Early Childhood

We would love to have you visit us!
To schedule a tour please send an email to Danielle Kenney, Marketing and Development Director, dkenney@olwschool.org or call the school office at (847) 255-0050.

Early Childhood Curriculum
At Our Lady of the Wayside School, our early childhood programs provide a nurturing, faith-filled environment where young children develop a love of learning, while they grow academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. We love to build their confidence and see them soar!

Through engaging classroom experiences, caring teachers, and age-appropriate activities, we encourage each child to explore their interests, discover their unique strengths, and develop the skills needed for future success.

Preschool
Our preschool program serves children ages 3 and 4, providing a strong foundation for lifelong learning. We create an environment where children can develop their own identities, experience success, build friendships, and grow in independence. Our Catholic faith is woven into daily classroom life through prayer, the celebration of Catholic holidays, and opportunities to learn about God and His love for us.

Preschool learning takes place through whole and small group activities. They are encouraged to exploration, play, and create. Each classroom has a teacher and a teacher aide so students will always be supported.

Our classrooms offer a rich variety of materials, including favorite individual handwriting workbooks, children’s books, building and manipulative materials, art supplies, dramatic play areas, and sensory tables. These experiences encourage curiosity, creativity, language development, problem-solving, and early academic skills.

We are always excited to see our students grow as they learn to: listen and communicate, expand their vocabulary, cooperate with others, share materials, respect others, and take responsibility for their behavior. We also nurture positive self-esteem, independence, and a growing desire to learn. 

Preschool Program Options

  • Morning program for 3-year-olds
  • Morning program for 4-year-olds
  • Full-day program with 3- and 4-year-olds learning together in a mixed-age classroom

 Kindergarten
Kindergarten is an important step in a child’s educational journey, building on the curiosity and foundational skills developed during preschool. At Our Lady of the Wayside School, our kindergarten curriculum encourages academic growth, independence, creativity, and positive relationships while allowing children the time and space to learn through developmentally appropriate experiences.

Teachers work with students in individual and group settings to strengthen their reading readiness, math, communication, and critical-thinking skills. Along the way, they are developing cooperation skills, building self-confidence, and understanding responsibility. This is a year of tremendous growth.

Catholic faith is an integral part of the kindergarten experience. Through prayer, faith-based activities, and the celebration of Christian holidays, children learn about God’s love and begin to understand how faith guides the way we treat others.

Traditions, milestones, and celebrations are a big part of the kindergarten experience at OLW. 50’s Day, 100th Day, Wedding of QU are traditions that families have treasured for decades.

Our experienced teachers understand the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs of young learners. Through warm guidance and encouragement, they help each child develop self-control, recognize individual strengths, and build the confidence to take on new challenges.

Kindergarten Program Options

  • Full Day: 8:15 a.m.–3:05 p.m.
  • Half Day: 8:15 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Hybrid: Full days on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with half days on Tuesday and Thursday

At Our Lady of the Wayside School, our early childhood curriculum helps children build a strong foundation for elementary school and beyond—academically, socially, and in their Catholic faith.