Julie Mittler, Center Director
Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years
Open:
Elementary Schools Bussed To:
District 140: Helen Keller.
District 145: Central Middle School, Foster, Gingerwood and Scarlet Oaks.
District 146: Central Middle School, Fierke (Fair-ek), Fulton, Kruse and Memorial.
Our center is accredited by NAEYC.
Welcome to Oak Park Ave. KinderCare
Welcome to Oak Park Ave. KinderCare! We're located in Tinley Park, IL, 5 miles of Oak Forest to the northeast, Orland Park to the northwest, and Country Club Hills to the southeast. We have proudly served our community for more than 30 years and have a passionate, tenured education team, bringing more than 140 years of combined experience to the learning table. Together we build a warm, welcoming, and supportive classroom for every child in which to smile and grow!
Our classrooms are places to thrive!
In our safe and healthy classrooms, your child will be engaged in learning experiences that meet them where they are, both socially and academically. With fun daily activities, passionate teachers, and great friends, a lifetime of confidence starts here. Contact the center director to learn more about our child care options and schedule a tour!
Meet Julie Mittler, Our Center Director
At KinderCare Since: 1993
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education, CPR/First Aid Certified
Favorite Children's Book: Oh, The Places You'll Go!
Meet Julie Mittler! She is the Center Director at Oak Park Ave. KinderCare in Tinley Park, Illinois. Julie attended Rasmussen College, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is also CPR and First Aid certified. She has been with KinderCare since 1993, and before that she was an assistant director. Outside of work, Julie enjoys spending time with her family. Her favorite quote is, "A person's a person, no matter how small." - Dr. Seuss
AMERICA’S MOST ACCREDITED
We’re so proud!
Nationally only 10% of daycares are accredited - nearly 100% of our learning centers are. That’s a big difference, and that means KinderCare kids are getting the very best. Here’s why.
SCHOOL-READY
What Learning Looks Like
Our talented early-childhood teachers set kids down the path toward becoming lifelong learners in a positive, safe, and nurturing environment.
Oak Park Ave. KinderCare Programs
Infant Programs (6 weeks–1 year)
Leaving your baby in someone else’s care is a big step. Everyone at our centers—most importantly, our naturally gifted infant teachers—will work with you to make sure the transition goes smoothly. When you step into our infant classroom, you’ll see how much we want your infant to feel safe, loved, and ready to explore their world.
Toddler Programs (1–2 Years)
Everything in our toddler classroom is designed for little explorers. That’s because a lot is going on at this age. When your child is wandering all over the place, that means they’re learning and discovering new things every day. We’ll help them explore their interests (and find new ones!) as they play and learn.
Discovery Preschool Programs (2–3 Years)
This age is filled with so much wonder and curiosity. That’s why we offer a ton of books and toys and bring artwork down to kids eye level. Children in discovery preschool also begin to learn how we all work together in a classroom. Simple math and science, pretend play, and group play help them get used to a more structured school setting.
Preschool Programs (3–4 Years)
This age is all about expression, when kids really start to form their own ideas about what they want to play and how they want to create. Every day in our preschool classroom, your child will explore science experiments, create artwork, and play pretend—all the skills needed for their big next step: kindergarten!
Prekindergarten Programs (4–5 Years)
When you walk into one of our pre-K classrooms, you’ll see artwork and writing displayed around the room. Labels are everywhere to help kids connect letters with words. You’ll also see pictures on the walls that reflect the families in our community. Your child will also deepen their knowledge in language, math, science, Spanish, and social skills.
Kindergarten Programs (5–6 Years)
Welcome to kindergarten: the gateway to grade school and everything that comes next! Offered in select centers, our kindergarten programs have small class sizes and curriculums that mix learning and fun. The basic building blocks of reading, writing, math, and science are key in kindergarten, so we make sure they get lots of practice in all of these areas.
Before- and After-School Programs (5–12 Years)
You can count on us to provide reliable care for your school-ager while you’re at work, with safe transportation from our center to your child’s school and back! Whether your child wants to start a drama club, build a volcano, or create a comic book, they will have a place to follow their dreams. Your child will start and end the day with a whole lot of fun!
School Break Programs (preschool, prekindergarten, and school-age)
Winter break, spring break, summer break—when school’s out (but you still need to work), you can count on KinderCare to provide a safe and supportive learning environment that’s focused on fun. We welcome children ages 5–12 during school break times and make sure they have a sensational, screen-free experience they won’t forget.
Participating Child Care Aware Center
KinderCare partners with Child Care Aware® of America to offer fee assistance for Active Duty military families and flexible support to fit their needs when care at a Child Development Center on the installation is not available.
Learning Adventures - Enrichment Program
Cooking Academy™ (3 – 12 Years)
In Cooking Academy, kids learn new recipes from cultures around the world and develop a healthy relationship with food. They’ll whip up everything from Southwest rainbow lettuce wraps to pumpkin muffins, building their skills in STEM, communication, and more along the way. And yes—little chefs get to eat their culinary creations!
Music Explorers™ (2 – 4 Years)
KinderCare families are already giving a standing ovation to our newest Learning Adventures program: Music Explorers! Kids will learn to sing, move, listen, play instruments, and even create their own tunes. Our original curriculum blends math, science, social studies, literacy, and mindfulness (think yoga!) for a uniquely KinderCare way of learning the foundations of music.
