My family is very grateful to have found this place, especially after our current daycare gave us…read moreonly a 2-week notice that they were closing their doors for good. Little Minds is a hidden gem conveniently located near the Crystal Lake/Pingree Road Metra stop. Only having been open for a few months, the place is clean, spacious, and welcoming all throughout. The teachers are nurturing, knowledgeable and accommodating (except for one elderly woman who is cold and never greets my family - thankfully NOT in my son's classroom) to my 2-year-old's mood changing needs. The director has been very flexible with our family when we decided to change our schedule. My husband and I like that there is an indoor play area (i.e., slides, ride on toys, etc.) for those extreme weather days. I also like how one of the teachers incorporates a baking/cooking lesson daily with the students. The only TEMPORARY downside is, because this daycare is new, the enrollment is low. My family has very HIGH hopes that Little Minds will grow in the next few months with more exposure. We literally pass a "big shot" daycare, that is 5 minutes from our home, to get here, and you couldn't pay our family to go to that one! If you are in search for a new daycare in the Crystal Lake and surrounding area, come check this place out!

Putting your child in daycare is stressful, especially at 6 weeks old! After looking at all my…read moreoptions in McHenry county, I found Little Minds in Crystal Lake. I went in and met Nicole while I was still pregnant. I took a tour of the center and it was awesome. Everything was so clean and new! They also have cameras in each room which was reassuring. My son started there right at 6 weeks old and always comes home happy. I peek in on him during the day and he is always being tended to. I would highly recommend this daycare center to anyone in the area looking. It's also better priced than most!

I was nervous sending my daughter to school during the pandemic but I am so glad I did. She has…read moredeveloped so much socially and academically at First Church. The teachers are great and so is the director.

We are new to FCP this year and have truly been blown away by the teachers, staff, and community…read more Everything runs smoothly from drop off to pick up and we love to see the mutual joy on everyone's face after a day well spent together. Communication with teachers is thorough and we enjoy the classroom updates on the school app. We are impressed by the thought and creativity that goes into not only the classroom activities but the optional enrichment offering as well. We have two children enrolled currently and we are excited for our youngest to start in the coming years.

We have been a Tbubderbird family for years! Uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews have attended! My…read moreown children started attending at the age of 2 and went for 3 years! The teachers are so caring and my children loved going there! I would highly recommend this school!

Our family couldn't speak more highly of Thunderbird! We truly love being part of the Thunderbird…read morefamily. Our oldest son did two years at Thundbird, once kindergarten time came we couldn't believe how far our little guy had come! Thank you Thunderbird! We are excited for our youngest son to have the same experience now!

Posting this because if this was my child I would want to know…read more On 2/7/24 at 8:30 I dropped off my girls at daycare around 8:30 am. It was breakfast time. The teachers in my daughter charrlottes room were Paige and Barb. These were the series of questions I asked them. 1. Do you know where charrlottes water bottle is? "I don't know, it's probably in the kitchen being washed" I went to the kitchen and was able to locate her water bottle. When I came back to the class room I Filled it with water and gave it to her. My daughter was sitting down at the table with 12 other 2 year olds. Total 13 kids. 9 of those 13 kids were served food. The other 4 (including my daughter) were not. They were all hungry the kids that had food wanted more and the kids that didn't have food wanted food. The teachers kept telling them to use their manners but I didn't understand why. Kids were so hungry they were licking their plate and the applesauce off the table. One child was even eating applesauce with her fingers because they didn't or "forgot" to give her a spoon. 2. I asked something along the lines, are you going to feed the other kids? "We are waiting for more plates, we called the kitchen and the front no one answered." I got up went to the kitchen and grabbed plates so our kids could eat. Please note Paige said, "thank you, you should be hired" 3. Is that all the food they get? "Yes, said Barb" 4. Are you going to give them something to drink? "We are working on it." The kids finished their food before they were given a drink. 5. Are you going to put cream cheese on their bagel? (I could see the cream cheese sitting on the table) "Paige said they were waiting on a knife" "No, I don't put cream cheese because they will just eat the cream cheese and not eat the bagel, said barb" I was by the table squatting down by Charrlotte and I got up to go by the cream cheese and asked 6. Can you put cream cheese on my daughter's bagel? That's when Barb told me I need to leave now. I walked out and went to the front to get someone. I was very upset. I tried to get Jill but she was busy getting kids on the bus. I tried to get Stacy but she was talking to a parent. Then I saw Ed the owner walk through the door and told him I needed him in suite 650. He said I don't know who you are. I told him I'm Charrlotte and calis mom. His response was, "okay I don't need to go in there is this is not the right place for you, you can leave on Friday, okay, I know your notes, we're doing everything we can, so you can leave on Friday, if this is not the right place for you." I said it's how your teachers are handling things in there. He said "I'm sure you let Stacy know" I said no I didn't. This just all happened right now. They just told me to get out of the classroom. What are they doing wrong? ed said. I started to tell him, told him I grabbed plates and he told me to stay out of the kitchen and that I'm over reacting. He told me again I can leave Friday I told him I was leaving today and took my kids. As a parent we have a right to ask questions. It's too bad Barb didn't like my questions, her responses were unacceptable to me and I was the voice today for all those kiddos that weren't served breakfast properly according to DCFS licensing standards. A report has been made. Ed has proven to me that he can care less about any parents concerns and his attitude is if you don't like it you can leave. I've sent numerous emails including Ed and not once has he replied or chimed in. He hides behind Cheryl and Stacey. He was not compassionate and very dismissive. And that is the reason I pulled my kids. He is the face of the center and how he handled my concern for the kids in his center went ignored.

