Curriculum

​About Oak Leaf Academy

Overview Of Classrooms 

​200 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60302  Phone: 708-434-5705  Email: [email protected]

Oak Leaf Academy’s curriculum is based on Constructivist Theory which says that children construct knowledge about their world by active involvement with people, materials, and ideas. We encourage play and discovery as the ultimate way of learning in infants and young children. Utilizing parts of the HighScope curriculum, a curriculum that has 50 years of research behind it, we ensure children are active participatory learners, teachers provide positive and loving interactions, and the environment is inviting and enriching. We know that the first five years of life are critical periods in development, and we support the whole child as they learn about their world.

Our daily activities are hands-on with a focus on social and emotional health, progression in cognitive development, and strengthening fine and gross motor skills. Children go outside daily and frequent parks and our beautiful community.

Oak Leaf Academy is a full year early childhood program.  The year is divided into two parts.  The school year, which runs from Labor Day to Memorial Day, consists of play-based learning centers inside the school and twice daily trips outside. Keeping the same hours, our summer camp program starts after Memorial Day and finishes right before Labor Day. During the summer we take our lessons and learning outdoors in order to spend as much quality time outside as possible. Oak Leaf Academy offers a weekly Music class during the school year for the Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and the Pre-Kindergarten classes. 

Infant Classroom:
Child to Teacher ratio 1-4

Infants develop their own schedules and routines based on individual needs.  The teachers in the infant classroom articulate their play-based lesson plans to stimulate child growth and development in the early years, such as floor time activities, songs and finger plays, repetition of language and sounds, sensory exploration and motor movement.  Infants and young toddlers participate together in different group periods throughout the day as well as outdoor experiences. 

Toddler Classroom:
Child to Teacher Ratio 1-5

Children in the toddler classroom start following a daily schedule and routine.  The children participate in group times, independent learning centers and free play through out the day.  Toddler teachers develop play-based lesson plans using toddler milestones and skills while keeping in mind social and emotional development as an important component of their learning. The children in the toddler classroom go outside twice daily on walks to the park and other locations within our community. 

Preschool Classroom:
Child to Teacher Ratio 1-8

The Preschool classroom play-based curriculum is based on developmentally appropriate activities enhancing the skills needed for successful learning in a fun and exciting way.  The daily activities focus on social and emotional health, progression in cognitive development and strengthening fine and gross motor skills.  Children go outside twice daily and frequent parks and community activities. The preschool classroom teachers promote healthy bodies as well as healthy minds with daily exercise and positive relationships.  The curriculum also includes daily fine arts activities including music, art and language enhancement. 
 

Pre-K Classroom:
Child to Teacher Ratio 1-10

The Prekindergarten classroom play-based curriculum is based on developmentally appropriate activities enhancing the skills needed for successful learning in a fun and exciting way.  The daily activities focus on social and emotional health, progression in cognitive development and strengthening fine and gross motor skills.  Children go outside twice daily and frequent parks and community activities. Beginning phonics, pre-reading and pre-writing skills are incorporated within the program in a stimulating way.  Prekindergarten teachers promote healthy bodies as well as healthy minds with daily exercise and positive relationships.  The curriculum also includes daily fine arts activities including music, art and language enhancement. 

Oak Leaf Academy, a NAEYC accredited center, offers full time, high quality care for children six weeks up to five years in four different age group classrooms.  We offer an intimate learning environment with full-time lead  qualified teachers per classroom as well as assistant teachers for support.  The center is located on the east side of Oak Park near Stevenson Park. 

  • State Licensed facility through Department of Family and Child Services (DCFS)
  • Children ages 6 weeks up to 5 years of age
  • Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 7:00am-6:00pm
  • 12-month, year round program closing for all major holidays and teacher in-service days
  • Offering 2, 3, and 5 full day programs 
  • 4 classrooms divided by similar age groups
  • Catered mostly organic breakfast, lunch and snacks 
  • Outdoor activities two times per day, weather permitting, walking distance from Stevenson Park and Tot Lot
  • Family education and social networking events are held annually for families to attend 
  • Classrooms use the Hi Mama app for communication among teachers and families.