We believe childhood should be filled with love, sunshine, stories, muddy shoes, healthy meals full of fruits and vegetables, meaningful friendships, and endless opportunities to wonder.
More than a name, Icare represents a community where families and educators partner together with trust, respect, and compassion.
A timeless proverb sums it all “It takes a village to raise a child.”
Our mission is to create a warm, home-like environment where every hug, every story, every outdoor adventure, and every homemade meal helps children grow into confident, kind, and lifelong learners
“Growing curious minds, kind hearts, and lifelong learners.”
You don't mind muddy shoes: you believe some of the best childhood learning happens outdoor, through puddles, parks, nature, and real life adventures.
You believe children should spend their days reading, exploring, and creating, not in front of screens.
You prefer a small, close-knit setting where your child is truly known, loved, and understood.
You value fresh, homemade meals and healthy habits beginning early.
You believe childhood should be joyful, unhurried, and full of wonder.
You want your child to spend days in a warm, sun-filled, natural enviroment that feels more like a second home than a commercial space.
We head outside to run, climb, dig, splash, explore, observe, and simply be children.
Parks such as Marryman, Margaret Donahue, Sheil, Hawthorne playground, Hamilton playground are just some of places we visit.
Outdoor play gives children space to move their bodies, build confidence, take balancing risks, connect with nature, and discover the world through real experiences.
At Icare, books are part of our everyday rhythm. Children enjoy over 60 minutes of reading throughout the day, from cozy story time to spontaneous moments when someone brings over a favorite book and asks, “Again!”
We also make regular trips to the Merlo Chicago Public Library and, if you ask the children, the CTA ride there may be just as exciting as choosing the books! 🙂
And every classroom has that book. At Icare, one of our longtime favorites is Llama Llama Red Pajama. When children arrive in their own pajamas, the story suddenly becomes a full experience and somehow, it never gets old.
And then there’s Dr. Seuss, our all-time favorite! Where else can you find a cat wearing a hat, green eggs for breakfast, and a world where absolutely nothing makes sense… yet somehow everything does? His wonderfully silly stories remind us that learning doesn’t have to be serious to be meaningful. Sometimes, the sillier the story, the smarter the learning!
Our goal is simple: to make books feel joyful, familiar, and loved, so that reading becomes something children naturally reach for, not something they are told to do.
Instead of teachers spending the day on phones entering app updates, they’re fully present with the children. At pick-up, we value genuine face-to-face conversations, sharing your child’s day, celebrating milestones, and answering questions personally. We believe no app can replace a meaningful relationship between families and teachers.
Yes-we all do yoga! As a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500), Biljana has been teaching children and adults throughout the Chicago community for over seven years, leading classes at Gallagher Way every Tuesday at 7AM, neighborhood parks, and yoga studios across Chicago. Through age-appropriate yoga, breathing exercises, and mindfulness activities, children develop balance, coordination, body awareness, self-confidence, and emotional regulation, all while having fun!
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, children learn through play, exploration, open-ended materials, and projects based on their interests rather than worksheets.
And our classroom doesn’t end at our front door! We take our wonder on the road, exploring Chicago’s favorite treasures through exciting field trips to the Lincoln Park Zoo, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, neighborhood libraries, and beyond. From discovering wildlife to getting lost in a world of books, every adventure sparks new questions, big discoveries, and little eyes full of wonder!
Children are introduced to Spanish through songs, stories, and everyday conversations, helping them appreciate different languages and cultures from an early age.
Less scrolling. More exploring. More connecting. More being a child.
When did screens become a necessary part of childhood?
At Icare, we believe they never had to be!
You won’t find a television in our daycare, or even in my own home! And that’s intentional. We believe the first years of life are meant for muddy hands, curious minds, endless questions, belly laughs, meaningful conversations, and big imaginations.
Childhood doesn’t need a screen to be extraordinary.
Research supports the importance of limiting screen exposure during early childhood. A 2023 study published in JAMA Pediatrics, involving more than 7,000 children, found that greater screen time at age one was associated with increased risk of communication and problem-solving developmental delays at ages two and four.
At Icare, we choose to fill those precious early years with what growing minds and bodies need.