I understand that people have their own opinions of different establishments, and people have their…read moreown standards on what they expect or how they or their children should be treated at those establishments. With that being said, the previous reviewer really got under my skin. 1st of all, children are getting dropped off at different times of the morning, food is being served as quickly as possibly. ( No I do not work here) I have Nieces and Nephews that attend here. I have dropped off and picked up. Kids are kids, what child hasn't licked off food off a table or a floor, or a couch, or wherever, yes you get my drift. 2nd of all, parents do not belong in classrooms, telling the teaching how to do their jobs. Do you know the other children? Do you know their habits? Maybe the child was just fed, maybe the child is on a special medication, you don't know. 3rd, DCFS has ranked this center very high, Cheryl runs the day care with precision. 4th, Ed is the owner, he has Cheryl, Stacey and Jill to run the facility for him. You go through the chain of command. Cheryl is properly trained and educated for this position. When you have an issue with Walmart do you go straight to Waltons and complain? No, they have people in place for that. I love all the activities the Director puts together for the kids and staff. It really is a great place to watch your little ones learn and play. People need to make their own judgement and its ok if a facility is not right for their family. If I saw something I didn't like going on with my nieces and nephews, then I would speak up, and its ok if I felt it wasn't the right fit. Please do you research before making a judgement call, find the right fit for you and your child.

Director Becky has empowered a very disturbed volunteer who destroyed many people's lives and who…read morehas very passive aggressive tendencies towards the kids as soon as she is left alone. Becky is apparently a fine teacher but a very poor judge of character and abandoned her husband when he developed bipolar symptoms from trauma. We need younger more aware teachers. I'm told Becky had a fine career and it's time for her to step down. For now I'd take my children elsewhere. Also St Paul's has many internal problems and severe allegations have been raised which we know have merit. it is not a coincidence that couples like ours have left and that a new Pastor still has not accepted coming on board. There are many fine pre-schools in downtown Crystal Lake. At this point I believe St Paul's should liquidate assets, sell the building and avoid prosecution. For decades the church has always been in-grown and a family affair. ST

I can't say enough kind words for St. Paul's Christian Preschool. I was deliberately looking for a…read moreplay-based curriculum and a UCC affiliated school for my daughter, but the teachers and director here have exceeded my expectations and have reaffirmed my decision to have my daughter and son attend their programs. Thank you for working with my family and preparing my daughter so well for kindergarten.

Not LGBTQ family friendly. Had a truly upsetting experience here. Our kids were signed up for…read moresummer camp, maybe it's better during the school year.

My some did camp this summer with Barlina House and he had a wonderful experience! The teachers…read morewere great! Highly recommend them!!

