Infants to School-Aged care in Chicago since 1948.

Children learn through play and exploration, guided by their teachers. Each child's needs are met as an individual, and the goal is a lifelong love of learning. Lake Shore Schools has cared for thousands of children since opening in 1948. It is family-owned and has been committed to high-quality education in the community for 75 years.

Infants get individualized, child-directed care, which builds trusting bonds with their teachers. Toddlers find a room set up for discovery and independence, with lessons built around their interests. Preschoolers move through learning centers and hands-on experiences. Pre-K children prepare for kindergarten while still learning through play and their own interests. School-age children continue to grow physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively through eighth grade.

A visitor might notice a teacher sitting on the floor with a baby, following the child's own rhythm rather than a clock. In another room, toddlers choose materials that fit what they are working on that week. Open communication with families is part of how the center runs, supported by resources and workshops.

Mornings start gently. An infant arrives and a teacher greets them by name, then follows the child's own routine for feeding, sleeping, and play. Building a trusting, secure bond with each teacher is what lets a baby settle and learn. Teachers share notes with families through open communication.

The middle of the day is filled with sensory activities, fingerplays, songs, pretend play, and communication through American Sign Language. Teachers plan developmentally appropriate learning activities and let each child use emerging skills at their own pace. Development is a spectrum, and different for every individual.

By afternoon, the room quiets for rest, then picks up with more play and discovery. As each infant grows, teachers support their need to explore. At pickup, families hear how the day went and can ask questions about their child's care.