About Us
For more than 20 years, A Joyful Noise (AJN) Preschool has brought love, laughter and kindness to children and their families through a play-based curriculum rooted in traditional Christian values. A ministry of the Kenilworth Union Church in Kenilworth, Illinois, the school attracts families from across the North Shore, both church members and non-members alike. We are proud to build a foundation of lifelong learning through our programs, our community and our loving teachers.
AJN offers programming for children up to 4 years old that thoughtfully enhances:
- Cognitive development
- Language skills development
- Gross and fine motor skills development
- Social and emotional development
- Christian values
History
Founded in 1987, AJN began as a Mother’s Day Out Program of the Kenilworth Union Church, providing moms a safe, educational and loving place to take their children while they ran errands or took much-deserved personal time.
The novel idea quickly boomed, becoming a mainstay and even serving as an extended family for church members. In 1993, “the village” of parents expressed interest in continuing their children’s Christian education beyond Sunday mornings, and the program was expanded to include a preschool. The following year, the school officially opened.
Curriculum Approach
The purpose of A Joyful Noise is to provide a school based on the principles of child development and the values and wisdom of the Christian faith.
Guidelines established for young children should be simple, clear and few. Children are more comfortable when they know what is expected of them.
AJN’s educational curriculum is based on three guiding principles:
- Be Kind
Students will learn how to interact with others and how to be a good friend. We model and practice manners and communicate the importance of living according to Christian values. - Be Safe
Our curriculum teaches students how to perform tasks and interact with their surroundings safely. - Be Neat
Students learn the importance of being respectful in group settings--we take care of ourselves, our friends and our school.
State-of-the-Art Facility
Our facility and lively classrooms are specifically designed to foster a play-based education. You won’t find piles of worksheets – instead you’ll be greeted with artwork, books, and visual and manipulative educational tools that promote hands-on learning opportunities.
AJN is home to Robinson Garden, a 16,000-square-foot outdoor play garden where students spend part of their day. The fenced-in playground is equipped with a unique play structure, bikes, expansive grass play areas and hills for sledding in the winter. AJN also boasts an indoor play area with climbers with slides, hoops and balls, building materials, bikes and more.
Parent Community
Just as we nurture the growth and development of our children, we welcome a close-knit parent community. AJN experiences exceptional student and family retention – many families continue to enroll their children from Beginnings through Junior Kindergarten.
AJN and the ministry of Kenilworth Union Church offer a multitude of opportunities for parents to get involved with their child’s education, including our Board of Directors, classroom visits and community events.
Parents of our Preschool 3s and Junior Kindergarten, are also invited to attend Christmas Chapel, Mother’s Day Chapel and monthly Birthday Blessings. We host many unique parent child experiences through the school year, including parent socials, class play dates, family events and more.
Meet with our staff, see the school, tour the facilities.