Private Kindergarten near Darien, IL

Kindergarten

The Gardner School’s private Kindergarten program, available at select locations, offers a full-day, research-based curriculum designed to provide an academic advantage in a nurturing and engaging environment. With smaller class sizes—one teacher for every 15 students—our program ensures personalized instruction and hands-on learning. Using Open Court Reading, students develop independent reading skills through explicit, systematic instruction, while Math Expressions, based on National Science Foundation research, encourages deeper mathematical thinking and problem-solving. The Learning Without Tears curriculum enhances writing, literacy, and digital skills through multi-sensory techniques, fostering well-rounded academic growth. Kindergarteners explore daily lessons in interactive learning centers, applying concepts through real-world, hands-on activities. Technology is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum with educational games and digital exercises on computers and iPads, preparing students for future academic settings. Parents stay connected through real-time updates, photos, and progress reports via our communication app, KITE binders, and teacher conferences. With a strong focus on foundational skills, responsibility, and individualized support, our Kindergarten program equips students for success in elementary school and beyond.

Private Kindergarten Program

Private Kindergarten Program

Children's House Kindergarten

Kindergarten in the Montessori Children’s House is a pivotal year where learning comes to life. As the leaders in their mixed-age classroom, children deepen their academic understanding and grow in independence, confidence, and collaboration. With guidance from trained Montessori teachers, students choose their work and engage in hands-on materials across subjects like math, geography, language, and practical life. This final year in the Children’s House nurtures leadership, critical thinking, and a love of learning - laying a strong foundation for the years ahead. Full-Time tuition listed. Part-time and flexible scheduling options are also available. Contact this location for more details.

Children's House Kindergarten

Kindergarten in the Montessori Children’s House is a pivotal year where learning comes to life. As the leaders in their mixed-age classroom, children deepen their academic understanding and grow in independence, confidence, and collaboration. With guidance from trained Montessori teachers, students choose their work and engage in hands-on materials across subjects like math, geography, language, and practical life. This final year in the Children’s House nurtures leadership, critical thinking, and a love of learning - laying a strong foundation for the years ahead. Full-Time tuition listed. Part-time and flexible scheduling options are also available. Contact this location for more details.

Children's House Kindergarten

Kindergarten in the Montessori Children’s House is a pivotal year where learning comes to life. As the leaders in their mixed-age classroom, children deepen their academic understanding and grow in independence, confidence, and collaboration. With guidance from trained Montessori teachers, students choose their work and engage in hands-on materials across subjects like math, geography, language, and practical life. This final year in the Children’s House nurtures leadership, critical thinking, and a love of learning - laying a strong foundation for the years ahead. Full-Time tuition listed. Part-time and flexible scheduling options are also available. Contact this location for more details.

Children's House Kindergarten

Kindergarten in the Montessori Children’s House is a pivotal year where learning comes to life. As the leaders in their mixed-age classroom, children deepen their academic understanding and grow in independence, confidence, and collaboration. With guidance from trained Montessori teachers, students choose their work and engage in hands-on materials across subjects like math, geography, language, and practical life. This final year in the Children’s House nurtures leadership, critical thinking, and a love of learning - laying a strong foundation for the years ahead. Full-Time tuition listed. Part-time and flexible scheduling options are also available. Contact this location for more details.

Elementary

Our Montessori Elementary program offers a personalized, dynamic education that supports each child’s curiosity, independence, and growth. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum - including literature, science, math, language, geography, history, and the arts—students explore big ideas, ask deep questions, and connect learning to the real world. Project-based work encourages time management, collaboration, and ownership over learning. As they follow their interests and work at their own pace, children develop essential life skills such as responsibility, perseverance, organization, and intrinsic motivation - preparing them not just for school, but for life. Full-Time tuition listed. Part-time and flexible scheduling options are also available. Contact this location for more details.

Kindergarten

Our teachers use engaging programs and activities that promote social, emotional, physical, cognitive, creative and character development so your child is prepared to take on elementary school and beyond.