Because children don’t need to watch the world on a screen when there’s a whole wonderful world waiting to be explored!!!
Have you ever seen a line of cute little ducks walking through Lakeview? That might just be us!
At Icare, learning doesn’t stay inside four walls. Our neighborhood becomes part of our classroom as we explore the places that make everyday life meaningful and fun. We might stop by Jewel-Osco to pick out the perfect apples, visit the dentist’s office, explore the library, or discover local parks and community spaces along the way.
If you have a business in Lakeview, don’t be surprised if we come visit! We love helping children connect with the real world around them, one small adventure at a time!
With small group sizes and lasting relationships, every child and family is known, celebrated, and loved!
At Icare, real food matters! No artificial colors, artificial flavors, or highly processed foods. Just fresh, organic, seasonal ingredients and wholesome, homemade meals. We believe little bodies deserve real nourishment!
But the best part? When our little chefs put on their aprons and take over the kitchen! We measure, mix, stir, taste, and make a glorious mess. Does everything turn into mush? Absolutely! But with a little help from our teachers, that colorful mess sometimes becomes something deliciously edible!
At Icare, we believe that knowing your child means knowing YOU, too! We love hearing your stories, sharing little milestones, celebrating family traditions, and sometimes exchanging parenting tips (because we’re all figuring this out together!).
Just real conversations, honest updates, and teachers who genuinely know your child.
After all, we’re not just building relationships with children. We’re building a community of families
Unlike traditional childcare programs that separate children strictly by age, Icare embraces a mixed-age learning environment where children grow together as a community.
Research shows that mixed-age environments naturally encourage:
Empathy and compassion through caring for younger friends.
Leadership and confidence as older children model skills and behaviors.
Cooperation, patience, and problem-solving during everyday interactions.
This philosophy closely aligns with the work of Maria Montessori, who intentionally designed mixed-age classrooms to encourage peer learning, independence, and leadership. It also reflects the values of the Reggio Emilia approach, which views children as capable learners who construct knowledge through relationships, collaboration, and shared experiences.
There’s never a dull moment in our hive! One corner might be buzzing with little architects building towers, another with budding chefs preparing imaginary feasts, while our youngest explorers are busy discovering the magic of everyday steps. We embrace the unexpected, celebrate the little victories, and leave plenty of room for childhood to unfold naturally. Because at Icare, every little bee has a story to tell, a world to explore, and a whole hive cheering them on!
4–15 Months
Discovering their bodies, their voices, and the world around them
15–24 Months
Little explorers on the move, where first Words, first Friendship, Growing Independency, and Big Feelings take Flight!
2–3 Years
Step Aside Everyone, Curiosity Takes the Lead! Imagination Blossoms through Books, Movement, Creativity, and Meaningful Play!
3–4 Years
Little Leaders, Big Adventures!
At this stage, we’re building the foundation for kindergarten readiness! Our Brilliant Bees become little classroom assistants, proudly helping serve water, pass out lunch, lead circle time, and take on everyday responsibilities.
Big responsibilities, little hands, and endless possibilities!
If you’re looking for a loving, caring, clean, and engaging daycare where your child gets healthy meals, attention, and plenty of opportunities to learn and develop, look no further. iCare is an amazing place, and I’m so happy we found it!
We were only in Chicago for one month and needed to find a safe and nurturing place for our 2-year-old daughter. From the very beginning, we felt so lucky to have found iCare. Our daughter was happy there, well cared for, and we had complete peace of mind.
While I was pregnant, we toured several daycares in the Lakeview area, but each visit left me feeling more nervous than the last. It wasn't that other daycares weren't capable... it just never felt "right" - until we met Billie at Icare. Icare was our final stop, and the moment we finished the tour and sat down with her, the search was over. As my husband and I were walking out of our tour at Icare, we immediately agreed, it was Icare or bust! It’s the absolute best decision we’ve made for our son.
Icare is simply the best daycare. I know my son is extremely safe there. Before starting daycare I was nervous and feeling guilty for leaving him for so long each day. Instead I have found it’s truly the best thing for him. They treat him like one of their own children. I know he’s receiving attentive care, they help him grow into each milestone. He beams with joy every time he sees their faces each morning. Every child seems so well behaved and happy as can be. There is adorable play based programming, creative weekly themes, and daily updates without caretakers being glued to iPads with minute by minute progress. We love everyone there and consider them like family. I wouldn’t know what I would do without them.
