(847) 492.1213 :: cherrysch@aol.com
creating a caring
community for
children and
their families
About Our School
ABOUT OUR SCHOOL
Cherry Preschool is celebrating its 17th year of creating a caring community for young children and their families. We are a family of families, a community that nurtures and celebrates the challenges and joys of childhood and parenthood.
- We offer half-day, developmental early childhood classes and a child-centered and play-based curriculum, as well as a 6-week summer camp program.
- Our anti-bias philosophy and inclusion program bring children of all abilities and backgrounds together to play and grow. Children with special needs are welcome, as are children whose home language is not English.
- A Latino Parent/Child Class, taught in Spanish, is offered for children whose home language is Spanish. While all other classes are taught in English, we make every effort to support all families and children whose home language is not English.
- Financial assistance and need-based scholarships are available.
- Cherry Preschool is independent and parent-governed.
- Cherry Preschool is committed to innovative approaches in early childhood education.
Our requirement of parental participation is an important part of how we create a caring community for our families.
Who We Are
Warren W. Cherry Preschool is a partial-day, not-for-profit, non-sectarian early childhood program that is independent and parent-governed. Established by parents and early childhood educators seeking to create an independent institution that would meet the needs of the community’s young children, Cherry Preschool opened its doors in September of 1992. The school is named after Warren W. Cherry to honor the memory of an outstanding Evanston educator, community leader, and friend of young children.
Cherry Preschool is located in a red brick building at 1418 Lake Street in Evanston, one half block east of Penny Park. The school is licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and accredited by the Academy for Early Childhood Program Accreditation.
Our Goal and How we Put it into Practice
The mission of Warren W. Cherry Preschool is to provide a developmental early childhood program which offers a safe, consistent, nurturing environment that encourages the social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth of children at their own rate. The unique personality, culture, needs, abilities and learning style of each child are accepted and appreciated as the staff and parents work together in the best interest of the children.
Philosophically, Cherry Preschool strives to:
- develop each child’s positive self image
- respect each child as a unique individual
- promote independent and creative thinking
- teach pro-social behavior
- provide developmentally appropriate, innovative preschool education in a stimulating and enriching play environment
- include children who have special needs
- celebrate diversity
- implement an anti-bias curriculum through which children learn to value and accept differences
- create a sense of support and community for children and their families
- employ a highly qualified staff of dedicated early childhood educators
- offer parents the opportunity to be involved not only in the education of their children, but also in the operation and direction of the school
The Cherry Preschool Staff
Teachers are chosen on the basis of academic background and personal commitment to working with young children and their families. The staff is a stable, cohesive, and caring group of educators who reflect the values of Cherry Preschool. We consider the experience, quality, and dedication of our staff to be our greatest asset.
Our Preschool Community Welcomes Children
With Special Needs
We believe that including children with special needs in regular preschool programming enables children with special needs to model the social, language, and play skills needed to succeed in school. It also enriches the lives of all children by bringing them together in an environment that teaches acceptance, respect, and the appreciation of individual differences. Including children with special needs in our classes is an important step toward teaching young children to get along in an increasingly diverse world.
For information about our Inclusion Program for children with special needs and those receiving therapeutic services, please contact Rhonda Cohen, our Inclusion Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at (847) 492-1213. Forms and additional information may also be found by clicking here.
The Anti-Bias Approach to Education
“You Can’t Say You Can’t Play” & “Be Fair ”
At Cherry Preschool, we believe that a diverse school community in which children learn to value and respect themselves and others enriches all our lives. Our task as early childhood educators is to teach tolerance, understanding and acceptance so young children feel proud of themselves and their heritage, challenge bias or unfairness when they encounter it, and feel at home in our diverse world.
At the preschool level, we do this by creating an environment that reflects the families in the classroom as well as in the greater community. In planning the curriculum and creating the classroom environment, teachers select materials to expose children to a variety of races, cultures, abilities, family structures, ages, and beliefs. We invite families to share their customs, holidays, and celebrations with us. Our approach to holidays is to connect them to the children’s daily lives, to learn about one another from one another, and to approach them in a developmentally appropriate way.
For all of these reasons, we have adopted two basic all-school rules at Cherry Preschool. “You can’t say you can’t play” (from the book of the same name by Vivian Paley) helps all children to feel included, safe, and protected. “Be Fair” helps all children to stand up for themselves and others to challenge bias and unfairness.
Your Child’s Classroom at Cherry
At Cherry Preschool we offer both same-age and multi-age groupings. Our multi-age classes are based on a model in which three to five-year-olds are grouped together to create a more neighborhood and family-like atmosphere. The older children benefit by serving as leaders and role models, while the younger children learn from and are mentored by the older classmates. We find this approach results in a cooperative atmosphere in which differences in interests and developmental patterns are accommodated by the wider range of ages. Children who continue for a second year in these classes have an opportunity to stay together with the same teachers and peers.
Our same-age classes have cut-off dates that are specific and strictly enforced. This model is based on the assumptions that children are more comfortable with their age-mates, that most children’s development falls within an age-related norm, and that it is easier to plan curriculum and activities when the age range is narrower. We find this approach results in more homogeneous groups in which children have similar interests and skill levels. With this model, children usually move to a different classroom and new teachers each year.
At Cherry Preschool, we feel both organizational methods have educational merit and provide excellent (but different) experiences for the children.
Community Outreach
An important part of Cherry Preschool’s community outreach effort is to make the preschool accessible to all families regardless of their ability to pay and to reach out to populations within our community that will increase the diversity of the preschool. As part of this outreach, we offer a Latino Parent/Child class, taught in Spanish, for children whose home language is Spanish. While all other classes are taught in English, we make every effort to support families and children whose home languague is not English. Our dream would be to have Cherry reflect the same kind of diversity that exists in greater Evanston, and we invite our families to help us by referring families who would enrich our preschool by making our community even more diverse.
Need Help With Tuition?
An important part of Cherry Preschool’s community outreach effort is to make the preschool accessible to all families regardless of their ability to pay. Cherry Preschool does everything in its power to support its families and keep in school all children who are part of the preschool community. Guidelines and applications for financial assistance are available in the preschool office and on our website. All required forms must be turned in with the application by the registration deadline. Families are notified of their awards at the time of placement. For applications turned in after the deadline, awards are made on a first come, first served basis within the limitations of the school’s budget and fundraising ability. Decisions are made by the Director and Financial Manager and all requests for assistance are kept confidential.
Activities
block play • children’s literature • circle time • creative movement • dramatic play • experiential art • fine motor activities • indoor climbing equipment • large group activities • manipulative toys • music & singing • outdoor play (at Penny Park for older children) • painting and playdough • parent programs • private playground (for younger children) • socialization skills • special events • and more!
Parents are always welcome at Warren W. Cherry Preschool! We encourage them to visit, and share their special skills, interests and cultures.
