Pilgrim Community Nursery School
460 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL
(708) 848-5869

About Pilgrim School

History

Pilgrim Community Nursery School was established in 1966 to provide a quality preschool program as part of the Pilgrim Congregational Church Outreach Program. The initial program had two classes for 18 three and four-year olds. Now, over 40 years later, 130 three to six-year olds attend classes in the morning or afternoon in eight classrooms.

Philosophy

As early Childhood Educators Pilgrim Community Nursery School believes:

• Early childhood programs should be planned to stimulate the balanced growth of a child: physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually.
• Each child has a unique rate of development which should not be hurried or forced. Different levels of development and ability are expected, valued and accepted.
• Play is an important part of the early childhood learning experience and should be reflected in the daily schedule. Children learn by doing, imitating, experimenting and questioning.
• Young children learn best through self-selected, hands-on experiences and active participation with their environment. An environment rich in sensory motor experiences encourages a child to see and experience more.
• Intellectual development should be approached in a developmental manner with emphasis being placed on process rather than product. Language stimulation is an integral part of all experiences provided.
• Guidance in an early childhood classroom should include positive reinforcement, firm and consistent procedures and individual group problem-solving which encourages the child to move toward self discipline, independence and responsibility for their actions.
• Parents and families are an important part of each child's life and should be actively involved in their child's education.

Accreditation & Licensing

We are licensed by the State of Illinois and are re-licensed every three years. The Oak Park Public Health Department inspects the facility each year and the Fire Department makes regular inspections.

Pilgrim is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Accreditation acknowledges that Pilgrim has met specific criteria for providing a quality preschool program.

Administration

Pilgrim Community Nursery School is governed by a volunteer board of directors consisting of parents of Pilgrim Community Nursery School students and Pilgrim Congregational Church members. The Board meets once a month.

The Pilgrim Community Nursery School director is in charge of day-to-day operations of the school.

Mission

Pilgrim Community Nursery School is a private, nonprofit nursery school serving Oak Park, Illinois and surrounding communities. We welcome children of all races, religions, ethnic backgrounds, and economic situations and seek a student body that represents the rich diversity of the greater Oak Park area.

Our primary focus is a professionally prepared play environment that facilitates the physical, cognitive, social and emotional growth of each child. We strive to encourage each child's uniqueness as well as his/her responsibility to get along with others.