I have had the pleasure of knowing that my children were being well taken care of while I was…read moreworking for the past 6 years. Whether it was assisting with online classroom during the early months of Covid when the children couldn't go to school or during the summer months when school was not in session. This provider has been consistent in maintaining a high standard of guidance and care, steering them in a positive direction by encouraging self-expression, honesty, healthy social interaction with peers and adults. I felt relaxed and confident knowing that they were there for my children. It is a testament to the care provided when children want to return to the provider and when they are able to verbalize what they did during the day and what they are looking forward to doing in upcoming days. My children were always supported and came home to me energized and eager to learn or talk about something new. And yes, there were a few times that I received a phone call regarding an inappropriate behavior. This too was handled in a professional manner with a learning curve, allowing the children to self-report to me telling me what occurred and why it should not have happened and what they thought should occur now to prevent any repeats. I now have a 6th grader, 5th grader and 3rd grader with an enhanced trajectory of how to get along and "play nice with others." Afterall, everything you learn in kindergarten is sufficient for life, if well instructed. Thank You Sweet Tarts/Sweethearts you are greatly valued and needed in our community. L.O.

From the owner: We offer our parents a sense of security knowing that their children are learning in a creative…read moreenvironment.

Our family had five children attend Forest Bluff School over the course of seven years…read more Unfortunately, our experience there was not a positive one and caused our children a lot of unnecessary hardship. The school presents itself as a place where every child can thrive. In reality, Forest Bluff School only caters to children who are typical learners, very compliant, and medium to low energy. Forest Bluff does not hesitate to kick kids out of the school if they don't fit the mold. For our children who learned differently, especially one of our sons with a learning disability, the school not only failed to meet his needs but actively dismissed them. The head of school would often state, "We don't do dyslexia." When we advocated for accommodations to support our son, we were treated poorly. The administration threatened to kick all our children out of the school if we continued to speak about the issues/advocate for our son. Rather than working with families, the school requires parents to trust blindly. Twice a year, students bring work home. Other than that, there is no communication on how your child is doing academically. They do not perform any formal reading assessments or monitoring. As a Montessori school, we expected an environment that valued individual differences, freedom to explore, and curiosity. Instead, their approach was rigid and limiting. The children were rarely given free playtime outside and often never went outside at all. The school claimed they didn't want to "interrupt" their concentration by going outside. Forest Bluff School values strict routines over allowing children to move their bodies. They claim they get exercise inside the classroom because they move around and carry different work. My children (especially my 3 boys) did not have their physical needs met and felt so relieved when we switched to a more progressive Montessori school that allows kids free time outside. Leaving the school was the best choice for our children's well-being, mental health, and academic success. Forest Bluff may work well for certain children, but if your child is high-energy, learns differently, or needs a more flexible and supportive environment, I would strongly caution you to look elsewhere. Forest Bluff School caused my children a lot of anxiety, stress, and academic deficits that needed to be addressed after we left. I whole heartedly regret sending them there at all. My suggestion for all parents considering Forest Bluff School is to take a tour, ask a lot of questions, look closely at the students, access whether you see joy in their learning, and then listen to your gut. I wish I had.

As part of my Montessori training, I have observed in Forest Bluff classrooms extensively at almost…read moreevery age level and have been deeply impressed by the consistent authenticity and care, both of the students and the environment. It is increasingly common to find hybrid Montessori programs that include random popular pedagogical trends or succumb to external pressures, but not Forest Bluff. Forest Bluff is a special place, thanks to the dedicated staff who love what they do and exude respect for both their students and one another. Indeed, much of what seems to make Forest Bluff so special is the diligent pursuit of its noble, explicit mission. Within the Montessori community, both AMS & AMI, Forest Bluff remains an increasingly rare example of quality, authentic Montessori. It is the kind of school I wish I could have attended myself and to which I wish I could have sent my daughters.

This is both a child care center and a coordinating facility for a network of home-based providers…read more The facility looks very clean, and the staff were friendly. I did not use the facility, though because came here to coordinate the payment of my home provider when I was a teen mom. They had a program to subsidize care, which I really appreciated when I was finishing high school.

Gurnee Christian Preschool is amazing. I highly recommend this child friendly environment and…read morelearning center. My daughter is in her second year and she has learned so much academically and about the bible. We heard about this prescchool from my brother as his children had previously attended. We definitely made the right choice sending our child here. The staff are wonderful to work with and have an obvious love for children. We are thrilled that our daughter can learn about God and at the same time learn what she needs prior to kindergarten. What a blessing. We are very thankful for this school.

