Best Child Care in Chicago, IL

Montessori Infant Care

Babies are viewed and spoken to in ways that allow them to be active participants in their daily lives. The deep respect this approach engenders is the start of self-love and self-esteem.

Montessori Toddler Program

Your child explores a world of expression and creativity as they choose colors and textures to explore. Art practice also improves fine motor skills, making things like gripping a pencil easier.

Infant Classroom

In the Infant program, our teachers provide your baby with all the cuddles and care they need, as well as opportunities to begin learning about the world around them. Our proprietary education program, Wonder of Learning™, celebrates your baby’s natural curiosity within the classroom environment and models how to explore safely. Nurturing teachers narrate your baby’s experiences to build a strong foundation in 21st century skills for problem solving and building relationships.

Twos Classroom

In the Twos classroom, patient, caring teachers guide children through playful exploration. They help your little one navigate big emotions while providing hands-on learning experiences that nurture their innate curiosity. Your toddler is constantly learning new things about the world around them. At The Goddard School®, our team is here to work with your little one every day as they play, learn and gain the skills they need to prepare for preschool. Our Wonder of Learning™ education program will immerse your child in literacy, science, arts and math brought together in one activity for a more holistic—and fun—approach to learning.

Infants

BeeCurious experiences are tailored to each infant's developmental stage and individual schedule. Educators observe and intentionally plan for each child's physical, social-emotional, and cognitive growth. The program immerses infants in a language-rich environment, with American Sign Language introduced through twenty core signs to support early communication, reduce frustration, and strengthen the bond between children and caregivers. Sensory exploration and daily outdoor experiences extend learning beyond the classroom.

Toddlers

The BeeCurious Curriculum supports active toddlers as they develop increased mobility and begin exploring the world around them. Children engage in hands-on learning centers - dramatic play, blocks, table toys, art, and a cozy area - with toys and props that change regularly to reflect current curriculum studies. Language development is central, with children immersed in daily communication and supported by American Sign Language using twenty core signs, plus additional signs tied to each theme of study. Music, movement, peer interactions, and group projects are woven throughout the day, with outdoor play twice daily extending curriculum experiences into well-equipped play spaces. Process-oriented art and sensory experiences encourage creativity and self-expression.

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Infants

The Gardner School’s infant program provides a warm, nurturing environment where babies build trust, confidence, and early learning skills. Guided by The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos, teachers foster exploration through responsive, individualized care. Nursery suites feature personalized touches like individual cribs and family photos, while small ratios, a shoe-free policy, and flexible feeding and diapering routines ensure a safe, clean, and tailored experience. We maintain strong parent communication through real-time updates, developmental assessments, and shared moments via our app. Teachers use American Sign Language to support early communication and incorporate Itsy Bitsy Yoga to promote sleep, digestion, and well-being. By honoring each infant’s unique schedule, we provide attentive care that supports growth, connection, and development from the start.

Toddlers

The Gardner School’s toddler program nurtures independence, growth, and socialization in a supportive, engaging environment. Using The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos, teachers encourage exploration through play and responsive interactions. As children transition from American Sign Language to early language, communication is supported through stories, songs, puzzles, and hands-on learning. Group activities build confidence, social skills, and emotional development. Families stay connected through real-time updates, photos, and app notifications. Monthly themes introduce colors, sensory exploration, cooperative play, and self-expression. Itsy Bitsy Yoga supports sleep, digestion, and well-being. By fostering curiosity and creativity, we build a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Infants

The Gardner School’s infant program provides a warm, nurturing environment where babies build trust, confidence, and early learning skills. Guided by The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos, teachers foster exploration through responsive, individualized care. Nursery suites feature personalized touches like individual cribs and family photos, while small ratios, a shoe-free policy, and flexible feeding and diapering routines ensure a safe, clean, and tailored experience. We maintain strong parent communication through real-time updates, developmental assessments, and shared moments via our app. Teachers use American Sign Language to support early communication and incorporate Itsy Bitsy Yoga to promote sleep, digestion, and well-being. By honoring each infant’s unique schedule, we provide attentive care that supports growth, connection, and development from the start.

Two's

The Gardner School’s two-year-old program supports rapid physical, cognitive, and social growth through play and exploration. Using The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos, teachers foster autonomy, confidence, and early learning. Interactive centers focus on language, math, science, fine motor skills, and dramatic play, while group activities and circle time build socialization and self-help skills like feeding, hand-washing, and sharing. Teachers partner with families to support potty training when children are ready. Parents stay connected through real-time updates, photos, and progress reports. Children can also explore enrichment classes such as music, dance, language, and sports. Through engaging, individualized experiences, we build confidence, independence, and a love for learning.

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Infants

For ages 6 weeks – 12 months, our infant program blends comfort with curiosity. At this stage, everything we do is designed to provide a welcoming environment and support developmental milestones, including: strong focus on tummy and story time; warm, nurturing, safe environments for building meaningful connections; fostering individual development and self-help skills; unique personalizations such as nutritional guidelines, schedules, and more. With your infant, our goal is to create an individualized program that caters to the specific needs of your child.

Toddlers

For ages 1 - 2 years old, our toddler program builds focus and friendships. Research shows that as toddlers make developmental leaps and build skills for the future, they need to spend time well focusing on exploration and discovery, music and movement, outdoor play, group time, learning centers, language focus, breakfast/lunch/snack times, story time, and rest time; support in newfound independence, language, and social skills; and a relaxed environment to foster individual development and self-help skills. With your toddler, our goal is to create an individualized program that caters to the specific needs of your child.

Infants

For ages 6 weeks – 12 months, our infant program blends comfort with curiosity. At this stage, everything we do is designed to provide a welcoming environment and support developmental milestones, including: strong focus on tummy and story time; warm, nurturing, safe environments for building meaningful connections; fostering individual development and self-help skills; unique personalizations such as nutritional guidelines, schedules, and more. With your infant, our goal is to create an individualized program that caters to the specific needs of your child.

Toddlers

For ages 1 - 2 years old, our toddler program builds focus and friendships. Research shows that as toddlers make developmental leaps and build skills for the future, they need to spend time well focusing on exploration and discovery, music and movement, outdoor play, group time, learning centers, language focus, breakfast/lunch/snack times, story time, and rest time; support in newfound independence, language, and social skills; and a relaxed environment to foster individual development and self-help skills. With your toddler, our goal is to create an individualized program that caters to the specific needs of your child.

Infant Care

Our infant program is designed to offer a secure place with knowledgeable teachers who honor your family’s routine, and who know every day that they’re not caring for any child, but the most important child — yours.

Toddler Care

Our toddler program is designed to provide a safe place for your newly independent child to test out and learn new skills, wonder about everything, and discover how to make friends.

Infant Care

Our infant program is designed to offer a secure place with knowledgeable teachers who honor your family’s routine, and who know every day that they’re not caring for any child, but the most important child — yours.

Toddler Care

Our toddler program is designed to provide a safe place for your newly independent child to test out and learn new skills, wonder about everything, and discover how to make friends.

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Infants

Our infant curriculum starts with regular playtime including belly and music time, exploration, stimulation, as well as nap and feeding times that we keep consistent with your baby’s individual schedule.

Twaddlers

Our curriculum helps twaddlers explore, and it nurtures their increasing need to communicate. By this point in their early childhood development, twaddlers have expanded their language skills, and our curriculum helps to enhance their ability to communicate verbally.

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