Purple Moose is an exceptional early childhood experience for children and their families! Our son…read morecompleted the 2 year old preschool program and my husband and I (both educators) were blown away by the education and love provided! The communication from the directors and teachers was top notch and appreciated! We saw many pictures daily via the app used which led to great conversations with our son and a beautiful digital portfolio of his year! The lessons were themed, engaging, included multiple senses, child appropriate and child led, and a blend of inside and nature time! We loved seeing the cute projects coming home. The teachers truly loved the children and played with them and modeled play and learning. Such a fantastic learning environment and experience.

We were new to town and were referred to the Purple Moose by a co-worker of my husband. I keep…read morethanking them because we are so happy. My youngest, who just turned 3 started in January. I have 2 older children to compare their experiences with and let's just say that my 3rd is the luckiest of them all. Here is why I love it: 1. It is not a day care. I'm sorry day cares but you are different to no fault of yours. It's just a different environment and that shows. The kids act like they are going to "school". All arriving and departing at the same time. That for some reason creates an excitement. 2. It's old fasioned. I can't explain it but it's a good thing! 3. My child is learning so much! There is time for play as well but I'm amazed at how much he has learned in such a short time. I think it is the routine of it all. 4. My child is begging to go. I mean jumping up and down excited to go to school. This makes me want to jump up and down as well because I know that this is where the passion to learn starts!

We have been with Montessori Pathways for 8 years, and it's safe to say, this has been the greatest…read morechoice in education we've made as parents. The primary class (ages 3-6) is a great start to a lifelong love of learning. The children learn at their own pace, and choose to work on what they're interested in learning that particular day. Besides the wonderful classroom environment, the school provides field trip opportunities as well. Now the real star of the show is the Elementary classroom. The school has small classrooms so the children can experience so much more one-on-one time with their teacher (Mrs Bridget) and harbor a wonderful relationships that will last a lifetime. Each spring the class takes a trip to "Nature's Classroom" where the students stay in cabins, spend ALL DAY outside and get to choose their "breakout sessions" aka what they'd like to focus on that day. Every year, my child comes home and tells me he wishes he could go to Nature's Classroom all the time! Montessori Pathways is definitely molding wonderful young folks to be incredible adults. The staff, the classroom environment, the communication, and the community all make up our love for Pathways!

I am forever grateful for the early childhood experience for my children at Pathways. Not only did…read moremy kids thrive, but I learned so much about my kids individual development - I can honestly what I learned at Montessori Pathways as a parent made me a better mom

Would not recommend. The care was not acceptable in my opinion. Seemed to be short staffed and…read morelacked the cleanliness and patience.

This is the best daycare. As a mom of 1 baby, you know Id be super critical but Ive got nothing bad…read moreto say and although I NEVER write reviews, I love this place so much I feel compelled to write one. Ms. Gloria is like a 2nd Aunt to my son (Id use Grandmother for reference but she is so young in spirit, I feel Aunt is more appropriate). My kiddo sometimes has a tough time in the morning with separation anxiety and anytime he is upset, she jumps right in and holds his hand and sings with him until he is all better! You could not ask for a better care provider to watch over your precious little one in my opinion!

Looking for a gym, a pool, and other healthy amenities?…read more I've had a membership at 3 local gyms, which I won't name, but you know them. The cheap one doesn't have a pool or a shower. The other one has a shower, but there's too much traffic. The big one has a pool and is huge, but costs more than my monthly mortgage. This YMCA is all you need. It has great family rates, a small but decent gym, a pool, and many other amenities that we havent even used yet. This is the best bang for your buck. My son and I go to the gym between 5-6am and there's always plenty of machines and weights available. The front desk staff was friendly in setting us up and they always greet us with a warm welcome when we come in. We've only had the membership for a few weeks, so if something goes south, I'll update this rating, but for now... it's top notch!

if you have kids and want to use the pool at this location - do yourself a favor and don't…read more they have two pools but regular folks only get access to the small one and even then there is only about a 12x12 area that the kids are even allowed in. The lifeguards then laughably over-police the tiny space. (think Jim Carrey in SNL over-policing the hot tub) The basketball hoop set up makes no sense. Hoops mismatched and courts mis-aligned. Absolute waste of time to visit this location.