Private Preschools in Chicago, IL

Primrose Preschool classrooms are available at schools across the Chicago metro area, from Long Grove and Algonquin in the northwest to Naperville and Bolingbrook in the southwest, with 10+ locations in all.

The Preschool classroom welcomes children who are 3 by the cutoff date and begins the Venture Program™. Children in Venture classrooms build the confidence and independence to explore on their own and ask questions.

Families who stay at one Primrose school as their child grows will find Preschool is the next step in a familiar place.

Balanced Learning® guides every Primrose Preschool classroom, an approach developed exclusively for Primrose over more than 40 years to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion.

During Project Time, children will work together on one project over days or weeks and use Primrose's Design Thinking Process to brainstorm, build and test ideas.

Enrichment Programs are included in tuition at participating schools, and your local director can tell you which ones your school offers.

Active Minds, Healthy Bodies and Happy Hearts® are the three pillars of Balanced Learning®, and your child's Preschool classroom will build on each one.

• Active Minds includes Small Group Literacy and Small Group Math, which give each child individual support and challenge across Language and Literacy and Mathematics. Science, Engineering and Technology and Social Studies round out the pillar.
• Healthy Bodies includes Thumbs Up!®: Physical Development and Health, which helps your preschooler stay active and learn healthy habits. Balanced Menus®: Nutrition brings nutritious meals to the table.
• Happy Hearts includes the Happy Hearts Character Development Program® & Life Skills, which nurtures character. Harmony & Heart®: Music, Movement and Literature adds stories and songs. Primrose Early Art Masters®: Creative Arts and Expression brings in hands-on art.

Take-home tools like Og's Reading Bag™ and Molly's Math Bag™ will also connect the learning with family time at home.

Enrollment starts with the school itself. Contact the one you are considering, and its director will confirm your child's age eligibility, show you the Preschool classroom and answer questions before you commit.

If your preferred school has no Preschool space right now, ask the director to place your family on its waitlist.

With 10+ schools across the Chicago metro area, a nearby school may have space sooner, and its director can tell you about availability.

Yes, Preschool enrollment at Primrose schools in the Chicago area stays open all year, so families can join mid-year or over the summer once a classroom space is available.

Each school across the Chicago area sets its own Preschool tuition, since every Primrose school is independently owned and operated.

Contact the school nearest you for current pricing and ask the director what tuition includes, from lunch and snacks to Enrichment Programs at participating schools.

Yes, Preschool tuition at Primrose schools in the Chicago area covers nutritious lunch and snacks, and Primrose School of Bolingbrook adds breakfast. All meals prepared at Primrose follow Balanced Menus® built around protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Dietary accommodations vary by school, since every Primrose school is independently owned and operated, so your local director can answer specific questions.

Primrose Preschool classrooms keep a teacher close to every child through low teacher-to-child ratios, which gives teachers time to learn how each 3-year-old plays, laughs and grows.

Ratios depend on the school, since each Primrose school is independently owned and operated, so ask your local director to confirm the ratio for the Preschool classroom.

Yes, teachers at Primrose schools in the Chicago area complete a background check and earn CPR and First Aid certification before they lead a Preschool classroom, and that standard applies at every school.

Background-checked teachers lead every Primrose Preschool classroom in the Chicago area, and secure entry systems and low teacher-to-child ratios keep a teacher within reach of each 3-year-old.

Teachers practice regular fire and safety drills with the children, count heads before and after outdoor time and follow clear health protocols.

Children wash their hands before meals and after outdoor play, and we disinfect the toys they touch most. Teachers also learn to recognize common signs of illness, with a reminder sign in each classroom.

Yes, some Primrose schools in the Chicago area have dedicated outdoor play space where preschoolers can run, climb and explore, including Primrose School of East Aurora and Primrose School of Winfield.

Outdoor features vary by school because each Primrose school is independently owned and operated.

Skills your child gains in Preschool, from STEAM experiences to early literacy practice, will carry into Pre-Kindergarten, so the move will feel like a natural next step.

Through Balanced Assessment, teachers follow your child's progress with developmental screening and ongoing Evidence of Learning portfolios, so the Pre-Kindergarten teacher will see a clear picture of your child's strengths.

Teachers at Primrose schools keep families connected throughout the day.

In a dedicated app, your child's Preschool teacher will share photos and notes about activities, new friendships and milestones, and parents can message teachers directly during school hours.

Teachers also make time to talk at drop-off and pickup, so you can hear more about your child's day.