Kindergarten

The Gardner School’s private Kindergarten program, available at select locations, offers a full-day, research-based curriculum designed to provide an academic advantage in a nurturing and engaging environment. With smaller class sizes—one teacher for every 15 students—our program ensures personalized instruction and hands-on learning. Using Open Court Reading, students develop independent reading skills through explicit, systematic instruction, while Math Expressions, based on National Science Foundation research, encourages deeper mathematical thinking and problem-solving. The Learning Without Tears curriculum enhances writing, literacy, and digital skills through multi-sensory techniques, fostering well-rounded academic growth. Kindergarteners explore daily lessons in interactive learning centers, applying concepts through real-world, hands-on activities. Technology is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum with educational games and digital exercises on computers and iPads, preparing students for future academic settings. Parents stay connected through real-time updates, photos, and progress reports via our communication app, KITE binders, and teacher conferences. With a strong focus on foundational skills, responsibility, and individualized support, our Kindergarten program equips students for success in elementary school and beyond.

Kindergarten

The Gardner School’s private Kindergarten program, available at select locations, offers a full-day, research-based curriculum designed to provide an academic advantage in a nurturing and engaging environment. With smaller class sizes—one teacher for every 15 students—our program ensures personalized instruction and hands-on learning. Using Open Court Reading, students develop independent reading skills through explicit, systematic instruction, while Math Expressions, based on National Science Foundation research, encourages deeper mathematical thinking and problem-solving. The Learning Without Tears curriculum enhances writing, literacy, and digital skills through multi-sensory techniques, fostering well-rounded academic growth. Kindergarteners explore daily lessons in interactive learning centers, applying concepts through real-world, hands-on activities. Technology is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum with educational games and digital exercises on computers and iPads, preparing students for future academic settings. Parents stay connected through real-time updates, photos, and progress reports via our communication app, KITE binders, and teacher conferences. With a strong focus on foundational skills, responsibility, and individualized support, our Kindergarten program equips students for success in elementary school and beyond.

Kindergarten

The Gardner School’s private Kindergarten program, available at select locations, offers a full-day, research-based curriculum designed to provide an academic advantage in a nurturing and engaging environment. With smaller class sizes—one teacher for every 15 students—our program ensures personalized instruction and hands-on learning. Using Open Court Reading, students develop independent reading skills through explicit, systematic instruction, while Math Expressions, based on National Science Foundation research, encourages deeper mathematical thinking and problem-solving. The Learning Without Tears curriculum enhances writing, literacy, and digital skills through multi-sensory techniques, fostering well-rounded academic growth. Kindergarteners explore daily lessons in interactive learning centers, applying concepts through real-world, hands-on activities. Technology is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum with educational games and digital exercises on computers and iPads, preparing students for future academic settings. Parents stay connected through real-time updates, photos, and progress reports via our communication app, KITE binders, and teacher conferences. With a strong focus on foundational skills, responsibility, and individualized support, our Kindergarten program equips students for success in elementary school and beyond.

Kindergarten

The Gardner School’s private Kindergarten program, available at select locations, offers a full-day, research-based curriculum designed to provide an academic advantage in a nurturing and engaging environment. With smaller class sizes—one teacher for every 15 students—our program ensures personalized instruction and hands-on learning. Using Open Court Reading, students develop independent reading skills through explicit, systematic instruction, while Math Expressions, based on National Science Foundation research, encourages deeper mathematical thinking and problem-solving. The Learning Without Tears curriculum enhances writing, literacy, and digital skills through multi-sensory techniques, fostering well-rounded academic growth. Kindergarteners explore daily lessons in interactive learning centers, applying concepts through real-world, hands-on activities. Technology is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum with educational games and digital exercises on computers and iPads, preparing students for future academic settings. Parents stay connected through real-time updates, photos, and progress reports via our communication app, KITE binders, and teacher conferences. With a strong focus on foundational skills, responsibility, and individualized support, our Kindergarten program equips students for success in elementary school and beyond.

School-Age Childcare Program

Children will receive a snack after school and then have time to complete homework. When homework is complete the children enjoy books, arts, crafts, board games, puzzles and sports. We are open all days besides major holidays. Children can be picked up and dropped off from school.

