Our son went here from when he was 5 months old to 18 months old until we moved out of state. As…read morehis parents we couldn't have been happier with his teachers, facility and the atmosphere. We could be at ease that they would be transparent even if it were a small bump or cut he had. They keep it clean and sanitized especially in the infant room. Our son loved his friendly teachers and eating lunch here ;)

I could not have chosen a better daycare for my girls. This place feels like family. The staff is…read morewhat makes A-Karrasel so special. They are patient, energetic/positive, and treat my daughters like their own. All of the teachers have worked there multiple years which speaks volumes to the kind of community they create at A-Karrasel. I trust in them entirely. We get weekly lesson plan updates to see what our kids are learning which I love. We moved our girls here from another daycare in the area and it was the best decision I made for them. As a mom, it is so comforting to know I am sending my kids somewhere they are safe and loved every day.

As an employee of Alcuin, I can speak highly of this school's teaching faculty, who are among the…read moremost intelligent, talented, and committed Montessori teachers I have met in the field. The families who send their children to this school seem highly committed to helping their children reach their highest potential, and see their children as whole beings with social and emotional needs, as well as academic ones. As a teacher here, I have greatly enjoyed my relationships with parents, as they have been so collaborative and positive. We have newly begun a terrific adolescent program, and I encourage anyone interested in finding an alternate middle school, or a high-quality educational program for any age child to inquire. I have been so happy to work at this fantastic and excellent school, which is truly a haven for Montessori teachers who love to nurture and challenge children!

We absolutely love Alcuin. Our son has thrived in the Primary classroom, and our daughter is new…read moreto the Toddler class. Both children are happy and actually look forward to going to school! Since starting at Alcuin, my daughter has shown significant progress with her verbal skills and interest in potty training/toilet learning. It's only been a short time, but the difference in her is truly remarkable. For those considering a high-quality, Montessori education in a loving environment, look no further!

We enjoyed our time at Concordia! Both of our kids thrived in the environment and the teachers…read morecared deeply for our children. We are sad we left due to moving and cannot recommend this center enough for anyone looking for a warm and nurturing environment.

As a lab student [in the Infant & Toddler rooms - on separate occasions respectively], I enjoyed my…read moretime at Concordia's childcare center. Very nice facility - nice, clean campus! Kind and courteous staff (director included!). The teachers (+ the Concordia student teachers who worked at the center as part of their "work-study" they told me) seemed to enjoy what they do & have a love of working w/ children in general. Throughout my observations /lesson plan implementation, the teachers (+ student teachers) spoke to the children in a kind, age-appropriate manner and did fun activities. The smaller class size didn't hurt either =more individual attention w/ the children; good number of hands to help out in the classroom! In addition to structured activities, it was nice to see the children have open play time as well. Going on campus walks with the children was also a treat for everyone. A very positive experience inside & out!

This a great school. My son attended for 8th. Searching for the perfect for my son and our family…read morelanded at TCS. Each student is embraced as they are. My son completed and presented an excellent capstone project at the end of his 8th grade year. The teachers and administration are professional, attentive and innovative.

We moved our son to The Children's School in fifth grade with some trepidation. Changing schools at…read morethat age felt like a big leap, especially when it meant adding a not-so-short commute from Chicago's north side. But we have been grateful for that decision time and time again. One of the first things that struck us was how often he spontaneously commented on the kindness and welcoming nature of the other students, and how much the teachers genuinely listen to kids. These weren't responses to parental questions--they were unprompted observations from a 10-year-old! He also fell in love with Expression Lab, which he struggled to describe except to say, "It's just a place where you get to be yourself." The academics are another thing we've come to appreciate deeply. There's genuine rigor here, but it's rooted in curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful engagement rather than rote memorization. Students don't just learn how to solve an equation; they explore *why* it works and discuss different ways of approaching a problem. Project-based learning gives them opportunities to dig into real data and real-world issues, ask questions, and share what they've learned in creative ways. I've seen students celebrate their original fiction at a publishing party, bring history to life through a recreation of an assembly line, and much more. Right now, my son is hard at work on a persuasive essay exploring gender-based pay disparities in professional sports. It's the kind of learning that feels relevant, challenging, and genuinely engaging. And so much learning happens beyond the classroom. Regular movement and outdoor time are woven into the school experience, from woods days and kayaking trips to middle school camping at the Indiana Dunes. These experiences build practical skills, confidence, independence, and problem-solving abilities, while giving kids space to explore, connect, and challenge themselves. Now, seeing our son thrive in middle school, I appreciate even more how deeply the school's philosophy is reflected in everyday experiences. Children are truly *known* as individuals and treated with respect. Adults engage with empathy, curiosity, and care, helping students better understand themselves, communicate their needs, and stretch beyond their comfort zones, knowing they have people who will listen, support, and challenge them. There's also a genuine sense of community here. Seeing friendships and joyful interactions across ages, watching students look out for one another, and getting to know other families through informal after-school gatherings have all reinforced how special this place is. At a time when the ability to understand ourselves, respect differences, think critically, and care for one another feels especially important, I'm grateful our son is growing up in a school community that doesn't just talk about these values, but puts them into practice every day. We're so glad we made the leap.

