Programs

A High-Quality School in Albany Park, Chicago, Illinois.

Imagine the possibilities if you could give your child a head start in life. We offer an opportunity for that, providing high-quality childcare and early education to children so they are prepared with all they need before going off into school or otherwise independent pursuits later in childhood!

Why enroll your child in an Award Winning Illinois Whole Child School?

“The ASCD Whole Child Award is an award designed to recognize schools that go above and beyond to educate the whole child. We at ILASCD have created an award at the state level to recognize schools that have developed a vision to encourage the growth of the whole child. The whole child award recognizes these schools for not only educating the whole child but for having had success in creating students who are knowledgeable, emotionally, and physically healthy, engaged in an inclusive learning environment, and are prepared to become lifelong learners. This award recognizes those schools that have changed the focus from one of a narrow academic vision to one that promotes the development of the whole child; healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged.”

Our Programs

Preschool

3 YEARS

Pre-K/Jr.Kindergarten

4 YEARS

Kindergarten

5 YEARS

Parent's Testimonials

Meli is such an amazing, compassionate and talented teacher. She instills confidence in her students and educates them, and cares what they truly deserve. The Play Lab is a home away from home.

Melisa Oakley

Melinda is one of the most compassionate, loving, caring & nurturing souls I've ever had the pleasure of knowing! She is the BEST person to help teach your children everything a pre-schooler should know before entering kindergarten! She even teaches about nutrition, gardening, music & how to be kind to everyone, in addition to the traditional colors, ABC's & 123's. I would bet money; she's even teaching a way more advanced curriculum than is required to enter a kindergarten class. Any child would be lucky to attend The Play Lab & be even luckier to have Ms. Melinda as their teacher!

Jen Kostanski

My daughter has attended this school for the past 2 Years. She was a prematurely born baby with a lot of hard work ahead of her. We had worked with different therapists and different Doctors to over come some major hurdles through the past 4 1/2 years of my daughter young and growing life. We had not so good experiences with some and great experiences with others.

Julio Martinez

Having filmed multiple events for The Play Lab, I've seen firsthand the impact that The Play Lab and its founder Melinda Martinez have had on its students. I witnessed firsthand the growth of the students as they were fully engrossed in Mrs. Martinez's philosophies and teachings. She keeps her class size small, so she can ensure her focus will be on one on one interactions with her students, and that all students will get equal amounts of attention. She incorporates "play-based" teachings so that her young students have fun while they are learning. These students will go on to bigger and better things in life and will do so because of what they learned, and the friendships they forget while at The Play Lab with Mrs. Melinda Martinez

Kevin Epperson

My son attended The Play Lab for preschool and I literally can not say enough good things about the experience. Ms. Melinda, aka TiTi, is an outstanding teacher. Her gentle, loving spirit taught my son how to self-soothe and tackle problems with ease. Her progressive approach to teaching should be taught everywhere. The children at the Play Lab learn to meditate, and get involved in community work, they become young activists along with traditional kindergarten readiness. Learning is fun at Pay Lab.