Frequently Asked Questions

What age children do you serve?

We enroll children ages 2 ½ to 5.

What are your hours?

The center is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, year round.

What are RELC's visiting policies?

Parents of enrolled children are welcome at any time. All others are invited to call to schedule a visit.

What is your group size?

Two of our multi-age classrooms accommodate sixteen students and one classroom serves eighteen students. There are smaller developmentally similar groups within the classroom during parts of the day.

What is your curriculum?

We create an environment and provide materials that enable children to develop theories and answer questions in all areas of development. We provide broad topics to be explored and read the cues of the children to determine the direction to go and the depth of the exploration. We use the Illinois and Evanston Community Early Learning Standards as tools to assure that we are incorporating the skills and knowledge needed for a successful transition into the school system.

How long has this school been in existence?

Reba Place Day Nursery (currently RELC) was started by Reba Place Church in 1966. It became a fully independent, non-sectarian, not-for-profit organization governed by a board of directors in 1991.

How does RELC handle issues of religion?

RELC staff and students come from a variety of cultural and religious traditions. Amid this intentional diversity, RELC staff respect children's differences and respond to their interests. Matters of religion arise only if the children raise them, for example at holiday season. Holidays are not a part of the curriculum, but children and their families are encouraged to share their experiences, including how they celebrate religious holidays and customs

What is the training of your staff?

Team leaders and teachers hold college degrees in early childhood or related fields with additional early childhood course work. All assistant teachers have both course work and experience in the field of early childhood. We place a great value on professional development. Recently, in collaboration with Erikson Institute and Lekotek, we offered ongoing, on-site staff development in the areas of emergent literacy and working with children of differing abilities.

Do children go outside?

The children go outside in the morning and in the afternoon for 45-minute blocks of time. Community playgrounds and our private, fenced play lot provide a variety of outdoor activities.

Does RELC provide food for the children?

Breakfast, lunch, afternoon and evening snack are provided. A hot, “red meat free” lunch is catered. Attention is paid to sugar, salt, and fat content in selecting breakfast and snack items. In addition to providing nutritional food to the children, we strive to help them become aware of healthy eating habits.

Does my child have to be toilet trained?

The majority of the students enrolled at RELC are toilet trained. We admit a limited number of children that are in the process of being toilet trained.

What are your rates?

Our current rate (as of September 2005) is $200 per week for our five day program.

Do you have ways to help families financially?

We accept families that are subsidized through Action for Children. We also work with Child Care Network of Evanston in the implementation of their scholarships.