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Readers' Choice: Best Preschool

Who do you trust to care for something precious: your littlest children, in Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Grayslake or Libertyville?

Posted by Jim Powers, April 24, 2012 at 06:01 pm

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The last couple of weeks has been about reader tastes in food.

This week, we're asking readers something more serious: which preschool do you think does the best job in either Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Grayslake or Libertyville?

We know parents prioritize different things when choosing a preschool, so we also want to know why you think the preschool you voted for is the best.

Do they have the most caring instructors? The greatest communication with parents? The most creative activities for toddlers?

Let us know in the comments -- and help your fellow parents out when it comes to choosing a preschool.

There are pre-schools listed under Directory, but if we're leaving one off of the list, please let us know in the comments and we'll add it.

So here's the drill: Sign into our site and then comment below with your vote. Tell us why you love your preschool. What makes it so good?

You have until 5 p.m. Tuesday (April 24) to let us know your favorite preschool.

On Wednesday morning (April 25), we will post the top three finalists — determined by your votes in this article, on Facebook and on Twitter — in a poll. And it will be time to vote again — this time for the champion.

Voting will continue through 5 p.m. Friday (April 27). We will post the Readers' Choice winner first thing Saturday morning.

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Emily April 24, 2012 at 11:06 pm

We have loved our experience at Precious Lambs Preschool in Grayslake. The room is bright and inviting and spacious, the curriculum is wonderful blend of basic education and faith-based principals. The teachers lOve each student as they arr

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Angela G. April 24, 2012 at 11:27 pm

SGS Footprints Preschool is a great program!! The children get a well rounded day which includes music, gym and art. The teachers are wonderful and very caring!! As an SGS parent, I am proud of our program and the sense of family that starts out at this young pre-school age.

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shanda b April 24, 2012 at 11:30 pm

Saint Gilberts! They have the most wonderful caring teachers. Even after the school ends around 2pm my daughter goes to the afterschool program and adores the teachers there as well. It is a is Catholic school, but the kids do not have to be Catholic to go and not all are. The crazy part is the great value. My daughter could attend from 7:15am-6pm (she isn't there that long, but they are open until then) and it is cheaper than any daycare center in the area. She comes home with a couple art projects a day and they have music, gym, and art class as well as Library time just like the older kids. It is a wonderful enviorment. The teacher sends a daily email telling the parents what they do in school. Why I ask my daughter what she did that day and she says "I don't know" I bust out the email on my phone and read an activity out loud and she then tells me all about it!

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leah April 24, 2012 at 11:49 pm

Precious Lambs Preschool has been an incredible blessing to our family. Our kids adore their teachers and the classroom experience. They feel absolutely at home, loved and safe when at preschool. The teachers are so incredibly nurturing and supportive of each child's unique learning style. The teachers take every opportunity to foster relationships with the children and their families. There are many opportunities for parents to be a little or a lot involved as well. Precious Lambs Preschool is an awesome, caring community that my family is honored to experience during this critical time in our children's lives.

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Gina April 25, 2012 at 12:11 am

Our son has attended Precious Lambs Preschool in Grayslake for the past two years. We all love the program and the staff is fantastic. Our son has a severe peanut allergy and they have been outstanding about keeping him safe. I couldn't recommend this program enough!

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Steven L April 25, 2012 at 12:40 am

My daughter went to Precious Lambs Preschool a couple of years ago and loved it. But the true testimony of just how great this preschool is, is the lasting legacy it has on the families who attend. It's a warm, caring and loving environment and without a doubt, the best preschool in the area - bar none!

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Amy KS April 25, 2012 at 12:47 am

We experienced 5 wonderful, fun years at Precious Lambs Preschool in Grayslake. PLP embraces everyone; it employs a strong curriculum with amazing creativity; and -- bottom line -- the kids love their dynamic and open-minded teachers and director. The families and professional teachers are genuinely kind and great examples for children, and volunteering can take on many different and varied forms. We continue to be impressed with PLP's mindset toward scholarships, as well as its afternoon kindergarten enrichment program (established years ago). It's not about being trendy -- from good manners to numbers and reading to sharing with others to being kindergarten-ready (and beyond!), this is a preschool that really has it together.
Imagine what our schools would be like if ALL children received a first-rate foundation of preschool education like so many are describing?

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Marcia Watts Sagendorph (Editor) April 25, 2012 at 01:15 am

An email comment from Kari:
Others are good - precious lambs is great!

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Kim D April 25, 2012 at 01:21 am

Precious Lambs Preschool has been the perfect fit for my family for the last 4 years! The teachers and director are all warm, loving, kind, patient, and fair. Really!!! Like some of the other posts have already pointed out, the kids really feel safe and at home there. Both the church and the preschool have made our entire family feel welcome. I especially appreciate the practical, simple, honest, and modest atmosphere. An environment that makes it easier to stay close to God.

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Angel Clark April 25, 2012 at 01:28 am

Precious Lambs Preschool! We are so blessed to be part of this family!

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pyc April 25, 2012 at 02:50 am

Village Green Montessori in Libertyville is excellent. I was not particularly a fan of the Montessori system, but when I saw how well it works at VGM, I'm a convert. My daughter is truly getting a well-rounded preschool experience, with ample experience in math, science, reading, writing, etc. She just turned four and can do simple addition and subtraction, can read and write basic words, has greatly developed her manual dexterity, interacts in a polite & patient manner with children and adults... I could go on an on, but you get the idea. And she is not an exception at VGM. The excellent teachers motivate and educate in a fun and loving manner, and the older kids learn to help the younger ones learn. While I cannot speak from experience about any other school, I can say this is truly an exceptional preschool, and VGM gets our vote!

