On any given school day at Evanston Township High School, between passing periods and packed hallways, a much smaller and quieter community is at work. Just beyond the classrooms, inside the Wildkit Child Care Center, students aren’t just learning,  they’re teaching.

In a school of thousands, the center creates a rare kind of connection. High school students step into leadership roles, staff members balance work and family just steps apart, and young children begin learning in an environment surrounded by mentors of all ages. For many, the Child Care Center isn’t just a convenience, it’s a meaningful part of daily life.

The center supports teachers with young children who cannot travel between locations during the school day, while also providing hands-on experience for students in Child Development classes. At the same time, it gives young children a structured space to socialize, explore, and build essential life skills.

The program has been part of ETHS since the 1960s, growing from a two-hour program into a full-time center focused on creativity, as well as cognitive and social development.

For Child Development teacher Claudia Buckley, the center serves as an extension of the classroom.

“It depends on the course,” Buckley said. “Introduction to Child Development students teach five-minute mini-lessons and spend one quarter in the center for 30 minutes weekly.”

As students continue into Advanced Child Development, their role becomes more immersive.

“They are there twice a week for 50 minutes,” Buckley said. “They conduct assessments, hold parent-teacher conferences, and teach more in-depth lessons while rotating roles like teacher, observer, assistant, and planner.”

Through this experience, students begin to develop skills that go far beyond academics.

“Teamwork, communication with parents and Little Kits, lesson planning, observation, and guidance techniques,” Buckley said.

But for many students, the most surprising part isn’t what they learn, it’s how they are perceived.

“The Little Kits see them as real teachers and listen to them,” Buckley said.

As the program has evolved, so has its identity.

“We are trying to move away from the term ‘daycare’ and instead use ‘Child Care Center,’ and we refer to the preschoolers as ‘Little Kits,’” Buckley said.

That shift reflects a broader purpose, one that extends beyond childcare.

“There is a special relationship between the high school students and the Little Kits,” she said. “Students gain hands-on experience, and the Little Kits love the energy and attention.”

For some staff members, that connection becomes deeply personal. Erika Seaver, a sign language teacher, enrolled her children in the center more than a decade ago. Today, one is a high school junior and the other a college freshman.

“It was more affordable than other options, and it was easy to bring my kids to work instead of making another stop in the morning,” Seaver said.

While the 4:30 p.m. pickup time could be challenging, she said the benefits far outweighed the inconvenience.

“My son met his best friend at the Child Care Center,” Seaver said. “They’ve been inseparable since they were 3. It also made starting high school less intimidating because it already felt familiar.”

That sense of familiarity and connection continues for staff today.

“It is a huge advantage to have your child in the building with you,” said teacher Amy Gonzalez. “Even though we are at opposite ends of the building during the day, being able to drop my son off and get where I need to be in the morning is great.”

Gonzalez said the environment of the center plays a major role in its impact.

“They are a very kind and loving group of individuals who do a wonderful job with the children,” she said. “They provide fun activities along with a great deal of learning and exploration.”

From lessons on weather to Black History Month and even units on insects, the center blends education with play.

“They create an environment where children learn routine, structure, and responsibility through play-based activities,” Gonzalez said.

The program also fosters relationships beyond the classroom.

“Attending birthday parties and having playdates outside of school has definitely created closer bonds with the families of the other children,” Gonzalez said.

She added that interactions with high school students help younger children feel more comfortable in a larger school environment.

“Seeing high schoolers can be intimidating,” she said. “This allows them to meet the students and feel more comfortable.”

Communication remains a key part of the experience for families.

“There is a weekly newsletter that helps us keep up with what our children are doing,” Gonzalez said. “We can continue those conversations at home.”

Beyond Child Development classes, the center is also integrated into other areas of learning. Child Psychology teacher Melodie Keating said her students use the space to connect classroom concepts to real-life situations.

“Child Psychology students are given the opportunity to connect what we discuss in class to real-life examples,” Keating said.

Students not only observe but actively guide children through everyday challenges.

“Modeling and guiding behavior is a big lesson,” she said. “Students must remain calm and help the Little Kits work through challenges.”

Before entering the center, students are taught how to interact effectively with children.

“They practice techniques like speaking at eye level, using a calm voice, redirecting, and giving choices,” Keating said.

For many students, the experience becomes a turning point.

“Observing and interacting with children is great practice for those interested in careers like education, healthcare, or social work,” Keating said.

She added that the experience helps students build confidence and think about their futures more clearly.

“This hands-on experience allows students to explore career interests, build confidence, and make more informed decisions,” she said.

As the center continues to evolve, new leadership is shaping its next chapter. Jaden Janzen, the Child Care Center coordinator, stepped in after longtime director Ms. Fuller retired. Janzen is focused on strengthening the connection between students, staff, and the Little Kits while expanding opportunities for learning and engagement.

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In a school often defined by its size, the Wildkit Child Care Center stands out for the opposite reason. It creates a small, connected community within a much larger one, where students teach, children learn, and relationships form across generations.

And in the middle of a busy high school day, that kind of connection is something that doesn’t go unnoticed.