The Gardner School of Chicago - Bucktown

Nationally Accredited Through NAEYC With Curriculum-Based Learning

Our learning atmosphere at The Gardner School of Chicago–Bucktown nurtures intellectual growth through a variety of visual and audio aids, educational toys, games, puzzles, and learning supplies and is centered around curriculum-based lessons, child-directed activities, and structured play. Your child will also have access to Creative Curriculum, World of Wonders Curriculum, and Learning without Tears Curriculum. We are proud to have achieved the honor of national accreditation through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAEYC).

 

Indoor Playscape and On-Site Enrichment Courses

With our state-of-the-art preschool environment and colorful and safe play areas, students and parents will feel safe and at home from the moment they enter The Gardner School of Chicago-Bucktown. Your child will love our indoor playscape and enrichment room, where we encourage learning and development through our variety of programs your child can participate in.

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The Gardner School of Chicago-Bucktown preschool is located at 1612 W. North Avenue, less than 1/4 mile off the Kennedy Expressway (90/94).

Our Bucktown preschool offers year-round full- and part-time childcare with early childhood education programs for children six weeks old through 5 years. In addition, we also provide a full suite of enrichment classes and our summer camp, Camp Gardner. All of our classrooms are led by highly-qualified teachers who have a passion for helping young children learn and thrive. The stimulating, creative, and educationally-engineered school has been designed to meet the needs of our most important client—the children. Attention to detail both inside and outside the classroom is what makes The Gardner School of Chicago-Bucktown a very special place for young children.

School Features

  • Academically-focused learning with research-based curriculum
  • NAEYC Accredited
  • Real-time updates through the parent communications app with photos, nap and feeding times, and school announcements
  • Safe and secure environment with two security checkpoints
  • Inviting classrooms with degreed lead preschool teachers
  • Delicious, healthy meals in the Kids’ Café
  • On-site supplemental enrichment classes (sports, music and arts, computers, foreign language) in our enrichment studio and computer lab
  • Open-door policy for daily check-ins
  • Indoor playscape and enrichment room
  • Kindergarten preparation
  • Close-knit family involvement and participation

Academically-focused Programs

Camp Gardner

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Infants

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Pre-K

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Preschool

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Toddlers

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Twos

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Enrichment Classes

BeSmart Computers

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Gymnastics

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Music

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Spanish

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Yoga

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Sports

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Martial Arts

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Techie Kids

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Chicago - Bucktown Campus Leadership

Megan Olson

School Director

How long have you been with TGS? 
Since February 2015

Roles Served with TGS:

I began working at The Gardner School of Bucktown in 2015 as a floater teacher. Since then, I have been a lead teacher in a toddler classroom, a two-year-old classroom, a three-year-old classroom, and also the Assistant Director. In January 2020 I was promoted to Director of TGS Bucktown.

What is your educational background? 

I graduated from DePaul University in 2014 with a B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Human Development.

What made you decide to have a career in education?

I have wanted to work in the education field since I was very young. My mom was an elementary and middle school teacher, so I was definitely inspired by her to become a teacher myself.

What makes you laugh about kids?

I love how honest kids are. They have no filter, which leads to some pretty hilarious conversations. There is never a dull moment when working with little ones.

What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?

I love that we get to be a part of the lives of children as they go through so many important stages of development. It is exciting to see how much they grow and learn from the time they start at The Gardner School to the time  they leave for Kindergarten.

What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?

Mornings are my favorite! It is heartwarming to see how excited the kids are to come to school to see their friends and teachers.

What do you love most about TGS?
I love the relationships that I have formed with students and their families. Many of my students’ families have relocated to different parts of the country, and because we grew so close while they were at TGS, we still keep in touch. As Assistant Director, I am looking forward to getting to know more of the families.

What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?

My fondest memory of TGS was our first ever Pre-K graduation at Bucktown. To watch the children walk across the stage in their caps and gowns was such an amazing moment.

What inspires you?
I am inspired by people who love helping others. Growing up, my biggest inspirations were my teachers and my mom, who was also a teacher. I believe that is why I developed such a passion for teaching and helping others.

What is your passion or passions?

