The Gardner School of Glenview-Northbrook
Nationally Accredited Through NAEYC With Curriculum-Based Learning
At The Gardner School of Glenview-Northbrook, we nurture intellectual growth through a variety of visual and audio aids, educational toys, games, puzzles, and learning supplies. We believe a well-rounded education encourages an emerging sense of self and socialization alongside intellectual exploration. We are proud to have achieved the honor of national accreditation through the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs (NAEYC).
On-Site Enrichment Courses
At The Gardner School of Glenview-Northbrook, we encourage learning and development through our variety of enrichment programs your child can participate in. With courses like BeSmart Computers, Gymnastics, Spanish, Cooking, Music, and more, we offer children a solid foundation through a multitude of extracurricular opportunities in our preschool.
The Gardner School of Glenview-Northbrook offers year-round full- and part-time childcare with early childhood education programs for children six weeks old through private Kindergarten. In addition, we also provide a full suite of enrichment classes and our summer camp, Camp Gardner. 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 Glenview-Northbrook 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 four-year 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 and outdoor playscapes
- Private nursing room
Academically-focused Programs
Camp Gardner
Infants
Kindergarten
Pre-K
Preschool
Toddlers
Twos
Enrichment Classes
Amazing Athletes
BeSmart Computers
Cooking
Dance
Gymnastics
Karate
Spanish
Wiggles and Giggles
Glenview-Northbrook Campus Leadership
Allison Deutsch
School Director
How long have you been with TGS?
Since December 2013
Roles Served with TGS:
I was given the amazing opportunity of joining the Gardner School in Glenview-Northbrook as its first Executive School Director, and I look forward to many more years of welcoming new families to the school.
What is your educational background?
I hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education (K-9th grade) from Northern Illinois University and received a type 03 teaching certificate from the state of Illinois. Upon graduating from Northern, I went on to work for several years in a variety of educational settings, teaching both in elementary schools and community colleges. I returned to NIU and obtained my Master of Science in Education, with an emphasis in reading and literacy, which led to teaching students with limited English proficiency. In 2000, I stepped into the field of Early Childhood Education and just fell in love with introducing little ones to the joy of learning about the world around them.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
I have always enjoyed the process of learning — discovering something new and seeing how it relates to what I already know or have experienced. It is exciting to take the risk of stepping beyond the world as I know it and trying something new. I love sharing the sense of joy and discovery. Leading others in that world of discovery and watching as they have that “Ah-ha” moment is very rewarding.
What makes you laugh about kids?
I love how truthful children are. The things that come out of their mouths are so refreshing and honest. Sometimes they just say the darnedest things.
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
I love watching them grow. Everyday something new is added to their life skills, vocabulary, or understanding of the world around them. The transformation happens so quickly. I also think this is the best time to lay down that foundation of kindness and caring that makes them better people. Acceptance and empathy for others is so difficult to teach if the foundation is not in place.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of the day at TGS is walking through the classrooms. I love to see the creativity and learning that is taking place in each classroom. I also enjoy lunch in the café. This is a great opportunity for me to sit with the children as they share such wonderful stories about what is happening in their classrooms and in their lives.
What do you love most about TGS?
I love the feeling of camaraderie amongst the staff and the great relationships that we have with our families. There really is a very strong bond. The parents are supportive and appreciative of how we nurture and teach their children. That is saying a lot, because they are leaving us with their most prized possession, their child.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My fondest memory so far is our first Pre-K Graduation.
What is the funniest thing you have ever heard come out of the mouth of a TGS Student?
It is not so much a thing a child said, but an event. It was our Winterfest production in which the students perform winter and holiday songs for the families. One of our two year old students discovered the microphone at the edge of the stage. He bent over and started blowing into the microphone and out came this awesome version of Jinglebells all in wind. The entire audience went wild.
What inspires you?
My own family inspires me. I have a great husband and two truly remarkable children, who are now adults. I love family dinners when everyone is in town and the entire family shares their amazing experiences, thoughts, and dreams. Who knew that raising your own children could keep you in such a constant state of learning and on your toes. I also love their wicked sense of humor! My mind never goes numb trying to keep up with them.
What is your passion or passions?
I love the arts, especially theater. I also enjoy reading. I can get lost in the world of a really well written book. The problem is I just don’t seem to have the time to get to everything on my list.
How important is early childhood education?
Early childhood education is of the utmost importance. It lays the foundation for success both in school and in the world as a whole — discovering how to navigate among others, work out differences, share and cooperate. Understanding when to lead and when to follow and having the opportunity to be exposed to the arts, sciences, math, and literature give children the sense of making the world around them meaningful and understandable.
Do you have children who go to TGS or have gone to TGS?
No, but I would have had The Gardner School been around when my children were little.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
Their child will be loved, nurtured, and cherished. Our doors are open, and the teachers accessible and wonderful. We will make sure your child will receive the same type of care here at TGS that you would provide at home. Call as often as you need to. We will send pictures and information throughout the day to keep you abreast of how your child is doing throughout the day. I sometimes call the infant teachers “The Baby Whisperers’ because they are so amazing and in-tune with the children.
What TGS Parents Are Saying
First, they are great with the kids. Seems basic, but needs to be said. From infant through every room we have experienced the teachers and staff know how to make kids happy, healthy, safe, smart, etc.
Second, the actual programs at this school are unmatched. The core programs in the classes are fantastic and are some of the best planned out things I have seen any school offer for kids this young. Not only that, but the extracurricular actives offered are diverse and awesome. Yes... they do cost extra money, but (a) you easily get the value out of it, (b) you get to expose your kid(s) to things you may not have the time to outside of school because of things like work and (c) the kids love them.
Third (and I'll make it last), the communication is unbeatable. I cannot oversell this! The staff and teachers are always receptive to conversations, feedback, etc. (I talk to Sarah more than I talk to my mom)… and the teachers are great with the app they use. Even if something doesn't go accordingly to plan at the School it isn't a complete disaster because the School actually communicates with you and you feel fully in the loop. The pictures, updates, etc. on the app make getting through the work day so much easier.
Anyway, as a growing family we have moved from Morton Grove to Highland Park and have experienced three different daycares/Schools. All three have positives, but the Gardner School is far in away the best school ever. There is literally no one in my life I wouldn't recommend this school to. No one asked me to write this review, but I have wanted to do it for awhile now since I really do feel passionately about the school and want to support it in anyway I can. Best decision you will ever make.read more
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