I wasn't sure I'd put my child in daycare...I always envisioned staying home for the first 5+…read moreyears. Now that I've realized what direction I want to go with my career in Education, I am thankful to have the Children's Center as an option! I've had my son in The Children's Center for a year and am SUPER happy with the center on a whole. I love the way they organize their day to include structured activities and free play...and of course, at the lower age rooms, students aren't forced to sit and focus. I also really appreciate the daily report I receive that includes how much they ate at snacks and lunch, when they were changed or went potty, and how long they napped. There is also space for additional notes, which is used frequently for many things needed. My son is highly sensitive and I have been impressed and comforted by the ways teachers have respected his needs and provided him the care necessary during certain times. I don't feel like he is ever forced to be anything other than who he is. The children have many opportunities to play outside or in a 'big room'. The individual rooms also have a number of stations and centers that are exploratory and creative. There are weekly walking trips taken to the library, a special music class option, pool day during the summer, and many events involving families. Every teacher has been welcoming, kind, and encouraging. My son's current teacher is AMAZING! She accepts the kids as they are, but also sets clear boundaries. This is very important to my husband and me. The previous review saddens me because the Children's Center has been only positive in my families' lives, as well as the lives of my colleagues and friends who have had their children in the center for years. I highly recommend The Children's Center! It provides a nurturing, cozy, welcoming, and accepting environment. Above all...it provides a high level of care and security to my son...which carries over into my life as well. Thank you!!

From the owner: The Children's Center is a non-denominational and not for profit day care center sponsored by the…read moreUnited First Methodist Church. We are conveniently located in downtown Urbana near Lincoln Square Village, Urbana library, and the MTD bus routes. Some of our specialties are to enhance sensory, cognitive, self-help, social, emotional and physical development, to encourage self-confidence and self-esteem, to promote self-expression through language and dramatic play, and more. We accept children between 15 months and 5 years. Call us to set an appointment to visit.

Seriously, the best preschool in town! The hours are awesome (8:30-12:15), and the tuition is so…read moreaffordable. The teachers are incredible: they focus on teaching social and emotional skills to children, and it works! My kids have learned so much about how to be calm, how to listen, how to express themselves, and how to cooperate. We love the location on campus - with ample parking! We love that there is no religious influence. It's arts-focused and play-based learning!

From the owner: Campus Cooperative Preschool (CCP, Formerly Playtime Preschool) is a secular non-for-profit, parent…read moreowned and operated early childhood education program. Our mission is to provide a creative and intimate learning environment that allows children to feel valued while developing the cognitive, social, and emotional foundations for future learning success. What does CCP offer? Accredited teaching staff Research-based, high-quality, early childhood program Low student/teacher ratios Veteran teachers using Nurtured Heart TM approach to promote classroom success Family-oriented community Central C-U location on the U of I campus Program Licensed by DCFS Enhanced Creative Arts Program Hands-on early literacy & math promoted through: Phonics You Can Feel Math Club E2:Exciting Experiments

If only I could give *more* stars. This is a great center. If you're expecting a baby, get on the…read morewaiting list now! I feel sorry for other parents in other towns when I hear about the lack of good child care because we have it here in CU. Highlights include: *The teachers are all great, but the shining stars are Nina and Michelle in the Infant I room, Julie in Toddler I, Laura in Toddler II and Yildiz in Preschool I. They really love kids and the kids love them. Nina and Michelle are especially great in dealing with new parents who need advice. *There's a parent's committee for people who like to be involved in decision-making. It meets once a month. * The rooms are clean, friendly, full of toys. * While housed in a church, the center is not religious. My family is agnostic, there are Jewish families, Muslim families, your random assortment of Christian denominations... * The rates are fair and include two meals, a snack and diapers for the babies. As your kid moves up, the prices drop slightly. * Field trips for the older kids. * Each class has some kind of event two times a year where the parents are invited in to see some kind of production... ice cream social in Preschool I, a "circus" in Toddler II. Just a great center. You can't go wrong here. A+. They are open M-F 7:30-5:30. They are closed for holidays. The center is closed the week between Christmas and New Year's (you don't pay for that week). The center also closes for 2 weeks in late July/early August for deep cleaning and to give the teachers a vacation (you don't pay for those 2 weeks). Many of the teachers will babysit kids during the 2 weeks, however.

We have been at FUMCCC for almost 4 years now and have nothing but positive things to say about it…read more One of the first things that impressed me when we toured back in 2014 was when we were walking through the hallway, the Director said hi and knew the names of all the kids passing her in the hallway. From then on - we have always felt that the teachers and office staff care SO much about the kids that go there. They also have very high marks on ensuring the kids have a clean and safe facility for daycare. Another perk - the kids have lots of large motor space. In the winter, there is a gym for the bigger kids and a large motor room with lots of toys for the smaller kids. When it's good weather, the big kids go to West Side Park and the smaller kids have a nice outdoor playground to play in. I could go on and on...go check it out! :)

Wow! Where to start! To make it sweet and simple..PLEASE DO NOT ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN THIS "Learning…read moreCenter" . Unless you would like for your child to be their own boss. They hired all the housekeepers that has NO experience, or doesn't qualify to teach. There is NO structure at all!! I feel really bad for the children but I hope the parents catch on and relocate their child, fast! The 3, yes 3, directors are very UNPROFESSIONAL. Don't let their fake smiley faces fool you to enroll your child, or YOU will REGRET it!

