Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing Kids' Work
Here are the questions most parents ask when deciding whether to enroll.
How does Kids’ Work support families with scheduling and program options?
Kids’ Work offers flexible full-time and part-time enrollment options and operates year-round to accommodate a range of family schedules.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 6:30pm (with flexible drop off and pick up times) and operates year-round. Families can choose full-time enrollment or part-time schedules of four, three, or two days per week, based on classroom availability. A half-day morning program from 7:30am–12:30pm is available for children 15 months to 4 years old.
For children ages three to eight, Camp Kids’ Work provides full-day summer programming across three week-long sessions in June, July, and August. Drop-in care is also available during the school year for preschool-aged children enrolled in public or private preschool programs.
The goal is to provide flexible, structured options that meet families where they are.
What does a typical day look like for a child at Kids’ Work?
A typical day at Kids’ Work balances structured learning, active play, outdoor time, and enrichment so children stay engaged, supported, and active throughout the day.
Weather permitting, children go outside daily to use the private playground or take supervised walks along the nearby river trail. Infants ride in six-seat strollers, while toddlers and preschoolers use walking ropes to move safely in the community. When weather does not allow outdoor time, children use indoor play areas designed for climbing, balancing, and movement.
For children 15 months and older, organic meals are provided through Healthy Organic Kids and include breakfast snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and whole milk. For infants six months and up, a solid meal plan is available at a small additional charge. Diapers, wipes, Aquaphor, and sunscreen are included in tuition.
Weekly enrichment classes are built into the program. Depending on age, children participate in Spanish, music, soccer, or movement-based classes such as Kidokinetics.
How does Kids’ Work keep children safe, healthy, and well cared for day to day?
Kids’ Work keeps children healthy and well cared for by following Illinois Department of Public Health and DCFS requirements, using clear illness guidelines, and maintaining consistent daily cleaning routines across classrooms and shared spaces.
For illness, children can return to group care once they are symptom-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. As a private center serving infants and young children, we strictly follow the required DHS health form process and immunization requirements set by the Illinois Department of Public Health for both students and staff.
Cleanliness is built into the daily routine. Each classroom and shared space follows specific procedures, including disinfecting toys, furniture, climbing equipment, and frequently touched surfaces. The center is also serviced nightly by a cleaning crew.
How does Kids’ Work support children’s development and prepare them for what’s next?
Kids’ Work supports development through a hands-on, play-based approach that builds social-emotional skills, language, physical development, and early academic foundations in age-appropriate ways.
The center uses The Experience Early Learning Curriculum, a research-based program that integrates learning across domains such as literacy, math, science, social studies, and creative arts. Teachers observe and assess progress through daily activities and use those insights to guide instruction.
Families receive daily updates through the Brightwheel app, and formal parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year to discuss each child’s development and emerging learning areas.
For older students in the Junior Kindergarten classroom, additional curriculum components such as Learning Without Tears, Heggerty, and UFLI are incorporated to strengthen kindergarten readiness while maintaining a supportive and engaging classroom environment.
How secure is the Kids’ Work facility, and how do you protect children throughout the day?
Kids’ Work maintains a secure environment through controlled building access, locked exterior doors, recorded security cameras, and building safety systems designed to protect children throughout the day.
The facility includes monitored and recorded cameras, sprinkler systems, specialized interior door locks, outside gates, and an alarm system connected directly to police and fire departments. Entry is controlled using the Kisi Keyless Entry System so only authorized families and staff can access the building.
Cameras record 24 hours a day and administrators have access to footage. Live parent viewing is not provided, but parents can request a meeting to discuss an issue and review footage if necessary.
For emergencies, the center follows specific policies and procedures with drills that include fire, tornado, intruder, and shelter-in-place scenarios. Staff also receive training on allergy response, safe walking practices in the community, and keeping CPR and First Aid certifications up to date.
How are teachers at Kids’ Work trained, qualified, and supported long term?
