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!

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!

My granddaughter went to TLC and it changed her life the teachers are phenomenal. The teachers…read moreaides are angels They care and go above and beyond to make everyone prosper

This is one of the best preschools in the area. The class sizes are smaller and they offer…read moredifferent age groups. Plus it's a good first step into school and learning because the class time is shorter. They are a faith based preschool but they inclusive and it's more traditional education.

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!

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.

The Learning Tree is a great place, it's close, teachers are friendly and accommodating, and my kid…read moreenjoys every second. My kids development is also as important and I can tell she's learning so much. I highly recommend this place if you have a new child or conflicted on choices.

We love The Learning Tree! My littles have had the pleasure of moving up through 6 different rooms…read moreas they have grown and ALL of the teachers have been so wonderful. I love the car ride home, because I get to hear about all of the fun that they had with their friends and the joy they get from learning here! :)

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.

I'm enjoying an extended visit to the area and was gifted a short term membership to use the…read morefitness center here. The staff is super friendly, it's never crowded and they have all the weights and equipment I need. If you need a break take few minutes to watch the pee wees play basketball. It's a nice excuse to get out of the house. Come to think of it, maybe that's why they got it for me, to get me out of the house.

Huntley Park District has a lot to offer. We came upon one of the parks as we were on the way to…read morethe cider mill. The park was clean and had a nice short walking path. There was plenty of parking with places to sit and just relax. Duck and goose migration flying overhead was neat to see this time of year.