Schools near Highland Park, IL

“I’ve been taking my grandchildren here for over 6/7 :) years and cannot say enough good things! The staff is incredible—caring, positive role models who truly love what they do. The creative play, early learning activities, and kindergarten preparation are exceptional.”

“This is undoubtedly the best daycare and early learning center in the Buffalo Grove area. We looked at other centers before enrolling our daughter here. From the very first interaction, we knew that we are at the right place. Mr. Nitin and Ms. Liza manage thie school with utmost professionalism and love, and are always there for any questions or concerns. All the staff have smile on their face and greet all kids and parents with warmth.
We would like to especially thank Ms. Vidya and Ms. Karina (pre-K1 teachers) for their love and care throughout the year. Special shout out to Ms. Liza for giving her personal attention to every minute detail and making the environment so comfortable and cozy. The pre-K graduation ceremony was icing on the cake. Our sincere gratitude and best wishes to the Goddard School of Buffalo Grove. :)”

“Ever since my husband and I brought our son here we’ve been so happy with the environment and experience! Everyone is so welcoming and always supportive. His teachers and everyone else is amazing and helpful when needed! We are beyond grateful to the amazing teachers, caring staff, supportive administrators, and dedication owners. The Goddard School of Deerfield truly feels like a second family to us, and we couldn’t recommend it more highly.”

“My daughter loves TLE! She started in the toddler class with Miss Victoria and Miss Jennifer, and they’ve both been wonderful! I was a little worried at first that she might cry or have a hard time adjusting to daycare, but she was having fun within a week. The staff is super friendly, and the classrooms are always clean and bright. I also like that they have two separate yards for different age groups. They do so many activities to keep the kids busy and entertained all day. Since starting, I’ve noticed my daughter has learned so much. Plus, they send updates and pictures all day through their app, which I really appreciate! I’m really happy with TLE and would definitely recommend it!

UPDATE: My daughter is almost 3, and she still loves TLE! Miss Jihan and Miss Arianna are amazing teachers for the Twaddlers class, and I can’t thank them enough for how caring and attentive they are. It’s such a great feeling knowing your child is happy and having a wonderful time while you’re at work every day.

All of the teachers are incredibly kind and caring, and the school is always organizing fun events and activities for the kids. Ms. Angela and Ms. Pavi are especially creative and fun, and you can really tell how much effort they put into making the experience special for the children. Thanks TLE!”

“We absolutely love everyone at Dreamers! The owners, staff and teachers are loving, happy and truly care about the children. My daughter has attended Dreamers for the past year and a half, where she continues to thrive.
I feel at ease knowing that my daughter is in the best hands while I am at work. Dreamers is a second home for my daughter. She is excited when I drop her off in the morning and comes home calm and tells me who she played with that day. The Dreamers teachers send home a daily report for the younger children, which is a very helpful communication tool. The director is in contact with families regularly and sends the weekly lessons and menu. The food is prepared by their own chef.
My daughter is learning important skills like sharing, good manners, letter sounds, building, eating healthy and so much more! I look forward to being with Dreamers for more years to come. I highly recommend Dreamers to anyone looking for quality child care.”

“We switched over after a horrible experience at another daycare and my son was so nervous (rightfully so) but his teachers and everyone was so supportive and patient with the transition. Now 1 year later and he still loves going and has blossomed completely. So grateful to this center!”

“We love Poko Loko! Our kids are healthy, happy, and learning. The facility is amazing- the indoor gym means active kids can run around all year long. The curriculum keeps our kids engaged. The faculty genuinely care about each child and their development. It's been a wonderful place for our family.”

“Really happy with our experience here. The teachers are kind, patient, and communicative, and my daughter loves going. It’s clear the staff genuinely cares about the kids. Highly recommend.”

“Kiddie Academy Mount Prospect has been a great place for our little one to learn and grow various skills with an incredibly caring and engaging team! Highly recommend.”

“We couldn’t recommend Northminster Nursery School enough! My son began here in the Blue room this year and everything about his experience has been outstanding. Teachers and staff are so welcoming and genuinely love the work that they do. Classrooms are beautiful and spacious and the newly renovated outdoor playground is such a wonderful bonus. We take part in the Extended Day program which allows him a little more time away from home each day and it’s been a huge success for him so far. There are so many events for parents and families to get to know each other and the sense of community is lovely. We can’t wait for our daughter to begin in the Green room next fall! As a former early childhood educator myself, I can’t say enough good things about this school.”

“A Mother's Touch is the Chicago NW Suburbs Lottery of daycare. I could not be more impressed, more comfortable, and more pleased with the teachers at this institution!! Turnover is low, which to me matters more than anything else. Their communication is top-notch. They treat every kid like they are special and loved. They share concerns in person and send photos and videos of support throughout each day And they are cheaper than a-ny-where close by. And let me tell you, I have done my research. Currently sending my 3 y/o and 8-month-old and this is the only place I think I could manage the cost. This place is the gold standard for what a daycare should be- full of love, laughter, and an impressive degree of patience. TEAM AMT FOR NOW AND FOREVER!”

