Infant Care at JCYS Wicker Park

In the Infant Care program at JCYS Wicker Park, our experienced and professional staff provide a warm, nurturing environment for our youngest children. Following the Reggio Emilia approach to Early Childhood Education, we view each child as capable, competent, and full of potential from birth. Teachers observe each child, discover their interests and developmental stage, and plan activities that integrate those interests while building toward upcoming milestones. As children grow, so do the materials and provocations, ensuring they are continuously engaged.

The most important aspect of our approach is partnership. We work closely with families to maintain consistency between home and school, fostering strong bonds between caregivers and educators. This trust helps children feel secure as they explore and grow in both environments.

Daily Routine

A typical day in our Infant Care program revolves around each child’s individual care needs. Our babies receive all the essentials—diapers, bottles, food, naps, and of course, plenty of cuddles. Alongside care routines, we engage infants with various enriching activities, including gross motor play, sensory exploration, tummy time, water play, and more. Our goal is to expose infants to multiple sectors of play, stimulating their senses and encouraging holistic development.

Infant classroom at JCYS Wicker Park.

Unique Offerings

What sets JCYS Wicker Park apart is the individualized care and attention each child receives. We partner with parents to discuss scheduling needs and collaborate on the best strategies to help children acclimate to a shared environment. Our teachers are conscious of developmental milestones, offering guidance and recommendations to ensure consistency between home and school.

In addition, infants at JCYS Wicker Park participate in weekly yoga and music classes tailored to support their growth and abilities.

Safety and Care

Your child’s safety is our top priority. All teachers are certified in CPR and First Aid and trained in Shaken Baby Syndrome, SIDs, and safe sleep practices based on the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommendations. Teachers are required to complete 15 hours of continuing education each year, and we provide regular opportunities for professional development in various areas of Early Childhood Education, ensuring that our staff stays current on best practices.

2025-26 Tuition and Registration

Infant Care (6 weeks - 14 months) Tuition
August 13, 2025 – June 5, 2026 10 Installments
Infant Care Full-Day
7:30 am – 5:30 pm 
5 days/week $2,780
Register

Registration for the 2025-26 school year and summer programming is now open to current JCYS families. Registration will open to the community on Tuesday, December 3 at 10:00 am.

Please note: If you are not a current family and attempt to register before Tuesday, December 3 at 10:00 am, we will not hold your spot, and you will be instructed to re-register at the appropriate time.

In order to complete your registration, you must provide a non-refundable, non-transferable registration fee. The registration fee for infant care, toddler care, and preschool programming is $200 per child; for camp, the fee is $100 per child.

2025-26 Billing & Payment Cycle
Installment Billing Cycle Payment Cycle
Summer 2025
1st Installment April 15, 2025 May 1, 2025
2nd Installment May 15, 2025 June 1, 2025
School Year 2025-26
1st Installment June 15, 2025 July 1, 2025
2nd Installment July 15, 2025 August 1, 2025
3rd Installment August 15, 2025 September 1, 2025
4th Installment September 15, 2025 October 1, 2025
5th Installment October 15, 2025 November 1, 2025
6th Installment November 15, 2025 December 1, 2025
7th Installment December 15, 2025 January 1, 2026
8th Installment January 15, 2026 February 1, 2026
9th Installment February 15, 2026 March 1, 2026
10th Installment March 15, 2026 April 1, 2026

Our installment plan for Summer 2025 is initially billed on April 15, 2025. Our installment plan for Fall/Spring 2025-2026 is initially billed on June 15, 2025. If registering after our initial bills go out, you will be contacted by your Business Manager regarding adjusted installments.