Day Care Curriculum for Toddlers & Pre-K

At Christie’s Carousel of Learning, our curriculum is theme based. Our teachers create weekly and bi-weekly themes containing age-appropriate activities that are geared toward the development of each child.

The children are divided into classrooms based on their age as of September 1st, and teachers observe their daily assessments. If a child has already met the goals listed for their age, we’ll challenge them and provide additional developmentally appropriate activities. Call us at (847) 825-4568 to learn more about our teaching techniques and themes.

“Christie's Carousel is a wonderful place. I placed my daughter in their care when she was 2.5 years old. She was with them till she started her kindergarten last year. She still cherishes the love, care and attention that she got from the teachers there. I am so happy that I had the opportunity to send my daughter here.”

Karishma R.

At Christie’s Carousel of Learning our Twos Program introduces your child to a world of discovery in a safe, nurturing environment. With gentle guidance from teachers experienced in toddler development, two-year-olds explore through play, songs, art and language activities that foster confidence and curiosity.

As children transition into our Threes Program, the pace grows with more structured learning experiences balanced with plenty of play. Three-year-olds begin participating in circle time, story-based learning, simple math and literacy concepts, and cooperative group activities.

In the Fours/Pre-K Program at Christie’s, children are immersed in a curriculum designed to prepare them for kindergarten readiness—things like letters, sounds, numbers, problem-solving and social-emotional learning take the lead.

Outside the school year, our Summer Camp keeps the fun going with themed weeks, outdoor play, creative arts and engaging special events that build on classroom foundations. Whether in the regular program or during summer, we make sure your child is growing, smiling and ready for what’s next.

Curriculum Goal Examples

Girl drawing with markers at a table in a playroom with toys and shelves.

2 & 3 Years

  • Language
    • Recognizes and identifies common objects and pictures
    • Uses pronouns
  • Cognitive
    • Sorts five objects by color
    • Plays make-believe with dolls, stuffed animals, and people
  • Social/Emotional
    • Expresses a wide range of emotion
    • Separates easily from parents
  • Large Motor
    • Walks upstairs with support, alternating feet
    • Pedals a bike/tricycle
  • Small Motor
    • Builds a tower of more than six blocks
    • Makes vertical, horizontal, and circular strokes with a pencil, crayon, or brush

3 & 4 Years

  • Language
    • Understands the concepts of “same” and “different”
    • Ask questions using “what,” “who,” “where,” and “why”
  • Cognitive
    • Follows three-part commands
    • Recalls parts of a story
  • Social/Emotional
    • Cooperates/plays with other children
    • More independent/dresses and undresses self
  • Large Motor
    • Hops and stands on one foot up to five seconds
    • Kicks ball forward and throws ball overhand
  • Small Motor
    • Draws a person with 2-4 body parts
    • Draws circles and squares and uses scissors
Children sit at a table coloring Earth drawings.

4 & 5 Years: Pre-K

  • Language
    • Says full name and knows address and phone number
    • Uses future tense and tells longer stories
  • Cognitive
    • Can count ten or more objects
    • Better understand the concept of time
  • Social/Emotional
    • Shows more independence
    • Likes to sing, dance, and act
  • Large Motor
    • Hops, somersaults, swings and climbs
    • Stand on one foot for ten seconds or longer
  • Small Motor
    • Prints letters in their name, along with others
    • Copies triangle and other geometric patterns

    Pre-K assessments are completed for each child twice a year.

    Pre-K parent/teachers conferences are held in the spring.

Daily Schedule

7:30AM-9:00AM

Child must be checked in though the Brightwheel App.

7:30AM-5:30PM

Scheduled drop off times: ●  7:30am  ●  8:00am  ●  8:30am  ●  9:00am

Scheduled pick up times: ●  11:30am & 12:30pm  ●  3:30pm & 4:00pm  ●  4:30pm & 5:00pm  ●  5:30pm

9:00AM-11:30AM

Free play within the classroom

Large Motor time in gym or on playground

Snack time

Activities by theme: ●  Story Time  ●  Circle/Lesson Time  ●  Craft  ●  Classroom Music

Science/Math Activity

Washroom when needed

11:30AM-12:00PM

Free play within classroom

Washroom when needed

12:00PM-12:30PM

12:30PM-1:00PM

Nap time preparation for children enrolled for 7:30-5:30 block

3:30PM-5:30PM

Snack/washroom time

Large motor time in gym or on playground

Dramatic play activities

Daily sports and games

Storytime

Please call at us (847) 825-4568 for any questions about daily schedule, special events, tuition, or other childcare questions