ABOUT
Penny Lane School was established in the fall of 1988 with an enrollment of 25 students and three staff members. We have grown to serve more than 500 students with over 150 staff members. Our facilities include indoor gyms, hot meals served from our on site full service kitchen, and private outdoor playgrounds. Educational programs with extended day care are available for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. Penny Lane Schools are privately owned by Christine and Steven Stefano.
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LICENSING
Penny Lane School programs are licensed by the State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. We undergo frequent monitoring by DCFS in addition to health, sanitation, and safety inspections. Our programs meet and exceed all required standards. Penny Lane Schools has the distinction of NAEYC Accreditation and the IL ExceleRate Gold Circle of Excellence.
ACCREDITATION
Penny Lane Schools are accredited by The National Association for the Education of Young Children, the nations leading organization of early childhood professionals. Less than 10 percent of all national child care centers, preschools and kindergartens achieve this recognition. Accredited schools must meet the 10 standards for high-quality early childhood education and provide a safe and healthy environment for children. Accredited schools must also provide well- trained certified teachers, an excellent educational environment with age appropriate materials, and curriculum that is challenging and developmentally sound.
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To learn more about NAEYC ACCREDITATION
follow the link
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ExceleRate Illinois
GOLD Circle of Excellence​
ExceleRate Illinois is the state's quality recognition and improvement system for early learning and development programs. Penny Lane Schools has received the highest rating given to programs that meet or exceed specific quality benchmarks on learning environment, instructional quality and all program business standards; group size and child ratios; provider qualifications; and professional development.
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To learn more about ExceleRate Illinois
follow the link
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HOURS
Penny Lane is open between 6:00AM and 6:00PM, Monday through Friday. Penny Lane is closed on the following legal holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. The school may close early (2pm) or completely on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. If a holiday falls on a Saturday we will be closed on Friday and if the holiday falls on Sunday we will be closed on Monday.
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LOCATIONS
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OAK LAWN*4527 Southwest Highway
Chicago Ridge* 10255 Ridgeland Avenue
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MISSION STATEMENT
Penny Lane Schools exist to serve the unique academic, physical, social, and emotional needs of students who are in a crucial and critical period of their lives. The staff of Penny Lane Schools are committed to creating and maintaining a high quality, trusting, and caring environment where teaching and learning are exciting, developmentally appropriate and students are assisted as they develop skills for school. All aspects of the school's organization, curriculum, and extra-curricular activities are child centered and designed to accommodate individual learning styles so that all may experience success.
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Penny Lane started 35 years ago, when I was raising my young children. I was a full time teacher in the public schools and wanted care for my two young children. I wanted an educational environment that not only taught my children needed development, but was also loving, safe and fun. I wanted them to be fed home cooked warm meals and have a clean place to play and take a nap, and I wanted help with potty training.
As a parent, I needed to feel 100% sure that my children were in the best possible school. It was only then that I could do my best at work.
This is the reason Penny Lane was started and that Penny Lane Schools are well respected today. We provide the best for children and parents.
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Sincerely,
Christine Stefano
Owner Penny Lane
Schools
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Dear Parents:
