Pilgrim Community Nursery School

My oldest has gone to Pilgrim for the past 2 years. She has received a strong foundation in learning through a play-​based education. The teachers are patient and creative in a way that I could never be. They maneuver through tricky social situations (like two 4-​year-​olds in a conflict) in ways that have taught me a thing or two just by observing their expertise. They involve students in very interesting studies of the world around them by, for example, making prints by painting a fish and pressing it onto a sheet of construction paper. I have been very impressed with my daughters gains in socio-​emotional, early literacy, and creative thinking skills. She has gained a higher sense of self and personal responsibility through the excellent program at Pilgrim Nursery School.

Many people in Oak Park have a soft spot in their hearts about Pilgrim, but unfortunately, we were disappointed with the attitude and approach from most of the staff there. It seemed like a lot was missing in the day-​to-​day needs for watching 2 – 5 year-​old kids. Many of the teachers have high-​level college degrees, but book knowledge shouldn’t come at the expense of common sense. Many times we saw dangerous situations (children running into the street, running into a busy parking lot, putting thumbtacks from a low-​level bulletin board into their mouths, etc.), all when they were supposed to have been supervised. We saw teachers yelling at children on the playground, while being distracted by [the teachers’] cell phones. Our child started imitating one teacher at home. At first I thought our child was mimicking another child, until I saw in person how the teacher would talk to the kids. Let’s say it was disrespectful at the very least.
The school’s approach to diversity seems dated. One of our child’s teachers would often joyfully point out minority children to non-​minority parents (as a point of pride?). Rather than being included, it seemed like these families were being put on display or singled out.
Discipline at Pilgrim seems uneven. The teachers didn’t seem to know that, for a lot of these kids, it was the first time they weren’t the center of attention, and what happens with that– socially. During class, the teachers would often yell impatiently to an entire room full of kids. On the other hand, if one child started acting out, one of the teachers would take that child into the corner and coddle him/​her for a while. Ultimately it ended up teaching the entire class that if you act out, you will get, special, individualized attention. Children picked up some bad habits, simply because, in their eyes, they saw them being rewarded.
Pilgrim also has a very lax view around contagious diseases and conditions. They favor «natural» approaches, which, in our experience, were rarely effective in dealing with the health-​related situations in the school.
When we brought our concerns to the head of school, she never took responsibility. She talked a lot about school policy, perhaps trying to protect herself and the school. She kept talking about «how we felt,» rather than coming up with any practical solutions to the very real problems. I kept thinking, «Who are the adults here?»
The following year, we ended up going with a great school right across the street, where (for the same price) the staff was very responsible and took great care with the safety and approach with the kids. Our kid had a lot of fun, but at the same time, I didn’t have to worry. Save yourself the headache and do the same.

Our family moved to Oak Park just over two years ago and happened upon Pilgrim Community Nursery School. What a great find. Our oldest daughter attended for two years and our youngest just started this year. The teachers are amazing, the atmosphere is nurturing and we could not be happier! As the prior review states, though the school is a mission of the church it resides in, the program is secular. I wish I could give the school six stars!

A great nursery school with a wonderful, experienced staff. My two children attended Pilgrim and loved their time there. The teachers really focus on helping children develop socially so they can enter Kindergarten ready to learn. Their play-​based curriculum teaches writing, math, listening and concentration skills while the children play games and learn to interact with each other. I would recommend this program for any parent looking for an excellent preschool program.

Pilgrim is NOT daycare. It is a fantastic pre-​school with wonderful teachers, great families and happy kids. Both of my children have attended and have loved it. It has an atmosphere of curiosity and discovery and is welcoming to all kinds of families. While it is a mission of the beautiful church it resides in, the program is completely secular. This is a great place.