I have an 11-month old son and it sounds like it's time to start looking for the "right" pre-school, but I have no idea where to start. We live in Logan Square in Chicago, near St. John Berchmans, which offers pre-school, but I wanted to ask other Chicago moms what web sites, groups, etc. were helpful in researching schools. Thank you!
I would highly recommend registering on NPN - parents network. I believe the yearly cost is $40 and they have a lot of information about Chicago schools, daycares, etc.
www.npnparents.org
Good Luck!
I've given this advice probably about a hundred times:
This is the website for the National Association for the Education of Young Children. They do reviews of childcare facilities and have very strict standards for those places to whom they give their accreditation. Only about 10% of childcare facilities receive the honor and many people consider naeyc schools to be the cream of the crop.
Pull up the website and do some research. You can also do a ZIP code search to find naeyc schools near you. Of course, always go visit places and ask lots of questions...but at least this will help your search by giving you a listing of top-notch places.
I've worked at 2 private preschools, both as a teacher and as an administrator and here is my advice. Do some reseach and narrow it down to a few places that you like (location, cost, etc) and tour them. Talk to the director about how they treat their staff!!! See if they are offered health bennefits, 401k (or 403b if its non-profit), what kind of vacation/sick time teachers are offered, etc. My expereince is this: the better the staff is treated, the better they will treat your child.
That said, I'd recommend joining NPN (Northside Parents' Network) if you haven't already. They compile an amazing resource book about all of the preschools and elementary (both public and private) in the city. They list the type of school it is, the cost, and I believe the methodology the school uses as well. Certainly a well-spent $30 or $40 for the book if you're feeling uncertain.
I have friends who've been happy with St. John Berchman's preschool. I agree with the NPN and NAEYC advice. Additionally, my 3 yr. old son has attended Concordia's Avondale Campus Early Learning Program on Whipple between Belmont and Roscoe for the past year. It is a relatively new daycare facility that is within walking distance for us and we've been very happy with our experience there. They are NAEYC accredited and offer a sliding tuition scale. If you have any specific questions about Concordia, feel free to email me! Good luck!
I'm in Lincoln Square and my kids go to St. Matthias Transfiguration School (www.values4life.com) at Western & Ainslie. It's not the closest to you but it is naeyc accredited and the preschool program is excellent! Good Luck.
Another good resource is www.savvysource.com
I also live in Logan Square very near St John Berchman. My husband and I looked at 3 pre-K programs in the area. We looked at St. Mary of the Angels. For the huge price tag, huge fundraising committment, and time requirements, we were not impressed. The school was very "cold" and "strict." We looked at St. John Berchman which I absolutely loved. However, I was the most expensive of the 3 and it is not open until 6PM like we require. We finally chose St. Helen's on the corner of Augusta and Western. The teachers are very friendly. This school was rated one of the top 25 non public schools in Chicago. They have great before and aftercare school programs with activities for the kids. You don't have to be a parishoner of the church and the only fundraising committment is participating in 3 bingo nights per year. This school was also, by far, the least expensive of the 3. My daughter loves her school and looks forward to going there everyday. If you have any questions, please let me know!!!
This is not exactly near you but I was thrilled with Park West Coop Nursery in Lincoln Park. THey have a very child centered program with adorable nurturing teachers. Everything about it was perfect-except it isn't cheap. (they do have some scholarships available however. The parents were a little on the snobby snide but the school itself is ideal. This is not a place you leave your child for long hours however. It's more of a true preschool. Just thought I'd throw that in there.
