Established in 1951, Highland Park Community Nursery School and Day Care Center, affectionately known as "Community", has been providing high-quality early childhood education and care for over 59 years.
Community is a not-for-profit organization committed to providing a safe, educational and nurturing environment for young children. We offer a wide variety of affordable part-time and full-time programs for the diverse needs of children and families in Highland Park, Highwood and the surrounding area.
Our play-based philosophy is founded on the following principles:
- Respect each child's uniqueness and encourage individual growth
- Foster the development of self-esteem, confidence, trust, social competence and a sense of community
- Give children the opportunity to make hypotheses, weigh choices, make decisions, express their ideas, collaborate with peers and staff, and refine their thinking
- Embrace and value cultural diversity
- Work together with parents, School District 112 and other agencies to understand and support each child's individual development
Building on a rich tradition of experienced and highly qualified staff, Community carefully designs developmentally appropriate activities for each of its preschool and day care programs. Community's early childhood programs strive to provide integrated experiences and materials in an enriching environment that foster the cognitive, social, emotional and physical development of each child. The curriculum provides a balance of group and individual activities that invite natural curiosity and exploration. The interactive process of learning is facilitated through experiences in art, music, literature, language, math, science, social studies, dramatic play and movement.
Parents are encouraged to visit the school to personally observe the programs, meet the staff and tour the facility. For more information or registration materials, please contact Jean Wallace-Baker, Director, at (847) 432-3301 or jean@hpcommunity.org.
Facilities
Community is conveniently located in Highland Park's Karger Recreational Center at 1850 Green Bay Road. Community's facilities include four spacious air-conditioned classrooms, an art studio, a full-sized gym and a large, multilevel, outdoor playground that includes vegetable and flower gardens. Community has a wide variety of safe and developmentally appropriate equipment to enhance both indoor and outdoor learning environments.
