Preschools in the Chicago Area
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Chicago KidsOutAndAbout Preschool Newsletter |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Are you planning to have your children attend preschool this year? Or are you thinking about whether it's the best option for your family? Do you have a friend who is thinking about preschool for her kids? If any of these is true, this special annual edition of our newsletter is for YOU! We provide not only options for where to start your search in our area, but also some tips for what to
think about and what to look for as you start the process.
KidsOutAndAbout has a large list of local preschools that have posted to our site; this list is provided in the LISTS/Preschools & Childcare list linked from the menu on every page of
KidsOutAndAbout. In this newsletter, first, we have some featured preschools with descriptions of their programs. Next, we provide a list of links to some additional schools. And last, we provide tips for helping you evaluate preschools when you visit, to see if they are right for you.
Remember: SAVE THIS NEWSLETTER and forward it along! If you or one of your friends is in the market for a preschool, it's a handy
reference.
—Debra Ross, publisher |
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. |
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Alcuin Montessori's carefully prepared learning environment and approach are designed to support your child’s academic, emotional and social development. Small class sizes, unique Montessori training, and close collaboration with parents allow our faculty
to see your child as an individual—and adapt instruction to her or his learning style and talents. In Alcuin Montessori School's safe environment, children, ages 6 weeks to 14 years, gain the confidence they need to realize their full potential.
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Give your child the best start in a nurturing, engaging environment designed for ages 2–5. With a small 4:1 student–teacher ratio, every child receives the individual attention and guidance they need to thrive. Children enjoy a variety of enriching
experiences, including art and STEM activities, weekly dance classes with Ms. Lyn from Rhythm of the Streets Studio, and daily Spanish (bilingual) circle time with Mrs. Irma. Conveniently located right next to Lois Klein Park, LPA operates year-round, closing only on federal holidays and for a two-week winter break. Our hours are Monday through…
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New Einsteins Academy is an eco-friendly childcare and preschool offering exceptional care and a high-quality learning experience. With locations in Bucktown, Ravenswood, and Logan Square, we provide full-day programs for children ages 15 months to 5 years
at Bucktown and infants to 5 years at Ravenswood and Logan Square. Open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., our schools feature an innovative curriculum, small class sizes, and an assistant in every room. Tuition includes enrichment programs, organic meals, diapers, and wipes. Our summer program adds outdoor activities, sprinkler days, field trips,…
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Our individualized Montessori curriculum is designed to promote self-motivation. Inspiring learners 3 months through 8th grade.
Brickton Montessori creates an authentic learning experience that honors the whole child’s identity, fosters belonging, ignites curiosity, and develops confident, adaptable individuals with academic mastery, real-world skills, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Brickton Montessori builds on a legacy of educational excellence to foster supportive, hands-on learning environments that prioritize personal growth, perspective-taking, and self-advocacy–cultivating…
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Catherine Cook School is a Chicago independent preparatory school serving preschool through eighth grade. We are an inclusive learning community dedicated to inspiring personal excellence and educating children for life.
At Catherine Cook, we intentionally start preschool at age 3 so that students become a part of our school community, form friendships, and build a strong academic foundation from an early age. An open dialogue between students and teachers encourages students to investigate, create, and problem-solve as various subject matters are integrated through hands-on activities.…
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The Parent Cooperative for Early Learning (PCEL) is a full-day, year-round preschool, serving families who require care for their children. We are a multicultural community, organized as a cooperative and jointly owned by the families and professional
staff. Parent Co-op works in partnership with the families, teachers, and community, to attend to the social-emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of our growing children with a curriculum grounded in our teachers’ knowledge of what is developmentally appropriate.
We depend on one another for the school to function smoothly. We value our…
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The Mission of School for Little Children is to educate, nurture and inspire all children and support families in that endeavor. We seek to provide high quality and equitable early education in a community that embraces individuality and diversity while
promoting the social-emotional and cognitive development of our students.
Our Preschool and Kindergarten programs provide children the opportunity to learn through play and through the arts, which nurtures their intellectual and their creative development. Our exceptional staff works to build trusting relationships with every child; It is…
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At The Learning Experience – Gurnee, we make daycare and preschool fun, safe, and engaging for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Conveniently located near Grand Avenue and I-94, our center serves families in Gurnee, Waukegan, and Libertyville. Our
all-inclusive L.E.A.P. Curriculum blends play-based learning with enrichment in music, fitness, and engineering—all at no extra charge. With nurturing teachers and welcoming classrooms, children gain the skills and confidence they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond
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Rogers Park Montessori School serves children from ages 2 through 14 with a student-centered curriculum grounded in Montessori principles. Located in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, RPMS offers thoughtfully prepared classroom environments, hands-on
learning, and mixed-age communities that support independence, collaboration, and critical thinking. With programs spanning toddler, preschool, elementary, and middle school levels, the school fosters both academic growth and social-emotional development.
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Sonnets Academy is passionate about early childhood education from six weeks to six years - with preschool locations throughout Chicago.
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The Gardner School of Chicago – River North has a rich learning environment that stimulates your child’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth. Our River North preschool offers educational preschool and early childhood programs for children
ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
Indoor Playscape, Kids’ Café, and Enrichment Studio. With our state-of-the-art preschool environment and colorful large play areas, students and parents feel safe and at home from the moment they enter The Gardner School of Chicago – River North. Your child will love our indoor playscape and enrichment studio, where we…
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What kind of preschool best suits your child?
Those nice parenting articles always tell you to make sure you choose a preschool that best suits your child's personality--but then rarely provide any specifics on what will give you those clues. Children vary widely in their responses to different situations. Think
about where your child falls on the following dimensions, and think about your own personal preferences for what a preschool experience should be like for your child. Then, when you visit preschools, ask the administrators (and observe yourself) about how well the school's philosophy matches your children's needs. - Playing and learning: Do these seem like separate times at the preschool, or are play and learning time integrated?
- The setting: Is your goal to get your child used
to a school setting, or is it important that the setting feel more like home?
- Specific learning goals: Do you have academic milestones or religious needs that you would like met? Think about this before you set out, and refine your thoughts as you visit more schools.
- Introverts and extroverts: If your child falls on one end of introvert-extrovert scale, it's important to realize this and see what would be expected of them at each preschool (especially important for the
introverts).
- Active play: Does the school provide resources for physically active play that match your child's needs?
- Rest: Kids have different rhythms and requirements for rest. Think about what your child's specific needs are to ensure that they will be accommodated.
- Structure: Some kids do better with lots of structure, while other families feel that they already have enough structure and prefer that a preschool ensure lots of time for unstructured play and
interaction.
- Discipline: What happens when kids misbehave at school? Does the school's philosophy match yours?
- Safety: Safety is a big concern. Think carefully about your standards for keeping kids safe, and observe how the school meets your expectations.
If your child attends (or attended) a great preschool that is not currently on our big preschool list (the easiest way to find out is to search in the big search bar on the top of every KidsOutAndAbout page), please
email me back and we'll contact them immediately to see if they'd like to be on this list! |
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