Evanston Early Childhood Council

12/16/2025

✨ What a Cozy & Joyful Morning! ✨

Our Cozy Winter Reading Family Fun Event on Saturday, December 13th was a huge success, and we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who came out to celebrate with us! ❄️📚💙 We had a wonderful turnout and loved seeing so many families enjoying stories, crafts, cocoa, and quality time together.

📖 A special thank you to author Karla Valenti for joining us and sharing her new children’s holiday book, Esperanza Caramelo. It was such a treat for our families and little readers!

📚 We are also incredibly thankful to Young, Black & Lit for generously providing beautiful books for our families, and to the Evanston Public Library for donating additional books to give away. Your support helps build home libraries and a lifelong love of reading.

🏛️ Thank you to the City of Evanston for partnering with us and for providing such a wonderful space to host this event at the Dr. Jorge Prieto Community Center. The warm and welcoming environment helped make the morning extra special for our families.

⛄ And of course, a special shout-out to our surprise guest appearance by Olaf! He brought lots of smiles, hugs, and holiday magic to the event.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this event so memorable. It truly warmed our hearts! 💛
We hope to see you at our next event—stay tuned for more family fun coming soon!

12/16/2025

✨ This Week’s Family-Friendly Events | December 14–21, 2025 ✨

Looking for cozy, meaningful ways to spend time together this season? Evanston has lots of fun and engaging activities for our youngest learners and their families this week! 🎨📚🎶

📅 Sunday, December 14
🎮 Game Play Sunday
📍 Main Library | 🕐 1:00–4:00 PM

🎶 Evanston Symphony Holiday Concert
📍 ETHS Auditorium | 🕒 3:00 PM
🕎 Happy Hanukkah!

📅 Monday, December 15
📖 Hearts of Readers
📍 Main Library | 🕥 10:15–10:45 AM

👑 Crown Storytime
📍 Robert Crown Branch Library | 🕥 10:30–11:00 AM

📅 Tuesday, December 16
🕎 Chabad Chanukah Menorah Lighting
📍 Fountain Square | 🕠 5:30 PM

📅 Wednesday, December 17
📚 Little Builders: Books & Block Play
📍 Main Library | 🕥 10:30–11:30 AM

📅 Thursday, December 18
🚀 Little Explorers: Space
📍 Main Library | 🕥 10:30–11:30 AM

📅 Saturday, December 20
🤲 Let the Light In: A Family Healing Circle
📍 Main Library | 🕑 2:00–3:00 PM

📅 Sunday, December 21
🎶 EISMA Presents: Luciano Antonio – Brazilian Holiday Sounds
📍 Main Library | 🕧 12:30–1:30 PM

💫 All activities are geared toward children ages 0–5, unless otherwise noted. Some events may require registration.

👉 For more details, visit www.evanstonearlychildhood.org

Wishing you a week filled with learning, light, and special family moments 💛

12/13/2025

See you tomorrow!!!!!!

❄️📚 Get Ready for a Cozy Winter Morning of Fun! 📚❄️
The Evanston Early Childhood Council invites YOU and your little ones to our Cozy Winter Reading – Family Fun Event!
✨ Saturday, December 13th | 10AM–1PM
📍 Dr. Jorge and Luz Maria Prieto Community Center
430 Asbury Ave, Evanston, IL
Join us for a magical winter morning filled with:
📖 Storytime for young children
🎨 Winter-themed crafts
🍪 Cookie decorating activity
☕ Hot cocoa & cookies to keep everyone warm
📚 A pop-up bookstore + FREE books from Young, Black & Lit!
⭐ Special appearance by local children’s author Karla Valenti!
This FREE community event is the perfect way for families to celebrate reading, creativity, and winter wonder! Bundle up the kiddos and come enjoy laughter, learning, and festive fun with us. ❄️💙
We can’t wait to see you there!
❄️ 🎉 📖☕ 🌟 🏡 🏙️ 🍪 📚 📖 🌱 📚 ✨

12/10/2025

Save the date! Join Chabad of Evanston for the annual Public Chanukah Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, December 16, at 5:30PM at Fountain Square. This year’s celebration will be joined by Mayor Daniel Biss and Councilmember Burns, and other dignitaries who will offer greetings and help light the new 15-foot Menorah in honor of the Chanukah holiday. Enjoy live music performances, an LED robot show, a balloon artist, traditional Chanukah treats, and more! The event is free and open to the public.