Our son attended Icare for 3 years and I only have positive things to say about our time there. Billie is wonderful (as are all the lovely teachers who work there!) and truly became family to us. Our son thrived there and we are sad to leave. Billie ensured that everyday was both fun and educational. She made sure that the kids spent a lot of time outdoors and went on regular field trips. I could not think of a better place for my child.
Two of my grandsons attend ICare. As a retired public administrator, I have had the opportunity to develop and supervise the implementation of a preschool program. I have witnessed the curriculum at ICare and have observed the inclusion of essential components for preschoolers in the daily curriculum. Activities involving positive social emotional development, language enhancement activities, and creative play are abundant. Structured and non-structured age appropriate play activities enrich both gross and fine motor skills daily. The caring staff provide opportunities in early math and science activities. I also observed themed reading units, which both grandsons LOVE.
We can’t recommend Icare enough! About a month ago we transitioned from our son being at home with our nanny (while I work from home) to Icare for our two year old Mateo. During this time Biljana made a transition plan with us that made us feel more comfortable and excited for a new chapter. Each day I appreciate this daycare more by day, because I can see how much love and care they give to each child there, the kids say it all with their hugs and smiles to Vesna, Biljana and Zorana. As the Icare Team give individualized attention to the children they do so to us as the parents as well by discussing our child’s day or a big milestone like potty training!
My son has been going to Icare for almost a year and we are so happy to be part of such a loving and supportive community. All the teachers are wonderful and they really take the time to get to know each child. I appreciate that it is a calm and relaxed environment and that they are always learning and experiencing new things. Icare fosters independence and creativity and celebrates kindness. When we first started, all the other parents told us how much their children loved Billie and Diana and Zorana. Now, I can say the same thing! My son loves Icare and so do I. Billie has created a one of a kind place with a really special team!
Icare is truly a magical place for kids and we are so, so blessed to have them in our lives. Icare truly feels like our second home and could not have been more pleased to have such wonderful people in our son's life. When I was first looking for a daycare I toured what felt like every place in the City, even interviewed nannies and we just never felt comfortable with any option, until I visited Icare and talked with Billie (the owner)! I could tell that she put her heart and soul into Icare, and it showed. Once we found this place we jumped on it and my son started at 4 months old and we could not have been happier with all of the ladies at Icare and how much love and care he got there.
Our now 7 month old son started at Icare as a 4 month old in September. Billie, Zorana, and Vesna are the most genuine, authentic, loving women, and we are so so lucky our boy is surrounded by them every day! This is not a corporate daycare with a dark infant room that rotates babies through naps and bottles, this is a big family that welcomes you in like their own on day 1. They hug and kiss our baby, encourage and challenge him, and help us to be better parents. They helped us get him started on solids, enrich him with outdoor time whenever possible, and surround him with other loving children and families. They have made my transition back to work easier than I could have ever imagined, knowing he is truly loved and cared for. This place is so worth the wait!
I wish I could give Icare 10 stars. It is a wonderful home away from home for my son. From day 1 Billie has taken care of our son like he is her own. She is warm, comforting, and attentive. Diana is beyond sweet and engages in amazing art projects with the kids and Zorana is a joy who also teaches the kids spanish. Everyone at Icare is helping my son reach his milestones while also nourishing him in a safe and loving environment. We are so lucky to be a part of the Icare family.
A Day in the Life of a Little Bee
A Day in the Life of a Busy Bee
Long after children leave Icare, we hope they remember how it felt to be here.
Every day, we nurture confidence, creativity, c ompassion, resilience, respect, and a lifelong love of learning.
Because caring for children isn’t simply what we do – it’s who we are.
At Icare, we take play seriously (but ourselves? Not so much!). Every muddy puddle, wobbly tower, silly song, and endless “WHY?” is an opportunity to learn.
Our five developmental pillars guide our everyday monthly calendar, helping little minds and bodies grow at their own pace.
From tiny fingers learning to hold a spoon to little feet running full speed across the park, we’re always on the move!
