About
River Oak Co-op is an outdoor preschool program where children spend their days in an all-outdoor, year-round setting. The program follows a child-led outdoor school curriculum that prioritizes imaginary play and incorporates nature education and exploration, cultural education, and mindfulness skill building. The class is mixed-age, with a small class size and a 3:1 child to teacher ratio.
• Ages: 2.5–5 years old
River Oak Co-op describes its mission as fostering curiosity, compassion, cultural awareness, and environmental responsibility in children ages 2.5–5 years old. The curriculum is rooted in the children’s interests, as well as the seasonality and natural phenomena of the outdoor spaces they use. The program states that its values of compassion, environmental stewardship, cultural awareness, curiosity, and joy inform all aspects of its work, and that it focuses on creating joy in nature, building community, and cultivating respect for ourselves, each other, and the Earth.
The program names Sarah, Stacy, and Haylee as the teachers. It is described as a city-centered program along the Chicago River serving families in the Albany Park and Lincoln Square neighborhoods of Chicago.
In one parent testimonial, a caregiver notes that their child notices birds, bugs, and different kinds of trees, and mentions that the child learned how to tell an oak tree apart from other trees. Another parent describes Sarah, Stacy, and Haylee as trustworthy and highlights the program’s focus on imaginary play, nature and cultural education, and mindfulness skill building, sharing an example of their child saying, “I put my hands over my warm heart” before sleep. A third parent mentions choosing River Oak Co-op for its small class size, 3:1 child to teacher ratio, mixed-age class, and all-outdoor year-round curriculum, and describes seeing their child’s ability to focus and curiosity grow during their first year with the teachers.
Last updated April 18, 2026.
• Ages: 2.5–5 years old
River Oak Co-op describes its mission as fostering curiosity, compassion, cultural awareness, and environmental responsibility in children ages 2.5–5 years old. The curriculum is rooted in the children’s interests, as well as the seasonality and natural phenomena of the outdoor spaces they use. The program states that its values of compassion, environmental stewardship, cultural awareness, curiosity, and joy inform all aspects of its work, and that it focuses on creating joy in nature, building community, and cultivating respect for ourselves, each other, and the Earth.
The program names Sarah, Stacy, and Haylee as the teachers. It is described as a city-centered program along the Chicago River serving families in the Albany Park and Lincoln Square neighborhoods of Chicago.
In one parent testimonial, a caregiver notes that their child notices birds, bugs, and different kinds of trees, and mentions that the child learned how to tell an oak tree apart from other trees. Another parent describes Sarah, Stacy, and Haylee as trustworthy and highlights the program’s focus on imaginary play, nature and cultural education, and mindfulness skill building, sharing an example of their child saying, “I put my hands over my warm heart” before sleep. A third parent mentions choosing River Oak Co-op for its small class size, 3:1 child to teacher ratio, mixed-age class, and all-outdoor year-round curriculum, and describes seeing their child’s ability to focus and curiosity grow during their first year with the teachers.
Last updated April 18, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.