At the Play Lab, the children guide the learning. Their curiosity, ideas, and discoveries shape each day, turning exploration into the heart of our curriculum. We don’t follow rigid schedules or adult-centered plans — instead, we respond to the questions they ask, the games they invent, and the ways they choose to engage with the world.
Every child brings their own genius, perspective, and energy. By honoring that, we create a living curriculum that grows with them — one that nurtures agency, creativity, and joy while cultivating the skills, relationships, and confidence that last a lifetime.
At the Play Lab, quality care means every child belongs — from our tiniest infants to children of all neurotypes and from every financial background. We create spaces where curiosity, joy, and agency are honored for all.
Want to see what it feels like to truly belong? Fill out our form and discover how we put children at the center of everything we do.
Maria Montessori posed the question: How much fuller and richer life would be if we saw the
child in all his greatness, all her beauty, instead of focusing on all their little mistakes?
This question anchors The Play Lab's child-centered approach. Quiet observation is required to see the magic that is within each tiny body. Stepping back is required to ensure that they have room to be brave, to experiment, and flourish. At the Play Lab, children have the freedom to take the lead, and I facilitate a sovereign environment where they can bring the bounties of their imagination to life.
Nature is everywhere — in the air we breathe, the earth under our feet, the plants we care for, and the creations we make. Our crew experiences it all, inside and out.
Using nature as a guide, our learning space flows seamlessly between indoors and outdoors, giving children the freedom to explore flora and fauna throughout the year. From tending house plants and observing classroom pets to discovering the countless creatures and wonders in our “classroom without walls,” being immersed in the natural world is woven into our daily routine — supporting curiosity, movement, and thinking in ways that are both joyful and essential.
Connection is how children know they are seen, heard, and valued. At the Play Lab, a core value is cultivating respectful, responsive relationships with each child — showing up in ways that honor their full humanity.
This practice reaches beyond the children themselves, extending to caregivers, families, and the broader community. By modeling respect and receptivity, we scaffold one of the most essential social-emotional skills: how to treat others — and how to expect to be treated in return.
At the Play Lab, learning extends beyond our walls. Whether we’re building relationships with neighbors and service providers on our nature walks, exploring the resources of local institutions, or collaborating with community organizers, we are intentional about strengthening the roots we’ve planted in our village.
Our partnerships with The Park District, Wonder Works, The Oak Park Public Library, and several local small businesses help us create meaningful experiences that connect children to the wider world. Through these collaborations, children engage with real people, real places, and real opportunities — learning that community is living, breathing, and something they are an active part of.