My son has been with Picket Fence for a little over 2 years. From the moment he started at this…read morecenter it has become a home away from home for him. The teachers and staff are great and really love all the kiddos. My son has learned so much and the ceremony for his pre k graduation was so special. We are sad to be leaving since my son will be starting kindergarden next month. Thank you to all the teachers and staff for being so great to my boy.

I'm a researcher by nature and looked at numerous day care centers throughout the city for our 3…read moreyear old son. Our son did not have a great experience in the first pre-school he attended, so we came armed to Picket Fence with a list of questions determined to not make the same mistake again. Our priority list included: a safe and nurturing environment, an educational and stimulating curriculum that did not only consist of play time, a creative environment that would optimize his development and last but not least, a committed, caring staff. We visited both Picket Fence locations (Elmwood Park and River Grove), and met Ms. Toni and her team of educators who were all very warm and open to answering any questions we had. They shared their curriculum with us which included arts, music, reading and dramatic play. We loved that there was a weekly communication plan in place which informed each child's parent about what their child learned that week and how they were progressing in their development. There was even a section that asked parents to communicate back to the school what the child did over the weekend or any concerns the parents thought the school should be aware of. We knew as soon as we left the school that this was the right school for our son. Fast forward to today - Placing our son in to Picket Fence was THE best decision we could have ever made for our son. He is excited to go to school, loves his teachers and is learning new things every day. Ms. Toni is not only one of the teachers at the school, but an on-site and hands-on owner who is completely immersed in the well-being of the children and the daily activities of the school. We are able to speak with Ms. Toni and the teachers any time in-person or by phone and have even corresponded by email with responses returned very promptly. I wanted to hug Ms. Nicole when she asked me if we would bring a tooth brush for our son so he could brush his teeth after meals!! We also love that the school accepts special needs children as we know this will help foster our goal of raising a son who is compassionate and caring for others who may be different from him. For those parents who want to be more involved, the school offers the opportunity to attend parent committee meetings which allow you to be part of the planning and decision making process for policies, and other school events. We couldn't be happier with our choice and know that Picket Fence and its teachers will have a positive impact on our son's success in school and more importantly in his personal development now and in the years to come.

A new year, a new rabbi: time for an update. Since I was on the search committee that found her,…read more(yes, a her!) I'm a little biased, but two months into her tenure, I'm quite pleased. Rabbi Robin (her last name is Damsky, but she likes to be called this) has injected new energy and excitement into our little suburban shul. She is great with kids of all ages, and gives exactly the kind of sermons I enjoy -- taking the lessons of the Torah and applying them to modern life. I expect we will see an uptick in social action and "green" projects as a way to build community and serve others.

Such a great synagogue! Had my conversion here, took Intro to Judaism, and currently taking a…read moreHebrew class. We love their Friday night service and go to the tot Shabbat programs with our toddler. Love how family friendly this place is; everyone is super kind and we feel right at home. Amazing clergy and staff.

This place is incredible - I'd give them a million stars if I could! You can read further for the…read morelong-winded version, but the short version is - enroll here if you can & you will be forever grateful. Ms. Nikki and Ms. Jennifer set the standard and it is HIGH! I have had 2 littles enrolled here - 3 & 18mos - for the last year and a half and have had absolutely the best experience with bringing them to this center. It is clear that every teacher and staff member at Bright Start is genuinely invested in the growth and development of each of their students. In our time at this center my 3 year old has had the opportunity to be in 3 different classrooms - toddlers, 2's and preschool 1 (3 year olds). Every teacher and teacher's helper has seriously impressed me with how they interacted with him, understood his personality and worked with his strengths to help him succeed. Their support has helped give him confidence in social settings, contributed to his growing independence and fostered his curiosity and love of learning. My daughter started in the infant room and was not an easy baby! I was so nervous to leave her with anyone else because she was colicky and so particular about everything for her first several months of life, but somehow her preferences were also constantly changing. The teachers in the infant room handled all her quirks and demands with such genuine love and care, I am still amazed. Every day at pick-up they would give me a run-down of how the day went and any new things they noticed with her. Their open communication made it easy for us to work together to ensure baby girl had the best day every single day. When she transitioned into the toddler class, her teacher noticed some unease with her new level of interaction with her peers and stayed close to her the first few days to help her get comfortable. Now she just walks confidently right in the door every day, ready for fun and learning! The summer camp calendars and activities are amazing and my 3 year old participates in their phonics program as well, which is also incredible. I sincerely cannot say enough good things about this center and their staff. Ms. Nikki has always been so helpful and was flexible when our family needs changed at the last minute. We are moving and it is heartbreaking to leave a place we had no intention of leaving, but I am satisfied with knowing that this center had a measurable, positive impact on both of my kids.

