Chicago Commons Association/nia Family Center

Since its inception, innovation has been at the core of Chicago Commons approach to early childhood education. We have pioneered child centered curricula within communities of highest need, and engaged parents and families in supporting and championing their children's education. Chicago Commons opened one of the first kindergartens in Chicago more than 120 years ago using the Pestalozzi/Froebel method, a child centered philosophy of education. Pestalozzi and Froebel introduced the concept of kindergarten early in the 1800s, and created curricula based on the idea that children have unique needs and capabilities that are best addressed through free work and games. Twenty-five years ago, Chicago Commons adopted the Reggio Emilia approach to educating children, and operates award-winning preschools on Chicago's south and west sides. Commons child development centers were some of the first Reggio schools in the U.S., and one of the few Head Start programs in Illinois to use the approach.
At Nia Family Center we are focused on making sure that our children are kindergarten ready by offering a comprehensive early education program. This is not a day care center but a program the focuses on building literacy, math, science, art and thinking skills. We have 3 teachers in each classroom and one of those is bilingual so children are getting exposed to Spanish.
Through our Family Hub, we offer comprehensive services to parents and the entire family. This includes:
o Nutrition classes
o Cooking classes
o ESL classes
o Computer classes
o Financial and employment coaching
Come and take a tour and talk to our teachers.