Welcome to Kids & Company South Loop Chicago, located in the heart of South Loop neighborhood at State and Roosevelt. We’re within walking distance of about anything you could ever want, including many of our parents’ homes and work, which is why many of our families walk their children to our center each day. We have eight classrooms that can accommodate over 100 children.
At Kids & Company, we use an emergent curriculum and learn through play philosophy. We’re so proud of our learning programs. They include pre-literacy and early reading, Art and Exploration, and Munchkinetics (movement) and are specially designed to engage our children in a learning process that encourages self-expression, creativity, coordination and most importantly, fun! You’ll find sign language in our baby and toddler rooms. All our children participate in music, Spanish, science & exploration and creative play throughout our day.
Our location also offers camp programs for school-age kids? Sign up for a day, a few days, a week or the entire summer and let them explore their communities, stretch their minds and build lasting friendships! Find out more here
My name is Crystal Whitfield Gaines and I am the Center Director at the Kids & Company South Loop location. I attended Kendell College and received a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I have been working in child care for over a decade! Working in child care was a decision that I made due to my own experiences as a parent. I knew that I wanted to make a difference in the lives of other children besides my own as I realized the lack of truly educational, high-quality child care options. In my spare time, I participate in family-friendly events and activities or host some of my own. I also enjoy cooking, reading or having a lazy Saturday with the children. I am a mother of 3 boys (Myles, Christopher, Keith), a girl (Kendra) and a dog named Bella. Now that you know more about me, I would love to meet you. I hope you come to visit our South Loop center and see for yourself how Kids & Company can provide the right care and education for your child!
Kids & Company’s Infant program welcomes newborns up to roughly 18 months. Infants learn about the world around them through their senses, so exploration is critical to their development. Nurturing educators support the children while they take in their surroundings, encouraging them to experience everything the classroom offers; be it creative art, exploring with blocks, listening to songs or engaging in story-time. Our infant program encourages children to follow their own established routines, while becoming comfortable and secure in a new group setting.
Kids & Company’s Toddler program is for children between the ages of roughly 18 months and 2.5 years. Toddlers are mobile and eager to explore their environment. As they strive for independence, our educators use an Emergent curriculum approach to learning that supports each child’s individuality. Some of the most important learning outcomes of our toddler program are language development, socialization, self-help skills, and the development of fine and gross motor skills.
Kids & Company’s Preschool program is designed for children between the ages of roughly 2.5 - 5 years. Our educators interact, observe and interpret the interests of our children to encourage discoveries. Our Preschool program provides a foundation for developing greater independence and problem-solving skills; the program integrates new concepts into our children’s world view, promotes sharing and mutual respect, and prepares them for Kindergarten.
