Wonderful staff who instills in preschool what learning should be...inquisitive and FUN. My daughter loved her few mornings a week she went in. She got to make friends, go outside daily, make crafts, learn about the world around her, celebrate birthdays. When I would pick her up, she would sing songs, about what they were learning, over and over again. This place is incredible for kids. So loving. read more

When moving to the North Shore I had my work cut out for me to find a preschool that was both play-based and offered full-time care. Banner was the answer. From the moment we visited the school, I knew it was the right place for our daughter to begin her preschool experience. "Warmth" is how I'd describe the environment at Banner both in appearance and culture. The classrooms are inviting, cozy, and creative. This is a school run by teachers who love what they do and create a warm, positive environment for children to learn, develop and thrive. Our daughter wakes up excited to go to Banner every day which is the best testimonial a parent could offer. read more

Owner is extremely unprofessional. Hires an employee and then decides that she doesn't like them and tells them they don't have a job. Also people there are hired and not qualified. read more

Overall, I'd say Banner is fine; many of the staff are wonderful. The management is typically pleasant, though sometimes indifferent to the concerns of parents. Playground supervision can be lacking at times--sometimes the teachers are huddled talking to each other rather than paying attention to the kids. I don't have much to compare them to, but I'm sure you could do better and could certainly do worse. read more

My 4 YO started Banner preschool this year and we love it. She loves it! She wakes up wanting to go to school. She loves her teachers and the many activities they have going on. I can't say enough of this school. I wish they would run a K-5! And in the winter I love their drop off so parents don't have to get out of the car to walk their kids in. The teachers are sooooo accepting of other cultures and welcome us to share our festivals with everyone. Love love this school. read more

We are in our third year at Banner with two children attending this year. There are a lot of preschools to choose from in the area, and I could not be happier we landed at Banner. Our children have thrived in the play-based curriculum and every day, they are excited to go to school. Art projects, outdoor play, singing, story time, multi-media tables and much more make up their day. But it's the teachers that really set Banner apart. They are everything you would ever want in a preschool teacher--warm, caring, experienced and professional. This year, we have been exploring another aspect of Banner--extra curricular activities. Cooking class (Sticky Fingers) and The Laughing Academy (an improv/drama class for kids) were a couple we participated in and loved. My older daughter also loves going to "lunch bunch" once or twice a week. We've also taken advantage of the before-school care when we needed to drop the kids off an hour before school started. I really can't say enough wonderful things about this very special school! I feel fortunate my kids attend Banner! And personally, I have also made a lot of friends--Banner parents are the best! read more

We could not be happier with the preschool choice we made for our daughters 3 years ago! They have absolutely thrived in this most loving, caring, nurturing environment we call Banner From the amazing teachers to the safe and secure building and playground to the thoughtful curriculum - it's hands down the very best choice we have made for our children read more

This review is long overdue, but with three young kids I typically don't have time to review anything, so there you go... I want to make time to review Banner however because it has been a huge part of our lives over the past 5 years. My daughter started there when she was 2 and went through the older 2's class, preschool and pre-k. My son is still there and started in the younger 2's class, then preschool and now pre-k. Next year my youngest will start in the younger 2's class so we have at least 3 more years ahead of us. We don't live extremely close to the school, we live much closer to other preschools in the area but chose Banner and have stuck with Banner for a number of reasons. My kids and myself have made great friends here. Not just other parents, but the teachers and directors who become part of your daily lives and also care greatly for your children and you. There truly is a strong sense of community in the school. The teachers and new directors all go out of there way to make school a fun place where learning can take place. My goals for my children in preschool were to learn how to make and sustain friendships and act appropriately in the classroom. Learning about things like numbers, letters, the world, music, art, science, etc... are all just added bonuses to me but my children have learned an abundance of new things. My oldest two who have gone through the classroom are very different kids, however they each have had wonderful experiences at Banner and enjoy school so much. The teachers truly try to individualize lessons for each child after learning their strengths and challenges. There is constant communication on how things are going in the classroom and the best things to do to carryover life lessons at home. If you are searching for preschools in the area I encourage you to call the directors, Chrisine and Alex and talk to them about this wonderful school. If you had the chance to observe outdoor playtime or class time you would see how there really is such love and respect between all the kids and the teachers. Each child is appreciated for who they are and what they bring to the school. read more