I enrolled my 2 yr old daughter and on her first day when I dropped her off I noticed 3 other…read morechildren sick with horrible coughs and snot running down their faces. I hesitated about leaving her because I didn't want her getting sick but I had to go to work and didn't have a last minute resort for daycare. She spent 5 hours there. On Wednesday 2 days later I noticed she was coughing and sneezing. Well this Wednesday evening she's sick with a fever, running nose and awful horse cough. I don't understand why this place would allow children to stay if they are OBVIOUSLY SICK. When I arrived to pick up my child, a lady (assuming she worked there) approaches me in the hallway as I'm walking to my child's classroom and tells me my kid has a bad cough and shouldn't bring HIM back until he's well. I looked confused because my child his a FEMALE not male and then the classroom teacher says Oh that's not her child. So they care providers observed these sick children and allowed them to stay the entire day to tell the parents they need to keep them home until their better. Shouldn't the parents been called first thing in the morning to come get them before they infected the other children with their illnesses. Or how about when they dropped them off, told the parents they couldn't stay. I noticed the children we're sick within the 10 minutes I was there dropping my child off. Tat morning I observed the teacher get a cloth wet with ONLY water and wipe the table off.....ummmm HELLO water does NOT kill bacteria /germs. Needless to say I'll be missing work to stay home with my child for the next few days because of the carelessness of the daycare providers. This is not okay. My child hasn't been sick at all in 8 months and 1 day in this place and she's horribly sick now. THANKS HAPPI HOUSE DAY CARE !!!!! I doubt if my child will be back...

My daughter started at MSCU in their toddler program when she was 20 months old. She's now six…read moreyears old and completing her first year of elementary school there. We have loved this school at every stage--toddler program, primary, kindergarten, and now elementary. It's amazing to see how the environment and Montessori curriculum is helping her become both a strong, independent thinker and community-minded at the same time. The teachers are all amazing, and really care about your child and their needs and development. My daughter loves going to school here. When she comes home, she's excited to talk about the new things she's learning. I wouldn't send her anywhere else. Take a tour--you won't be disappointed!

We chose MSCU after checking out several other places in town. We loved the following qualities…read moreabout MSCU: 1) Teachers there were so friendly and upbeat. Many of the teachers have been there for many years and yet still have that "spark". 2) We loved the way kids learned in a very natural way. Montessori materials helped our DD learn how to read by age 4. Even today DD loves to read. 3) Community - we've met so many parents there who are like minded. I've found parents who are very committed to music, bilingual education and supporting local businesses. It's a very international and diverse community with wonderful food during the picnic! 4) Our kids can't wait to go to school. They actually look forward to weekdays when they get to be at school. 5) School is great at taking care of kids with allergies. 6) Beautiful rooms! 7) Mixed aged classrooms - our kids have grown so much as a result of interacting with other kids. 8) How neat and organized the kids are in class. Kids there learn to focus and learn how to take care of their environment. 9) Our kindergartener learned more space, planets, US History than most other 3rd graders I know. 10) Ms. Peat - she is the most amazing teacher in all of Champaign Urbana. She's been at the school for 20 years (very hard to believe) and still loves all of her little friends. I recommend checking out a couple of other preschools and then coming over to the MSCU and prepare to be wowed by the teachers.

My daughter has been at this school since she was only a few weeks old, and she is getting ready to…read morestart kindergarten in the fall. I have seen directors come and go, I think 8 or 9? some better than others. I have seen caring teachers and I have seen people who I questioned how they were allowed to work with children. Mostly I have seen an issues with high turnover and high un communicated fees. Not only was I charged a $270 "kindergartner prep fee" but also a separate $255 summer camp fee. My child has been here SIX YEARS, every other year the camp fee was about $70. I would highly recommend you find ANYWHERE else to take your child. They the company view your family as a number and could care less to help you which in turn runs off all of their good and caring staff. I would recommend finding something local and not part of a big chain that can't even live up to its own standards.

the worst place and management I could even imagine. If you are lucky you can get a good teacher…read more They say 4 children have one teacher but it is a lie, soon we leave baby they join classes and they get half of the teachers. In a result my baby had diaper rash and urinal track infection, I took her in high fever. Besides this pay attention first days, they are rude and forcing babies, so that they will obey them later.

This administration who run this school is horrible. There is little to no communication from…read morethem. I toured the facility. It is a VERY short tour there is not much to the building. I then and asked the "teacher" what the daily routine looks like. She didn't really have an answer. The first 3 hours the student gets to choose a subject, then lunch, and then the next 3 hours the student gets to choose another subject. Oh yeah, and they offer before and after school care. The playground (empty open field) is pretty good size. But there is nothing to do outside. My child attended this school against my wishes (mother made unilateral decision for our child's' education). I tried to get some info from the school regarding my sons' education. They literally provided nothing. The teacher actually told me, "we don't do that." I would like to believe that there are good Montessori schools out there. Montessori Habitat in Champaign, IL, however, is not one of them. Please treat your children right and keep them away from this horrible facility. Sincerely, Disappointed Dad

From the owner: The teachers at Montessori Habitat will guide and nurture your child's love of learning through…read morepurposeful, joyful, and often collaborative activities. Our school is located on two peaceful acres with butterfly gardens, vegetable gardens, and a berry patch. We serve children from age three through 8th grade.