Phonics Adventures® (2 – 4 Years)
Learning how to read is a whole lot of fun at KinderCare! We help kids grow to love books and words (and get ready for kindergarten) in our Phonics Adventures program. From discovering the basics of vowels to practicing poetry, kids learn all about letters and sounds in small-group lessons made just for their age group. (Bonus: Kids who attend our phonics program are more prepared than their peers for school—and we have the data to prove it.)
Our Teachers
We're the only company in early childhood education to select teachers based on natural talent. Being a great educator isn't enough though. KinderCare teachers are also amazing listeners, nurturers, boo-boo fixers, and smile-makers. Put more simply, we love our teachers and your child will, too.
Meet just a few of our amazing KinderCare teachers!
A KINDERCARE TEACHER WITH
An Artist's Heart
"My classroom is full of art!” says Mary Annthipie-Bane, an award-winning early childhood educator at KinderCare. Art and creative expression, she says, help children discover who they really are.
We put our best-in-class teachers in a best-in-class workplace. We're so proud to have been named one of Gallup's 37 winners of the Great Workplace Award. When you put great teachers in an engaging center, your children will experience an amazing place to learn and grow.
Family Stories
Don't take our word for it. Hear what our families have to say about our amazing center!
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I have trusted the KinderCare Staff with my only child for the past four-and-a-half years. I joined the KinderCare Family when my son, Matthew, was six months old. They are like a family and treat each child as if they were their own. As a single parent, I can honestly say they have helped me raise a smart, well-mannered little boy. I struggle to send my son here, BUT it is well worth every penny. I was going to send my son to a public school this upcoming school year but decided against it after taking him for the Kindergarten screening. They were very impressed how smart my child was all THANKS to KinderCare. I decided that I will be sending Matthew to the Kindergarten at KinderCare, where I know he will get the attention and knowledge to prepare him for grade school. There is not enough words to thank KinderCare for all they have done for Matthew. He loves to go to school.
”Lorrie M. - KinderCare Parent
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The environment that is provided for my children is a positive, loving and caring place that I feel safe leaving my children. This center has truly been a blessing to my family and myself.
”De'Ana S. - KinderCare Parent
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We are quite pleased with our center and staff. Every employee is genuinely nice, courteous and friendly and issues are addressed promptly. All in all, we are very happy for our daughter's experience at our KinderCare.
”Joe W. - KinderCare Parent
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KinderCare was a life saver in our time of need. Due to a family member's sudden illness we frantically need care for our daughter and KinderCare saved the day. They made the transition to outside care easy and for us and our daughter. Everyone in the center is extremely helpful and many have been with the center for many years and their experience with children shows. The center was very flexible as we were adjusting to our new care situation. The interaction with the kids, instructors and staff members is great for our daughter. Also, the projects and crafts are always amazing. KinderCare offers many services that we do not currently utilize. However, we like the fact we do not have to move around as our daughter grows and her care needs change. We have been very happy and plan on our daughter attending for a while, and possibly during her school years.
”Kerry B. - KinderCare Parent
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My children have been coming to Oak Park KinderCare for quite some years now. They absolutely love going every day! The staff is amazing! I would never think my children could love a place so much. They both ask me daily if they're going to KinderCare and they remind me to not pick them up too early. I could not be happier with my child care center experience!
”Carly R. - KinderCare Parent
Who Are KinderCare Families?
They hail from hundreds of cities across the country from countless backgrounds, and proudly represent every walk in life. What our families have in common, though, is the want to give their children the best start in life. We are so proud to be their partner in parenting.
Hear from just a few of our amazing KinderCare families.
A Globe-Trotting Family Finds A
Home in Houston
Four young children, four different passports, two languages, two full-time jobs…oh, and a few triathlons thrown in for good measure. Meet the globe-trotting Colettas—a family on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
What accreditations does KinderCare have?
We are your trusted caregiver. Our centers are state-licensed and regularly inspected to make sure everything meets or exceeds standards, including child-to-teacher ratios and safe facilities. Our centers aren’t just licensed—most are accredited, too! Find out more.
Do you offer part-time schedules at Oak Park Ave. KinderCare?
Everybody’s schedule is different. We’re happy to offer quality, affordable part-time and full-time childcare. Drop-in care may also be available. Reach out to your Center Director to learn more.
How does naptime work at Oak Park Ave. KinderCare?
Our teachers meet every child’s needs during naptime. Our teachers know how to get babies to nap. In fact, they are pros at getting children of any age to nap. Visit our article on "10 Ways We Help Kids Get a Great Daycare Nap" to learn more.
Do you support alternative diets?
We strive to be as inclusive as possible. To that point, we provide a vegetarian option at mealtime, take care to not serve common allergens and can adapt menus based on your child’s food sensitivities. If your child has additional needs, we’ll work with you to figure out a plan.
Are meals included in tuition? Can I choose to send my child with lunch?
We provide nutritious meals and snacks developed by a registered dietician to meet the needs of rapidly growing bodies and minds. If your child has special dietary requirements and you would prefer to bring in their lunch, please make arrangements with the center director.
Does my child need to be potty-trained?
Every child begins toilet learning at a different age. Until your child shows an interest in toilet learning, we’ll provide diaper changes on an as-needed basis. When your child shows an interest, we'll discuss how to work together to encourage toilet learning.