From the owner: We are an academic preschool providing little ones an age-appropriate developmental…read morecurriculum-based education. Children are given many opportunities to explore through teacher directed hands-on activities and self-initiated play in learning centers. Good, positive moral values are reinforced through a rich and meaningful curriculum. Christian values are also an important component of our program with daily devotion times and weekly chapel. Tours to prospective parents are available on Tu., We., and Thur. each week. Please contact us first to schedule a tour of our facility.

A school for children by which all other schools should be measured…read more Their communication is stellar; overwhelming in a good way, in fact. My wife and I are seriously impressed with just how well the Head of School, Joy Hurd, and all of the school staff come together to operate this gem, in a seemingly effortless manner. A special thanks to: Alex Sheridan - Director of Enrollment, Marketing, and Financial Aid for making our family feel so welcome, Sara Walsh - Director of Early Childhood and Assistant Head of Lower School, also for making us feel right at home, and Sue Burmeister - 1st Step Teacher who keeps my little girl's imagination engaged every day she's in attendance, while keeping her first-time experiences varied. The environment is quiet, peaceful even. Think of LFCDS as an ivy-league university campus, not a traditional school. Cleanliness and organization aside, this school epitomizes our lifestyle choice as a family. My first born is currently enrolled in the 1st Step + Bridge program, and we look forward to registering her little sister here as well, as soon as she's of age. Thank you LFCDS for all that you do for our family!

I spent the first year at the school being amazed and a little unnerved at its excellence and how…read morenice and supportive everyone is. I simply couldn't believe a school like this existed. We came from the public school system and will never go back. Several teachers have over 30 years of experience and all the staff are highly skilled. The school has a strong reputation, plenty of resources and good parent engagement. My children get a kick out of wearing their fancy uniforms every so often. I am always amazed when my young children whip out their homework and do it on their own without me reminding them. I am impressed by how well behaved and respectful the students are in general. A great plus for me is that they let kids be kids in the younger classrooms ( pre-k to 4th grade ) and do not contaminate this special time with idealistic, controversial concepts adults have dreamt up. If you want your child to have a childhood, grow to be a resilient, driven and self motivated individual then send your kids here. The money is worth it!

We feel so fortunate to have found the little blue school! We moved from out of state and were…read moreseeking a warm, inclusive community for our family. Our oldest has thrived at RNS and loves engaging in daily outdoor play and environmental explorations. The teachers are deeply invested in the social and emotional development of each child. Learning is hands-on, inquiry-based, and so joy filled. Our oldest counts the number of sleeps left to return to school on weekends and vacations, and our youngest can't wait to join next year. We are very grateful to be a part of such a nurturing and grounded community.

We have absolutely loved the last three years at Ravinia Nursery School. My son has made so many…read morefriends and I know he will be amply prepared for starting kindergarten next fall. My younger son just started and is already doing great! The teachers are incredible - warm, engaging, and so committed to providing a quality preschool education. I can't say enough about how positive our experience has been.

I wouldn't say it's the WORST day care but I definitely was not thrilled and had MANY issues. Where…read moredo I start, my son started at 7m old and on his first day he came home with a busted chin which they said he "fell on a book" okay whatever I understand things happen but their story was fishy. So fast forward to a few months in , my son would be SCREAMING every time I picked him up, one time I came in and the teacher was shaking (trying to rock) his crib and he was screaming bloody murder.. I came early that day to pick him up so they didn't expect me (they do have an open door policy) well, when I walked in I asked what was wrong and she said he had woke up a little bit ago and told me there was a fresh bottle ready for him on the counter ... So you mean to say he woke up and you made a bottle but you're just sitting here while he screams ? No pacifier ? No picking him up? Comforting? Nothing ? Okay. & she wasn't busy doing anything... fast forward to the winter, my son was getting sick pretty often which is expected with daycare, well they take them outside unless it's 25 below outside so I sent a snowsuit and snow gear for him & one day noticed they didn't even look like they've been touched, so I nicely asked if they've been using them and they said yeah of course. So the next day I twisted the straps on the hook that way I could tell if they were moved so when I picked him up I looked and they WERENT moved , so I asked if they used them and sure enough she said yeah... I was mind blown... I didn't say anything that day well the next day it was SUPER cold and once again they hadn't moved for DAYS!!! I was fed up I came in got all his belongings and moved Daycare's ... these are just SOME of my complaints... I do not recommend this daycare. Let me not forget it reeked like weed inside the doorway one day also... smh . NO GOOD. Staff is rude & it isn't the cleanest,