M/W, 8:30–11:30 AM
Starting At
$350/month

In small groups of no more than 12, three-year-olds experience purposeful play, daily enrichment, and the Developmental Playroom in a homelike environment where every child is known by name.

Explore the 3's Program →
For 4-Year-Olds

4's Preschool

The pre-kindergarten year -- with flexibility built in.

4
years
Ages
Must be 4 by the first day of school of school
Schedule
T/Th, M/W/F, or M–F, 8:30–11:30 AM
Starting At
$350/month

Three scheduling options so families can choose the depth of engagement that fits their child and their life. Every option delivers the full Purposeful Play curriculum, enrichment rotation, and individualized learning approach.

Explore the 4's Program →
Age 4+

Kindergarten Prep

For children ready for more -- including those who missed the cutoff.

4
years
Ages
Must be 5 by November 30th
Schedule
T/Th, M/W/F, or M–F, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Starting At
$400/month

Designed for five-year-olds ready for the most intensive academic preparation Spark offers -- including children who turn 5 between September 2nd and November 30th and miss the public school kindergarten cutoff.

Explore Kindergarten Prep →
Age 5

Kindergarten

Small class. Big beginning.

5
years
Ages
Must be 5 by September 30th
Schedule
M–F only, 8:00 AM–12:00 PM
Tuition
$700/month

The academic depth of a doctoral-led curriculum with the intimacy of a 10-12 student classroom. Monday through Friday, every week -- building the daily school rhythm that sets children up for every grade that follows.

Explore Kindergarten →

The Same Foundation. Every Day.
Across Every Program.

Regardless of which program your child is in, every day at Spark Academy includes the same core structure:

The Purposeful Play Framework
Dr. Peterson's doctoral-research-informed curriculum approach, built on the Experience Early Learning whole-child model. Every activity is designed with developmental intent.
The Developmental Playroom
A dedicated, monthly-rotating play environment unlike anything else in the area. Student-driven, theme-aligned, and changed out completely every month.
Five Daily Enrichments
Spanish on Monday, STEM on Tuesday, Art on Wednesday, Communication on Thursday, Music and Movement on Friday. Not extras -- core programming.
A 5:1 Student-to-Teacher Ratio
Maximum 10-12 students per class. The lowest ratio of any preschool program in the area.
Credentialed Teachers
Every Spark teacher holds a degree and credential in education.
All-Inclusive Tuition
No supply lists. No hidden fees. No additional costs. Everything is included -- teachers, curriculum, supplies, art materials, and daily snacks.

From Their Third Birthday Through Kindergarten -- One Community

F3
Fresh 3's
Age 3
3s
3's Preschool
Age 3+
4s
4's Preschool
Age 4+
KP
K-Prep
Age 4+
K
Kindergarten
Age 5

A child can begin with Fresh 3's Fridays the day they turn three. They can grow into the full 3's program. They can deepen their experience through the 4's and Kindergarten Prep years. And they can complete their early childhood education in Spark's private Kindergarten -- surrounded by teachers they know, in a community that has been part of their family's life for years.

Not every child follows every step. Many families enter at 4 or at Kindergarten Prep. All are warmly welcomed wherever they begin. But for families who find their way to Spark early, the continuity of relationships, expectations, and environment across multiple years is something no single-year program can replicate.

All Programs. All Prices. No Surprises.

ProgramAgeSchedulePricing
Fresh 3's FridaysJoin the moment they turn 3Fridays only$100/mo
3's PreschoolMust be 3 by the first day of schoolT/Th or M/W$350/mo
4's PreschoolMust be 4 by the first day of schoolT/Th, M/W/F, or M-F$350/mo
Kindergarten PrepMust be 5 by Nov 30thT/Th, M/W/F, or M-F$400/mo
KindergartenMust be 5 by Sept 30thM-F only$700/mo
Enrichment & Seasonal Programs
Discovery Station5-11Tues & Thurs, 1:00-3:50 PM$195/class
After-School Enrichment5-11+Tuesdays, 4:00-5:00 PM$195/semester
Camp Play (Summer)3-11M-F, 8:30 AM-12:00 PM$50/day
Fresh 3's Fridays
AgesJoin the moment they turn 3
ScheduleFridays only
Tuition$100/mo
3's Preschool
AgesMust be 3 by the first day of school
ScheduleT/Th or M/W
Tuition$350/mo
4's Preschool
AgesMust be 4 by the first day of school
ScheduleT/Th, M/W/F, or M-F
Tuition$350/mo
Kindergarten Prep
AgesMust be 5 by Nov 30th
ScheduleT/Th, M/W/F, or M-F
Tuition$400/mo
Kindergarten
AgesMust be 5 by Sept 30th
ScheduleM-F only
Tuition$700/mo
Enrichment & Seasonal Programs
Discovery Station
Ages5-11
ScheduleTues & Thurs
Pricing$195/class
After-School Enrichment
Ages5-11+
ScheduleTuesdays, 4-5 PM
Pricing$195/semester
Camp Play (Summer)
Ages3-11
ScheduleM-F, 8:30 AM-12 PM
Pricing$50/day

Core programs: All-inclusive tuition. No supply lists. No hidden fees. $100 non-refundable deposit holds your spot. 10% discount for full-year tuition paid by August 15. Tuition billed over 10 months.

We'll Help You Find the Right Fit

You've seen our programs, pricing, and schedule options. Here's where to go next — whether you're still learning about Spark or ready to start a conversation.

Still Exploring?

Learn what makes Spark different from every other preschool in the area — and why it matters for your child.

Have a Question?

Not sure which program fits your child? Send us a message and we'll help you figure it out — no pressure, no commitment.

Send Us a Message

Prefer to call? We may be in the classroom — leave a message and we'll call you back the same day.

309-291-3292

Already know you'd like to visit? Schedule a tour — we'd love to show you around.

The only preschool in Central Illinois founded and led by a doctoral researcher in early childhood education.

Have a Question?

Not sure which program fits your child? Tell us their age and what you're wondering — we'll point you in the right direction.