This is an overdue love letter to St. Mark's for how they helped guide my two children into…read moreDistrict 57 schools. My kids are now 17 and 20, so I have no recent experience, but cannot imagine much has changed since we spent four years under their care. From the administrator Cindy to each and every teacher (especially Peggy and someone else whose name escapes me at the moment), it was a place chock full of learning and love. And somehow this flowed down by creating a very strong bond shared between the other families and Moms and Dads which did not diminish with time. Thanks again to everyone on staff for creating a nurturing, warm, highly competent educational experience for my children.

The teachers at St. Marks are amazing. Every day my daughter learns something new and absolutely…read morecannot wait to go back the next day! The teachers treat each child like their own. Their attention and care for children is second go none. The lessons are theme based each week and when my daughter comes home she cannot wait to talk about (ie: weather, eating healthy, writing...) whatever the lesson is. St. Marks has very accommodating hours (630am-6pm) and flexible scheduling options. I believe that this is a school/daycare that is truly 100% invested in the children and not just here to run a business. The school also provides a variety of heathy meals. There is also a large gym for the kids on gym days (I haven't found many other schools with this). A++++

My child has gone to Children's Land for the last four and a half years and we couldn't be more…read morepleased. The teachers are absolutely wonderful, the food is spectacular (my daughter would constantly rave about the food), and the environment itself is VERY clean and child friendly. In addition, the curriculum is great! They provide group instruction that is fun and easy for the children to pick up and they also provide individualized and small group instruction for children who are at a different pace. They attend to each child and take notice of what they know and don't know and provide instruction based on that. Children's Land definitely prepared my daughter for school. She went to kindergarden being able to read, write, and her math skills were certainly more advanced than at the kindergarden level. Other great assets to the childcare is that they teach music, dance, art, Russian, and Spanish! Overall, our experiences at Children's Land have been great!

3 years after my son Tomas graduated from Children Land I have the greatest respect to all…read moreteachers! The best place to go if you have 2 yrs or older kid ( they didn't accept kids under 2 at that time).

Today, my family and I had a very upsetting experience at a daycare center where we hoped to enroll…read moreour three-year-old child. The first time I visited the daycare alone, I noticed what appeared to be reluctance and a lack of warmth from the two ladies working in the administration office. However, I chose not to make assumptions and continued with the enrollment process. I was informed that I needed to bring my child in for an observation. When my wife, my child, and I arrived for the observation, I noticed that there were no Black children in attendance. Again, I did not think much of it and remained positive about the opportunity for my child. After the observation, my wife and I were informed that our child would not be accepted into the program. The explanation given was that she would not fit in because she was coming from a smaller social environment and might have difficulty adjusting to a larger classroom setting. While I understand that schools must assess whether they can meet a child's needs, the way this decision was communicated left us feeling uncomfortable and singled out. I asked directly whether the decision had anything to do with my child's race. Heather, the manager, quickly responded that it did not. However, her response did little to address my concerns, and I felt that my question was dismissed rather than genuinely considered. The entire interaction left my family feeling unwelcome and discriminated against. As parents, we want our child to be evaluated fairly based on her abilities and potential, not on assumptions or biases. Every child deserves an inclusive and welcoming environment where they are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. This experience was deeply hurtful and disappointing for our family, and it has left us questioning whether diversity, equity, and inclusion are truly valued at this daycare center.

A Mother's Touch is the Chicago NW Suburbs Lottery of daycare. I could not be more impressed, more…read morecomfortable, and more pleased with the teachers at this institution!! Turnover is low, which to me matters more than anything else. Their communication is top-notch. They treat every kid like they are special and loved. They share concerns in person and send photos and videos of support throughout each day And they are cheaper than a-ny-where close by. And let me tell you, I have done my research. Currently sending my 3 y/o and 8-month-old and this is the only place I think I could manage the cost. This place is the gold standard for what a daycare should be- full of love, laughter, and an impressive degree of patience. TEAM AMT FOR NOW AND FOREVER!

Our 18-month-old currently attends Busy Bees and is such a happy, flourishing little girl. I credit…read moremuch of her joy and happiness to her phenomenal teachers, who also taught and nurtured my two older children. We've sent all three of our kids to Busy Bees and couldn't be happier with that decision. The Montessori instruction fosters independence and confidence in kids. People are constantly amazed at the things my kids can do -- like putting on their coats, feeding themselves, focusing on tasks, etc. -- at a young age. We currently work with Elda and Gisel in the Eggs classroom, and these two teachers and their aides could not be more devoted to the children they work with. They clearly love each child, and know them very, very well. I also appreciate Busy Bees' willingness to communicate and partner with parents. As much as Busy Bees has been instructive for my kids, I've also learned a lot from the Montessori method they employ and the caring, fantastic staff they hire. We are so grateful for this wonderful little school!

Busy bees is a wonderful school! The teachers are so patient, attentive, and truly care about the…read morechildren's development. I love the Montessori approach and how it encourages independence and critical thinking. The school has an authetic Montessori approach. My daughter loved Busy Bees! I highly recommend this school to any parent looking for a nurturing and enriching environment for their child.