Teachers at Kids’ Work meet Illinois state requirements for early childhood education coursework, and every staff member is CPR and First Aid certified. We hire educators with relevant classroom experience and then support them with a structured onboarding process so they can step into the classroom with clear expectations around safety, routines, and family communication.
Safety and professionalism are non-negotiable. All staff complete the Illinois DCFS background check, and we provide ongoing professional development so teachers keep building skills over time. We also sponsor growth through programs like CDA support for educators who want to develop within the center.
To maintain stability for children and families, we focus on strong classroom culture and leadership continuity. Several teachers have been part of our center for over nine years, and members of the admin team have been at the center for over fifteen years.
The best way to experience Kids’ Work is to visit in person.
General Questions
What programs do Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview offer?
At Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview, we offer five programs that provide care and early childhood education to children. These programs include Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Junior Kindergarten, and Summer Camp programs, each catering to little ones in different age brackets to optimize learning, growth, and social development.
What age range is infant daycare available for?
Our infant daycare program is available to those between six weeks and 15 months old. The program provides a safe, stimulating, and caring environment for infants who are enrolled.
What age range is toddler daycare available for?
The toddler daycare program is available to children between 15 and 23 months in Chicago. The program is built around activities that are designed to help toddlers continue their learning and growth journey. Enrollment includes both full-time and part-time options, with part-time enrollment offering flexibility in two-, three-, or four-day options.
What age range is preschool daycare available for?
The preschool program at Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview is available for children ages two to four. The program aims to provide convenience for working parents by offering flexible pickups and drop-offs during operating hours.
What age range is junior kindergarten daycare available for?
Children between four and six years of age are the best fit for our junior kindergarten daycare program. The program is designed to help little ones develop the knowledge and skills for a smooth transition to elementary school. The program is flexible, providing convenient drop-offs and pickups during operating hours.
What age range is summer camp available for?
Our summer camp at Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview is designed for students ages three-seven. To provide greater flexibility for working parents, we offer three separate sessions.
Session 1 runs from June 8 to June 26, Session 2 runs from July 6 to July 24, and Session 3 runs from July 27 to August 14. Each session is for a full-day camp, which runs from 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Camp activities are in full swing from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with attendance encouraged for children during that time.
What curriculum do you use, and how does it support my child’s development?
Our staff of educators uses the Experience Early Learning Assessment and Curriculum system to support the growth and development of all of our students. The system provides a multidimensional and comprehensive view of each child’s learning journey and growth, and it works by charting their progress on the Developmental Continuum of Skills.
The program is robust, targeting eight main domains of learning, covering 36 different skills and 73 sub-skills. Our educators also benefit from the curriculum through the guidance it provides toward student development through play-based and hands-on learning methods, allowing your child to grow and thrive. Our ultimate goal is to develop a total understanding of each student and provide support through a loving and enriching environment where they can blossom.
The curriculum is also supplemented with weekly enrichment programs. These programs vary depending on the program. Children in the infant and toddler programs have weekly music classes, as well as Spanish classes taught by Ms. Yesenia.
Two-year-olds have enrichment through weekly Spanish classes taught by Ms. Yesenia and develop fine motor skills through Lil’ Sparks Soccer classes.
Students three years old and up have weekly Spanish classes taught by Ms. Yesenia and a Kidokinetics Class that focuses on developing movement, balance, and coordination.
What enrichment activities are included in tuition?
The enrichment activities included in your child’s tuition include weekly language classes and movement enrichment. These activities are designed to provide our students with a well-rounded educational and developmental experience that fosters strong mind-body connections.
Other activities include daily infant and toddler signing sessions in the classroom, which are led by our trained and experienced educators, Buddha Belly Yoga sessions, and music classes that are led by Ms. Elisa of WeeGroove music. These activities are designed to bolster cognitive development.
What are your daily hours, and can I drop off early or pick up late?
Our operating hours at Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview are 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM, Monday through Friday. We strive to offer your family both consistency and flexibility to meet your daycare needs. You can drop off or pick up your child at any time within our operating hours, allowing you to tailor your schedule for added convenience and reduced stress. Your little one will be with peers and caring educators throughout each day.
