The Gardner School of Schaumburg
Nationally Accredited Preschool Through NAEYC With Curriculum-Based Learning
At The Gardner School of Schaumburg, 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).
Inviting Classrooms with Large Windows and Natural Light
Attention to detail in both our indoor and outdoor facilities makes The Gardner School a special place for your child. With indoor and outdoor playscapes, a Kids’ Cafe, enrichment studio, computer lab, private nursing room, and classrooms engineered to inspire children, The Gardner School of Schaumburg has created an environment that will encourage your child to grow and learn.
We are now open and enrolling for The Gardner School of Schaumburg! We are thrilled to join Chicago’s premier suburban business community of Schaumburg—our eighth school in the greater Chicago area. More than a traditional preschool or child care facility, The Gardner School of Schaumburg offers year-round childcare with early childhood education programs for children 6 weeks old through 5 years in a stimulating and educationally-engineered new space that includes beautiful indoor and outdoor playscapes, state-of-the-art classrooms, a Kids’ Café and Enrichment room, a computer lab, and a private nursing room. With an excellent staff that includes degreed and highly-qualified teachers in early childhood education, elementary education, or a closely related field, we provide a full suite of enrichment classes and our summer camp program, Camp Gardner. Schedule a tour today to meet our teachers and see our beautiful school. For more information, please send us a note or call 847-592-2513.
School Features
- Academically-focused learning with research-based curriculum with four-year degreed lead preschool teachers
- NAEYC Accredited
- Real-time updates through the parent communications app with photos, nap and feeding times, and school announcements
- Clean, safe and secure environment with two security checkpoints
- Inviting classrooms with large windows for lots of natural light
- 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
- Spacious indoor and outdoor playscapes
- Private nursing room
- Close-knit family involvement
Academically-focused Programs
Camp Gardner
Infants
Pre-K
Preschool
Toddlers
Twos
Kindergarten
Enrichment Classes
BeSmart Computers
Gymnastics
Music
Dance
Sports
Karate
Schaumburg Campus Leadership
Laura Sugrue
School Director
How long have you been with TGS?
Since August 2013
Roles Served with TGS:
I have been a Pre-Kindergarten teacher, Director of Curriculum/Enrichment Coordinator, Assistant Director, and now serve as Director at The Gardner School of Schaumburg.
What is your educational background?
I received my Bachelor of Elementary Education from Illinois State University and also have my Illinois State Teaching Certificate.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
I have a passion for helping others, and nothing can compare to helping children grow. My entire life I have worked with children in different ways, and it only felt natural to go into education as a career.
What makes you laugh about kids?
Being able to laugh with the kids at school is definitely one of the biggest perks of my job. Their honesty and innocence about life keeps things fun and interesting for sure!
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
I love being able to watch a child grow throughout their time at our school and see their personalities come out. This is the age where they are curious about everything, and watching them ask and answer their questions about life gives me joy.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
Storytime is one of my favorite times of the day. I love going into the classroom, reading stories with the students, and having conversations of what they think about the story. Having a child read a story to me is even better!
What do you love most about TGS?
One of the things that I have always loved about TGS is the sense of community we have within the school. The staff truly cares about each other and our families, and works hard to make sure each student succeeds.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
During our Let’s Investigate theme one week, I was a “Secret Reader” for our Prekindergarten class. During the week, the students had to decode messages I left for them as clues to figure out who the reader was. Every day I would ask them who they thought the secret reader was, or what message they figured out. Finally, on the last day, they figured out the secret reader was me! They were so proud they “cracked the code” and figured out who the secret reader was. Then, I chose two books to read to them, and got to spend time just reading and having fun. I’ll never forget leaving at the end of the day and seeing them wave at me out the window saying “Goodbye, secret reader! See you later, secret reader!”
What inspires you?
I grew up with hard working, caring and fun parents, and they inspire me to do the same in my own life. I grew up having my parents teach me how to help others, work hard for what I want, but to have fun with the process. I want to be able to share that inspiration with the students I work with each day.
What is your passion or passions?
My passion is truly helping and caring for others. I try my hardest to support others, and want to be the reason someone has a smile on their face each day!
What does the term ‘Where Learning Begins’ mean to you?
To me, TGS is the starting point for a child’s education that will carry them throughout their entire lives. Our school strives to provide a positive and supportive environment to help your child reach their first milestones and make those first steps towards learning. We want to be the positive role models that help each child begin their learning career in the best way possible for them.
How important is early childhood education?
Having an early childhood education is extremely beneficial for your child for so many reasons. TGS provides a safe and positive environment for your child to start their learning career, it gives them the opportunity to socialize with other children their age, and it also gives them opportunities to explore new experiences and ideas.
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 tell new parents that it is normal to feel apprehensive about leaving their child on the first day of school. But I always assure them that our teachers will provide them with the best care possible, and that our doors are always open for them to check in on their child. Once they see how exciting of a day and happy their child is after they have warmed up, that apprehension completely fades away.
Emma Conrad
Assistant Director
How long have you been with TGS?
I have worked at TGS Schaumburg for about five months, and before that I worked at TGS Naperville South for two and a half years.
Roles served with TGS:
I have worked as an Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher, and Enrichment Coordinator for TGS.
What is your educational background?
I received a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.
What made you decide to have a career in education?
I have always wanted to work in education. Education is a profession where you can see your impact on the world change right in front of you and motivate, inspire, and encourage others to do the same. I have a strong dedication to creating an environment that is positive, safe, and accessible for everyone.
What makes you laugh about kids?
What makes me laugh about children is how truthful and honest they can be. You can always go to a child for the most honest answer. I also love how genuine they are.
What do you love most about working with infants through the age of five?
I love seeing the developmental changes in each class I walk into. It’s incredible to see how bright they are at such a young age. I also love seeing a child grow into their new classroom and how their personalities remain the same.
What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
My favorite part of the day at TGS is greeting the parents and staff in the morning. Welcoming everyone into the school and sharing stories or conversations is a wonderful way to start each day and build a strong community together.
What do you love most about TGS?
I love the TGS community. The families and staff make TGS such a warm and supportive environment. We can always rely on each other for support and opportunities to grow. It really is a TGS family.
What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
My fondest memories of TGS so far are all the wonderful events we have held at the school. I love being able to share these connections with our families in a new way and have fun with them. I love how these events also allow parents to be active members in their child’s school community.
What inspires you?
My inspiration comes from experiences with new people and traveling. I love communicating with others and sharing new ideas. This inspires me to grow and learn!
What is your passion or passions?
My passions are education, traveling to new places, and sharing new experiences in the world around me.
What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
The term “Where Learning Begins” means early childhood education. At TGS, education starts here. With our qualified teachers and staff members, our classrooms are set up for the success of each child that walks through the classroom door.
How important is early childhood education?
Early childhood education creates the foundation for the rest of one’s life. You start to understand the world around you and begin to know yourself. This foundation will give you experiences that will help build confidence and lead the way to a bright, successful future.
What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time?
Leaving your child can be hard the first time, but our loving, supportive, and qualified staff members will guide you each step of the way. With consistent communication, our teachers will provide updates throughout the day including messages, photos, and learning activities. You will feel as though you are in the classroom all day with your child!