LAKEVIEW — A preschool focused on healthy lifestyle and book learning will open its second location in Lakeview after the new year, the school's owner said.
L&L Academy and Preschool, to be located on Belmont and Seminary avenues, is in the works because parents at the Lincoln Park location said they wanted a Lakeview school with more spots for students, said owner Una Lutin.
The Lincoln Park location at Clark and Fullerton only has spots for 50 students. In Lakeview, 100 students can enroll. Lutin said area families need more options for quality daycare.
"With this new location, they don’t have that many daycares that are quality daycares," Lutin said. "I’m not saying anything bad about current schools. [But] I feel about there is a lot more room for growth."
Lutin's personal mantra is the anti-Montessori, a popular early education method where children learn concepts through play time. L&L adopts a more traditional style: Students read an author of the month, memorize poems and take two Spanish lessons a week. One of Lutin's goals is for students to be reading by age 5.
"There are a lot of parents who look for schools that actually educate instead of act as daycare," she said.
That doesn't mean book learning is L&L's only focus. Parents who want students to learn healthy lifestyles will be happy to hear Lutin serves organic lunches, holds baby yoga sessions, and teaches children to brush their teeth after meals.
"Our goal is to make them well-rounded," Lutin said.
Lutin, 27, started her career as an accountant before a love of children inspired her to open a preschool. Her first location has been open for two years.
The Lakeview location will eventually staff 15 to 20 people. Parents must apply with the preschool to enroll, beginning with a classroom visit after the location opens mid-January. Tuition starts at $650 per month for two-days a week and goes up to $1,450 a month for full-time students.
