Montessori Preschools are special places.  A program becomes even more special when it is created to serve a unique population.  So it is with Gan Ketan.  Our Montessori program provides services primarily to the Jewish populations of Northern Chicago, Lincolnwood and Skokie.  The hours extend from 8:30 am through 4:30 pm, with full-day and partial-day programs for children three through six-years-old.

The role of the child is one of discovery.  At Gan Ketan Montessori, children are involved in activities that help them "absorb" all aspects—physical, mental and spiritual–of the environment, without effort or fatigue.

Small children ask “why” about everything.  At Gan Ketan Montessori we encourage “why,” believing that it is an essential stage of the learning process and prepares a child for life.  Within Gan Ketan’s child-centered Torah-rich environment children are encouraged to explore interests and cognitive areas through the senses, emphasizing the connection between the hand and the mind.  Children discover that the will, ability and skills to gain knowledge are within themselves.  Multi-age grouped classrooms create an environment for children to form their own family-like community and develop social connections in a safe and cooperative setting.  Most of all, children leave Gan Ketan Montessori with a lifelong love of learning and the self-motivation and skills necessary to fulfill that love.  Gan Ketan is an initiate school with the American Montessori Society and is registered with the Illinois State Board of Education.  The school strives to uphold the learning standards of both.

The Montessori curriculum model has much to offer Jewish children.  Love of learning, an inner sense of responsibility and motivation and a deep connection to Torah, spirituality and the Creator are intrinsic to the life of a Jew and are the intensions upon which Dr. Montessori’s method focuses.  The method works for all children in all times because it begins with the idea that each child is a unique and special being who has a great capacity within an encouraging environment to construct him/herself and reach his/her highest potential.