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Readers' Choice: What is the Best Local Preschool?

Cast your vote by leaving a review in our business directory.

 

We've all got our favorites. Whether it's the go-to pizza place, the trusted mechanic we've been going to for years, or the trusted family dentist, there are businesses we know we can count on.

And because Patch has an extensive Yorkville business directory, we want to tap into that sentiment: Who's the best local ________? You're the experts. All you have to do is leave a review on a business.

This week's question: What is the best local preschool?

To participate, all you need is a Patch user account. If you don’t have one, just click “Join” at the top right of the page, enter your name and email address, then choose a password, and you’re all done.

Each week, voting will kick off on Monday morning and end Friday at noon. We’ll announce the “Readers' Choice” at the end of the day each Friday.

To vote, simply click on one of the directory listings below and leave a comment on the directory listing. If we've left anyone out, mention it in the comments section of this article and we'll add the business.

Cast your vote: Parkview Christian Academy, Smart Start Pre-K, We Grow Kids Childcare, Peaceful Pathways Montessori, Two Rivers Head Start Agency, Kiddie Campus Preschool & Child Care Inc, Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church and School, Lighthouse Academy, Natural Beginnings (Kendall County Forest Preserve District), Yorkville Parks and Recreation's Parker's Playtime Preschool, Little Hands Preschool (Trinity Church United Methodist)

Related Topics: Best of 2012, Pre-Schools, Readers' Choice, Schools, Yorkville Readers Choice 2012, and preschools

Megan Gessler

7:52 am on Monday, March 26, 2012

You have left out Natural Beginnings (Kendall County Forest Preserve District). Can you please add that one?

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Jillian Duchnowski

11:09 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Just added it! Please leave a comment on the district's directory listing (a link is provided above) to support Natural Beginnings, as it does not have its own directory listing.

Jen Slepicka

9:42 am on Monday, March 26, 2012

We Grow Kids Child Care. WE LOVE WGK. Highly recommend. Amazing programs. Local people with huge hearts.

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Lori Dervis

11:37 am on Monday, March 26, 2012

I love Cross -- caring teachers, wonderful family atmosphere - helps kids grow in mind, body and spirit!! Couldn't love them more if I tried! Next year they are having expanded 3 and 4's programs as well as a 2 year old (not potty trained) program!!!

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justsayin

11:56 am on Monday, March 26, 2012

you forgot Yorkville Parks and Recreation Parker's Playtime Preschool

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Jillian Duchnowski

11:08 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Just added it! Please leave a comment on the Park and Rec Department's directory listing (a link is provided above) to support Parker's Playtime Preschool, as it does not have its own directory listing.

deb morse

12:14 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Left off Little Hands Preschool. In Trinity Meth church on 47 and Cannonball Trail.

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Jillian Duchnowski

11:08 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Just added it! Please leave a comment on the church's directory listing (a link is provided above) to support Little Hands Preschool, as it does not have its own directory listing.

Alicia Gauss

2:57 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

Our kids and our famliy love Cross Lutheran Preschool. They utilize the Project Approach (a leading early childhood tool for teaching being taught in many major universities), kids get to interact with older children in the K-8 school through playtime buddies and reading buddies. My older kids have gone on to be successful primary grade students thanks to a great early beginning!

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cmccoy

3:58 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN HANDS DOWN! Best teachers, caring and loving. Great school atmosphere. My child attends the 4 year program and is READING!!! She is beyond ready for Kindergarten! They have the most reasonable rates anywhere!

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Bette Kowalczyk

5:23 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

The teachers at Cross Lutheran Preschool are very caring and provide personal attention to each and every student providing a very warm learning experience. The preschoolers really enjoy the interaction they have with the "older" grade school students when they spend time reading together.

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Deb Fox

6:13 pm on Monday, March 26, 2012

I've been watching how very much my little granddaughter has "bloomed" at We Grow Kids. I think it's phenomenal how understanding and accepting and nurturing they all are at this wonderful school! Even though it's a long drive, I'm so glad that our daughter has decided to keep her daughter enrolled. She learns so much in the kind and loving environmen there - t and has a lot of fun, too!

