Early Childhood Program
A safe, loving “first school” where each child is seen as unique and loved by God.
- Preschool 3 for 3-year-olds: half day or full day
- Pre-Kindergarten for 4-year-olds: half day or full day
- Kindergarten for 5-year-olds: full day
A first school that nurtures the whole child
St. Gerald’s Early Childhood Program provides a safe, loving “first school” experience, where the growth and development of the whole child is nurtured and supported, and where each child is seen as unique and loved by God.
Our well-structured program gets preschoolers ready for Kindergarten and the learning ahead. Parents are a vital part of our program, and parent involvement is encouraged and welcomed.
We believe in…
- Prayer
- Finger paints
- Singing
- Scissors & glue
- Hugs
- Laughing
- Solving our problems
- Playing outside
- Making friends
- Kindness
- Nursery rhymes
- Learning by doing
- Please and thank you
- Trying new things
- “I did it all by myself”
A great place to learn and grow
- Highly qualified teachers with Bachelor’s degrees in Education and specializations in Early Childhood Education
- Classroom aides who help with small-group, whole-group and individual instruction
- Half-day or full-day preschool for 3-year-olds (Preschool 3) and 4-year-olds (Pre-Kindergarten); full-day Kindergarten Programs and ages
- A curriculum that follows the Archdiocese of Chicago and Illinois State Board of Education Early Learning and Kindergarten Standards
- The Superkids literacy program in Kindergarten
- Music, gym and library classes
- Developmental screening for incoming students
- One-on-one skill check-ins with the teacher in Preschool 3 and Pre-K, so we can follow each child’s progress through the year
- Reading and math check-ins in Kindergarten that show teachers where each child is and what to work on next
- 1:1 Chromebooks in Kindergarten, used about 15 minutes a day for i-Ready reading and math How Kindergarten uses them
- A partnership with St. Xavier University’s School of Speech/Communication Disorders that supports early language and literacy skills
- Hot lunch program, prepared onsite
- Extended care before and after school Extended Day hours
Choose the right start
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Preschool 3
Age: 3 years old before September 1
- ESGI (Educational Software that Guides Instruction) one-on-one assessments
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Pre-Kindergarten
Age: 4 years old before September 1
- ESGI (Educational Software that Guides Instruction) one-on-one assessments
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Kindergarten
Age: 5 years old before September 1
- Superkids literacy program
- i-Ready reading and math assessments
Chromebooks in Kindergarten
We use our Chromebooks daily for approximately 15 minutes to support learning in i-Ready Reading and Math while building important technology skills. We are so proud of our kindergarteners as they learn to log in independently, use their passwords, and navigate the touchpad with confidence. On weekends, children can use the Superkids online portal at home to practice reading skills and enjoy singing along to their favorite Superkids songs!
Preschool tuition, 2026–2027
- Preschool (PK3 & PK4) — 5 half days $4,600 / yr
- Preschool (PK3 & PK4) — 5 full days $6,900 / yr
- Preschool (PK3 & PK4) — 3 or 4 days Available upon request
Preschoolers count toward family pricing too. Kindergarten follows the Kindergarten–Grade 8 tuition.
Full tuition, fees and family pricing →What families say
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“St. Gerald preschool has been a wonderful experience for my son. He has learned and grown so much and has developed a love of school and learning that makes me so happy. The teachers are excellent and not only make the classroom a fun and exciting place to be, but also make sure to treat each child as an individual and make each experience in school a positive one. I could not be happier with my decision to send my son to preschool at St. Gerald.”
St. Gerald preschool parent
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“With very caring and dedicated teachers and an equally cheerful learning environment, St. Gerald Preschool has been a great start to our daughter’s educational experience. It is a wonderful place for children to learn and grow. Social skills develop under watchful eyes and lasting values are fostered so that everyone benefits from a thorough program and an excellent school and staff. It feels like an extension of our own home. We have seen our daughter blossom and we feel fortunate and blessed to be part of the St. Gerald Preschool family.”
St. Gerald preschool parent
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“Sending our children to St. Gerald for preschool is the best decision we made for our kids. We cannot say enough good things about the program. It is unbelievable what they get the preschoolers to accomplish academically, while also keeping free play as an important part of the day. Both of our girls have benefitted so much socially, spiritually, and academically from being in their classes. We were confident dropping our kids off every morning, knowing they were in the best hands.”
St. Gerald preschool parent
Questions about preschool? Call (708) 422-0121 or plan a tour.
Ready to see St. Gerald in person?
A tour takes about 30 minutes — and it's the best way to know if we're the right home for your child. We'd love to meet you.