In Mount Prospect, ABCD Academy for Children runs five dedicated classrooms - each matched to a specific age group and taught by a trained teacher.
On this page, you will find out what each classroom teaches, who it is built for, and what a typical day looks like. Every child receives healthy meals daily.
Enrollment is open.
Our
classrooms
Bear Cubs
6 weeks to 16 months
Infant Care for Children 6 Weeks to 16 Months in Mount Prospect
Bear Cubs is our youngest group - infants from 6 weeks to 16 months old. This is licensed infant care in Mount Prospect and the surrounding towns for families who need to return to work and want more than a standard nursery.
Your baby will not just be watched. They will be learning every day. Within the first 12 months of life, small infants become thinking, curious toddlers. Our teachers are with them through every step of that change. They focus on communication, eye-hand coordination, and motor skills – crawling, sitting, moving, kneeling, and standing up.
We provide:
- Children in Bear Cubs also learn to express their feelings and to communicate with the people around them.
- We give every infant a solid foundation for future learning, and we make sure they feel safe and comfortable with us from day one.
Little Monkeys
16 to 24 months
Toddler Program for Children 16 to 24 Months
Little Monkeys are children from 16 months to 2 years old. They are learning to walk, run, and express their opinions. They love to face challenges and explore everything around them.
Our classroom is designed for curious, busy toddlers just like them. With warm, attentive care from our teachers, children in this group are happy and active. As we support their language development, they learn new words and phrases every day and begin putting together their first simple sentences – an exciting and completely natural step at this age.
We provide:
- We give Little Monkeys a fixed daily schedule: activities, meals, walks, play, and nap time.
- That structure makes children feel safe with us.
- Through carefully selected age-appropriate toys, play activities, and books, they learn to communicate their needs and express their own opinions.
Tiger Cubs
2-Year-Olds
A Program Built Around Social and Motor Skills
Tiger Cubs is our group for 2-year-olds. All parents want their children to become self-reliant and to learn basic skills for everyday life.
At ABCD Academy, your child works toward that goal under the supervision of our highly qualified staff – with the support of their classmates alongside them. Not only will your child learn self-reliance and teamwork, but they will also develop their talents, interests, and imagination. Tiger Cubs gives your 2-year-old a real head start on the skills they will use in preschool and beyond.
Children will:
- Develop social skills
- Become more self-confident and self-reliant
- Develop fine motor skills through art activities
- Develop language skills
- Learn to perform some activities in silence
- Become familiar with elements of rhythm through music activities
- Joyfully spend time on fun activities
Zebras
3-Year-Olds
A Classroom Focused on Creativity, Language, and Early Academics
Zebras is our classroom for 3-year-olds. Through play activities and interaction with classmates, children in this group learn self-reliance, teamwork, and some important social rules.
They develop their imagination and discover their own abilities and interests. For families in Mount Prospect preparing their children for school in Arlington Heights or Schaumburg, this program is built to match what Illinois early learning standards expect.
Zebras will:
- Develop a positive self-image
- Make contact with classmates
- Develop creative interests
- Develop manual skills
- Develop positive emotions
- Develop visual, auditory, and motor coordination
Zebras' activities include:
- Learning the names of days, months, and seasons of the year
- Learning to distinguish colors and opposites
- Counting to 10
- Applying a variety of artistic techniques to complete assignments
- Learning poems and songs
- Listening to stories and fairy tales related to the subject being presented
- Doing exercises, dancing, and playing
- Learning elements of acting through school plays and shows
Lions
4- and 5-Year-Olds
Preparing for Kindergarten
Lions is our pre-K group for 4- and 5-year-olds. Our work with this group focuses on preparing children for further education, with special emphasis on language and math skills.
When your child leaves ABCD Academy, they will be ready for kindergarten – in the Arlington Heights, Schaumburg, or Chicago area school districts, or anywhere else in Illinois.
Full-day activities in Lions include:
- Activities developing language skills
- Math
- Visual arts
- Rhythmic activities with elements of dance
- Movement games
- Gymnastics
- Computer activities
Lions will:
- Learn the 26 letters of the alphabet, digits, geometric shapes, spatial relationships, and the names of months and days of the week
- Learn to write by tracing letters and letter-like shapes
- Use different visual art techniques
- Memorize poems and songs
- Listen to fairy tales and stories
- Use educational computer programs
- Exercise and dance to music
- Participate in events: "Meeting Santa Claus," "Carnival Ball," "Easter Egg Hunt," "Meet the Easter Bunny," "Picture Day," "Mother's Day," "Father's Day," and many others
Multipurpose Room
For All Age Groups
Indoor Space for Movement and Play
The Multipurpose Room is our indoor gym. It is where children from every age group come to move, play, and burn off energy - whatever the weather is like outside.
Teachers bring their groups here for gymnastics, movement games, music, and dance. Activities are matched to each age group, so toddlers and pre-K children alike can take part safely. The room also serves as a space for school events and celebrations.
Activities in the Multipurpose Room include:
- Gymnastics and exercises
- Movement games
- Music, rhythm, and dance
- Active play on cold or rainy days
- Rehearsals for school events
In the Multipurpose Room, children will:
- Build strength, balance, and coordination
- Release energy in a safe, supervised space
- Learn to take turns and follow rules in group games
- Gain confidence moving in front of others
What Every ABCD Classroom Has in Common
The five classrooms at our Mount Prospect location each have their own teacher, their own curriculum, and their own age-specific setup. But every one of them runs on the same foundation.
1
Healthy meals
Every child receives balanced meals and snacks daily, matched to their age. The same care applies to your 6-week-old infant and your 5-year-old pre-K student.
2
Fixed daily schedule
Arrival, activity blocks, meal, outdoor time, rest, and afternoon play – every day, in every group.
3
Qualified teachers
Every classroom is led by a teacher with early childhood education credentials. Many of our teachers have been with us for years.
4
Licensed facility
All classrooms at 253 E Rand Rd are maintained to Illinois DCFS standards.
Consistent hours.
We are open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age can I enroll my child in the infant program at ABCD Academy?
Our infant program, Bear Cubs, accepts babies from 6 weeks old. Infant spots fill quickly, so we recommend contacting us early – call (847) 255-6666 to check availability.
What does a typical day look like in the Zebras or Lions classroom?
Every day follows a fixed schedule: arrival, activity blocks, a meal, outdoor time, rest, and afternoon play. Each classroom also follows its own age-specific lesson plan throughout the day.
Does ABCD Academy's pre-K program prepare children for Illinois kindergarten requirements?
Yes. Our Lions pre-K program focuses on the skills children need for kindergarten – language, early math, letters and writing readiness, and the social skills to learn in a group. Our program is built to match what Illinois early learning standards expect.
Can my child switch from one age group to another as they get older?
Yes. As your child grows, they move up to the next age group – from Bear Cubs all the way to Lions – without changing schools. Our teachers help every child settle comfortably into their new classroom.
How do I know which classroom my child belongs in?
Classrooms are organized by age: Bear Cubs (6 weeks to 16 months), Little Monkeys (16 to 24 months), Tiger Cubs (2-year-olds), Zebras (3-year-olds), and Lions (4- and 5-year-olds). Not sure which group is right? Call (847) 255-6666 and we will help you choose during your tour.