Preschools in Evanston, IL

Hi Allegra - one site I highly recommend is the Neighborhood Parents Network which is a great resource for Chicagoland parents on just about every topic. The website is: http://www.npnparents.org/. YMCA has a very well-respected pre-school as does Cherry Pre-School which both I believe have part and full-day options. Best of luck to you!

Chiaravalle Montessori (private but saved my life as a single mom) and living in The Judson apartments run by BJB, is located across the street.

Our son went to Baker Demonstration School - a private progressive school - for preschool, and we loved it so much we moved from the city to Evanston for him to keep going there. Lots of families do preschool-only there, too. It's near NW Evanston (is technically in Wilmette) but combines well with Michelle Davison Barreras's house! ;). It checks all the boxes you listed. Here's the link to the school's Early Childhood page: http://www.bakerdemschool.org/early-childhood.html

Total Child Preschool was great to us! Located on Church St.

Join the McGaw YMCA, and we LOVE School for Little Children (SLC) preschool. Southeast Evanston is very diverse, close to everything (shopping, trains, downtown and...the lake!!!) And, Lincoln Elementary is a nice newly remodeled neighborhood school.

P.S. I am guessing you know this already and you mentioned diversity but Evanston is VERY diverse ethnically, racially, religion, etc. Most schools are going to be pretty to very diverse. Oh, you also might want to look at Midwest Montessori School (also pre-K) on Noyes Street which have full and part-time care or Chiaravalle on Hinman which has both options too -- these both sound like they'd fit your requirements.

If you want to take advantage of the natural ability prescholers have with language, Puerta Abierta on Chicago Ave offers a full-Spanish-immersion play-based preschool. Also, the District offers preschool-level screenings even if you don't use their preschool - I wish I had known to take advantage of that.

Welcome to Evanston! For help with an apartment- call John R. at The Apartment People- our kids went to Covenant Nursery School in Evanston together and he is very knowledgeable about the Evanston neighborhoods for kids, etc. (we also used him as a buyers agent when we bought our house and he was fantastic!) http://apartmentpeople.com/neighborhood/evanston

Cherry Preschool was fantastic! Play based and centrally located.

I can't find John's direct number- but you can call the main office in Evanston (847) 733-8800 and ask for John Ruckdaeschel. As far as public schools go, you have choices between your neighborhood school and two public magnet schools so be sure to check those out too!

Puerta Abierta is a Spanish immersion preschool near downtown Evanston - they are truly wonderful!

Jodi Roberson - great question. Yes, I will have a car but hope to walk and use public transportation a lot as well.

Here's a good list of options. You could also contact the Childcare Network of Evanston. http://evanstonfamilies.info/education/preschools-childcare/

My twins will be 2 later this month. I am happy that we got into Total Child for the start of the school year in August, but I think that 2 yo is the youngest they go (2 by September). Something to keep in mind though for next year. There is also Reba, kindercare and Cherry Preschool. Cherry might also start at 2 yo too.

Green Preschool in northern Evanston. In home daycare. My daughter is almost 3 and has been there since 2.5 months old

Wee Care in Willmette on Skokie Blvd and Lake is great!

My son has been at Little Lambs for the past 4 years, he starts kindergarten this Fall. Little Lambs has been a great experience for us. Please feel free to message me privately with any questions.

If you are willing to look outside of Evanston - you may want to consider Tot Learning Center in Skokie https://www.skokieparks.org/tot-learning-center

Both my kids attend/attended Children's Quest, a home daycare in Evanston. It's terrific. http://www.evanstondaycare.com

Total Child Center

Covenant Nursery School! http://www.covenantnurseryschool.org/

Cherry Preschool is know for a nurturing spirit and teaching a love of learning. They also believe in having a diversely abled mix of students.

Spanish Immersion . . . Puerta Abierta

The JCC Mayer Kaplan has very caring teachers, swim lessons in-house, allergy awareness, lots of play, and before- and after-care options. We had a good year there.

Bright Horizons is full day if you need that. Has two locations, one in downtown Evanston and one across from Evanston Hospital on Central Street.

SLC - School for Little Children

I had GREAT experiences with Reba Early Learning Center. I can't say enough great things about that program. I looooovvvved it there for all three of my boys. But also I liked Skokie Tot Learning Center on Howard. My friends loved YMCA. I see the kiddies at the pool each Wednesday getting lessons. Also what about Head Start at Joseph E Hill Center? I live near Evanston Day Nursery on Grant and it looks like a really nice place.

Beth Emet has a wonderful program. And they're now starting a full day program, if you need the hours.

School for Little Children is fantastic. You can call and see for a visit to experience how wonderful the teachers are with the kids.

It depends on what you are looking for. Our older daughter had a great experience at Reba Early Learning Center and our younger daughter had a great experience at the YMCA. Do you want big/little? Mixed age? Religious? Full day? Part day? Extras like swimming and gym class? Bilingual? I suggest contacting the Childcare Network of Evanston to get an idea of what's out there. It will be easier once you narrow your needs down a little. (from a mom and former preschool teacher ) http://www.childcarenetworkofevanston.org/

Unity Preschool is fabulous. Small size, easy drop-off and pick-up. Great teachers. Their preparation for kindergarten is terrific. (We have been part of more than one!). Very flexible about attendance days and lunch bunch days. Costs a little less than the others, too!

Cherry Preschool.

Meghan Duffy Vinson. Such great things being said about SLC. Just got word from my friend Carole Nimrod that she works there too and she raved about it as well.

http://www.childcarenetworkofevanston.org/parent-page/

Bernie's Book Bank

Liberation Library, which sends books to incarcerated kids, is always looking for donations. The Evanston Public Library is now doing some partner work with them. I think they may have a designated shelf for them, but if it's not easily accessible, ask to speak w/ one of the librarians, or to Jill Schacter, if the librarians can't help out. http://www.liberationlib.com/about.html

My neighbor (on Lincolnwood Drive) is collecting books for kids for a literacy program she has run for years at NorthShore Hospital. I can't tag her here but can put you in touch. She started and runs the Free Little Library on Lincolnwood Drive, and you can leave the books in bags next to the Little Library in front of her house and next to my house (for distribution to the hospital, not our neighborhood!). Just let me know so I can keep an eye out.

I can personally deliver them to Bernie's Book Bank if you would like

School for Little Children is fantastic!

Cherry Preschool, but I think turning 2 in October might be younger than the youngest class. Seconding Parents' Day Out, also.

Love SLC but she might be too young....try Parent Day Out at the YMCA

I've worked in Cherry preschool and the staff is phenomenal. We've been on the waiting list for Total Child for a year. My daughter will be attending Northminster in the fall. I've heard great things and I loved it when I did a tour

Cherry Preschool!

Covenant Preschool is awesome! Wonderful environment and teachers!

Beth Emet has a parent-tot program that would work for your daughter's age.

Reba Early Learning center is wonderful.