“I could never thank these ladies for all of their love towards my children. We have known Mrs. Gotter and Miss Patty as well as Miss Angie for over 13 years now . All my 4 children went to CBB, all of them absolutely love this place and most of all they love their educators. The activities are great, the food is great, these ladies love what they do and it shows! I am forever grateful for all of their hard work and dedication. I strongly recommend CBB for all your child care needs, camps, daycare schedules, before and after school care. Your children are going to be taken care of and they are going to thrive at CBB!!!”

“This is a wonderfully welcoming, safe, and imaginative environment where your children can thrive and develop. It's truly the ideal place for them to grow and explore their potential.”

“My child had a great time at The Gardner School - Lincolnshire. The staff members and teachers are always welcome and friendly. The teachers in each classroom are very responsible, and they care about the child health condition and academic development on a day-to-day basis. When we pick up our child, she always wants to stay longer at school. That tells me how comfortable she feels when she is at school interacting with her friends and teachers. The staff also pay a lot attention to details, especially the pronunciation of the child's name and their parents' names. We had opportunities to participate in the graduation ceremony and holiday parties this year and found it very eventful and well organized. I would recommend The Gardner School - Lincolnshire to friends who live nearby.”

“We have recently changed to BKSU after a less than great experience at a school in Deerfield.

After realizing that we needed to move our daughter, we contacted several schools. BKSU was very welcoming in setting up a tour for us. Upon meeting Tatiana and seeing the school, I was confident that we’d found a great placement. Tatiana has a very happy energy and is a strong and peaceful woman. We were glad to see that there is encouragement of potty training, letter recognition, writing etc. in short after just one month, I believe that she is true to her word to love kids and get them ready for kindergarten.

We are happy that the children eat real food and have lots of movement. Our daughter is very happy too.”

“If you are looking for a preschool in Evanston, your search can end here! SLC is the most wonderful school and we feel so fortunate to have found it. The teachers are incredibly nurturing and I am constantly amazed by their creativity. The admin team is super supportive and engaged. They have a variety of programs to accommodate every family’s schedule. My son has blossomed in his first year at SLC and we look forward to enrolling our kids for many years to come. We are so happy to be an SLC family!”

“I cannot say enough wonderful things about Mon Jardin. All three of our children attended for various lengths of time, starting in January of 2022.

In between Christmas and New Years 2021, I reached out to Mon Jardin, sight unseen, on the recommendation of a fellow mom in a local mom's group, because we had an urgent and unexpected need for childcare for three children, aged 2, 3, and 4. Although the center was on their winter break, Sergey responded to our request and remained communicative to ensure that we were able to enroll and begin as soon as the center reopened in January.

The care and instruction our children have received while at Mon Jardin is so unparalleled, we continued to commute them from Wadsworth when we moved in 2023. The staff is exceptional and well trained to handle any situation. The curriculum is robust, my older children who have already moved on to elementary school excelled in Kindergarten and beyond. Our youngest, who misses the deadline to start kindergarten, was so far advanced we were able to have him evaluated for early kindergarten entry to our school district.

The staff is friendly and welcoming, willing to listen and collaborate with parents. They use a parent communication app to relay meals, toilet/diapers, naps, etc. The kids receive home-cooked meals and snacks, and always come home with vibrant projects as well as age-appropriate academic worksheets.

We've never had any issues with drop off or pick up, always received a phone call when something arose (ie, my son tripping and bumping his head,) and are always quick to respond to communications.

I would without hesitation recommend Mon Jardin to anyone who is looking for childcare/preschool.

Thank you, Sergey, Ms. Stephanie, Ms. Nandini, and everyone at Mon Jardin!”

“My baby started daycare at 6 months, and we learned something new about her: she is incredibly strong-willed.

She was the baby who would go 7 hours without sleeping or drinking milk. No tears, minor fussing, just playing, observing, or chilling all day long.

She is now 8 months old. And I have to say, I am grateful for the team in her classroom. They have worked with my family, with compassion and care, advising and aiding all along this journey.

My baby is well taken care of, well loved, and happy in her class. She still doesn't nap and doesn't take milk well so she's basically there half-day (my fault, I wanted to gently work on this and I have flexibility at work to accommodate this), but she smiles, she sits and eats, she socializes.

Is it pricey to send her there for half a day? Absolutely. Do I wish there was a half day tuition option in the interim? Definitely. Yet, I still think it's worth every penny to ensure she has the best care that she is certainly receiving right now.”

“My boyfriend and I recently attended an etiquette class with Sarah, and it was truly an exceptional experience from start to finish!! The lesson was not only informative but also incredibly engaging and relevant to real-life situations.

What we appreciated most was how she made us feel comfortable while still emphasizing the importance of grace, respect, and kindness in the way you treat yourself and others. The session was thoughtfully designed--covering everything from dining etiquette and social interactions to proper poise.

The class didn't just teach rules; it inspired genuine confidence in how to present yourself thoughtfully in any setting. We left feeling more self-assured, polished, and prepared for both personal and professional interactions. Not too much to my surprise--but maybe a bit to his--on the drive home boyfriend told me how much he really enjoyed it and had fun!

