The Formula for School Success.
Happiness. Confidence. Curiosity.
Our Approach
Smart Love Preschool introduces children to school in a positive, playful, and non-pressured way. From the first day, children feel safe, understood, and confident—laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
​
Guided by the Smart Love principles, our teachers respond with warmth, understanding, and kindness. This builds trust, nurtures curiosity, and helps children develop:
-
Emotional resilience
-
Confidence and independence
-
Positive relationships with peers and adults
-
Joy in learning and exploring
Classrooms That Inspire
Our classrooms are warm, inviting, and child-centered. Toys and materials are plentiful and accessible, play is open-ended, and teachers engage at eye-level, guiding learning and social interactions. Academic concepts are integrated naturally through imaginative play. Children explore, problem-solve, and develop skills through activities like building train tracks, creating farmer’s markets, or simulating an airplane ride.
​
Learning Through Nature
Outdoor spaces including our organic gardens, and greenhouse, serve as living classrooms. Children plant, care for, and harvest plants, making hands-on connections to science, math, nutrition, and the environment, while nurturing curiosity and observation.
Supporting Emotions
Smart Love teachers help children navigate feelings with Loving Regulation. Children are never isolated or shamed; teachers stay present and provide guidance until the child is ready to rejoin play. Independence is supported through pressure-free practices like toilet choosing and gentle separation for new students
Our Teachers
The dedication of our teachers is what truly sets Smart Love apart. From their very first year, they receive weekly one-on-one mentoring with Smart Love's Preschool Director, Kelly Perez, attend weekly team meetings, and participate in ongoing consultations, receiving insights from both Kelly Perez and Dr. Martha Heineman Pieper, founder of Smart Love. Our teachers carefully shape classroom curriculum, newsletters, and parent communication through the Smart Love lens, ensuring every aspect of the program reflects our approach. Beyond this, teachers fulfill all DCFS requirements, including annual in-service training and biennial pediatric CPR and first aid certification. This combination of continuous learning, mentorship, and professional expertise allows our teachers to provide nurturing, research-based guidance that supports every child’s growth.
_edited.jpg)
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
Chicago Parent
Interviews with Smart Love Preschool staff and parents about our approach, early childhood development, and more.