DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE
From the moment you walk in the door at the Gertrude B. Nielsen Child Care and Learning Center, you know you are in a special place. A place that nurtures and respects children. You’ll see children’s artwork, an aviary and aquarium, plants, colors and textures that are inviting and stimulate learning. In short, an entire community developed for, and committed to, guiding children in their discovery of the world and themselves.

“When it came time to place Jeremy in child care, there was no question that it would be the Nielsen Center. They nurture the whole family—making it easy for us to trust them with our newborn. We knew he would receive the best possible care.”
Julie Currie Folker, parent of three

WHAT MAKES GBN SPECIAL
The Gertrude B. Nielsen Child Care and Learning Center (GBN) offers an environment rich in resources that make it a cut above other facilities. These amenities help nurture children and their families and create an atmosphere that optimizes learning. GBN’s state-of-the-art facility was built specifically to be a child care and learning center. It includes large, open classrooms and the overall architecture is light and airy. It immediately communicates the warmth that makes GBN such a special place.

exceptional facilities include:

• Monitored Security System
• Atrium Lobby with Aviary and Aquarium
• Separate Infant Nap Rooms
• Radiant Floor Heat and Central Air Conditioning
• Newly Designed Natural Outdoor PlayScapes for each age level

The Gertrude B. Nielsen Child Care and Learning Center (GBN) provides quality child care and education for children from birth through kindergarten. Each class is fully staffed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, so that your child remains in their own room with their primary teachers throughout their day.

the highest standards:

• Infants (6 wks.-15 mo.) and young toddlers (15 mo.-2 yrs.) child/staff ratio is 4:1
• Older toddlers (2-3 yrs.) child/staff ratio is 6:1
• Pre-school (3-5 yrs) child/staff ratio is 8:1
• Junior/Senior Kindergarten (4 1/2-6 yrs.) is 10:1
• Administrators have extensive experience and degrees through the master's level
• Teachers have experience and credentials or degrees in early childhood education or related fields
• GBN is an intern site for college and university students
• GBN is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
• All staff is certified in CPR and First Aid and trained in allergy and asthma awareness
• GBN holds not-for-profit status 501©(3)

OUR MISSION
The Gertrude B. Nielsen Child Care and Learning Center aspires to establish a partnership with families to support their children’s development and serve as a model for quality early childhood education.

OPEN TO ALL
Enrollment is open to all children from six weeks through kindergarten. The new school year begins the first week in July, but children may be admitted anytime of the year based on availability. To secure placement on the waitlist, a non-refundable waitlist fee is required. For general information and monthly tour dates, please call 847-564-3004. For detailed application information, click here.

The school admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administration programs.