Elementary School-Ready

Enriched Age-Appropriate Learning for Future Success!

Junior Kindergarten | 4-5 Years | Serving Chicago, IL

Junior Kindergarten | 4-5 Years | Serving Chicago, IL

Providing a caring environment where children can learn and grow is our top priority at Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview, and our Junior Kindergarten program demonstrates this.

The program is open to children between the ages of three and five years and operates Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM with flexible drop off and pick up times for your convenience for your family..

Our professional and incredible lead teacher, Ms. Abby, is Type 04 certified and is committed to supporting our goals to provide the best setting for kindergarten in Chicago.

Children enrolled in our Junior Kindergarten program will learn through a blended curriculum that incorporates UFLI curriculum for phonics and literacy, mathematics, science, and problem-solving experiences, social studies activities to develop respect and understanding of our classroom and greater community, as well as process based art, and more! The content taught in our class provides children with the building blocks for an excellent education based on each young one’s strengths and develops a lifelong love for learning.

Parents can enjoy peace of mind knowing that their children are experiencing a wide range of activities at Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview through our enrichment programs. Children will receive weekly Spanish lessons, included in the cost of enrolment, as well as weekly Kidokentics classes to encourage movement, balance, and strength.

With the growth of technology in education, we also offer age-appropriate computer literacy programs to give your child a head start in preparation for their first year of elementary school.

Healthy foods are essential to help young minds grow and retain information. At Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview, our Junior Kindergarten students enjoy organic and nutritious meals every day from Healthy Organic Kids, including fresh fruits and vegetables and a wide array of meals, allowing students to try new foods.

Knowing their children are safe and well cared for provides parents with peace of mind, allowing them to focus on their daily tasks or careers with the clarity they need to excel. Our facility has locked exterior doors, a KISI entry system for increased security, and recorded video monitoring in common areas and classrooms. Teachers can communicate directly with parents through the Brightwheel app, sharing photos and activity logs to keep them informed.

You’re getting quality when you enroll your young one in our NIPSA-accredited Junior Kindergarten program.

Join Us for a Tour!

Join us for a comprehensive tour — either in person or through Zoom. We look forward to discussing your family’s childcare needs and sharing our beautiful center with you!

Check the schedule for Open House events with our amazing Lead Teacher, Ms. Abby!

Hands-On and Blended Curriculum

Our teachers utilize the Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum to create an experiential, hands-on learning environment incorporating the best of Waldorf, Montessori, and Reggio Emilia philosophies. This environment builds on each child’s strengths and supports development through spontaneous learning opportunities and routines.

Weekly Spanish Lessons To Boost Communication Skills

Your child’s linguistic abilities take off with weekly 20-minute Spanish lessons with Ms. Yesenia. They learn useful real-world vocabulary and form lasting cognitive connections that aid them in all their future endeavors, at no additional cost to you.

The Kid's Work Difference:

How we stand apart from other programs

	INCLUDED at KWCR	Other programs
School Hours	7:30am- 6:30pm	8:15am-3:15pm
Student Teacher Ratio	20:2	30+:1
Ointments, Lotion, Blue Lizard Sunscreen
Organic Morning & Afternoon Snack, Lunch & Organic Milk		additional fee
ENRICHMENT CLASSES: Weekly Music, Yoga, & Spanish classes		additional fee
Indoor Playspace		shared space
Private, On-Site Playgrounds		shared space
Educational Supplies		additional fee
Secure, Off Street Parking
Summer Camp Fee/Special Events/ Field Trips ($250 value)		additional fee

Reading and Writing Readiness

Both independent and shared reading/writing experiences provide daily authentic and integrated language arts readiness exposure. Learning Without Tears provides cross-curricular hands-on structured exposure to handwriting and language arts concepts.

Creativity and Artistic Expression

Weekly music classes with Ms. Elisa from WeeGroove, and weekly yoga with Brain to Belly Yoga place an emphasis on creativity and self-expression. Open-ended art allowing for choice and individuality help children to see the value in their ideas and effort while boosting self-esteem and pride.

NIPSA Accreditation – a Mark of Excellence

Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview is proud to be accredited by NIPSA (National Independent Private School Association). The organization surveyed our school in 16 different areas, from philosophy, curriculum, organization, safety, and staff to student services, parent community, our building, finances, and more. The visiting delegates were so impressed with the teachers and their interactions with the children, the parents’ positive reviews of the school, and our “meticulously maintained early childhood program.” We are so proud and so grateful for our Kids’ Work community and are so happy to hold this mark of distinction!

Highly Interactive Math and Science

The Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum provides our educators with the road map and age-appropriate learning objectives to create a hands-on experiential learning environment that encourages a love for exploration and problem-solving, which is necessary for future success in math and science.

Nutritious, Organic Meal Program

Kids’ Work partners with Healthy Organic Kids catering to provide a complete meal program. Meals are well-balanced and packed full of fresh fruit and crisp, local vegetables. Their refined meal plan helps provide exposure to different tastes and textures supporting your child’s love for healthy eating!

Take a Peek at Our Beautiful Facility From the Comfort of Your Home!

Experience Our Programs Through a Virtual Tour. Click Below To Explore Our Welcoming & Engaging Learning Environments!

Added Support for Parents

We’ll take care of the little things, so you don’t have to. We provide all ointments, lotion, and sunscreen!

Computer Literacy Time

Our Junior Kindergarten program includes an age-appropriate technology component that teaches children how to navigate the basic aspects of a computer as well as teaching beginner skills of computer use.

Consistent Updates and Communication

We know that parents want to feel informed when it comes to their child’s day. In addition to our classroom Daily Chart, which keeps track of your child’s eating, bathroom breaks, and sleep routines, we also utilize the Brightwheel parent communication app to share fun photos and anecdotal snippets of your child’s day!

Learn more about how we support our students'
development each day through meaningful curriculum.

Check out more details on how we incorporate the Experience Early Learning Assessment and Curriculum System in our classrooms!

Plenty of Exercise and Play

We’re incredibly lucky here at Kids’ Work to have a private onsite secure playground facility. Our Junior Kindergartners get plenty of fresh air and exercise during their multiple outdoor playtime sessions and walks on our peaceful neighborhood streets. Playtime within our indoor large-muscle space is yet another example of the fun opportunities our students have to move and develop physically.

Security Measures for Your Child’s Safety

Rest easy knowing that your child is safe and secure on our grounds. Our locations feature monitored and recorded security systems. Exterior doors are locked at all times and the KISI Keyless Entry System allows for the entrance of authorized family members and employees only.

Questions Parents Ask About Our Jr. Kindergarten Program

How does the Jr. Kindergarten classroom prepare my child for elementary school?

Kids’ Work’s Jr. Kindergarten classroom uses a layered curriculum approach to build the skills children need for elementary school. The program combines Experience Assessment tools with Learning Without Tears, Heggerty, and UFLI to develop reading, writing, and math foundations. Weekly themes are driven by student interests and emphasize open exploration, peer collaboration, and social-emotional learning. Students leave feeling confident and ready for their next step.

Hear What Parents Have To Say...

Discover the Difference at Kids Work Chicago Riverview!