I am very passionate about education. I would not be where I am if it weren’t for my education, and I am very grateful for all my wonderful teachers who helped me develop a love for learning.

What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
To me, “Where Learning Begins” means providing an educational foundation that fosters cognitive, emotional, and social development so that children feel confident when they enter elementary school.

How important is early childhood education?

Early childhood education is an extremely important part of a child’s overall education. It is during the early years of a child’s life that they first discover how rewarding school and learning can be.

What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
I would tell them that their child will be loved and nurtured by a team of amazing and dedicated teachers. It is our goal to make them feel as comfortable as possible, as we understand how important this transition is for them and their children. We are here to answer any questions they may have, and our door is always open for them to check in during the day.
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Emily Davidson

Assistant Director

How long have you been with TGS? 
I’ve been with TGS since July of 2017.

Roles Served with TGS:
I first started in July of 2017 as a lead infant teacher. Since then, I have been a toddler teacher and a preschool teacher. I officially became the Assistant Director in March of 2022.

What is your educational background? 
I graduated from the University of St. Francis in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education.

What made you decide to have a career in education?
Education was always extremely important to me. Having role models at a young age in education made me want to become a teacher.

What makes you laugh about kids?
You just never know what they will say! They are some of the funniest humans that I have ever met.

What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
The amount of development they go through during this time is so crucial and important. Being able to see babies that I had in the infant room graduate preschool has been such an amazing experience.

What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of the day at TGS is during the evenings when I get to see all of the children tell their parents about their day.

What do you love most about TGS?
I love the relationships that have formed since I started working here. I have kids that will come up to me that remember me from their toddler class or have a picture of them and me in their house. It is such a special bond that I have with these children.

What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My fondest memories of TGS so far have been the holiday and spring concerts. Seeing the excited faces of the students, teachers, and family members is so special!

What inspires you?
I am inspired by children and their outlook on life. They live life to the fullest every day and have such a positive perspective. Seeing these children and their positive attitudes makes me want to live life to the fullest.

What is your passion or passions?
I am passionate about the arts, books, and sports. I love going to see musicals, plays, and sporting events. Go Cubs!

What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
Learning will be something that these children do for the rest of their lives. We see the beginning stages of who they will become. That is such a special opportunity. We get to see them develop socially, physically, emotionally, and cognitively. There aren’t many jobs like that.

How important is early childhood education?
Early childhood education is extremely important. Children need that foundation of education to know that they are ready for their next stage.

What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time? 
I always try to remind them that it is okay to be apprehensive! Dropping your new baby into a new school can be hard. We work together to ensure the best communication so that the transition from home to school is as seamless as it can be.

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What TGS Parents Are Saying

We've sent both of our children to TGS Bucktown since they were 4 months old and have had a really great experience... with every step. The kids have loved...read more
Christopher Y.
Christopher Y.
I highly recommend The Gardner School of Bucktown. The entire staff is kind, welcoming, friendly and care about every... child. Our daughter started when she...read more
Andrea M.
Andrea M.
We've been with The Gardner School Bucktown for the past 5 years and couldn't be happier with our experience. The... teachers have always gone above and beyond...read more
Matt O.
Matt O.
Cannot say enough good things about TGS. We were nervous first time parents sending our son to daycare for the first... time in the middle of the pandemic, and...read more
Courtney D.
Courtney D.
Updating this review after 5 and a half years as a Gardner School Bucktown family.They have taken amazing care of our... kids over the years. Our kids have...read more
Lindsay G.
Lindsay G.
TGS has been our lifeline of support for our pandemic baby! We entered into quarantine during my third trimester, so... things were still pretty up in the air...read more
Julia D.
Julia D.
TGS was an amazing experience for our family. We truly feel like they treated our daughter as if she was their own. Our... teachers were so helpful and...read more
Kara S.
Kara S.
Our daughter has been going to The Gardner School in Bucktown for nearly three years now and we have been so happy with... her care and development during that...read more
Catherine H.
Catherine H.
Sending our kids to The Gardner School of Bucktown was one of the best decisions we made for our children. Our oldest... transferred there from another school...read more
Karishma G.
Karishma G.

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