Parents in Ravenswood and Lincoln Square who have started thinking about preschool may have heard the same advice more than once: start earlier than feels necessary. Infant and toddler rooms at the most sought-after schools in Chicago fill months ahead, fall start dates are the most popular, and the city’s own Pre-K application has a spring deadline that can be easy to miss. At an academic preschool like The Gardner School of Chicago – Ravenswood, enrollment is open year-round and a tour takes about 45 minutes. The proces is simple once a family knows when to begin. As parents think about a start date for a child, it’s a good idea to work backward from that date and map out when to tour, when to ask about a waitlist, and what to have ready.
Key facts: when Ravenswood families should start looking for preschool
- Most families begin touring 6 to 12 months before the start date they want, and infant and toddler rooms are the first to fill.
- For a fall start, the best time to tour is the previous winter or early spring. For a January start, the best time is September or October.
- The Gardner School of Chicago – Ravenswood enrolls year-round, and tours are offered weekday mornings, with 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. recommended.
- Chicago Public Schools’ Pre-K application for the following fall opens in the spring, and the initial application period closes in late April.
- A child must turn 4 on or before September 1 to enter CPS Pre-K that fall, and 5 on or before September 1 to enter kindergarten in Illinois.
12 months out: decide on a start date and a schedule
Many Chicago families choose a fall start to line up with the school year, while families returning from parental leave or moving to the neighborhood often need a start in January or mid-year. Both work at The Gardner School of Chicago – Ravenswood, since enrollment continues throughout the year, but a fall start usually means more families are asking about the same rooms at the same time. Additionally, consider scheduling: whether full-time or part-time enrollment is needed. Parents who know a year ahead that they will need full-day care from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. can begin the search with a clear picture of what they need.
6 to 9 months out: tour the schools on the list
We recommend scheduling tours about 6-9 months prior to the child’s desired start date. The Gardner School of Chicago – Ravenswood schedules tours through its website, and a tour takes about 45 minutes, with weekday mornings between 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. recommended. A virtual tour is also available for parents who want a first look before visiting in person. Parents comparing preschools in Chicago may find it helpful to bring a short list of questions about the daily schedule, teacher qualifications, meals, and how the school communicates with families during the day.
“We encourage families to tour as early as they are comfortable, even if the start date is many months away,” said Emily Davidson, School Director of The Gardner School of Chicago – Ravenswood. “Seeing the classrooms and meeting the teachers helps parents picture their child here, and it gives us time to plan for the right classroom when the family is ready.”
4 to 6 months out: ask about availability and waitlists
After the tour, ask about availability in the classroom that the child will join. Infant rooms in Chicago have the smallest group sizes and the longest waits, so parents expecting a baby may choose to reserve a spot before the baby arrives. Toddler and two-year-old rooms open up as older children move to preschool, which often creates natural openings in classes for children of that age. Parents can join a waitlist to hold their family’s place. The school can usually describe how often spots open and how far in advance it confirms a start date. Families who are flexible on the start date by a few weeks often have more options.
Spring deadline for Chicago Public Schools Pre-K
Families with a child who will be 4 by September 1 may also be weighing a CPS Pre-K seat. The Chicago Early Learning application for the following fall opens in the spring, and applying before the initial period closes in late April gives a family the best chance at a top choice. Full-day CPS Pre-K typically follows the school calendar rather than a 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. day, so many working parents compare it with a full-day academic preschool and choose based on hours, continuity, and the enrichment a private program includes. The Gardner School of Chicago – Ravenswood’s Pre-K program prepares children for kindergarten with lead preschool teachers who hold four-year degrees.
1 to 2 months out: paperwork and the first day
Once a start date is confirmed, the school provides the enrollment forms and a first-day welcome guide that lists what to bring. Illinois licensed child care programs require a current physical exam and immunization record for each child, so a pediatrician visit in the last month or two before the start date is recommended. Families who would like a broader checklist can read about what to consider when looking for a preschool in Chicago.
Preschool enrollment at The Gardner School of Chicago – Ravenswood
The Gardner School of Chicago – Ravenswood welcomes children from six weeks through Pre-K at 1525 W. Wilson Avenue, at the corner of Wilson and Ashland, and is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The school earned NAEYC accreditation in 2025, serves organic meals from the Kids’ Café, and offers enrichment classes that include Spanish, music, gymnastics, karate, yoga, and BeSmart Computers, along with a Spanish immersion program. Parents in Ravenswood and Lincoln Square comparing preschool and daycare options are welcome to schedule a tour at The Gardner School of Chicago – Ravenswood and ask about availability for the start date they have in mind.