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evie givens

9:10 am on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

I have my son enrolled at Lighthouse Academy and I have to say that it is a great day care center. The teachers are so sweet and the administrators are very kind and helpful. Ginger knew that this was my first time having to look for a day care and she was with me every step of the way. Even when I called with a million questions, she was always very patient and accomodating. I can tell that my son (18 months) is learning a lot already and he is only there 2 days a week. Lighthouse Academy is a great educational institution in Yorkville.

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Brandy

5:27 pm on Tuesday, March 27, 2012

I LOVE Cross Lutheran! I planned on sending my oldest son there for preschool only and I was so impressed with tthe wonderful Christian atmosphere that I decided to keep him there for grade school. I have not regretted it for a second! I know have had 2 boys go through preschool at Cross. One is now in 4th grade and the other in kindergarten. On top of the great teachers and caring Christ centered environment, I love how kids in all grades work together and the older kids mentor the younger ones. Right now my 4th grade son has a "preschool buddy" that he spends time with & reads to on a regular basis. What a fantastic experience!!! Hands down the BEST preschool/school in the area. Did I mention hat I drive from Somonauk everyday to take them there? Definitely worth it!

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Maegwin Winkelman

3:04 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012

My kids love Cross and so do I. My older two went through preschool there and are now in elementary. The preschool program prepared them well. Now, my youngest is in preschool and I am still amazed with the new facts and information that he comes home with on a regular basis. There is also a wonderful atmosphere at the school, with the older and younger kids working together.

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Laura

2:26 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012

St. Mary school in Plano is adding a Preschool. It will be held at St Patrick church in Yorkville.

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Sarah Chilelli

9:28 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012

Lighthouse Academy is definantly the best! My 2 children have been going there since they were babies and it has always been nothing but the best care for both of them. The staff is caring and I have watched my kids blossom because of the excellent care and education that they are recieving there. My daughter is now in the kindergarten class and my son is in the two year old room. I feel that she will definantly be prepared to enter 1st grade next year. And my son just amazes me with how smart he is! I just wish Lighthouse would expand and become a full fledged K-8 private school. I can say I would have my children enrolled!

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Robyn Lycan

9:21 am on Friday, March 30, 2012

We love Peaceful Pathways Montessori! They provide a fabulous educational experience in an amazing setting. We are getting ready for our youngest to move out of PPMA and I will miss the school and staff terribly!

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Reese

10:00 am on Friday, March 30, 2012

Peacefully pathways is the best!

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Heidi Hastert

11:16 am on Friday, March 30, 2012

We love Peaceful Pathways so much we drive 30 each way. Our oldest is five and in his third year at the school. Our youngest are in the toddler room. We will be at PPMA for many years to come.

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Connie Nelson

11:42 am on Friday, March 30, 2012

I have raised 2 children and am watching 9 grandchildren grow up in various school settings. Two of my grandchildren attend Peaceful Pathways and I am blown away every time I see what they have learned. Way ahead of their peers. Such a loving, encouraging environment. By far the best school I have ever known.

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Michele T.

11:48 am on Friday, March 30, 2012

My 2 children attend Peaceful Pathways and I highly recommend it! It is a phenominal school and wish I could have attended a school like this when I was growing up. You learn best when you chose what you are interested in. Children here learn at their own pace in a peaceful, beautiful setting. I can't say enough about it.

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Michelle Leedham

12:09 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012

Cross Lutheran Preschool offers so many experiences for preschoolers. The Project Approach helps them to learn about what they are interested in and utilizes their questions and curiosity. The parents are a huge part of our success - they are so very supportive and caring. Throw in the fun interaction with older students and the dedication and hard work of the teachers and assistants and you've got a great place for preschoolers!

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Stephanie Ho

8:39 am on Monday, April 2, 2012

My daughter goes to Children of America and has for 2 years. She'll also attend kinder there in the fall. We love the set up, the curriculum, her teachers and aides...she has learned so much and LOVES school!

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Stephanie Ho

8:40 am on Monday, April 2, 2012

*Add that to the list, maybe? : )

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Jillian Duchnowski

9:09 am on Monday, April 2, 2012

Stephanie, Children of America was listed in our directory under child care, not pre-schools. That's why they didn't end up on the list to begin with, but I added the pre-school category for them now. I'm glad your daughter had a great experience there. You can leave a review for them in the directory here: http://patch.com/L-mCbF

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