Parenting Networks and Resources
Northwestern is pleased to offer a wide range of resources for parents and families, made possible through partnerships with community organizations.
City of Chicago resources for parents and families
Family enrichment, learning & activities
- Neighborhood Parents' Network - Connecting Chicago Parents
Neighborhood Parents Network is a non-profit 501(c)3 that connects a diverse community of families with the resources they need to navigate parenting in the city. Expectant, new and seasoned parents come to NPN to find what they need to tackle the everyday challenges of being a Chicago parent. Whether online or in person, NPN makes it easy to find support, must-have information and amazing city events. NPN has been connecting Chicago parents for more than 36 years! NPN is pleased to offer a discount $15 discount of their $55 annual membership fee to Northwestern faculty, staff, post-docs and graduate students. Learn more about NPN's Northwestern discount. - Chicago Parent
Chicago Parent is a monthly parenting magazine, that has been bringing news, events, and articles on a wide range of parenting topics to Chicago parents for over 25 years. Special features include the Going Places family guide (Fall, Spring and Summer), twice-annual Chicago Special Parent and our newest endeavor, Hey Baby, the essential guide for expectant and new parents, also available twice a year.
Evanston and suburban resources for parents and families
Childcare & child development resources
- Childcare Network of Evanston
Since 1967, CNE has served the community of Evanston by creating awareness about the importance of early childhood education and by advocating for the youngest members of our communities. And like the families they serve, CNE continues to grow. - Family Child Care Connections of Evanston
Family Child Care Connections is a unique infant and toddler program consisting of experienced Family Childcare Providers licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and contracted the Child Care Center of Evanston. Our family childcare homes are located in Evanston and Skokie and serve families living or working in and around Chicago, Evanston, Skokie and other neighboring communities. - The Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood
The Alliance for Early Childhood is a community collaboration organization that promotes the healthy growth and development of children from birth to age eight (or 3rd grade) by providing resources, programs, and support for the parents and professionals who teach and care for them.
Family enrichment, learning & activities
- Family Action Network (FAN)
The Family Action Network (FAN) is a 501(c)(3) organization that curates a free, high-quality human development speaker series each academic year. All programs are free and open to the public. - Evanston Public Library Kids Calendar
Community events for children and families in Evanston, coordinated by the Evanston Public Library. - Gather - an Urban Retreat
Gather's mission is to build a community of support for individuals and families by providing the space, materials and programs for life-long creative learning, and individual and family wellness. Efforts focus on increasing access to opportunities for personal growth and fellowship, and inspiring positive change in the community by offering affordable, fun and meaningful events in a mindful urban retreat. - Kindermusik at Northwestern
Many children are first introduced to music at Northwestern in lively Kindermusik classes, where they explore music through moving, singing, and playing instruments. A rich variety of activities promotes music and language development, symbolic thinking, coordination, and social interaction. Age-appropriate sequential classes are offered for children from birth through age seven. - The Parent Circle
The Parent Circle is a non-profit social support organization that has been bringing together families in Evanston and the surrounding area since 1974, through connecting families for playgroups, events, learning opportunities and more.
National resources for parents and families
Childcare & child development resources
- Childcare Aware
A project of the Office of Child Care, Childcare Aware helps families learn more about the elements of quality child care and how to locate programs in their communities. - National Association for the Education for Young Children (NAEYC)
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. - Zero to Three: National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families
Founded in 1977 by leading researchers and clinicians in diverse disciplines focused on child development, ZERO TO THREE works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development.