This is a long-overdue review for Bright Start, as they have been an incredibly supportive, safe,…read moreand loving place to send our son (and soon to be our newborn daughter). As two full-time working professionals (and an educator myself), Bright Start has given us peace of mind that our children will be nurtured academically, socially, and emotionally. They are truly our village and partners in helping our children thrive--and in this season of life, that kind of partnership is invaluable. We began the process of finding daycare for our son when I was still pregnant with him. From the get-go, it was clear that Bright Start was head-and-shoulders above every daycare we visited in the area. We loved that it struck a balance between being a small, intimate center, while still providing structure and intentionality to the day--even for the infants. It's a place that feels like home, while still offering the routines and enrichment of a high-quality early childhood program. Ms. Nikki eased my concerns as a new mom through the entire registration and waitlist process, giving me a thorough tour of the facility and patiently answering all my (many!) questions about what daily life at BSLC looks like. She didn't just sell the center--she made me feel confident that my child would be seen, known, and cared for. We were so thrilled when we secured a spot and began sending our son when he was 6 months old. My son started in the infant room, and has since grown into the toddler room, and now the twos room. Every teacher we have interacted with has been professional, kind, and deeply attuned to my son's personality and needs. It's clear they prioritize relationships and connection just as much as they do routines and curriculum. Through every major early childhood milestone--introducing solids, sleep regressions, potty training, social-emotional growth--the teachers have gone above and beyond to partner with us and meet our son where he's at. It feels collaborative in the best way. The communication with families is top-tier. Caregivers are kept in the loop through newsletters, memos, and daily updates. The Procare app is a fantastic tool--they update it in real time with info about meals, naps, bathroom trips, and even share adorable pictures of your child throughout the day. It's the kind of thoughtful touch that goes a long way when you're juggling work and parenting and just want to feel connected to your little one's world while you're apart. Most importantly, our son is thriving. He's happy every time we drop him off and even more excited to tell us stories when we pick him up. His language has exploded, he's developed empathy and problem-solving skills, and he's constantly curious. We know that a huge part of that growth is thanks to the intentional, caring environment BSLC provides. If you're a parent searching for a place where your child will be loved, supported, and encouraged to grow in all the right ways--look no further. Bright Start is not just a daycare, it's a community. And we're endlessly grateful to be a part of it.

Love this place!! It was the best start for my 3 boys. Caring teachers, small classes, great…read morefamilies! Just a wonderful preschool & we're so lucky to have found it. It's not all play, my boys did very well here academically& it's a place we still miss as they're older now. Fond, fond memories!

Can't say enough great things about First United. Our 5th year here, we love it! Wonderful,…read morecaring teachers and staff and a really great environment. While it's a play based preschool so much learning has happened during our time here.

I cannot say enough good things about this place. My kids have been going here for 4 years now and…read morehave never once resisted or complained about going to school. The teachers are all incredible and passionate about my kids. My oldest is in Kindergarten now and is fully prepared academically and more importantly socially for her school career. The school has definitely helped us to make this community feel like home and has become the center of our life in Oak Park life with so many other great family social activities to meet other parents.

Lovely, secular, diverse, NAEYC-accredited, developmentally appropriate, play-based nursery school…read morethat welcomes and honors all families! And was able to safely care for my little peanut-allergic son, and quite a few other children with food allergies. And provided lots of music, movement, arts & crafts, and vigorous outdoor play time in all seasons. There is a volunteer Board of Directors as well as other opportunities for parents to get involved. My two children are both older now and have moved on but look back very fondly on their Pilgrim days and have maintained friendships with their Pilgrim classmates and the staff, too!!

I was waiting to review The Day Nursery until after my kid was done with preschool, but it's close…read moreenough at this point and maybe people are looking for the fall and could use some help. The teachers here are excellent, and the administration is also very helpful and responsive. I originally picked this place for the focus on education and not merely socialization. Though they are strong on socialization too. We have a special diet, and while there have been mistakes they have done a wonderful job making sure my little one gets plenty of healthy vegan food. Frankly the bigger problem was his general pickiness than anything else. This should not be so big a shocker for Oak Park, but I liked the strong diversity in staff and students here. So send your kids here! They must be doing something right after over a century.

The Day Nursery offers a great program and strong overall childcare, however, do not plan on their…read morefacility being open consistently. Do to a combination of Covid-related restrictions that are in place per the Oak Park Health Department and additional restrictions that the Day Nursery puts in place, we have been unable to consistently rely on the Day Nursery as a childcare provider. In the last 6 months our daughter's classroom has repeatedly closed for 5 days at a time, with the latest closure happening despite zero cases of Covid in her classroom. Communication with parents has been minimal, inconsistent, and reactionary. Our experience has been not been a unique one, with similar closures occurring in all the classrooms. There is a significant movement among school families to remove their children due to the ongoing lack of consistent childcare as well as a lack of future strategy. **Full disclosure, we are a vaccinated, science following, and mask-wearing household.