Private vs Public Kindergarten in Illinois: How to Choose

Updated November 2026.

Public kindergarten in Illinois is free, open to every child who is 5 by September 1, and run by your local school district. Private kindergarten charges tuition and sets its own class sizes, hours, curriculum and admissions rules. Both can be excellent. The right one depends on your child, your schedule and what your local school offers.

Here is how they compare and what to ask before you decide.

The main differences at a glance

Cost

Public kindergarten has no tuition, though you may pay for before and after school care, lunch or supplies. Private kindergarten tuition varies widely. Ask each school for the full yearly cost, including fees and care hours.

Class size

Illinois does not set a hard class size limit for public kindergarten, and many suburban classes have about 18 to 25 children with one teacher, sometimes with an aide. Private programs often keep classes smaller or have more adults per child. Ask for the exact number in each room.

Hours and calendar

Public kindergarten follows the school day and school calendar. Illinois law requires every district to offer full-day kindergarten by the 2027-28 school year, so most districts already do or are switching. Even full-day public kindergarten often ends around 3:00 PM, so working parents may need after-school care. Some private kindergartens are part of a full-day child care program, which covers the whole workday and summer.

Curriculum

Public kindergartens follow the Illinois Learning Standards and district curriculum. Private programs choose their own approach. That may mean more arts, a language, faith-based learning, a play-based or Montessori method, or regular academic testing.

Age rules

For public kindergarten, a child must be 5 on or before September 1. Some districts allow early entrance after an assessment. Private schools may follow the same cutoff or set their own. See our guide to the Illinois kindergarten age cutoff.

When public kindergarten is a strong choice

• Your neighborhood school has a full-day program and strong results.
• You want your child to start with classmates they will stay with through elementary school.
• You have before and after school care that fits your schedule.
• Your child may need special education services. Public schools must provide them for eligible children.

When private kindergarten is a strong choice

• You need care that covers the full workday, all year, in one place.
• Your child does well in smaller groups with more adult attention.
• You want a specific approach, such as arts, language or faith-based learning.
• Your child is already in a program they love and would continue there.

Moving to public first grade after private kindergarten

Many families do private kindergarten and then join public school in first grade. Before you choose, ask your district:

• How do you place children who come from a private kindergarten?
• Is there an assessment for first grade entry?
• When does first grade registration open?

Kindergarten itself is not required by Illinois law. School attendance becomes required at age 6 by September 1, so most children who skip public kindergarten still enter first grade on time. Our kindergarten redshirting guide covers timing questions in more detail.

Questions to ask any kindergarten

1. How many children are in each class, and how many adults?
2. What does a typical day look like, including recess and lunch?
3. How do you teach reading and math?
4. How do you measure progress, and how often do you share it with parents?
5. What care is available before and after the school day?
6. What is the full yearly cost, including fees?

Frequently asked questions

Is private kindergarten worth it?

It can be if it gives your child smaller groups, an approach you value, or full-day care your family needs. If your public school has a strong full-day program and you have after-school care, the free option may fit just as well.

Do private kindergartens follow the Illinois standards?

They are not required to in the same way, but many use them as a guide. Ask each school.

Can my child go to private kindergarten if they miss the public cutoff?

Some private schools accept younger children based on their own rules. Ask how the public district will place your child afterward.

Is public kindergarten full-day in Illinois?

Most districts offer full-day now, and all districts must by the 2027-28 school year.

Private kindergarten at Children's Land

Children's Land offers a private kindergarten program for five and six-year-olds with a 1:10 teacher-child ratio, MAP testing twice a year, STEAM projects, parent-teacher conferences and two Broadway-style performances a year. Our centers are open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with hot breakfast and lunch. Ask your nearest location whether kindergarten is offered there, visit a private kindergarten open house, or contact us.

Related reading: Private Kindergarten in Chicagoland: Questions for Families.