How flexible are your part-time and full-time attendance options?
Children enrolled in our programs at Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview attend full-time, Monday through Friday. Part-time attendance provides greater flexibility for parents, allowing your child to attend four, three, or two days per week.
Part-time schedules are set, though parents can request changes to add or reduce days and alter the scheduled days for care, as enrollment allows, with proper notice to our staff. We understand that parents’ needs and schedules fluctuate, and we strive to be as flexible as possible when accommodating those changes.
Do I need to schedule a tour?
Your tour is the first step toward enrolling your young one in one of our programs. It is a critical step for your family to stop in to see our facility, ask our staff and educators questions about the facility and curriculum, and share your child’s future childcare needs. Parents can find dates for Open Houses or book a tour through our website for added convenience.
What safety and security measures are in place at Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview?
We understand the importance of providing a safe environment for your child at Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview. All of the exterior doors at our learning facility are locked, preventing unauthorized access. We pair the locked doors with the KISI app, which allows parents to enter the building safely.
All guests at our facility must ring the doorbell and be greeted by an administrator before being granted access. We also go the extra mile with video surveillance at Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview, with all classrooms and shared spaces monitored 24 hours a day. All repairs and updates are handled promptly to ensure functionality and safety for our students.
Is there outdoor play spaces available on site?
We understand the health and developmental benefits of allowing young ones to play outdoors. While many daycare centers in Chicago must walk to a public park for outdoor play, we have a secure on-site playground for your young ones to enjoy.
Students are provided with specific play times with toys and materials suitable for their age. Our educators also take students for walks in the neighborhood. Infants ride in large buggies while older students enjoy walking along the river path.
How will I receive updates about my child’s day?
We utilize the Brightwheel app to provide updates and document your child’s progress throughout each day. Documentation covers everything from diaper changes and mealtimes to classroom activities and participation in curriculum activities. Educators can send updates in the form of text, photos, and videos, giving parents a clear idea of how their child’s day at Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview went.
Are part-time options available?
We go the extra mile to meet your family’s schedule and needs, which is why we offer both full-time and part-time enrollment options. Part-time enrollment can be four, three, or two days per week. The part-time spaces are determined by classroom availability, allowing families with greater flexibility to find a schedule that works for them. Your child’s schedule can be subject to change upon graduation to the next program, but we work hard to provide consistency.
Are you open year-round?
Yes, we are open year-round with a set closure schedule and hours, allowing families to anticipate our schedule.
Is the center cleaned regularly?
Our learning center is cleaned nightly by a professional cleaning crew, ensuring a safe and sanitary place where your child can grow and play. Our staff also follows a detailed cleaning schedule to keep classrooms, toys, and materials clean and disinfected.
What is the teacher-to-staff ratio?
We aim for higher than the recommended DCFS ratios by employing floating educators who support our teachers and students in the classroom.
Are staff background checked?
Parents can enjoy peace of mind when enrolling their children in our programs at Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview, as all of our staff undergo extensive background checks through DCFS during the interview and hiring process. They must also meet all state and local health requirements.
We focus on individuals who genuinely love caring for and teaching children. We understand that patience, love, and energy are essential for supporting little ones, and it is vital that our staff are invested in the field.
Our onboarding process includes training on our policies and procedures, including safety guidelines, allergy training, emergency drills, DCFS-mandated reporting status, and more. We also require our staff to participate in ongoing professional development to build their confidence as educators and develop the skills to support their students.
Is Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview accredited?
We are proud to be accredited by the National Independent Private School Association (NIPSA). Our school was surveyed in 16 areas by this organization, including safety, philosophy, organization, and staff-to-student services.
The NIPSA delegates were immensely impressed by our teachers and staff, their interactions with our students, and the positive reviews of parents with children enrolled in our programs. We are incredibly proud to hold this mark of distinction, and we are so very grateful for our Kids’ Work Chicago Riverview community!