12/09/2025

Santa’s Mailbox is OPEN! The North Pole has officially activated its Evanston mailbox! Kids can drop their letters to Santa now through December 14th at Chandler-Newberger Community Center.
Want a letter back from the Big Guy himself? Include a stamped, self-addressed envelope inside your note before you send it off!
Chandler-Newberger Community Center
1028 Central St., Evanston

12/09/2025

❄️📚 Get Ready for a Cozy Winter Morning of Fun! 📚❄️
The Evanston Early Childhood Council invites YOU and your little ones to our Cozy Winter Reading – Family Fun Event!
✨ Saturday, December 13th | 10AM–1PM
📍 Dr. Jorge and Luz Maria Prieto Community Center
430 Asbury Ave, Evanston, IL
Join us for a magical winter morning filled with:
📖 Storytime for young children
🎨 Winter-themed crafts
🍪 Cookie decorating activity
☕ Hot cocoa & cookies to keep everyone warm
📚 A pop-up bookstore + FREE books from Young, Black & Lit!
⭐ Special appearance by local children’s author Karla Valenti!
This FREE community event is the perfect way for families to celebrate reading, creativity, and winter wonder! Bundle up the kiddos and come enjoy laughter, learning, and festive fun with us. ❄️💙
We can’t wait to see you there!
❄️ 🎉 📖☕ 🌟 🏡 🏙️ 🍪 📚 📖 🌱 📚 ✨

12/08/2025

❄️📚 Hello Evanston Families!
We’re stepping into another magical week of December with storytimes, community learning, and a special cozy winter reading celebration you won’t want to miss! Here’s what’s happening this week, December 8–14, 2025:

📅 Weekly Events

📘 Monday, December 8
• Hearts of Readers – Main Library | 10:15–10:45am
• Crown Storytime – Robert Crown Branch Library | 10:30–11:00am & 11:00–11:30am

✨ Tuesday, December 9
• Happy Holidays! (No scheduled events today—enjoy the season!)

👶 Wednesday, December 10
• The Young and the Restless (0–2 years) – Main Library | 10:15–10:45am
• Jammie Time – Main Library | 6:30–7:00pm

🧡 Thursday, December 11

📣 Family Voices: Illinois Early Intervention Town Hall
🕛 12:00pm CT
📍 Via Zoom
👉 RSVP here: https://cvent.me/G0oLaa

• Warm Bevvy Walk – Downtown Evanston | 4–7pm

🎄 Friday, December 12

No scheduled children’s events today—rest up for Saturday’s fun!

🌟 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13 — FEATURED EVENT!

📚❄️ EECC FAMILY FUN EVENT: COZY WINTER READING
WITH DR. JORGE & LUZ MARIA
📍 Prieto Community Center
🕙 10am–1pm

Come warm up with us for a cozy, family-friendly winter reading celebration!
Enjoy storytelling, seasonal fun, and activities designed to spark comfort, connection, and joy. Bring your comfy sweaters and get ready for a magical morning! 💙🐧📘

🕎 Sunday, December 14

• Game Play Sunday – Main Library | 1–4pm
• Happy Hanukkah!

Wishing everyone a week full of learning, warmth, and community spirit.
We’ll see you at an event soon—especially on Saturday! ❄️💙

12/07/2025

❄️📚 SATURDAY DECEMBER 13th! Cozy Winter Reading Fun! 📚❄️
We’re counting down the days until our Cozy Winter Reading Family Fun Event — and we can’t wait to enjoy a warm, joyful winter morning with YOU! 💙

Join us for:
✨ Storytimes for little ones
✨ Winter-themed crafts
✨ Free books from our pop-up bookstore
✨ Cookie-decorating fun
✨ Hot cocoa + cookies to keep everyone warm and smiling

Bring the whole family and kick off winter with laughter, creativity, and cozy moments together! ☃️🧤💫

📅 Saturday, December 13th
⏰ 10AM–1PM
📍 Dr. Jorge & Luz Maria Prieto Community Center
430 Asbury Ave., Evanston

Bundle up, bring your joy, and come make winter magic with us! ❄️❤️
We can’t wait to see you there!

12/07/2025

📣 FAMILY VOICES MATTER!
Join us for the Illinois Early Intervention Town Hall and make your voice heard for infants, toddlers, and families across our state! 💬👶🏾✨

🗓 Date: December 11, 2025
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM CT
💻 Where: Zoom
🌟 Spanish interpretation will be available!

Let’s come together to learn, advocate, and take action. During this town hall, we will:
✨ Explore the new Raising Illinois Policy Agenda
✨ Discuss how families and community partners can advocate for young children
✨ Join forces in calling for $40 million in new Early Intervention funding for FY27!

