The Gardner School at Yorktown Center

Conveniently Located Near the Yorktown Center Mall and Residential Neighborhoods

With its thriving, family-friendly community and historic district, The Gardner School at Yorktown Center meets the preschool needs of Chicago-area families. Located near the Yorktown Center shopping district, The Gardner School at Yorktown Center is convenient for families who live and work in and around the bustling DuPage County community.

Safe and Secure Environment

At The Gardner School at Yorktown Center, security features like two-tiered secure entrances and camera monitors for each room, help keep children safe. The stunning and spacious classrooms plus the indoor and outdoor play areas provide a home away from home for our students, where they spend many hours of their week.

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At The Gardner School at Yorktown Center, we have gone above and beyond traditional child care and preschool programs. Our approach ensures that each child is nurtured at the proper pace and level, providing them with the educational foundation for a bright future. 

School Features

  • Academically-focused learning with research-based curriculum
  • Real-time updates through the parent communications app with photos, nap and feeding times, and school announcements
  • Safe and secure environment 
  • Inviting classrooms with four-year degreed lead preschool teachers
  • Delicious, healthy meals in the Kids’ Café
  • Open-door policy for daily check-ins
  • Convenient location in Yorktown Center community of Lombard
  • Note: We have temporary safety and health procedures in place to protect children, families, and teachers from the COVID-19 virus at our other area preschools. 

Academically-focused Programs

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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Kindergarten

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Enrichment Classes

BeSmart Computers

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Amazing Athletes

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Gymnastics

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Karate

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Cooking

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Cooking

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Music

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Dance

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Yorktown Center Campus Leadership

Angelika Merchut

School Director

How long have you been with TGS? 
Since May 2014

Roles Served with TGS:
I have served as a lead teacher and Enrichment Coordinator at TGS Oak Brook. I was promoted to Assistant Director at TGS Naperville. I am thrilled to be the Executive School Director for TGS at Yorktown Center!

What is your educational background? 
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development with an emphasis on Child Life from Northern Illinois University, and I graduated with a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Administration at National Louis University in November 2021.

What made you decide to have a career in education?
I have always enjoyed working with children from an early age, and I decided to stick with my passion in early childhood.

What makes you laugh about kids?
They say just about everything that is on their minds without any filter.

What do you love most about working with infants through the age of 5?
These early years are so important and play such a tremendous part of their development. I want to be a part of that and help nurture their growth.

What is your favorite part of the day at TGS?
Seeing the students’ sweet faces in the morning and how excited they are to come to school.

What do you love most about TGS?
We’re a family! The relationships we have with staff, children, and families are inspiring.

What is your fondest memory of TGS thus far?
Starting out as an infant teacher, I was able to see those same infants graduate Pre-K and kindergarten. It was a joyful moment for me.

What inspires you?
My inspiration is always having a challenge before me; to continue to try my best at everything.

What is your passion or passions?
I love working with children! Seeing them excited and happy just makes my day.

What does the term “Where Learning Begins” mean to you?
It means that learning starts with infants, and learning about the world around them and their place it in plays a huge part in the development of the whole child.

What would you tell new parents who are apprehensive about leaving their infant in the care of someone else for the first time? 
We will provide a safe, warm and nurturing environment for your child. We will communicate with you throughout the day using our parent communications app and customize your infant’s schedule to their needs. We want to make your family a part of our TGS family.

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Natalie Lichaj

Assistant Director

How long have you been with TGS? 
Since September 2014

Roles Served with TGS? 
I started as the Enrichment Coordinator at The Gardner School of Oak Brook. I’ve also served as the Assistant Director at TGS Naperville and TGS Chicago-West Loop. I’m excited to welcome families as the Assistant Director in Lombard at Yorktown Center!

What is your educational background? 
I have a Bachelor’s Degree from Columbia College in Chicago, with a major in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Women’s Literature.

What made you decide to have a career in education? 
I knew at an early age that I wanted to be involved in education. I was fortunate to have such great teachers who inspired me to grow and learn. There’s no better feeling than having the opportunity to touch a child’s life. It is priceless and very meaningful.

What makes you laugh about kids? 
What makes me laugh about kids is that they say what’s on their minds, with no hesitations or worries. It’s fun to hear the things children say.

What do you love most about TGS?
I love establishing meaningful relationships with children, families, and my coworkers. Together, we’re all involved in the TGS community. It is the basis of TGS success.