This review is NOT based on the education received at MAMG or any of the teachers. It is solely…read morebased on the experience of inquiring about the school and interacting w/ the site director. I called MAMG to schedule a tour and gather information. The lady I spoke with was so dry and seemed uninterested. Regardless, I scheduled a tour as maybe she was having a bad day and I realize that not everyone can be cheery all the time. :) The tour went well, and I made sure it was scheduled w/ another person. She was friendly and kind. I asked this lady for a packet or folder of information and she was surprised that the first lady I spoke with never emailed it to me. She took down my email address and said she would request that lady to send it to me. Guess what? I never received it! I just think that is horrible practice. I have enrolled my daughter elsewhere. But, I thought the business owner/manager should know about the incompetence of the person I dealt with. I am happy to speak further about it...as I don't want to call out this individual on a public platform.

My son spent 4 great years here, from the infant room, to toddler room, to primary. Our son was…read morewell cared for in all of them and we believe he developed well there, both socially and academically. Their communication is great, the Bright Wheel app they use is fantastic, and they are very accommodating in all the best ways, while continuing to do what's best for the kids. I've also been impressed with their willingness to help when we've needed assistance with our son's transition to kindergarten, even after our son was no longer enrolled there. Would recommend to anyone that they can trust them with their child's education, safety and wellbeing.

We absolutely love St. Raymond School! We have been part of the community for six years and…read morecurrently have two boys enrolled--one in kindergarten and one in third grade. It has been an incredible experience for our family. St. Raymond is a truly special community. The traditions, strong academics, and genuine care from the teachers and staff make it stand out in every way. The curriculum is both challenging and engaging, encouraging students to think critically, stay curious, and take pride in their work. Teachers provide individualized attention and support, ensuring that each child is both challenged and confident in their learning. We have seen our boys grow tremendously in their academic skills, as well as in their independence and love of learning. Longstanding events like Breakfast with Santa, the Back-to-School Bash in the fall, and the basketball tournaments--where the entire community comes together to cheer on the eighth graders--highlight the strong sense of connection and school spirit. It truly feels like a second home for our children. What makes St. Raymond even more meaningful to our family is its strong foundation in Catholic faith and values. Our boys are growing not only academically, but spiritually as well. Through religion class, daily prayer, and attending Mass, they are developing a deeper understanding of their faith and how to live it out each day. The teachers play an important role in this, guiding them to become kind, compassionate, and respectful individuals. The school also does an excellent job of helping students develop a strong moral compass--teaching them to lead with empathy, make thoughtful choices, and live their faith in everyday life. In addition, the school organizes many service opportunities throughout the year, such as collecting supplies for local veterans, gathering canned goods for the food pantry, and hosting toy drives for children in need. Older students are often given leadership roles in these efforts, helping foster a sense of responsibility and commitment to giving back to the community. What sets this school apart most is the heart of its people. The teachers go above and beyond--not only in the classroom, but in how they support and care for each child. Whether it's attending students' sporting events or sending postcards from their vacations, these small but meaningful gestures speak volumes. Not only have our boys made wonderful friends at St. Raymond, but my husband and I have as well. The parent community is welcoming, down-to-earth, and supportive. We are truly grateful to be part of such a special village. We feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a school where our boys are growing academically, emotionally, and in their faith. We couldn't ask for a better environment for them to learn and thrive. Thank you, SRS!

This program is led by dedicated, professional teachers who truly care about their students and…read morehave a genuine love for teaching. They consistently go above and beyond--arriving early and staying late--to ensure their classroom environment is thoughtfully prepared each day. The atmosphere is positive, nurturing, and creative, providing children with the support they need to grow and succeed. The religious component further enriches the environment, helping to foster strong values and a sense of community. Teachers are also highly collaborative, working closely with parents to support each child's development and individual needs. Kudos to the staff at St. Raymond's for their commitment to nurturing and guiding our children.

I just started my daughter here a couple weeks ago and I couldn't be happier…read more We have had a rough couple of times trying different home daycares. Nothing wrong with those specific ones but she just never really adjusted. Big Barn has been so understanding and helpful. She comes home every afternoon with a smile on her face. She's learning and making friends. Couldn't ask for more. They're very communicative and flexible. I wish I would have found them sooner. They are super affordable if you are looking to get your child into daycare and preschool. Definitely a hidden gem. Couldn't be happier.

Great school with dedicated staff that care about the children. Lots of good learning material and…read moresocial interaction for kids.

BGMS is a wonderful school with amazing staff with decade long experience. We had a very satisfying…read moreexperience with the preschool classroom. The admin staff are very friendly and helpful to answer your questions at anytime. They truly practice Montessori principles and our kid learnt a ton of good habits and independence in a very short period of time. Highly recommended to parents looking for a Montessori preschool in NW suburbs of IL.

We were fortunate enough to find BGMS and sent our two daughters there for 3 years. It was a great…read moreplace for our daughters and we would have never left except we moved to a different suburb. Our teachers were excellent and they have fun family outings like the Valentines Day dance. We miss BGMS but we will always be part of the family and recommend them for any parents looking for daycare options in the area.