our school
big ideas start in small places
Caity & Ellen have been teaching, playing, and growing at Sprouts alongside Champaign-Urbana families since 2014.
a note from us
welcome to sprouts
Caring for the land – and the people on it – runs deep in our family.
For generations, our family has been dedicated to protecting the environment – from small, ordinary household habits to smart energy design to campaigning to protect our native rivers and prairies. We started Sprouts because we wanted to help raise the next generation the way we were raised: outside, curious, and paying attention to the place they live.
- Caity & Ellen
our vision
the next chapter
Every child at Sprouts is part of that story.
our environment
We spend extended time outside – in the urban nature of your own neighborhood – because caring about a place starts with experiencing it.
our community
We keep our school small, so each family can build lasting relationships – because caring about your community starts with building one.
our model
just us & the kids – outside
one team, one group, and a day of unstructured play
caity
- Sprouts Co-Founder
- B.S. Early Childhood Education, UIUC
- Special Education Endorsement
- Concentration in Psychology
- Illinois Licensed Daycare Provider
ellen
- Sprouts Co-Founder
- B.S. Early Childhood Education, UIUC
- Special Education Endorsement
- Art Education Concentration
- Illinois Licensed Daycare Provider
our foundation
by the numbers
How we got here.
2014
founded
from home daycare to licensed center
100+
families
found their fit at Sprouts
150+
children
grown through play, loved by Ellen & Caity
2
founders
no franchise, no chain, just us
our environment
urban nature
A whole wild world, tucked in your local neighborhood.
our community
friendly faces
The relationships that extend around town.
our families
kind words
from families who've been here
"The educators at Sprouts are truly passionate about what they do. Our son comes home every day excited to share what he's learned and created."
"We love how the school integrates art and nature into the curriculum. It's amazing to see our child's creativity and confidence blossom in such a supportive setting."
"It has been so fun to watch our daughter grow into her personality since starting at Sprouts. We are so grateful. <3"