Happiness. Confidence. Curiosity.

The Formula for School Success.

The birthplace of The Happiest Preschool

Offering a play-based curriculum for children ages 2-6 years.

The Smart Love approach to early childhood education fosters an optimistic outlook on school. Through the framework of a positive teacher-child relationship, children's positive feelings about school and learning are nurtured. Building a foundation of a love of learning—from finding joy in using their minds, to how to get along with others—flows from the well-being of the child.

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Confidence

Preschool Philosophy

We believe the true nature of preschool is a place where children come to feel happy and competent emotionally, socially, and cognitively. This is at the heart of all we do. By nurturing every child’s positive experience of preschool, we ensure children begin their education career with optimism and self-confidence that will endure throughout their elementary years.

Smart Love’s approach to early childhood education is guided by the well-established and endorsed Smart Love philosophy. At its heart, this philosophy provides a rich understanding of a child’s mind and emotions at every stage of development and informs our teachers how to respond in the most growth promoting way. In this manner, we nurture children's love of school and learning.

Preschool
Approach

The Smart Love approach to early childhood education fosters children's positive feelings toward school, learning, and using their minds by nurturing a positive and trusting relationship between children and their teachers. When this relationship is grounded in trust, understanding, and compassion, it meets children's social and emotional needs, helping children to feel confident and secure at school.

When children feel content and assured that their needs will be met, their natural curiosity and desire to explore their world flourish. Teachers build on each child’s interests, encouraging them to ask questions, pursue ideas, and develop confidence as lifelong learners. Our extensively trained educators model kindness and understanding as they respond to all of the children's needs and feelings. Children internalize these caring responses, which informs how they view themselves, their relationships with others, and their connection to learning.

This supportive environment not only fosters social-emotional development but also lays the foundation for future academic success.

Our approach is embodied in Dr. Martha Heineman Pieper and Kelly Perez's groundbreaking book, The Happiest Preschool. Acclaimed both nationally and internationally, this first-of-its-kind manual translates current research and progressive ideas into practical teaching practices that educators can easily adopt and implement. The Happiest Preschool has been endorsed by Arne Duncan, Dan Gartrell, Leslie Koplow, and more.

From this book parents can get a deeper understanding of what happens inside our classrooms and why we do it. These practices can be applied at home as well.

Smart Love in
PreK Action

A child’s first experience in a PreK classroom is a significant milestone. To ensure a positive start, we encourage a gentle separation process where parents remain on the premises until their child feels comfortable, ensuring both parent and child feel secure during the transition.

We support children’s development with toilet choosing where children's agency is offered in a pressure free environment.

Inside a Smart Love Preschool classroom, you’ll find a warm, inviting environment where toys are multiple and easily accessible, avoiding the developmentally inappropriate and conflictual concept of sharing and encouraging children to explore their interests right from the start.

Teachers are actively engaged, sitting at the children's level, facilitating play, listening closely, and offering support with emotions and social interactions.

Cognitive development is nurtured through active playful learning, such as simulating an airplane ride or creating a farmer's market. Teachers stimulate children's curiosity by allowing children to follow their interests while integrating academic concepts naturally.

When children need support with unhappy feelings, teachers use Loving Regulation, Smart Love's approach to helping them with troubling emotions. Teachers remain present with the child, providing understanding and kindness as they help children understand their emotions. Children are never isolated or made to feel bad about their feelings. Instead, teachers stay by their side until they are ready to rejoin the group.

The Research

Starting school is a major life transition and the importance of this transition is widely acknowledged in national and international research. These findings suggest that children's experiences during the transition-to-school time can have long term impacts on learning resilience and self-regulation. When a child experiences a positive start to school, the more likely she will have success both socially and academically.

The Smart Love™ approach is distinctive and at the forefront of early childhood education. Increasingly, this approach is being supported by child development research and experts.

The Heart of the Matter

5:1

Playschooler-to-teacher ratio

100%

Parents who reported their school of choice confirmed their child's acceptance

Preschooler-to-teacher ratio

7:1

99%

5 Star Reviews on Yelp, Google, Niche

55

Total Children

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Chicago Parent

Interviews with Smart Love Preschool staff and parents about our approach, early childhood development, and more.

How to Help Your Preschool Child Move On from Difficult Emotions

In an interview with Chicago Parent, Smart Love Preschool Teacher Maddy Perez shared insights on assisting young children with overwhelming emotions and provided practical tips for parents to implement at home!

Read It

Understanding Children's Play: Wisdom from a Preschool Teacher

Chicago Parent interviewed our Karen Hermach, Preschool Teacher, on how play can be a window into your child’s world and can help you decode what your preschooler may be thinking and feeling.

Read It

What are the Advantages of Preschool for Your Child?

What’s the secret to igniting a love of learning in your child? An appropriate early learning environment offers many advantages of preschool, says an expert from Smart Love Preschool.

Read It

Home of The Natalie G. Heineman Smart Love Preschool

Happiness. Confidence. Curiosity.

The Formula for School Success.

The birthplace of The Happiest Preschool

Offering a play-based curriculum for children ages 2-6 years.

Confidence

Preschool Philosophy

Preschool
Approach

Smart Love in
PreK Action

The Research

The Heart of the Matter

Chicago Parent

How to Help Your Preschool Child Move On from Difficult Emotions

In an interview with Chicago Parent, Smart Love Preschool Teacher Maddy Perez shared insights on assisting young children with overwhelming emotions and provided practical tips for parents to implement at home!

Understanding Children's Play: Wisdom from a Preschool Teacher

Chicago Parent interviewed our Karen Hermach, Preschool Teacher, on how play can be a window into your child’s world and can help you decode what your preschooler may be thinking and feeling.

What are the Advantages of Preschool for Your Child?

What’s the secret to igniting a love of learning in your child? An appropriate early learning environment offers many advantages of preschool, says an expert from Smart Love Preschool.

Follow Us on Instagram
@smartlovepreschool

Contact Us

Locations
Preschool | Clinic
2222 N. Kedzie Blvd., Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 665-8052

Clinic
1010 Lake St., Ste. 500 Oak Park, IL 60301
(773) 665-8052

Happiness. Confidence. Curiosity.

The Formula for School Success.

The birthplace of The Happiest Preschool

Offering a play-based curriculum for children ages 2-6 years.

Confidence

Preschool Philosophy

The Heart of the Matter

Chicago Parent

How to Help Your Preschool Child Move On from Difficult Emotions

In an interview with Chicago Parent, Smart Love Preschool Teacher Maddy Perez shared insights on assisting young children with overwhelming emotions and provided practical tips for parents to implement at home!

Understanding Children's Play: Wisdom from a Preschool Teacher

Chicago Parent interviewed our Karen Hermach, Preschool Teacher, on how play can be a window into your child’s world and can help you decode what your preschooler may be thinking and feeling.

What are the Advantages of Preschool for Your Child?

What’s the secret to igniting a love of learning in your child? An appropriate early learning environment offers many advantages of preschool, says an expert from Smart Love Preschool.

Follow Us on Instagram @smartlovepreschool

Contact Us

Locations Preschool | Clinic 2222 N. Kedzie Blvd., Chicago, IL 60647 (773) 665-8052

Clinic 1010 Lake St., Ste. 500 Oak Park, IL 60301 (773) 665-8052

Follow Us on Instagram
@smartlovepreschool

Locations
Preschool | Clinic
2222 N. Kedzie Blvd., Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 665-8052

Clinic
1010 Lake St., Ste. 500 Oak Park, IL 60301
(773) 665-8052