School-Age Childcare Program

Before & After School

Get ready for a great start and finish to every school day. In our Before- and After-School Clubhouse for school-age students, we provide a mix of independent and organized activities, education and recreation, plus order and routine for their mornings and afternoons. This program focuses on: daily goal-setting, team-building exercises, healthy physical challenges, homework help, and community projects. We also offer flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule and additional opportunities during school breaks, holidays, and summer vacation. And there may be transportation to and from your elementary school. Ask the director for details.

Wondercamp

An action-packed summer for children (ages 2 to 12). Our exciting Wonder Weeks include topics and activities designed to spark curiosity and imagination. We serve healthy food, play outside daily, and take field trips too! Parents will love our app with live streaming video and photo highlights.

School Age Program

Our before & after school program is offered for children ages 5-12 on regular school days. We also offer full-day programs for all out of school days and camps during school breaks, including Winter Break, Spring Break and Summer Camp.

Flexible Care

With Flexi-Pass, families can purchase 5 full days of prepaid care to use one at a time or all at once. There are no registration fees, no ongoing tuition, and no long-term commitment — just trusted care at a lower per-day cost.

Flexible Care

With Flexi-Pass, families can purchase 5 full days of prepaid care to use one at a time or all at once. There are no registration fees, no ongoing tuition, and no long-term commitment — just trusted care at a lower per-day cost.

Drop-In Care Program

Wondercamp

An action-packed summer for children (ages 2 to 12). Our exciting Wonder Weeks include topics and activities designed to spark curiosity and imagination. We serve healthy food, play outside daily, and take field trips too! Parents will love our app with live streaming video and photo highlights.

Before & After School

Get ready for a great start and finish to every school day. In our Before- and After-School Clubhouse for school-age students, we provide a mix of independent and organized activities, education and recreation, plus order and routine for their mornings and afternoons. This program focuses on: daily goal-setting, team-building exercises, healthy physical challenges, homework help, and community projects. We also offer flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule and additional opportunities during school breaks, holidays, and summer vacation. And there may be transportation to and from your elementary school. Ask the director for details.

School Age Program

Our before & after school program is offered for children ages 5-12 on regular school days. We also offer full-day programs for all out of school days and camps during school breaks, including Winter Break, Spring Break and Summer Camp.

Flexible Care

With Flexi-Pass, families can purchase 5 full days of prepaid care to use one at a time or all at once. There are no registration fees, no ongoing tuition, and no long-term commitment — just trusted care at a lower per-day cost.

School Age Before and After Care

Before and after school program focused on the developmental areas of: creative expression, community, literacy, inquiry-based learning, character development, and executive function. Daily routine includes: time for puzzles and games, science, math and construction, library, and creative arts. Teachers will also provide help with homework. Your child will have the opportunity to start clubs, create projects, and become a junior leader. Program provides daily physical activity and snacks. Elementary schools bussed to: Maplebrook, Elmwood, Kingsley, Prairie, Owen, Patterson, Scott, Clow, Builta, Springbrook, Cowishaw, Mae Watts, Naper, Riverwoods and Welch Schools

Before & After School

Get ready for a great start and finish to every school day. In our Before- and After-School Clubhouse for school-age students, we provide a mix of independent and organized activities, education and recreation, plus order and routine for their mornings and afternoons. This program focuses on: daily goal-setting, team-building exercises, healthy physical challenges, homework help, and community projects. We also offer flexible enrollment options to fit your family’s schedule and additional opportunities during school breaks, holidays, and summer vacation. And there may be transportation to and from your elementary school. Ask the director for details.

Drop-In Care

With our Flex Care program, you can purchase child care days in advance to use, as you need them—all year long. You get reliability and flexibility, and your child gets to experience our proven curriculum in a fun, safe, and secure environment. You can purchase prepaid cards in five-day increments through your school, and each is good for one full year. After completing the enrollment paperwork, just call 48 hours in advance to reserve your spot.

Summer Adventure Club

Make this the summer of “I did it!” At Summer Adventure Club, your child will explore, play and grow as an athlete, artist, engineer and more through hands-on activities that nurture Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts®.

Before & After School Care

Our after school program is designed to nurture Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts® in children ages 5 through 12. Your child can relax, make friends, get homework help and continue to learn while having fun as they explore creative expression, sports, technology, drama, music, games and more.