Question 1

What ages does GMPS serve?

Accepted Answer

GMPS offers preschool programs for children ages 2–5, along with Parent & Tot programs, Enrichment, and end-of-year camp experiences. Our class options are designed around children’s ages and developmental stages.

Question 2

How do I know which class is right for my child?

Accepted Answer

Class placement at GMPS is based on your child’s age and birthday. Our 2’s, 3’s, and 4’s programs are intentionally structured around the developmental stage of each age group, with specific class options for each. See our program pages for the age requirements and schedule options for each class.

Question 3

Can I tour GMPS before registering?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Families are welcome to schedule an individual tour throughout the year. Morning tours are especially helpful because you can see our classrooms in action and get a feel for a typical GMPS day. Children are welcome to come along.

Question 4

Does GMPS have an Open House?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each January, before open registration, GMPS offers two Open House opportunities — one during the school day and one in the evening. Families can tour the school, learn about our programs, and ask questions before registration.

Question 5

How does registration work?

Accepted Answer

Registration information, current openings, and enrollment details are posted on our Registration page. Because class availability changes from year to year, that page is the best place for current information.

Question 6

Does my child need to be potty trained before starting preschool?

Accepted Answer

No. GMPS does not require children to be potty trained before starting preschool. We change diapers as needed, assist with potty training, and work in partnership with families as children become ready. Potty training happens on an individual timeline, and we support children without pressure while helping them build independence as they are ready.

Question 7

How does GMPS help children prepare for their first day?

Accepted Answer

We build familiarity before school begins through experiences such as a teacher home visit, class playdate, and Meet & Greet. Once school begins, our predictable car-line routine helps children make a confident transition into the classroom.

Question 8

What does a typical day at GMPS look like?

Accepted Answer

Children move through a balance of free play, outdoor time, group experiences, hands-on learning, art, music, movement, and teacher-guided activities. The rhythm becomes more structured as children progress from the 2’s through the 4’s while still leaving plenty of time for play.

Question 9

How much time do children spend outside?

Accepted Answer

Outdoor play is an important part of the GMPS day. Our playground, trike track, garden, meadow, and other outdoor spaces give children opportunities for movement, exploration, imaginative play, science, and nature-based learning.

Question 10

How does GMPS handle challenging behavior?

Accepted Answer

We use positive, developmentally appropriate guidance. Teachers focus on safety, helping children regulate, understanding what a behavior is communicating, and teaching the skills children need to handle the situation differently next time.

Question 11

How do teachers help children become more independent?

Accepted Answer

Independence grows gradually through everyday responsibilities — managing belongings, putting on coats, carrying materials, cleaning up, making choices, asking for help, and taking increasing responsibility within the classroom.

Question 12

What is Enrichment?

Accepted Answer

Enrichment is an optional extended-day experience for children in the 3’s and 4’s. Children bring lunch, spend additional time with friends, and explore rotating hands-on themes such as science, cooking, creative dramatics, and nature.

Question 13

Do children eat lunch at school?

Accepted Answer

Children enrolled in extended-day programs bring lunch and eat together with classmates. Lunch gives children additional opportunities for conversation, independence, and managing their own belongings and routines.

Question 14

What does play-based learning mean at GMPS?

Accepted Answer

Play-based does not mean unplanned. Teachers intentionally design environments, introduce ideas, ask questions, add materials, and help children extend their thinking while giving them meaningful opportunities to explore and solve problems through play.

Question 15

Do children learn math and early literacy at GMPS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Intentional early learning is woven into our play-based day. We use Math Counts, Heggerty Phonemic Awareness, and Handwriting Without Tears to build strong foundations in math, language, sound awareness, and writing readiness.

Question 16

What is Math Counts?

Accepted Answer

Math Counts is GMPS’s own developmentally appropriate preschool math curriculum, based on the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards. Children explore counting, quantity, patterns, sorting, shapes, measurement, and problem-solving through hands-on experiences.

Question 17

What is process art?

Accepted Answer

In process art, the experience of creating matters more than producing a particular finished product. Children make choices, experiment with materials, solve problems, build fine-motor skills, and discover that their own ideas have value.

Question 18

How does nature-based learning fit into the curriculum?

Accepted Answer

Our outdoor spaces are extensions of the classroom. Teachers use nature, seasonal changes, outdoor materials, movement, and exploration to support science, math, language, creativity, problem-solving, and imaginative play. Our Nature-Focused 4’s class gives children even more time for this kind of learning.

Question 19

Will my child be ready for kindergarten?

Accepted Answer

Yes — but we think readiness means much more than knowing letters and numbers. Children also need to communicate, participate in a group, solve problems, manage frustration, work independently and with others, make friends, and approach new experiences with confidence.

Question 20

Who will teach my child at GMPS?

Accepted Answer

Our staff is one of GMPS’s greatest strengths. Teachers know young children well, build close relationships with them, and work together to understand each child’s personality, strengths, needs, and emerging skills.

Question 21

What qualifications do GMPS teachers have?

Accepted Answer

Most of our teachers hold college degrees in education or related fields, and all have completed college coursework in early childhood education. Teachers also complete ongoing professional development throughout the year.

Question 22

Do teachers work together across classrooms?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Classroom teaching teams plan together, and teachers also meet monthly in age-level teams to share ideas, discuss developmental goals, and make sure children experience the full GMPS curriculum.

Question 23

How will I know how my child is doing?

Accepted Answer

Teachers communicate with families regularly through Brightwheel, and formal parent-teacher conferences are held in the fall and spring. We see parents and teachers as partners who each know something important about the child.

Question 24

What are GMPS class sizes and ratios like?

