Child & Day Care 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

I love the idea of "dog running" for more active/high energy dogs. http://www.chicagodogrunner.com

Justine Rene yes! We met both owners and the dog walker and our usual walker had to stop for a bit because she broke her wrist I met the replacement the first time he came.

https://www.facebook.com/TailchasersInc

if you are looking for good dog training services, I would highly recommend ROOT Dog Training .:)

Absolutely adore Total Child Care. We're in our last year and are sad to leave.

http://www.evanstondaycare.com

I'm not sure if space is available right now, but we love the day care we have used for our two boys. It is Abida's homeday care 1-847-983-5196. She is just outside of Evanston at McCormick and Church. She is absolutely lovely. You cannot beat the price, the quality of care or the food.

Total Child Center is amazing! My son is almost 10 and still talks about it sentimentally.

Look on sitter city... We found Jen Bowen (former coworker of yours). She watches Jude at her house near us with her kids...it works out so well!

Anne that's our next step. We can't have anyone in our home because we have a really weird dog who gets mean sometimes. We are looking into home day cares through sittercity and care.com

You might think about getting on the NEIU Child Care Center waiting list (it is a lengthy wait). They start at 15 months, but the program is supposed to be great, and is likely going to expand in the next couple of years. http://www.neiu.edu/~neiuccc/about.htm

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

You could also try posting in this Evanston/Wilmette nanny group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/707527699356696/

Sorry! I spelled it wrong. It's daily drop off child care in lake forest. I've not used it personally, so don't have a recommendation. Here's the link: http://www.gortoncenter.org/drop-in

There are 2, http://www.daycarecenterssite.com/Catawissa-PA.html

a friend just told me Kiddie Village is closed but the other one is open. There are several other in home daycares too. Child Care Connections on Bloomsburg could probably give you a list

We have sent both our boys to Abida's Home Daycare (technically in Skokie, but right on the border). 847-983-5196. They do a tremendous job.

Heather Murphy . Great. Let me know if you have any questions.