Music and Drama
Children explore rhythm, movement, and creative expression through hands-on music and drama. They learn fundamentals like melody and notation while building confidence through storytelling, puppetry, and simple performances.
The Gardner School of Chicago – River North
A Place to Learn and Belong
Premium Preschool in River North
At The Gardner School of Chicago–River North, children learn, play, and grow in bright classrooms, a large indoor playscape, and inviting spaces designed for early exploration. Families appreciate our warm community, trusted curriculum, and convenient location in the Montgomery Building.
Where Curiosity and Confidence Grow
Our River North preschool blends teacher-guided instruction with child-led discovery, helping children build strong academic, social, and emotional skills. With hands-on curriculum, joyful classroom routines, movement and S.T.E.A.M. activities, and healthy meals served in our Kids’ Café, each day supports whole-child development. As a NAEYC-accredited school with a secure, modern facility and highly qualified teachers, we offer a consistent, caring experience for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
Location
Inside this School
Learning
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Our research-based curriculum builds early literacy, math, problem-solving, and social-emotional skills. Children learn through hands-on projects, guided exploration, and meaningful routines that nurture curiosity and confidence.
Community
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Families feel connected and supported from the moment they walk in. Real-time updates share photos and daily highlights, creating an open line of communication and a strong sense of partnership throughout your child’s early years.
Safety and Health
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Our secure, well-maintained school features controlled-entry checkpoints, clean and calm classrooms, and predictable routines that help children feel safe and supported. A private nursing room offers added comfort and privacy for nursing parents. Healthy meals and snacks in the Kids’ Café support growing bodies and happy mealtimes.
Movement
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Our indoor playscape and access to a nearby park give children space to climb, run, explore, and build gross motor skills every day. Movement is woven into learning to support whole-body development and joyful play.
Academically-Focused Programs
At The Gardner School, learning truly begins with care. Our infant classrooms provide a nurturing start built on a nationally recognized, research-based curriculum that supports early learning and development. With teachers who understand both the science and the soul of early education, babies grow in an environment that builds trust, curiosity, and confidence from the very beginning.
Toddlers are natural explorers, full of curiosity, movement, and new words waiting to bloom. At The Gardner School, our toddler classrooms nurture and celebrate this growing independence through play-based learning and intentional teaching. Each day builds confidence, language, and friendship in an environment that’s safe, structured, and full of joy. Our early childhood education program develops the whole child — encouraging physical coordination, emotional confidence, and early cognitive growth in every discovery.
Two-year-olds are bursting with curiosity and confidence. At The Gardner School, our classrooms encourage this new independence through hands-on learning, nurturing guidance, and joyful discovery. Teachers help children explore, experiment, and build social and self-help skills in a safe environment where learning and laughter go hand in hand. In this two-year-old early learning classroom, children begin to strengthen emotional regulation, independence, and empathy while exploring the world around them.
Preschoolers are natural problem-solvers and collaborators. At The Gardner School, our classrooms inspire curiosity, confidence, and creativity through hands-on learning and purposeful structure. Teachers guide children through new concepts in literacy, math, science, and art, helping them build independence, friendships, and a lifelong love of learning. Our preschool classrooms encourage critical thinking and pre-academic foundations that set the stage for kindergarten success.
Pre-K is a milestone year filled with confidence, curiosity, and preparation for what’s next. At The Gardner School, our teachers guide children through meaningful, play-based learning that builds academic readiness, social skills, and independence. With a curriculum designed around kindergarten preparation, students develop the focus, responsibility, and love of learning that will carry them into elementary school and beyond. Our Pre-K program helps children grow the attention, independence, and social skills they need to feel confident and ready for kindergarten.
Enrichment Programs
Sports
Active, structured classes help children build coordination, strength, and confidence. Through sports like soccer, basketball, gymnastics, and yoga, they practice teamwork, listening skills, and healthy movement habits.
Martial Arts
Martial arts introduce balance, discipline, and respectful movement in a safe, beginner-friendly format. Children learn basic stances and controlled motions that build focus, confidence, and body awareness.
Dance and Movement
Children build balance, coordination, and spatial awareness through beginner dance and creative movement. With simple steps, stretching, and expressive motion, they strengthen motor skills while growing confidence and joy in how their bodies move.
S.T.E.A.M.
Hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math experiences spark curiosity and critical thinking. Through simple experiments and creative projects, children explore how things work and discover the joy of learning.
Foreign Language
Through songs, games, and simple vocabulary, children are introduced to the basics of a second language to enable basic conversational skills. Lessons built around familiar themes make learning fun, natural, and age-appropriate.
Seasonal Experiences
Children participate in seasonal, multi-week, or pop-up enrichment classes that may include cooking, gardening, or exciting seasonal activities. These experiences offer fresh ways to learn, create, and discover.
School Leadership
Erinn Kogan
Executive School Director
Erinn Kogan
Executive School Director
Erinn loves greeting children and families each morning at The Gardner School of Chicago – River North. Seeing their faces light up with excitement and curiosity sets a joyful tone for the day ahead. She joined The Gardner School in September 2015 and has built a nurturing, energetic environment where children feel safe, celebrated, and eager to learn.
Megan Macaluso
Assistant Director
Megan Macaluso
Assistant Director
Megan’s favorite moments at The Gardner School of Chicago – River North are the ones filled with connection and excitement — greeting children as they arrive, hearing their laughter, and sharing quick stories with families that set a positive tone for the day. She joined The Gardner School in July 2025 and quickly felt right at home in a community that values warmth, collaboration, and care.
Schedule a Tour
Please select a date and time that works best for you (tours are ~45 minutes). We recommend visiting in the morning between 9:30 – 11:30 am. Of course, we completely understand that is not always possible with families’ schedules and welcome families to join whenever is most convenient for you. If you aren’t ready to tour yet or these times below don’t work for your family, use the Contact Us button below, and we will coordinate a time together.
Contact Us
If you aren’t yet ready to schedule a tour or the available times do not work for your family, please click Contact Us to connect with someone from The Gardner School.