WE ARE WILLOW WOOD

Willow Wood Students Learn Through Play

For the past 47 years, Willow Wood has been Winnetka's leading play-based preschool. Our teaching philosophy is that kids learn problem-solving and other life skills by playing together with their peers and teachers. Our guided curriculum instills confidence and independence in our students. Willow Wood teachers are exceptionally qualified to guide students in this curriculum because they have an impressive background in early childhood education. 

Willow Wood at a Glance

Beginnings: In 1967, a group of Kenilworth women founded our school, originally named the Kenilworth Community Preschool.  They opened our doors to 25 students at the Church of the Holy Comforter.  In 1971, we moved to the Winnetka Presbyterian Church.  As it was no longer located in Kenilworth, we selected a new name, the Willow Wood Preschool. With the help of our dedicated board, we moved to our current location in 1998.

Director: Sue Cornelo

Governance: Willow Wood is a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-discriminatory organization that is governed by a board of directors.

Staff: We have a staff of 21, including a music consultant.  All of our teachers hold an advanced degree.   

Curriculum: Our program is play-based.  We provide a safe, secure atmosphere for children to learn through exploring, creating and problem solving.  

Music: Weekly music classes introduce students to the joys of singing, rhythm instruments, movement and music patterns.

Enrichment: We offer lunch bunch and after-school enrichment programs for our 3- and 4-year-old students.

Special Needs: Children with special needs are welcome at Willow Wood.  Should your child required additional classroom assistance, please contact us.    

Summer Camp: We offer a six-week summer camp for 3- and 4-year-old students.

Financial Aid:   We offer assistance to families based on demonstrated need.

Non-Discrimination: In the administration of educational policies, admission, financial aid or any other school-administered programs, Willow Wood does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability.

License: Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

Accreditation: National Academy of Early Childhood Programs and National Association for Education of Young Children (“NAEYC”)

Member: NAEYC, Chicago Association of Education of Young Children, and Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood  

Discipline Policy

Willow Wood employs a positive discipline strategy to encourage self-awareness and a sense of community in our students.  To achieve this end, we never resort to physical punishment.  Rather, we use our words to enforce three basic guidelines:

  1. Do not harm other children or adults.

  2. Do not harm yourself.

  3. Do not harm toys or equipment.

If a student does not observe these guidelines, we help him understand that his behavior is unacceptable by talking with him in a friendly, but firm, manner.  Should the behavior continue, we give the student quiet time to help him calm down and internalize the importance of our guidelines to the community.  Through this process, we teach our students how to become part of the problem-solving process.

When a student frequently requires disciplinary attention, we meet with his family to discuss the situation.  On occasion, we will coordinate classroom observation of the student by a child development consultant.  Such observation frequently leads to advice and specific steps for improvement.  Afterwards, we work closely with the consultant and family to implement these steps in the classroom and at home.

Willow Wood reserves the right to request a withdrawal if a student's behavior interferes with his learning or social development.