Accepted Answer

We intentionally provide strong adult support in every classroom. Our 2’s maintain a child-to-adult ratio of 5:1 or better, and our 3’s and 4’s classrooms have two full teachers with a maximum of 16 children.

Question 25

Do teachers tend to stay at GMPS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. GMPS has very low staff turnover, and our current staff represents more than 100 combined years at GMPS. That continuity contributes greatly to the strong relationships and collaborative culture of the school.

Question 26

Is GMPS a community for parents as well as children?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Families often tell us that the friendships they make at GMPS become an important part of their preschool years. We create opportunities for parents to meet one another and feel connected to the school community.

Question 27

What kinds of parent social events does GMPS offer?

Accepted Answer

Throughout the year, families have opportunities to participate in parent gatherings, school celebrations, family events, and other social activities. The specific events change from year to year.

Question 28

Can parents volunteer at GMPS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There are many ways to help with events, fundraising, special projects, and school activities. Families can participate as much or as little as their schedules allow.

Question 29

Can parents serve on the GMPS Board?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Board service is one way parents can become more involved in the life and long-term direction of the school.

Question 30

Do I have to volunteer to be part of the community?

Accepted Answer

No. Family involvement is welcomed, not required. Some parents enjoy volunteering frequently, while others participate mainly through social events, classroom celebrations, or simply getting to know other families.

Question 31

How does GMPS keep children safe?

Accepted Answer

We use a layered approach that includes controlled building access, a secured preschool wing, upgraded doors and locks, security window film, classroom and office panic buttons, active supervision, emergency preparedness, and regular staff training.

Question 32

Is the preschool wing secured during the school day?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The preschool wing is locked at both ends during the school day, with additional controlled-access measures throughout the building.

Question 33

How will families hear from GMPS during an emergency?

Accepted Answer

Brightwheel is our primary emergency communication system. Families would receive timely instructions there, including reunification information if children ever needed to leave the building.

Question 34

What emergency training do teachers receive?

Accepted Answer

Teachers are trained in CPR, First Aid, and Stop the Bleed. GMPS also conducts annual safety training with the Glenview Police and Fire Departments and uses their feedback to continually review our procedures.

Question 35

Does GMPS have AEDs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. There are two AEDs in the building.

Question 36

How does GMPS support children with food allergies?

Accepted Answer

GMPS is a peanut- and tree nut-free school. Our daily snacks are primarily fruits and vegetables, which helps us avoid many common allergen foods, and we make additional accommodations when a child in a class has a specific allergy. For children who require allergy accommodations or emergency medication, families must provide an Allergy Action Plan signed by the child’s doctor. Any required emergency medication is kept in the classroom so it is readily available to staff. We work closely with families and teachers to make sure each child’s allergy needs are understood and appropriate precautions are in place.

Question 37

What should I do if my child is sick?

Accepted Answer

Families should follow GMPS’s current illness and health policies when deciding whether a child should attend school. Because specific exclusion guidelines can change, the current Parent Handbook or school communication should be the source for detailed illness requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

What ages does GMPS serve?

What ages does GMPS serve?

How do I know which class is right for my child?

How do I know which class is right for my child?

Can I tour GMPS before registering?

Can I tour GMPS before registering?

Does GMPS have an Open House?

Does GMPS have an Open House?

How does registration work?

How does registration work?

Does my child need to be potty trained before starting preschool?

Does my child need to be potty trained before starting preschool?

How does GMPS help children prepare for their first day?

How does GMPS help children prepare for their first day?

Your Child’s Day at GMPS

What does a typical day at GMPS look like?

What does a typical day at GMPS look like?

How much time do children spend outside?

How much time do children spend outside?

How does GMPS handle challenging behavior?

How does GMPS handle challenging behavior?

How do teachers help children become more independent?

How do teachers help children become more independent?

What is Enrichment?

What is Enrichment?

Do children eat lunch at school?

Do children eat lunch at school?

How Children Learn at GMPS

What does play-based learning mean at GMPS?

What does play-based learning mean at GMPS?

Do children learn math and early literacy at GMPS?

Do children learn math and early literacy at GMPS?

What is Math Counts?

What is Math Counts?

What is process art?

What is process art?

How does nature-based learning fit into the curriculum?

How does nature-based learning fit into the curriculum?

Will my child be ready for kindergarten?

Will my child be ready for kindergarten?

Teachers & Family Partnership

Who will teach my child at GMPS?

Who will teach my child at GMPS?

What qualifications do GMPS teachers have?

What qualifications do GMPS teachers have?

Do teachers work together across classrooms?

Do teachers work together across classrooms?

How will I know how my child is doing?

How will I know how my child is doing?

What are GMPS class sizes and ratios like?

What are GMPS class sizes and ratios like?

Do teachers tend to stay at GMPS?

Do teachers tend to stay at GMPS?

Family Community & Involvement

Is GMPS a community for parents as well as children?

Is GMPS a community for parents as well as children?

What kinds of parent social events does GMPS offer?

What kinds of parent social events does GMPS offer?

Can parents volunteer at GMPS?

Can parents volunteer at GMPS?

Can parents serve on the GMPS Board?

Can parents serve on the GMPS Board?

Do I have to volunteer to be part of the community?

Do I have to volunteer to be part of the community?

Health & Safety

How does GMPS keep children safe?

How does GMPS keep children safe?

Is the preschool wing secured during the school day?

Is the preschool wing secured during the school day?

How will families hear from GMPS during an emergency?

How will families hear from GMPS during an emergency?

What emergency training do teachers receive?

What emergency training do teachers receive?

Does GMPS have AEDs?

Does GMPS have AEDs?

How does GMPS support children with food allergies?

How does GMPS support children with food allergies?

What should I do if my child is sick?