Cornerstone Children’s Learning Center offers a warm and welcoming learning environment for infants through pre-kindergarten in Chicago’s Old Town/River North area. Our school is accredited by NAEYC, the highest standard in early childhood education. And most important, every child is lavished with love and acceptance at the Center as they grow in the social, emotional and problem-solving skills that will give them a strong foundation for life. Cornerstone is a Christian organization that welcomes and honors people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds. And as a nonprofit, we are dedicated to making quality childcare and early education affordable for all through scholarship opportunities for families who qualify for extra assistance.
The next best place to home.
Caring. That’s what we do. In our educational childcare setting, infants and toddlers will explore developmental milestones, as we nurture and prepare them for Preschool. Using our exclusive, milestone-based curriculum, Learn from the Start™, intentional planning, and regular assessments, our teachers create experiences to meet the children’s developmental needs. Learn more about our infant/toddler program.
Inventors. Problem-solvers. Discoverers. Dreamers. Learners.
Your child is opening his or her eyes to the wider world and taking an active role in it, with boundless energy! We channel that energy into active, sensory-based, meaningful experiences. Our teachers get to know each child, learn their interests, and plan developmentally appropriate, engaging activities that pave the way for lifelong learning. Learn more about our early preschool program.
Increasingly curious. A time to try new things.
Within our home-like classrooms, your child is free to be anything from an artist to an engineer. Playing pretend, learning games, participating in hands-on activities — these are just a few ways we keep kids engaged. Plus, we encourage their natural curiosity, and willingness to try new things, so children discover how they learn best. In addition to basic skills, your child learns about self-direction, self-reliance, and self-esteem. Learn more about our Preschool program.
Getting ready for kindergarten.
Our Pre-K classroom is designed to help your child make significant developmental gains, communicate more successfully, and work well both independently and in group situations. Building on Preschool learning, Pre-K learning focuses on problem-solving, responsive listening and language usage, as well as social and collaborative skills, with lessons in reading, writing, math, social skills, and physical skills. Learn more about our Pre-K and Kindergarten Prep program.
… When it was turn for our second child to start daycare a few months ago, there was no question as to where he would go. Both kids love going to their ‘school’. They learn lots, the class is small enough that the children get personal attention from their teachers depending on their needs and abilities, yet they also get the socialization and classroom experience we wanted for them.
S.G.
Both my kids go here, and I could not be happier with how much they have grown and learned in this school these last two years. When we did our research and started to tour city schools, what stood out about CCLC is their caring staff, their very diverse student body, their commitment to a rigorous academic curriculum, fun set-up, a fantastic Summer Camp Program, the fact that they have a cook who has been preparing meals for the children for nearly two decades, and the memorable Spring and Holiday Performances. Most parents do everything they can to offer their children a bright future, and I feel that for us, that important first step has been that of having chosen Cornerstone Children’s Learning Center for their education!
Ermelinda C.
I don’t know if I can express in words how wonderful this place is. Our son attended Cornerstone for over 3 years since he was 2 years old. The first thing you notice when you come in is the feeling of being at home, a sense of community, and caring. Everyone that works there have been wonderful, from the teachers to the front desk person and the directors… It’s a very diverse school, with kids and families from all walks of life, background, ethnicities, and languages spoken. Plus, it’s the best priced school in the neighborhood 🙂
Agnes Z.
Diverse classrooms that provide an opportunity to learn about different religions and cultures is important to our family. We want our children to grow up respecting and embracing the differences between us as a community. To gain this level of understanding at an early age will help our kids be empathetic leaders and well-rounded individuals.
Jessica D.
This is a fantastic school. My daughter is always playing happily when I pick her up. There are daily activities for the kids which happen weekly — music, science, Spanish, art, and gym class. The staff is great; you can tell they are committed to every child’s success. I couldn’t have imagined a better place for my child.
Oksana M.
We are a transracial family, and we are thankful that the diversity of Chicago is reflected right here at CCLC. No one in our family sticks out when we are among the community of CCLC; it’s hard to find spaces like that, so we cherish it. We appreciate that the diversity is present not only in the children, but in the teachers, staff, and leadership, as well. The children are fortunate to think this kind of environment in normal, and are learning important lessons about respect and trust in diverse environments early in life. My hope is that they have less to unlearn later in life because of this valuable foundation.
Maria H.
The teachers at Cornerstone are so great. They are loving and kind and genuinely seem happy to be working there. The turnover is extremely low for a daycare facility in this city, and they have had the same management for years. The cost savings is due to the facility’s 501(c)(3) status. This enables them to focus on care versus profits … Importantly, I’m surprised by how much my daughter is learning. The facility has an outdoor play space which enables my daughter to get time playing outdoors without having to go to a local park, which is rare for daycare facilities in Chicago. Overall, I couldn’t recommend this gem highly enough.
J. V.
We trusted our 3 kids… newborn, toddler and pre-k at Cornerstone for 3 years! The teachers will love on your kiddos like their own, teach them well and have lots of fun! Best place in Chicago for childcare and absolutely the best value in the city.
Sherrie V.
The teachers are warm and absolutely amazing with the children. We feel we were really blessed to discover such a wonderful school that is setting such a solid foundation for our little one on so many levels, and preparing her for academic success for elementary school and beyond!
Tasha I
Chicago is an incredibly diverse city, but it is far from inclusive. Our distinct charm as a “city of neighborhoods” is locked within the reality of deeply layered economic and racial segregation. As a mother wanting her daughter to grow up in a city—and a world —that truly welcomes all, there is no age too young to begin modeling just that. Daycare is often when a child is first exposed to social situations that build their cognitive framework on how they see themselves and others. We intentionally chose CCLC so that our two-year-old could breathe the beauty of cultural diversity while anchoring her heart in a precious microcosm that exudes universal love, kindness, and respect. Imagine if all our children were exposed to the great kaleidoscope of humanity in environments that organically promote peace and unity. When I do, I see the ripple effect of societies built on shared ingenuity, art, and economic prosperity that benefit ALL—and that’s the world I want for my daughter.
Liliane C.
We have a 2 year old daughter enrolled in Cornerstone and we couldn’t be happier. She really enjoys the interaction not only with her teachers and classmates, but the staff as well. She is happy to go to school and has no problems spending a full day (~ 5pm) there. The teachers keep us informed about her progress, her engagement in the curriculum and her well-being… Regarding cost. CCLC is very affordable especially compared to others in downtown Chicago. This is a non-profit organization that truly cares in what they’re doing.
R.C.
I highly recommend Cornerstone. All of the highly qualified teachers bring different skills and talents to their classrooms, and they all seem to know every child. We know that when our son moves into the next level, the teachers already know and appreciate him for who he is. The staff members are also highly participatory in the daily activities and the children love them all. Everyone is so patient and kind. We have all learned so much from being members of this community!
Kristina F.
Caring, safe and diverse! We can’t say enough about CCLC. Our son started at the center right after he turned 2, this fall he will graduate and head to kindergarten. We have had a wonderful experience with all of the teachers and staff. Everyone is so caring and warm and our son has thrived there. It is truly a hidden gem in our neighborhood.
Lana Z.
Not ready yet? Learn more about Cornerstone, see parent reviews, and see pictures of the Center.