We climb, jump, balance, dance, paint, scoop, pour, and occasionally put our shoes on the wrong feet. That’s learning, too!
Why did the tower fall? Which cup holds more water? How many apples are in our basket? And why, WHY, WHY?
We count, sort, measure, build, experiment, recognize shapes, and discover patterns through everyday play.
From grocery shopping in Lakeview to building houses with blocks, we’re developing problem-solving skills, logical thinking, memory, and early math concepts.
Sharing is hard. Waiting for a turn? Even harder! And sometimes your best friend takes the truck you really, REALLY wanted.
That’s where some of life’s biggest lessons begin.
Through friendships, teamwork, mixed-age play, and gentle guidance, we practice kindness, empathy, patience, resilience, and understanding our emotions.
At Icare, conversations never stop! From a baby’s first babbles to a preschooler’s very detailed story about a dinosaur driving a fire truck, every voice matters.
We read, sing, rhyme, ask questions, tell stories, explore letters, and introduce new vocabulary through everyday experiences.
Our favorite part? When children become the storytellers and suddenly we’re the ones who have to sit quietly and listen!
A cardboard box becomes a rocket ship. A stick becomes a magic wand. And a bowl of paint? Well, sometimes the artist becomes the canvas!
Because imagination doesn’t come with instructions, and neither should every childhood adventure!
From our tiniest Little Bees to our independent Brilliant Bees, we celebrate each child’s unique developmental journey.
But wait… there’s one exception to all five pillars!
NONE of this matters when there are puddles outside! Because then, we have one—and ONLY one—very important mission:
JUMP IN EVERY PUDDLE AND GET AS DIRTY AS POSSIBLE!
DAILY SCHEDULE-MUSIC ENRICHMENT- FOREIGN LANGUAGE – ORGANIC MENU – YOGA/MINDFULNES – OUTDOOR PLAY
At Icare, we believe that great teachers don’t simply teach – they observe, listen, inspire, and build meaningful relationships.
Every child arrives with unique strengths, interests, and ways of learning. By carefully observing their curiosity, listening to their questions, and celebrating their discoveries, we create experiences that are meaningful and personal.
Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, our environment becomes the “third teacher,” thoughtfully prepared to encourage exploration.
More importantly, we believe children learn best when they feel deeply loved, respected, and understood.
Meet Ms. Biljana Peulic
(Founder/Program director)
Jasna Ziga
Teacher
Every generation has asked the same question:
“How do children learn best?”
For more than 2,000 years, great thinkers, philosophers, and educators have searched for that answer. While their words were written centuries ago, their wisdom continues to inspire the way we care for children today.
At Icare, we are honored to carry a small piece of that legacy forward.
Plato recognized different stages of childhood and proposed that the curriculum school includes games, music, stories, and drama that would illustrate the values needed by all good citizens. He understood that children learn best when learning feels joyful and meaningful rather than forced.
At Icare: You'll hear laughter, songs, stories, dancing, and endless opportunities for imaginative play because joyful experiences create lifelong learners.
Aristotle believed that the habits formed during early childhood become the foundation for the person a child will grow to become.
At Icare: Kindness, responsibility, respect, and perseverance are learned one small moment at a time.
Comenius believed education should awaken curiosity, engage the senses, and help children discover the world through real experiences instead of memorization. His revolutionary ideas continue to shape early childhood education today.
At Icare: Children learn by exploring nature, creating, asking questions, experimenting, and discovering!
He developed the theory, based on his medical knowledge, experience, and emerging philosophy of human understanding, that the child comes into the world with a mind like a blank slate (tabula rasa)
He believed experiences, relationships, and the environment shape who children become.
At Icare: We believe that every child Every Child Begins With Unlimited Potential
While centuries separate us from these remarkable thinkers, one belief continues to guide our work:
At Icare, children are surrounded by love, meaningful relationships, nature, books, music, healthy food, movement, and endless opportunities to explore. Our curriculum is not created months in advance, it grows naturally from children's questions, interests, discoveries, and everyday experiences.
Although our classrooms may look different from those imagined by Plato, Aristotle, Comenius, or Locke, our purpose remains beautifully familiar:
To nurture curious minds, kind hearts, and confident children who love learning, and love being themselves.
