Need Pre-K in Oak Park

Hi T.,

I rent a two-flat in Oak Park. I live in one unit and rent the other. Currently it is occupied. However it's a great place in a great location. Send me your information. It is supposed to be available in August. So I'll send you an email when it's open just in case you're interest. It's a old victorian next to the historical district.

Cheers, C.

I live in River Forest - the town right next to OakPark and all of my kids have gone to First United in Oak Park. Another one to look into is Pilgrim in Oak Park. People are a little crazy out here about pre -school so they might be all filled up. Try the oak park community center and also I know that they have a good program at the River Forest Community Center.. Good luck!

Hi T., and welcome. I live in Oak Park. Do you want full day/daycare or partial day preschool?

Oak Park district 97 has a free, half-day prek program at Longfellow school during the school year. Families need to have a qualifying condition, but you would probably qualify because of your move (other examples that have qualified kids I know for the program include things like new sibling, bilingual).

The area has lots of montessori schools, and I know people who have had kids in most of them (Alcuin, Intercultural, Keystone, West Suburban, Oak Park Montessori, Morningside Academy, Children's Garden) most of them provide both half-day and some kind of full-day option. Pilgrim is a half-day, 4 day a week program so if you need fulltime care that might not work for you. Concordia University in River Forest has an excellent preschool program but a long waiting list. There are others . . . email me with what you have in mind and I can make more specific suggestions.

The visitors center should have a copy of the Guide to Early Childhood, which is an extensive listing of options. TheAlso, the Wednesday Journal has their Answer Book on newstands now and in the visitor's center - that will also be handy for a new resident.

Good luck!

It depends what you are looking for. Maybe be more specific in your question and others might have more suggestions. My 3 yr old will be going to Morningside Academy in South Oak Park. There are so many, but most will be full for fall very soon.
Good luck

I think you wil love Oak Park...I don't live there but my son attends a Montessori school just west of Oak Park. (About 2 blocks west of north Oak Park.) They have a preschool and my daughter will start there next fall. It is wonderful...we absolutley love it. It is called Keystone Montessori and it is located in River Forest on North Avenue, about 3 blocks west of Harlem Avenue. (North Avenue is the northernmost border of Oak Park and Harlem is the street that is the western border of Oak Park.) The people there are very special and it is a very welcoming place. ###-###-#### is their number. Good luck on your move!