Early Learning Lab: Infants and Toddlers
Early Learning Lab: 2's Preschool
Early Learning Lab: Infants and Toddlers
Program Description
The purpose of the Infant and Toddler program is to equally benefit parents and children by providing one-to-two days per week of fun and learning in a safe, stimulating and loving environment that promotes a variety of skills and social relationships. This program provides children with the beginning steps to knowing themselves as a learner and as a member of a group. Children are able to work through transitions and sharing so that they are better prepared for learning in a group setting. Teachers help children and parents work through separation. The daily schedule includes free choice, gross motor play, art, stories, music, snack, lunch and rest time. These times throughout the day also help children to work on their selfhelp skills.
Teacher-to-Child Ratio
The Union Church Early Childhood Programs are licensed by the State of Illinois and are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This means that we follow the group size and teacher-to- child ratios that are recommended/mandated by these organizations.
Infant Classroom (6 weeks -14 months and walking) – 4 children with 1 teacher and a shared infant/toddler float.
Toddler Classroom (14 months and walking – 24 months) – 5 children with 1 teacher and a shared infant/toddler float.
Registration and Tuition
Registration is $90 for the first child and $55 for the second child that you are enrolling. This registration fee covers all processing expenses including postage. This fee also includes a supply charge for consumable items that are used within the classrooms. This registration fee is non-refundable and due at the time you register your child in the program. Tuition for all options within the Early Learning Lab is collected a month in advance.
Members of the Union Church of Hinsdale receive a 10% discount.
Day |
Infant Classroom |
Toddler Classroom |
Monday |
185 a month |
185 a month |
Tuesday |
190 a month |
190 a month |
Wednesday |
190 a month |
190 a month |
Thursday |
190 a month |
190 a month |
Friday |
185 a month |
185 a month |
Calendar for the Beginning of the Year
After you register your child in the program, you will receive information in the mail from the Union Church ECP. This information will keep you updated on the beginning of the school year and any other information you may need. This information will start coming to your home sometime in July.
Tours for Parents and Children:
The week before the program begins, your family will have a scheduled time when they will be asked to come in and visit the program. This is a time when you will be able to meet the other families who are enrolled on the same day as your child and when you will find out more about this year’s program. During this tour, we ask that you bring your child with you so that they will be able to meet their classmates.
Teacher Credentials and Background
Laura Carta – Ms. Laura joined the ECP in 2008 as a float in the infant and toddler room. She has incredible patience that comes in handy when it is lunch time or when it is time to change diapers.
Brooke Ondrus – Ms. Brooke has been with the ECP since 2006. She is a teacher in the Infant classroom. Ms. Brooke brings many years of experience of working with infants and toddlers. She has the education and the experience needed for the infant classroom. “I know the importance of routines with infants and the joy of watching them explore and grow.”
Ingrid Slajuviene – Ms. Ingrid has been with the ECP since 2007. She is the teacher in the Toddler classroom. Her experience inside of the classroom and as a parent has helped her to make many parents feel at ease when dropping their children off inside the classroom. “I love the children’s boundless energy and creativity.”
Early Learning Lab: 2's Preschool
Program Description
The staff at the ECP has restructured the program previously known as “Kid’s Club”. We have reconfigured the daily routine, staffing and curriculum to enable us to offer an exceptional preschool experience for children who are 2 – 3 years of age. The Early Learning Lab provides children with the beginning steps to knowing themselves as a learner in a group setting. Children are supported to work through transitions and share so that they are better prepared for the dynamics of community learning. Teachers help children and parents work through separation. The daily schedule includes free choice, gross motor play and group time.
This program will focus on the following goals:
1. Provide a loving, caring environment thatbuilds trust with the child and their family.
2. Create an atmosphere where socialization skills can begin to be developed through a play-based philosophy.
3. Facilitate learning as children acquire new self-help skills and increased independence.
4. Develop and assist in language acquisition.
5. Tap into the basic concepts that children will utilize and fine-tune throughout their preschool experiences.
6. Offer a stimulating environment that will allow the limitless energy and wonder of a two year-old to flourish.
7. Involve children in daily art explorations with materials that will include watercolors and tempera paints, wire, clay, charcoal, oil pastels and more.
8. Support children’s pre-writing skills with investigations of line, shape and pattern.
Options within the Early Learning Lab
There are several options within the Early Learning Lab for you and your child.
Two’s Preschool:
This option is for families looking for a beginning preschool experience for their 2 year-old. This program operates either Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15-11:15. Children enrolled in 2 year-old preschool have the opportunity to extend their ideas and to build upon their skills from one morning to the next. The first day’s curriculum is extended on the second day your child attends.
Two’s Preschool with an Extended Day at the “Lab”:
This option is for families looking for a beginning preschool experience with an extension to one of the days their child attends. Children enrolled in the extended day program would select one of their preschool days to stay at school until 2:00. These children will eat lunch with the other children in the room and experience different activities in the afternoon.
A Day at the Early Learning Lab:
This option is for families looking for one-to-two days a week for their children to participate in a group learning experience. This program is available Monday – Friday from 9:15-2:00.
Teacher-to-Child Ratio
The Union Church Early Childhood Program is licensed by the State of Illinois and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This means that we follow the teacher to child ratios/group size that is recommended/mandated by these organizations.
The Early Learning Lab has three teachers for 20 children.
Registration and Tuition
Registration is $90 for the first child and $55 for the second child that you are enrolling. This registration fee covers all processing expenses including postage. This fee also includes a supply charge for consumable items that are used within the classrooms. This registration fee is non-refundable and due at the time you register your child in the program. Tuition for all options within the Early Learning Lab is collected a month in advance.
Monthly Tuition for Early Learning Lab Options:
Two’s Preschool is $175 per month.
Two’s Preschool with an Extended Day is $265 per month.
A Day at the Early Learning Lab:
Day |
Tution |
Monday |
$165 a month |
Tuesday |
$170 a month |
Wednesday |
$170 a month |
Thursday |
$170 a month |
Friday |
$165 a month |
Members of the union church of Hinsdale receive a 10% discount off of tuition.
Calendar for the Beginning of the Year
After you register your child in the program, you will receive information in the mail from the Union Church ECP. This information will keep you updated on the beginning of the school year and any other information you may need. This information will start coming to your home sometime in July.
Tours for Parents and Children:
The week before the program begins, your family will have a scheduled time when they will be asked to come in and visit the program. This is a time when you will be able to meet the other families who are enrolled on the same day as your child and when you will find out more about this year’s program. During this tour we ask that you bring your child with you so that they will be able to meet their classmates.
Teacher Credentials and Background
Gayle Bueser – Ms. Gayle has been with the Union Church ECP since 1995. She has an Associate’s degree from Morianne Valley. Ms. Gayle has spent several years working with toddlers at the ECP and her knowledge in the phases of development help support her work with two year-olds. “It is amazing to watch the children grow and develop from room to room. There are also some wonderful friendships built here for the children as well as the families.”
Tracy Bassett – Ms. Tracy has been an involved parent at the ECP who took on a role as a teacher in the spring of 2008. She has a Master’s degree of Social Work from Loyola with a background in early childhood assessment treatment and parent support. "I feel the energy that the children bring to the room and it provides me with inspiration."
Rachel Weaver Rivera – Ms. Rachel joined the ECP team in 2008. She is a professional artist and has a background in early childhood education. She loves rolling up her sleeves to help children make learning connections through art. Rachel also provides continuing education workshops for teachers in the Chicago area on children’s use of materials and design of learning environments that support creativity.
Images were created by 2 year olds using mixed media...