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Anne Dunn April 25, 2012 at 12:01 pm

Precious Lambs Preschool in Grayslake is like a second family. My daughter attends KEEP (a kindergarten enrichment program) which meets every afternoon. She has never once said she didn't want to go to school. She has learned so many skills, manners, and made many great friends. We always feel so loved and cared for by all the teachers and staff. We cannot wait for our second daughter to start the Tuesday/Thursday program next year. Thank you Precious Lambs!

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Nicole Piktel April 25, 2012 at 12:19 pm

The Goddard School in Grayslake.

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Mytzy Rodriguez-Kufner April 25, 2012 at 12:37 pm

OLD SCHOOL MONTESSORI provides a great education for the little ones.

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Ellie White April 25, 2012 at 01:08 pm

My daughter attends First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest Preschool. We love the director and her teachers are fabulous. It is a very caring environment, and focuses on teaching children in a developmentally appropriate way. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

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Emily April 25, 2012 at 01:13 pm

We love First Presbyterian Church Preschool! The teachers are amazing & the Director is top notch! We have been very happy with sending our children there for the past three years!

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Barbara Connet April 25, 2012 at 02:14 pm

We love Ms. Mary's Peppermintstick in Grayslake. It is a warm, fun, caring enviroment for children to grow and learn. Ms. Mary and staff are the best. They love the children and my children have loved them!

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Kristin McCain April 25, 2012 at 04:11 pm

First Pres Preschool in Lake Forest is amazing! The Director Ruth Luke and teachers are all amazing, many of them even have their Masters. I feel that kindness is one of the most important skills taught at the school. The teachers make learning fun, and many times the children have no idea that they are learning a major concept for their future schooling, because the cirriculum is taught in such a fun way. The Preschool has exceeded my expectations in every sense and I feel my daughter who will be entering Kindergarten this fall will be well prepared.

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anne usman April 25, 2012 at 05:05 pm

Old School Montessori (OSM) is our FAV!! They understand the relationship between parent and child and import it is for family involvement - I love how I can come in anytime to observe or have lunch with my kids. The teachers are fantastic and the classroom environment is comfortable and functional. We love them!!

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Michelle April 25, 2012 at 10:15 pm

St Gilbert's footprint preschool gets my vote

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Marsha April 25, 2012 at 10:37 pm

St. Gilbert's Footprints is the best Preschool!

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Andrea April 25, 2012 at 11:56 pm

Gloryland Preschool associated with Lord of Glory Church in Grayslake is AMAZING!!! Our third child will be attending next year and we LOVE everything about Gloryland. The director is WONDERFUL and the teachers go above and beyone to make sure that all of the children are loved and are learning. The spiritual gifts that my family has been given through the love, example and teaching of Christ through the teachers and staff at Gloryland has been a true blessing to all of us. My 8 year old son has such a strong Faith, and my 5 year old and 3 year old are all following in his footsteps because of the love and security to share their Faith with everyone at Gloryland. I would not go anywhere else! We LOVE IT!

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Mark Mullally April 26, 2012 at 12:39 am

Goddard -Third Lake is a treasure. This nationally recognized Goddard school and management staff have established a cirriculum and staff at the Head of The Class. Not just in the Lake County area, but nationally as well. The evidence is not only seen by it's local and national accolades, but more importantly by the level of education and care our daughter is receiving. Thanks Dave and Barb.

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Tess McBow April 26, 2012 at 02:50 am

First Presbyterian in Lake Forest is the most loving school environment imaginable. We aren't Presbyterian, but chose it over two schools nearby that are affiliated with our denomination because my family has a long, wonderful history there. It is NAEYC accredited, one of the only ones in the area (and this is not some rubber stamp, it is a tough accreditation process). The ratios are great, the facility is warm and welcoming, the curriculum is all about widening schema and not about jamming in early academics. My son comes home and talks about all sorts of interesting things.

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Candice April 26, 2012 at 11:05 am

The Grayslake Copperative has been our choice for our children. I love the parent involvement!

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Dana April 26, 2012 at 02:35 pm

All of our children have attended Grayslake Cooperative Nursery School, and loved it! We love the family involvement and a chance be a part of our daughter's early education.

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margaret kissner April 26, 2012 at 03:54 pm

We have been blessed to have Precious Lambs Preschool as the first educational experience for our three children! For 8 years my children have been going to PLP in Grayslake, and have chosen Ms. Jill, Ms. Lori, Ms. Denise, Ms Sarah, Ms. Laurie and Ms. Shelia as their forever favorites! The sweet, caring and mentoring teachers have provided an amazing second home to my children that they will never forget! They truly share all their gifts of teaching with each and every child. My children have gone to Kindergarten completely prepared for "real" school and ask if they can go back to their favorite PLP classroom! The small family feel of the school has also allowed all of us to make life long friends! PLP is a hidden treasure here in Grayslake!
Margaret, Jadie, Justin & Shealy K

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Mark April 27, 2012 at 10:47 am

Mary's Peppermint Stick in Grayslake has a phenomenal learning environment. I don't know how it could be equalled let alone surpassed.

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Ritu May 2, 2012 at 01:37 am

Old School Montessori - has a great teaching and caring environment- they recognize that each child is his/her own individual and will progress at their own pace - My 2 kids are poles apart but they both love the school and are blossoming at their own pace .We had checked out a few of the aforementioned schools and settled on Old School Montessori

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KAH May 9, 2012 at 02:22 pm

Old School Montessori in Grayslake. OSM is excellent at developing and promoting the best education style for each child. I have 3 kids ranging in age from 13 to 6. All 3 kids are currently attending or attended OSM. My kids have very different personailities and learning styles but each has a strong sense of self/independence, great motivation (even the 13 year old) , and an excellent educational foundation. We are very happy with OSM.

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