Early Learning Center

Early Learning Center

Early Learning CenterEarly Learning Center has provided a strong foundation for Glencoe's preschoolers for more than 35 years. Our goal for children is not just school-readiness, but life-readiness: the ability to problem-solve, work with others, feel good about oneself and one's abilities and meet new challenges with interest and curiosity. We promote active play, take time for the creative arts, taste foods from other cultures, try words in unfamiliar languages, and set the stage for life in the world community.

Visit us and see:

  • Children actively engaged in learning, whether exploring worms in the media table or cruising the room, magnet in hand, seeking the magic pull of metal
  • An easel in a sunny corner, where every young artist can create with joy
  • Teachers side-by-side with students, kneeling in the wooden block construction zone or lending a hand as children mix up a treat for Sharing Day
  • Bikes and scooters whizzing around the trike track on our state-of-the-art playground, decked with butterfly bushes, basketball hoops, and climbers to suit every size
  • Parents who stop in to tell a tale, lead a cooking project or join Mom's Morning, Dad's Night, or Messy Morning

You'll hear laughter, music, and learning, and you'll understand why Glencoe families turn to Early Learning Center to provide their children's first school experience.

2021-22 School Year Registration is Now Open

Please contact Amanda Giacomino, Early Childhood Supervisor at (847) 835-7534 to arrange a tour and discuss availability. If space is available, a registration form must be returned to the Takiff Center or emailed to agiacomino@glencoeparkdistrict.com. Online registration is not available for the Early Learning Center. 

A $125 non-refundable, non-transferable registration fee per child is required at the time of registration for all programs. This fee will not be applied toward your monthly tuition. Our program respects the unique development of each individual child. Children are not required to be toilet trained to participate.

ELC 2021-1

Little Waddlers

Little Waddlers

Little Waddlers

Join in an interactive class for parents/caregivers and young toddlers. Your toddler will be able to explore the classroom setting and learn how to interact in a social environment. As their first introduction to preschool, children will quickly feel comfortable in this warm, loving space.

Registration Form
 
ELC 2's

ELC 2's

Social learning goes hand in hand with language development, a key task for our busy 2’s. We enrich the day with songs and rhymes, stories and conversation. We also build vocabulary as we splash in the media table, experiment with paint, and try out new roles in the housekeeping area. Learning is natural and easy, with lots of choices and opportunities to explore.

Registration Form
 
ELC 3's

ELC 3's

Teachers show the way by providing social models and support as children begin to negotiate and problem-solve. Special units bring learning to everyday experiences; a class trip to the grocery store sparks a host of new understandings about classifying, color, and nutrition, and sets the stage for imagination. Learning in the 3’s room follows a developmental model; children learn through real, hands-on experiences, using their curiosity to drive discovery.

Registration Form
 
ELC 4's

ELC 4's

In our 4-year-old class, learning is rapid and engaging as we prepare for the kindergarten year to come. Curriculum is strong and embedded; numbers become real through counting games and routines; letters draw life from songs, storytelling, rhyming, and a host of situational experiences. Cooking is science and socialization, as the fruits of children’s efforts are enjoyed together. Use of social stories promotes deep imaginative play, cooperation, and cognition. Learning is interactive, with plenty of opportunities for children to explore and follow their interests.

Registration Form
 
Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten Readiness

With kindergarten right around the corner, expand your child’s learning and jump-start their ability to succeed. Through play, exploration and creativity, children will develop a stronger sense of self as they delve into a variety of topics. Certified teachers will instill a love of literature, music and the arts while reinforcing the cognitive and emotional skills needed for a smooth transition to kindergarten.

Registration Form
 
Illinois Distringuished Agency
PDRMA Accredited Member
National Gold Medal Finalist for Parks