Early Learning Foundations Preschool (ELF) is a small preschool centrally located in the Lincoln Park area near the Gold Coast and North Loop neighborhoods in Chicago. We are very close to many cultural resources such as the Farm in the Zoo, so walking field trips are a regular treat for our young preschoolers.
Early Learning Foundations Preschool (ELF) is a warm, friendly preschool. Every staff member knows each child and gives them the individual attention they deserve. We work closely with parents in making a smooth, easy transition from the familiar surroundings of home to the nurturing atmosphere of our school.
Early Learning Foundations Preschool (ELF) is a warm, friendly preschool. Every staff member knows each child and gives them the individual attention they deserve. We work closely with parents in making a smooth, easy transition from the familiar surroundings of home to the nurturing atmosphere of our school.
Services
We are dedicated to being rich in diversity as a multi-cultural environment, both in our teaching staff and the student groups. Early Learning Foundations (ELF) has been serving Chicago and its suburbs for over 20 years. Preschool is an important stage in a child's development. We believe a combination of early learning and socializing your child will help expand their horizons early in life.
Early Learning Foundations (ELF) has been serving Chicago and the suburbs for over 20 years. Your child's care and education are our number one concern. Located in the Lincoln Park area near the North Loop and Lake Shore Drive, we are convenient to residents and non-residents alike. Temporary parking is available for drop-off and pick-up.
Reviews (13)
Karen H.
Aug 22, 2021
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Sasha J.
Feb 02, 2019
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My daughter just started at ELF in September of 2018 but I truly can not say enough good things about this daycare. Daycare does not even seem like the right word as we call it "school" in our home. The teachers made my 2 year old feel welcome from day one and our little one looks forward to going there every morning. My husband and I are constantly in awe of how much she learns and retains from the curriculum ELF provides. In the span of only 5 months our daughter can recite numbers, days of the week and months of the year and a myriad of little songs in both spanish and english. The
Sarah Abaza
Jan 09, 2019
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ELF has become my son's second home. When he started here, my son was very anxious and never wanted me to leave him (clinging to leg, crying, etc.) Within a couple days of the teachers working their nurturing, supporting magic, drop offs became much easier, and now, he loves his school, teachers, and friends. The environment is so warm and welcoming. The teachers also helped him get over his pacifier habit within a couple days when I had tried for months and months. My son also has a severe nut allergy, and they have been great with handling and monitoring this situation. He has really developed
April M.
Nov 02, 2018
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We are so fortunate to have found Early Learning Foundations 3 years ago after an in depth search of preschools in Chicago. Finding an opening in the school for our 2 year old was like winning the lottery. In addition to their great reputation, we love that ELF has such a welcoming, friendly atmosphere. The teaching staff is wonderful and we view them as stand-in parents (as does our daughter). The teachers collaborate with each other, share learnings, and are proactive in communicating what the kids are learning so we can augment at home. The lessons are purposeful with a learning goal in
John S.
Sep 05, 2018
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My son started at ELF when he was two years old and just recently graduated to kindergarten. From the very moment he started - all the way through until his last day - we knew that he was in the right place.
The school is so welcoming, and we always felt like part of a family. Our son was always happy going into ELF in the morning, and at the end of the day he always had lots of stories about his adventures. He truly loved everything about ELF.
I know that our son is ready for kindergarten because of the teachers at ELF. They have created a loving and caring environment, and we couldn't
The school is so welcoming, and we always felt like part of a family. Our son was always happy going into ELF in the morning, and at the end of the day he always had lots of stories about his adventures. He truly loved everything about ELF.
I know that our son is ready for kindergarten because of the teachers at ELF. They have created a loving and caring environment, and we couldn't
Kate M.
Jun 11, 2018
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I've never written a Yelp review before, but I'm writing one for ELF simply because I'm so grateful to have found them. My family has just finished a month-long stay in Chicago on a work trip. We were worried over sending our daughter (who is almost 4) to a new place. ELF had been recommended, and we did some research and decided to try it (and they generously accepted her on a short-term basis). It is not an exaggeration to say that ELF has been one of the absolute best things about our time in Chicago. The teachers are caring and knowledgable and the place is very well-run. Our
Paul Petrulis
Jan 14, 2016
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Julia
Oct 17, 2015
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I'm so happy with my decision to send both of my children to ELF. First and foremost, I know my kids are in excellent hands. The teachers truly seem to love each child and really make an effort to get to know and appreciate each individual. It is a small, nurturing,family-like environment. Very different feel than some of the larger, more "corporate" daycare/preschools. The tuition is also very reasonable. I heard of ELF through word of mouth (all positive) and am so glad I did!
Heather K.
Sep 15, 2015
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My 2.5 year old daughter has been going to ELF for only 6 months, but it feels like much longer - both she and I were immediately comfortable there. My daughter had been in other daycares where she would cry every time I dropped her off for weeks at a time, but she had no issues at ELF. It's very clear that the teachers care about the kids, and they have very open communication with parents. My daughter often will look up at me at pick-up time, and then go back to what she's doing, or will ask to go to "school" on Saturday - can't get a better endorsement than that!
Alaina L.
Jul 31, 2015
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My son (5 yrs) just graduated ELF this summer and we miss it so much already! He started at age two and we could not have been happier with the wonderful teachers and kids here. As others have said, they really know and love your child, are patient and lovely people and do a fantastic job teaching your kids. My son just went back to visit for the day earlier this week and has been begging to go back since then (which reminded me to put a review on yelp!). They did such a fantastic job accommodating my childs special needs without excluding him and at the same time challenging him. I can&apos
Ben Shalom
Jul 08, 2015
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My daughter now age 5 has been with Early Learning Foundation since she was 2 years old. This has been such a wonderful experience for both my daughter and I, that I am sure we will come to visit after she graduates this year (like other former students that still come and visit). It feels like one big family and the teachers are just wonderful and so loving and caring. My daughter is well rounded, communicate well and socially very successful thanks to Early Learning Foundation!
I am very happy with Early Learning Foundation, that I recommended it to my colleague and he just registered his son
I am very happy with Early Learning Foundation, that I recommended it to my colleague and he just registered his son
Rc J.
Nov 16, 2013
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I found ELF by Googling "Good daycares near Downtown Chicago." I couldn't have known then just how accurate of a description that was for Early Learning Foundations.
My son has been going there since age 2 and not once have I felt that there would be a better place for him. It has been a wonderful environment from his time in the twos group, through the threes and into the fours.
ELF has a sense of family and warmth and the staff has felt less like people we pay to watch our son and more like loving people who are walking beside is in our journey of raising a child. The staff
My son has been going there since age 2 and not once have I felt that there would be a better place for him. It has been a wonderful environment from his time in the twos group, through the threes and into the fours.
ELF has a sense of family and warmth and the staff has felt less like people we pay to watch our son and more like loving people who are walking beside is in our journey of raising a child. The staff
Alaina Lawson
Jul 12, 2013
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Love love love it here! My little guy is so happy to go to school every day and the teachers are so caring and great and patient and kind! Its very small, but I love that about it, the younger kids get to learn from the older kids and the older kids get to model for the little guys and feel grown up. I love that it is nut free and all organic in house made food and all of this for a good and fair price near downtown. Its perfect for us and for our little one.
