Parent Cooperative For Early Learning

This great hidden gem on the northeast corner of Hyde Park is one of the best preschools in the neighborhood. The tuition is very reasonable, the hours are long (7 – 6, 50 weeks a year!) and it’s got a fantastic curriculum and family-​oriented community.
Both of my children have attended PCEL, and have had very positive experiences at this fantastic little school. Our 9 year old spent three years there, and when she began kindergarten at a highly-​ranked CPS elementary, she was almost a year ahead of many of her classmates in her reading and math skills. Most importantly, her time at PCEL taught her critical interaction and classroom behavior skills that really set the stage in a good way for elementary school. Our four year old is thriving at PCEL now, and loves the «Learn Through Play» curriculum. The teachers are a fantastic mix of veteran and newer educators, so the school benefits both from experience and fresh ideas. The teaching team works closely together, and are incredibly patient with the children. They offer Spanish and music, and in the summer, the children travel to the YMCA for swimming lessons. Reading, early math, science, and plenty of art are built into the curricula.
What I have been most impressed with in our five years as a PCEL family is the fact that, each day, our child’s teacher was able to tell us what kind of day he/​she had, and some specific story or interaction that really demonstrated to us that the teachers were engaged with the students and thinking about how they were interacting with each other and with their activities. It’s a very nurturing environment, but also one that allows the children to seek out activities according to their interests several times a day.
The school also has a parent-​involvement component, and we appreciate that the required involvement has helped us meet other families and be part of the community. It’s the right level of involvement — a few hours a month are required, but these can be fulfilled either at the school or remotely (and of course those who want to volunteer more are welcome to do so!) — and it really builds the feeling of community.
All in all, PCEL is a great little school and definitely worth checking out if you are in the market for a preschool in the Hyde Park neighborhood or nearby. (It’s close to Lake Shore Drive, so perfect for those who commute by Hyde Park to or from downtown).

My child was enrolled for 2 years at PCEL. We had a wonderful experience the first year. The teachers were fantastic, the environment was nurturing, and parents were involved. The second year was a disappointment. While my child’s teachers were excellent, the atmosphere of the school deteriorated. Parents were less involved, there was tension between staff, and morale was poor. There was only one field trip the entire year. The finances of the school was also tenuous; often making parents feel like the school was unstable. I would not recommend this school to anyone at this time. Look elsewhere for childcare. There are better alternatives in the area.

My daughter started here when she was 2 and has been at PCEL for a year. She has blossomed. She enjoys school and playing with friends. She also enjoys learning, as it is play based. She loves the weekly music and Spanish instruction. They have outside time and when it is too cold they have an inside gym. The teachers are very caring and nurturing. The families at PCEL have created a tight knot community. When my youngest is 2, I will enroll her as well.

Our son has been going to PCEL for the past 3 years and has grown and developed in one of the most stable and nurturing environments we could have ever wanted. This is a parent-​teacher cooperative, this means that parents are welcomed and expected to contribute to the care and upkeep of the school — from washing toys to reading books to serving on the volunteer Board for fundraising. Over the course of three years, every single teacher he started with is still at the school, with some additions/​subtractions of teacher assistants along the way.
The monthly rates are extremely reasonable, but what attracted us and kept us coming back year after year was the genuine spirit of diversity and inclusiveness that you can’t really get at a «pay for everything» school environment. We have a 2 year old daughter who we started at what I guess you’d call a «high end» preschool, and while she is fine there, it feels very clinical and «market driven». PCEL is pretty much the opposite of that. It isn’t a polished space, and I’m sure this other place our daughter goes to has «better» toys and such, but once a space opens up for her in September, we’re planning on sending her to PCEL!
Details also matter — they are open from 7−6pm weekdays and are very seldom closed for holidays (but they do close — let’s be reasonable!). Breakfast, lunch and snacks are all provided, with the smell of home-​cooked meals often making me wish I was staying for lunch. Head to their website for the activities they offer and definitely call Ms. Foster for a visit.

I worked at PCEL as a teacher and later as an assistant director. This school is a wonderful beginning for a child! The teachers are caring and the relationship between school and parents are unique. The parents are truly hands on and this is what makes this school so special.
I miss working there but I would highly recommend this preschool to anyone!

We started at the Parent Co-​Op this fall, and we are really loving it. The kids are kind and respectful to one another and they are truly building a learning community in their classroom. The teachers are gentle but hold the students accountable, the curriculum is creative and filled with a wide variety of activities for different kinds of learners. The Parent Co-​Op was exactly what we were looking for in a preschool for our child.

My daughter attended Parent Co-​op for 3 years and I wish I could have kept her there longer! They truely are like a family. Caring, friendly staff. They offer all kinds of programs for your child. They helped me potty train her and now that she is about to enter kindergarten, she is excelling. By the time she left PCEL, she could read and write, tell time, and was learning a second language (Spanish). The director and all the staff are amazing and treat your child as a individual, with unique needs and strengths. I cannot say enough good things about this place. Your child’s education starts young and at PCEL they recognize the opportunity to turn them into life long learners. You can’t go wrong!