Unity Preschool is a nonprofit, developmental preschool that has served Evanston and surrounding communities for more than 50 years. We are conveniently located in a bright, open, ground floor space on Foster Street just west of Sherman Avenue. Our primary aim is to create a warm, inviting environment for children ages 2 through 5 to develop socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.
Through an emphasis on building relationships with other children and adults in a happy, safe and stimulating setting, we strive to foster a positive self-image for the child. Unity Preschool works to encourage learning and experimentation in the context of play while providing a comfortable, fun, and safe transition from home to school.
Through an emphasis on building relationships with other children and adults in a happy, safe and stimulating setting, we strive to foster a positive self-image for the child. Unity Preschool works to encourage learning and experimentation in the context of play while providing a comfortable, fun, and safe transition from home to school.
Services
Unity's was first located at the Unity Church of the North Shore. It was through this association that Unity got it's name. Unity Preschool first began educating Evanston children in the Fall of 1963. Since it first opened in 1963 and in an effort to find the optimal physical space for the school, Unity Preschool has relocated three times.
Our curriculum is planned around the interests of the children within each classroom and reflects the interests of teachers. We promote developmentally appropriate practices. Classroom activities are devised with the skill level of each child in mind. Goals of our curriculum include introducing children to simple conflict resolution skills and encouraging children to think, reason and experiment.
The design of our program and the arrangement of our three classrooms encourage choices and decision-making by offering a wide variety of activities and materials. Each room provides experiences with small manipulative toys, art, music, block play, sand and water play, dramatic play, science, and literature.
Class ratio is one teacher per six students, with a maximum class size of 12 children. Our 2/3 class is a place where children learn to look forward to coming to school. They establish friendships, explore new types of play, and enjoy having some independence in a place which is just for them. Classroom teachers provide a loving and nurturing environment where children can expand their horizons.
Unity follows the Evanston/ Skokie School District 65 calendar for school non-attendance days and weather closings. Classes meet from 9:15 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Families enrolled in the 2/3 program have a choice of 3 attendance options: Tuesday/Thursday, Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Monday-Friday depending on family preference and subject to availability.
Reviews (10)
Chris Foreman
Nov 04, 2019
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Unity has been there the whole way helping to teach our kids to talk and be social, to play well with others, and then to prepare for the next stage of their lives. Also Unity has brought us an amazing community of friends that has helped shape our life in Evanston. There is a wealth of play dates, birthday parties, trips to the park and even some events just for the parents. Highly recommended!
Charlie Burt
Jan 18, 2019
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I can highly recommend unity preschool in Evanston. We've already spent four years there and are thrilled with the nurturing caring environment created by the staff and teachers. Our children have been able to thrive in this warm environment while gently being encouraged to reach their developmental milestones. The community at unity is also very welcoming. There are many casual events to get to know other families and we have made great friends during our time there.
Clare Donovan Scane
Jul 03, 2018
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Unity continues to be a home away from home for our kids over the past 5 years. The teachers are amazingly attentive and knowledgeable in their craft. We have made life-long friends here and continue to recommend this special place to all who are looking for a strong community through these important preschool years!
Tyler MacAvoy
Jan 17, 2017
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Unity is truly a special place -- it's a very small community committed to independent thinking, creative play, and kindness towards others. I love hearing my children talk about the amazing science experiments they do and seeing the outside-the-box artwork they create. This fall, my son went to study the dunes at Lighthouse Beach -- and he came home and taught me about how important they are to that ecosystem. The children are treated with respect and their opinions are regularly solicited and valued. My youngest will head to Kindergarten this year and I am confident that he will be socially and
Amber Rhodes
Dec 04, 2016
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In 2014 we had the daunting task of selecting a preschool site-unseen while living out of state. I joined a couple of social media parents' networking groups, and Unity received rave reviews. Upon visiting with the Director a few times long distance, and registering from a far (still hoping I made the right decision) we were welcomed with open arms when we moved to Evanston the summer before school began. My husband was deployed with the military and the Director recommended we try out their Summer Bunch program to not only meet new friends and help my son learn the ropes of his new school, but
Alison Mermel Finkel
Jul 13, 2016
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We are in the midst of the fifth of what will be six fantastic years as a Unity Preschool family. A team of teachers and administrators have consistently done a wonderful job introducing self-reliance skills, kindness, and foundational skills for kindergarten.
In addition to the traditional preschool experience, we have joined for the Unity summer bunch program every year and have also taken advantage of lunch bunch and early drop off activities. All of these are well organized and well executed by staff.
Through Unity, we have developed new friendships with area families that continue expanding
In addition to the traditional preschool experience, we have joined for the Unity summer bunch program every year and have also taken advantage of lunch bunch and early drop off activities. All of these are well organized and well executed by staff.
Through Unity, we have developed new friendships with area families that continue expanding
Cassie Rodgers
Nov 09, 2015
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Our family has loved Unity, both of my children attended starting at age 2. The faculty is wonderful, always keeping my very inquisitive little ones exploring and learning about themselves and the world with creative and out of the box idea's. They also promote a great feeling of community with casual fun events for everyone.
Lia Ventura
Jul 09, 2015
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We have loved Unity since starting this past September (2015). I have children in both the 2/3s and 4/5s class. The teachers are great communicators and create a loving environment for the children in their classrooms. All classes are play-based and include a lot of outdoor time (weather permitting) which is great for high-energy little ones! A wonderfully unexpected bonus of this school has been the welcoming parent community. Moving from out of state was a huge adjustment for our family and the kindness and inclusiveness of the Unity parents has made our transition so much easier. We look forward
Liz Hansen
Jul 06, 2013
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We love Unity Nursery (now called Unity Preschool). The director, Miss Katie is awesome. All of the teachers are devoted, well-trained and very patient with little kids. I love the flexibility that the school offers in terms of days and the warm and caring atmosphere. My two daughters have both loved it here.
Rachel Hanrahan
Jun 27, 2012
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Unity is a wonderful, warm preschool. I have my two young children enrolled here. They both enjoy going to school and come home with a wealth of exciting, fun thoughts & activities. The teacher staff is marvelous. They know how to help both children and parents adjust to and enjoy preschool. The facilities are bright, new and welcoming.
Unity is a smaller school so the network of families is very tight knit. It is a great community which offer support, friendship and lots of learning.
Unity is a smaller school so the network of families is very tight knit. It is a great community which offer support, friendship and lots of learning.