My family has had a wonderful experience at Banner preschool. I have sent both of my children there, and several of my children's cousins have attended Banner, too. I have been consistently impressed with Banner's thoughtful approach to children. Play-based learning is emphasized by an amazingly talented, energetic, and knowledgeable staff. When one of my kids struggled with separation fears those first few weeks of preschool, having never really been away from home without a parent, his teachers and Adell Kabins, the school's director, were so adept at helping him adjust, so kind and compassionate with him. He thrived at Banner thereafter. I was and continue to be so grateful to the Banner staff for their sensitivity. They consistently demonstrate expert knowledge of child development, sound teaching strategies that prepare kids for kindergarten and beyond, and genuine caring and concern for all kids at the school. There is a strong sense of community at Banner, and I feel so fortunate that my kids have attended this truly unique school. -A.K. read more

We have two children at Banner - and each time I walk one of my boys into his classroom, I feel like I am leaving him with the kindest, warmest, most creative and genuine group of moms I know - moms who happen to have degrees in early childhood education. Each morning when we arrive at school (and also when we leave), my children are welcomed by Adell Kabins, the school's director, who stands at the front door and greets each child by name. This routine does not vary. It's the same, smiling familiar face every morning - and I have learned that my children rely on - and enjoy - this familiarity to feel a sense of security about going to school. Once inside, the teachers welcome my children to school - and there is such a sense of joy, happiness and excitement that Banner teachers bring each day. At first, I wondered if they all did a couple of shots of espresso each morning...but in all seriousness, they make each child feel like a rock star - as if the day simply could not begin until that child arrived at school. One drizzly March morning, I returned to school after drop off to leave something in my child's locker. I followed the lively music coming from down the hall to the gym where all the children were assembled, intently watching Irish dancers. Another day on the way home from preschool, my four-year-old told me all about how to make French crepes, after one of the moms (who is indeed French) came to school to show the class how she made them. When I met with one of my son's teachers for the parent-teacher conference (Banner has these twice a year - another things I love about this school), I was shown a photo of my son watching the Wilmette Fire Department show all the different hoses and sirens on one of their trucks. These little surprise activities were not announced or revealed as part of some preschool curriculum. It's just part of the way that Banner works: Let's learn about St. Patrick's Day and have Irish dancers perform; let's teach them about food from France by having a mom demonstrate her French culinary skills; and likewise, let's teach a little fire safety by having our local firemen demonstrate to the children what they do each day. My goal with sending my children to preschool is to make them love learning and be excited about school. When I hear my children ask, "Am I going to preschool?" in the morning with a smile on their faces, I know we're achieving that goal. read more

We sent all 4 of our boys to Banner Preschool. They all started in the 2s and all the way through Kindergarten Enrichment so 4 years each. They all had different personalities yet the wonderfully warm and nurturing teachers there adapted to their different needs. One of our boys had big separation issues and they worked with me to help him with this. This involved my staying in the classroom and building for 2 months yet they were very encouraging and accommodating through this whole process. They were also very attentive of any speech issues and mentioned any concerns they had with the boys so that I knew to have them tested and receive speech services. I would highly recommend this preschool -- it s warm and nurturing and just a wonderful place for the young children to start their first years of school. We loved every year we were there. read more

I am a parent of a child who just finished his first year of preschool (2's class). Banner is an amazing school. The facilities are wonderful, but as others have said, it is truly the teachers, staff, and directors (as well as the parents) that make this place so special. The school exudes warmth and caring--so much so that entering the school is like walking into an embrace. There are preschools MUCH closer to my house, and yet, I chose this school because of the commitment to play-based learning and the authentic passion that every staff person has for young children. I could not be happier that my son's educational journey started at Banner. He looks forward to every day of school and always has something new to tell me that he learned. I wish I could bottle his enthusiasm and joy when he enters Banner for school. I can only hope that the love of learning that Banner fostered in him stays with him always. read more

My 3 children all went through Banner, starting in the 2 year old program. It was a great experience, with warm and nurturing teachers. It's amazing how much the kids learn in a play based environment. From circle/story time, music time, art projects and just free play, learning abounds. The teacher to child ratio was always great and my kids always felt the warmth of the teachers. The teachers helped the kids learn the rules of playing with other kids and being in a classroom without stifling creativity. When there were issues in the classroom with my kids, the issues were handled with kindness and professionalism. One of things that I liked was that if I felt I needed to be in the classroom to see how my child interacted in a situation, I was welcome to be a helper in the classroom. While my youngest child is now in high school, my friends and neighbors with younger children have also been so pleased with Banner. One of my children was fortunate enough to have Ms. Christine Frcka Perkins, one of Banner's new directors, as her third grade teacher. She was an amazing teacher and cared so much about her kids. While some of the staff has changed since my eldest attended, many great teachers are still there from my youngest child's time there. I think anyone who has a chance to send children to Banner should take it! read more