We've been with the "Co-op" for over a year now, and we couldn't be more pleased with our…read moredaughter's education. My daughter spent the past year in the Good Beginnings Play Group and had a phenomenal time experiencing "school" while having the safety net of mommy around. Her teacher Miss Jenelle was absolutely wonderful! This year we are looking forward to beginning the 3's class and gaining more independence as she will be in class 3 times a week for 3 hours a day, mostly without mommy. We love that the "co-op" is so family oriented, requiring most parents to be involved in the classroom a couple times each moth in order to offset some of the tuition costs. Being a family living on one income, we definately appreciate the low cost of the "co-op" and their mindfulness about family budgets. This is NOT a school that surprises you monthly with unexpected financial demands for supplies, fieldtrips, etc. The "co-op" is on a budget and recognises that we are too.

One of the rare preschools in town that has a 2-year-olds classroom. They also have a…read moreparent-toddler program for younger than that. We are very pleased with our coop experience. Great if you are looking to ease your child into a school setting. All of the teachers are wonderful and seem very committed to the wellbeing of each child.

My baby has been going to this daycare since she was 3 months old. Kandy and Tyrone are taking…read moreexcellent care of her and have done so many little things that go above and beyond anything I would've expected. When my baby started coming to this daycare she suddenly stopped crying when she got into the car, whereas she used to not tolerate it well, and she's always happy to see everyone at the daycare. In addition, the routines that Kandy and Tyrone keep have done a lot to help my baby sleep at night (as I found out when I didn't maintain those routines over a holiday weekend!). As a new parent I'm really glad that I can ask them for input and advice, they're very knowledgeable and never pushy. My baby is currently breastfed and their support has made the logistics of pumping milk and sending bottles every day much more manageable. They've also done a great job of feeding her solids - I don't know how they manage to send her home with clean clothes, I always cover her in baby food! The environment is really great too. It feels like you're stepping into a preschool when you walk in. I think it's really good for my baby to be around children that are learning, having imaginative play, and generally being active. When I see Kandy interact with the older kids I'm really impressed by how calm and happy everyone seems to be. I've never had a baby before, and this is my first experience with daycare, but I am just so grateful for the care that my baby is receiving. As a poor grad student I would've never expected I could afford this kind of experience for my baby!

From the owner: Educational excellence, unwavering dedication and outstanding child care. Those are the values that…read moreLittle Amigos Daycare stands for. Demand for daycare facilities continue to grow day by day, but all too often, institutions are only able to focus on either allowing the child to enjoy their childhood and develop naturally or forcing the child to focus only on mental development in order to achieve high test scores later on in life. Little Amigos Daycare is different. We promote physical activities in large open areas and a wide variety of educational games, but we also have a small library and various arts and crafts for your child to unleash his or her full creative and intellectual potential. Our goal is to promote every child's development individually using an appropriate mix of academic and recreational activities.

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! :)

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.

Amazing care . Family care with family the main focus . Learning in steps to prepare for education…read morein life with manners and good relationships with others.

From the owner: Care for Infants to 10 yrs old…read more Additional service care: Baby sitting Weekend CARE Night CARE

I cant say enough good things about this place. We have a foster child there and they treat him…read morelike gold. He loves going there and the progress he has made in the 7 months that he has been there is outstanding

Updated: 8/17/26 It was reported today that a nonverbal…read morechild at Chesterbrook got out of his classroom and escaped into the parking lot and was nearly hit by a car, a parent from the parking lot intervened and took the child back into the building. The teacher (Jenkins) was not aware her student had escaped because she did not count her students (it is reported this is a frequent oversight.) It has been reported to me last week that the school ran out of both cups and spoons and the children were not able to drink and had to eat with their hands. ORIGINAL REVIEW: (I've had 5 children attend this facility over the course of 6 years.) Recently it has gotten entirely out of hand. This facility sent an email to employees to come to work at a certain time but if they aren't needed in a classroom they must wait in the teachers lounge unpaid (which is illegal.) They reportedly have a teacher who has had multiple sexual harassment complaints from other teachers and was seen making vulgar sexual gestures around children with baby toys and calling other employees "tits" in front of other children. This employee has not cleared a background check and is allowed to work regardless. Reportedly, They refused to pay a teacher maternity leave and when she threatened to sue she was not allowed to return to work. Another teacher reportedly has had multiple DCFS investigations against her after multiple children from her classroom have had hair line fractures in their arm and gone home complaining of pain. A teacher reportedly locked a small child in the bathroom with the lights off as a punishment for not wanting to go to the potty (they were 2ish years old.) This facility is not operating legally and should be reported to the Illinois department of labor.

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 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!