What inspires you? 
I am inspired by kindness, hard work, a passion for life, and the possibilities of what could be. I’ve always loved the Robert Louis Stevenson quote, “The world is full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”

What is your passion or passions?
My passion is education. I am motived to give the best I can for our students. I love learning and growing in the education field. Early Childhood Education brings the pivotal years for children, and I am dedicated to making those years a rich and happy learning experience.

What does the term ‘Where Learning Begins’ mean to you?
Learning begins at birth. Children work very hard at interpreting their new world. We are here to teach them and for them to enjoy their world.

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What TGS Parents Are Saying

Gardner school is an excellent daycare. The staff and teachers really care about the kids. Special thanks to our sons teacher Ms. Rachel. She is so caring and nurturing. I can tell how much my son likes her even though the transition from staying at home to going to a foreign facility is scary for my LO. We really appreciate her tender care. My husband and I feel at ease knowing our son is in great hands.
Liz C.
Liz C.
Both of my children attend The Gardner School at Yorktown and my husband and I could not be more thrilled with the attention, care, kindness and all around...
Dr. Lorri C.
Dr. Lorri C.
Our love for this school is more than I could have ever imagined. We had a very bad experience at a previous daycare, so putting my trust in another facility was extremely hard for me to do. TGS of Lombard had done nothing but exceed our expectations. The teachers are lovely and the management will certainly work with you if you ever have an issue. I recommend this school to every family who is seeking a daycare. I want everyone to experience the same happiness we do.
Jessica G.
Jessica G.
Our infant started attending The Gardner School at Yorktown Center nearly one year ago, not long after they opened. Since that time, we have experienced...
T S.
T S.
Like any parent, we certainly struggled as we left our baby in someone else’s care, driving out of the parking lot. However, the Gardner School at Yorktown Center continues to prove why they are our number one choice, day after day. We spent a lot of time researching and visiting daycares and were becoming discouraged and worried until we came across The Gardner School. The facility is clean, beautiful and conducive for learning. We appreciate the curriculum as my husband and I continue to acknowledge our child’s development and recognize certain things she picked up solely at Gardner. But above all, it’s the people, the most caring and loving staff that make each and every day such an adventure. It certainly starts at the top, as the Director, Angelika, continues to offer her support every step of the way. Now experiencing three separate classrooms for our oldest daughter, although each teacher brings a different style and personality, each one is caring, instrumental in our child’s development and communicative. Each teacher has been helpful in our child’s development and milestones. One of things I appreciate most is the communication and the photos throughout the day. My husband and I have not only found peace of mind in their care, but also appreciate the creative learning, what goes into our child’s daily routine, the special guests and activities they plan throughout the year and the passion they have for what they do. Every encounter I have with any staff member continues to be sweet and memorable. When I pick up my daughter, I like to quietly walk up to her room and see her in her element. I love to watch her play and interact with her friends. One of my fondest memories, was when I was picking up my daughter in the infant wing, two of the teachers were dancing with the babies. They were truly acting as if nobody was watching and just went for it. I can’t tell who was having more fun, the babies or the teachers. It’s something that I will never forget; the joy on their faces and the love for the children. It was such a sweet moment. We now have both of our daughters attending The Gardner School at Yorktown Center, and we are so incredibly grateful for everything they have done for our family.
Jacie S.
Jacie S.
After trying several daycare solutions, we came across TGS Yorktown just before they opened. I spoke with Kerry, the Executive Director, who was incredibly...
Laura R.
Laura R.
We highly recommend TGS! This school has been such a great experience not only for our daughter but for us as parents as well. When we enrolled her at 2 yrs old, it was a rough transition and her teachers and the staff at TGS were so kind, patient and thoughtful in her adjustment period. Now she happily runs into school and leaves yammering on about her day. The curriculum and fun activities have been amazing as well. She has learned so much and become more confident in who she is in the process. Lastly, they are great about updating the app and their communication with parents has exceeded my expectations. Which was great in our transition in joining the school but also in sharing the experiences our daughter is having! Go for a visit! You won't regret it.
Nicole B.
Nicole B.
Our experience at the Gardner School Yorktown has been nothing less than exceptional. It's wonderful seeing our daughter Quinn get excited about going to...
Desire B.
Desire B.
The Gardner School in Lombard is simply the best! My son has been going here since he was only eight weeks old and, not only does he love it, but my husband and I could not feel more trusting in the teachers taking care of him. The infant wing teachers go above and beyond, especially during a time when development is so important. They make you feel at ease and are with your child every step of their journey, no matter what the pace is. They are very accommodating with your child’s schedule and needs and are always willing to flex, when needed! It feels like family here. We’re so grateful we found our son such a wonderful place. I would recommend the school to anyone!
Ellyn C.
Ellyn C.

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