For your thoughts something is creative, and your world is Productive, and your thoughts and your world together are MAGNIFICENTLY EFFECTIVE in giving birth to your REALITY.
From tiny first smiles to big preschool adventures, we welcome children from 4 months to 5 years old! Our mixed-age environment allows little ones to learn from older friends, while our big kids discover the joy of helping, leading, and caring for others. We’re one big, busy family of little bees!
Our doors open at 8:00 AM and close at 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Mornings begin with warm welcomes, breakfast, and plenty of excitement for the day ahead. Drop-off takes place at our Icare or park (during the summer), and afternoon pick-up is at Icare or park, weather permitting. We’ll always communicate any changes so families know exactly where to find us!
We’d love to meet your family! Thats the first step!
Start by reaching out and scheduling an interview telling us a little about your child, their age, and your ideal start date.
After we meet, If we have an opening, we’ll guide you through the enrollment process.
If we’re currently full, you’re welcome to join our waitlist- no cost! Good things take time, and sometimes the perfect little bee joins our hive at just the right moment!
Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it.
A website can tell you what we do, but visiting Icare lets you feel who we are. Come see our environment, meet our teachers, ask a million questions (we love questions!), and imagine your little one becoming part of our community.
Our days include reading, music, creative play, sensory exploration, movement, outdoor adventures, nutritious meals, and much-needed rest.
YES! And we mean every day that conditions allow.
Sunshine, snowflakes, crunchy fall leaves, and muddy spring puddles are all invitations to explore.
We believe children need fresh air, freedom to move, and opportunities to experience nature in every season. Our Lakeview neighborhood is part of our classroom, from parks and playgrounds to little community adventures.
And if there are puddles outside? Well, we all know what the lesson plan is that day: JUMP!
No apps. No endless notifications. Just real human connection.
We believe the most meaningful updates happen through conversations.
At drop-off and pick-up, we love sharing the little stories that make your child’s day special: a new word, a friendship, a funny moment, or a milestone worth celebrating.
Of course, if something important needs your attention during the day, we’ll contact you directly.
We want to know YOU, not just your child’s enrollment information.
Little children share toys, hugs, giggles, and, unfortunately, sometimes germs!
At Icare, we follow Illinois DCFS licensing requirements and applicable public health guidelines to help maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
We ask parents to keep children home when they have:
Children should be fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning. Vomiting, diarrhea, and specific contagious illnesses may require different return-to-care timelines under our illness policy and applicable health guidance.
We ask parents to communicate symptoms and illnesses openly so we can work together to maintain a healthy environment.
Not at all! Potty learning is a developmental milestone, not a race.
Every child has their own timeline, and we believe in approaching this stage with patience, encouragement, and teamwork.
When your child begins showing signs of readiness, we’ll work closely with you to establish a consistent routine between home and daycare.
New faces, new friends, new routines, and sometimes a few tears. We understand!
For some children, joining daycare is their first big adventure away from home. We take time to get to know each child’s personality, comfort needs, routines, and interests.
Some children jump right into play. Others prefer to observe from the safety of a teacher’s lap. Both are perfectly okay.
Our goal isn’t simply to help your child adjust to daycare. It’s to help them feel that Icare is their home away from home.
Your child’s safety isn’t just a priority. It’s the foundation of everything we do.
Our teachers maintain infant and child CPR and First Aid training, food-handler certifications, and ongoing professional development in early childhood education.
We continually strengthen our knowledge of child development, health, and safety practices to provide a nurturing and secure environment.
Because every child deserves to feel safe, protected, and loved.
Of course! We know little ones come with lots of accessories!
Because space is limited in our cozy home daycare, we kindly ask parents to fold their strollers and place them in the designated area along the wall.
Small group. Big connections. A whole lot of childhood!
At iCare, we believe the early years should be filled with curiosity, imagination, movement, meaningful relationships, and real-life experiences.
We’re screen-free, community-connected, and inspired by a child-led, Reggio Emilia approach to learning.
We read books, practice yoga, dance, cook, explore our neighborhood, get messy, build friendships, and discover something new every day.
