About Us
January 3, 2025
With heartfelt respect for the trust you have placed in us over the years, we are announcing a pivotal and carefully considered decision regarding the future of our programs. Effective July 25, 2025, our infant and toddler classrooms (ages 2 and under) will close as we transition to an expanded and enhanced focus on preschool-aged children.
This decision was not made lightly. It follows years of dedicated effort to address significant challenges in maintaining consistent staffing, meeting state-mandated DCFS ratios, and achieving financial sustainability. While it is never easy to make changes of this magnitude, this adjustment is necessary to ensure we can continue delivering the high-quality care and education our community expects and deserves.
By merging our WeeCare preschool classrooms with Peppermint Preschool, we are creating a unified program that will not only retain the part-time options beloved by Peppermint families but will also introduce four full-time preschool classes. These offerings will follow a cutting-edge curriculum rooted in the Illinois Early Learning Guidelines, designed to prepare children for the next steps in their educational journey and beyond.
We recognize that transitions like this can be challenging, particularly for families with infants and toddlers. Please know this decision was made with the utmost care and commitment to our long-term vision: to build a specialized, thriving preschool program that truly meets the evolving needs of the children and families we serve. We are here to provide resources, guidance, and support throughout this process, helping families make arrangements that work for them.
We understand that change can sometimes invite concerns or speculation. To be clear, this decision was driven by our steadfast dedication to quality, sustainability, and the well-being of our community. Rather than compromise on the standards that have defined us, we are focusing our resources where we can make the greatest impact—by enriching the preschool experience for children ages 3 and older.
Your trust and partnership remain the foundation of all we do, and we are excited to carry forward our mission with renewed focus and energy. This new chapter reflects our unwavering belief in the importance of early learning and our commitment to creating a preschool program that is innovative, impactful, and second to none.
Thank you for your continued support as we move forward together. We remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve this community and look forward to bringing our shared vision for the future to life. If you have questions or would like more details, please contact [email protected].
Respectfully,
EvUCC Consistory
Wee Care/Peppermint Advisory Board