Your voice can help shape a stronger future for Illinois families. 🧡
📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer or RSVP here: https://cvent.me/G0oLaa

Let’s build a better tomorrow—together! 💪🏽🌟

12/07/2025

🌟 WE’RE HIRING! Join the Robert Crown Preschool Team! 🌟

Do you love working with young children and creating meaningful learning experiences? The Village of Evanston is now hiring a Part-Time Assistant Preschool Teacher (PM Shift) at the beautiful Robert Crown Community Center—and we’d love to have YOU join our early childhood family! 💙👶🎨

✨ Position: Assistant Preschool Teacher (Union–AFSCME)
✨ Location: Robert Crown Community Center
✨ Hours: Monday–Friday, 12:45pm–6:00pm
✨ Salary Range: $18.47–$23.65/hour (based on qualifications)
✨ Posted: December 3, 2025
✨ Applications Close: December 19, 2025

🌈 About the Role:
As an Assistant Preschool Teacher, you’ll support the Recreation Program Coordinator in planning and delivering a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate preschool program. This includes helping with daily activities, guiding learning through play, ensuring a clean learning environment, and building positive relationships with children and families.

If you love helping little learners grow, explore, and shine—this could be the perfect opportunity for you! 🌼✨

👉 Apply Today: Visit the City of Evanston job portal and search for JobID: 1284 or Assistant Preschool Teacher – PM Shift.

Help us spread the word by sharing this post! 💙

12/01/2025

✨❄️ Hello December! ❄️✨
The Evanston Early Childhood Council is excited to welcome a month filled with cozy moments, twinkling lights, joyful traditions, and LOTS of family fun! 🌟
We’re kicking off this magical season with a week full of wonderful events for our youngest learners and their families. Check out what’s happening around Evanston this week! 👇💙

🎄 THIS WEEK’S EVENTS (Nov 30 – Dec 7) 🎄

📚 Monday, December 1
❤️ Hearts of Readers
📍 Main Library
⏰ 10:15am–10:45am

🧸 Little Ones Story Time
📍 Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum
⏰ 10:30am–11:00am

🎭 Wednesday, December 3
🎪 The Wonderfilled World of Puppets
📍 Robert Crown Branch Library
⏰ 1:30pm–2:30pm

🎶 Thursday, December 4
👶 The Young and the Restless (0–2 year olds)
📍 Main Library
⏰ 10:15am–10:45am

✨ Saturday, December 6 – A HUGE day of holiday fun!

🎄 Holiday Light Celebration
📍 Fountain Square – Downtown Evanston
⏰ 4:30pm–7:00pm

🎁 West Village Business District Holiday Celebration
📍 Heartwood Center, 1818 Dempster St.
⏰ 12pm–5pm

🥞 Flapjacks & Flannels (Registration required)
📍 Fleetwood-Jourdain Community Center
⏰ 9:00am–12:00pm

🎅 Cookies with Santa
📍 First Congregational Church of Evanston
⏰ 10:00am–12:00pm
Enjoy Christmas cookies, crafts, carols, and a visit + photo opportunity with Santa! A sweet and FREE community event open to all!

☕ Sunday, December 7

🍰 Holiday Tea for Families (Ticketed)
📍 Evanston History Center
⏰ 10:30am–12:30pm

🎨 Advent Workshop with Ornament Decorating
📍 First Presbyterian Church of Evanston
⏰ 11:30am–1:00pm
A joyful gathering with ornament decorating, Advent wreath making, craft stations, a hot cocoa bar, snacks, and festive surprises!
Contact: Abby Cunningham – gro.notsnaveserptsrif@mahgninnuca

❄️🎉 December is officially here, and we’re so excited to celebrate each magical moment with you and your little ones. Stay tuned—more festive fun is coming all month long!

💙❄️

11/26/2025

Mark your Calendar!

❄️📚 Get Ready for a Cozy Winter Morning of Fun! 📚❄️
The Evanston Early Childhood Council invites YOU and your little ones to our Cozy Winter Reading – Family Fun Event!

✨ Saturday, December 13th | 10AM–1PM
📍 Dr. Jorge and Luz Maria Prieto Community Center
430 Asbury Ave, Evanston, IL

Join us for a magical winter morning filled with:
📖 Storytime for young children
🎨 Winter-themed crafts
🍪 Cookie decorating activity
☕ Hot cocoa & cookies to keep everyone warm
📚 A pop-up bookstore + FREE books from Young, Black & Lit!
⭐ Special appearance by local children’s author Karla Valenti!

This FREE community event is the perfect way for families to celebrate reading, creativity, and winter wonder! Bundle up the kiddos and come enjoy laughter, learning, and festive fun with us. ❄️💙

We can’t wait to see you there!

❄️ 🎉 📖☕ 🌟 🏡 🏙️ 🍪 📚 📖 🌱 📚 ✨