We highly recommend this class to anyone looking to refine their social skills, boost their confidence, or simply learn the timeless art of courtesy. It's a true investment in yourself that pays off in every area of life.”

“We’ve had such a great experience with this daycare for both of our kids. I honestly can’t say enough good things about the staff and program. The teachers are incredibly caring, patient, and attentive, and you can genuinely tell they care about the kids and their development.

One thing we especially appreciate is how education-focused the daycare is. Our kids are constantly learning new things while still having fun and feeling supported. The communication with parents has also been great, and it gives us a lot of confidence knowing our kids are in such a positive and nurturing environment every day.

We’re very thankful to have found this place and would highly recommend it to other families.”

“My family has had an amazing experience with NCNS! Our first son is a recent graduate of NCNS, and our second son is now in his first year in the Duckling program! School has been great for my kid's development, and my wife and I have made some great friends in the community through NCNS. We moved to Northbrook a few years back and did not really know anybody, and NCNS was also a great first step for us in getting to know other young families in the area.”

“Wonderful little school for the past 3+ years. Our kids started here when they were 3 years old, knowing no French. Within two years they were fluent. The teachers are amazing. The kids are able to learn at their own pace, without growing bored or frustrated by moving too slow or too fast in the subject matter. Being closely involved with students of different ages has encouraged independence and confidence, and has taught them how to help and patiently play with younger kids plus be at ease with older kids. We are very happy to have found La Petite École de Chicago for our family- it is the perfect fit for us!”

“Our family loves Covenant! My daughter has been going for almost 2 years now, and I can't imagine a better place for her. The teachers and staff are incredibly nurturing, warm, and developmentally-attuned. They meet children where they are, and offer the right kind of scaffolding and challenges to help them grow. I've seen my slow-to-warm little one blossom beautifully and I am so grateful to have this wonderful place right in our neighborhood. As a professional in early childhood mental health, play-based learning was very important to me, and Covenant excels at this, paired with a focus on nature. The outdoor playscape is amazing, and there are two big play areas indoors besides the classrooms. We love that we can walk to school, but the big parking lot is a plus too!”

“I don’t drop my son off at daycare; he’s with his Christian Beginnings family all day. That is what everyone at the school feels like. Every teacher and administrator knows my son, me, and our entire family. It’s because they care and are happy to be at work everyday. They have a high standard for how they treat people and that serves as the foundation for teaching the kids how to do right and be right in the world. That’s the most important thing a preschooler needs to learn.

They emphasize social development with a play-based approach and boy do they deliver. The 5 year olds don’t recite the ABCs backwards while tying their own shoes, sure, but when I hosted a birthday party for my son with all his CB friends, the party helper said it was the best behaved room of kids he had ever seen. The kids are all kind, patient, and happy. It’s not a coincidence. It’s their teachers.

They don’t have a fancy app for sharing updates, reporting absences, and checking the kids in and out. Nope, I get a 500 word email from the teacher everyday recounting their adventures and what they are learning. I have her phone number for emergencies. I see her everyday as I sign him in and out on a plain sheet of paper. Communication is better when it is not managed through an app you’ve never used before.

All the stuff I wrote about above is the important part, but it is hard to see this stuff on a tour. What you will more easily evaluate are concrete things like the facility and the food. The building is probably over 100 years old with stone walls and stained glass windows. My son thinks his school is Hogwarts. He tells everyone that it’s bigger than anyone else’s and ‘can you hear my bells?’ when the clock tower chimes. Guess what he has never once commented on? The food because preschoolers aren’t gourmands. They all love the lo mein and beef nacho day.

I wish this review and five stars could truly capture how much I love Christian Beginnings, but it never could. I’ll end with saying I trust them with more than my life—I trust them with my kid. Dropping him off every morning is the best review I can give.”

“There aren't enough words to describe how wonderful Little Ones has been for my son's first experience in school! The staff takes the time to get to know the students and are incredibly caring for them. Communication is top notch and I would highly recommend this school for all!”

“So thrilled to have this wonderful preschool just a block away. My kids are in their third and second year at the preschool and love every single day. I'm so impressed by the staff, their professionalism, expertise and drive to make this school such a special place for our children.”

“Wyspa Dzieci has been amazing for my 2-year-old son. From day one, he’s felt welcome and excited to go. The staff is super friendly and genuinely cares about the kids. They’ve created a space where he’s comfortable, and I can see him learning and having fun every day. The daily activities are always engaging, he’s always busy and happy. Definitely recommend this place!”

“We highly recommend this school. The environment is warm, safe, and supportive, and our child is happy to come every day. The staff is kind, patient, and truly invested in each child’s development.
Special appreciation to Director Macy and Yolanda for their dedication and professionalism.
Thank you to Ms. Carla, Ms. Areli, Ms. Marisela and Ms. Maribel for creating such a positive environment , for the hard work and care. We couldn’t be happier!”

“Great IV therapy course. Ana is an excellent instructor. I recommend this course to any RN or nursing student who wants to specialize in infusion, vascular access, oncology or to gain and improve IV placement and CVC management skills.”