I just included Beth El's preschool to the list after a reader wrote in calling it "outstanding." Any other suggestions?

Highland Park Community Nursery School and Day Care Center is a wonderful, supportive, creative program in the heart of Highland Park. It has a strong music and art program (we have our own art studio!!!), outstanding teachers who create unique and creative experiences for each class, a colorful mural painted in our playground, and opportunities for families to connect with each other. Truly a fantastic and worthwhile program.

We chose Highland Park Community for our 2 children after investigating several strong preschools in Highland Park. HPC treated us like they were welcoming our whole family into the school and inviting a partnership with us as parents, versus just enrolling our children. Their programs and staff are child-centered rather than "consumer-driven"-- it is clear they are passionate about putting the developmental needs of children first instead of simply catering to the market. The staff are all wonderful and our children continue to THRIVE as independent thinkers and enthusiastic learners.

Highland Park Community Nursery School has outstanding early childhood programs, and there is truly something for everyone- 2,3,4 and 5 day preschool programs, before school, after school and full time care, kindergarten enrichment and Spanish language classrooms. "Community" sets itself apart with in-house music and art teachers and Reggio-inspired curriculum. It is currently developing an outdoor classroom and utilizes a huge indoor gymnasium for gross motor play. My kids adore their teachers, and my expectations have been blown away by their level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication. Right now my daughter is learning sign language in her kindergarten enrichment program- her teachers are an inspiration! I truly feel that Highland Park Community Nursery School goes above and beyond to provide students with the high-quality early childhood experience they deserve.
Katy Lee
Prek-Grade 3 Certified Teacher

I have three children who have gone to B'nai Torah Preschool, and we are on our last year. We will be sad to leave the preschool because it is such a nurturing and caring environment. The director and teachers are flexible to everyone's needs and are warm and loving role models for the children. My daughter looks forward to going to school each day. My prior experience shows me that my children were well prepared for Kindergarten and that their love of preschool fostered their love of school in general.

Jayme Muriel

Highland Park Community Nursery School knows my child and loves my child for who she is. They have helped her develop excellent interpersonal skills, excellent problem solving skills, and confidence that she is loved, and respected by her teachers and her peers. The most important part about HP Community is that they create an environment that children love. Children learn to love school and to love their teachers because of their programs.

B'nai Torah Preschool was actually the 2nd preschool I chose for my daughter. We previously attended another location and then our family's needs changed. I called B'nai Torah and was absolutely blown away by the director's warmth, attentiveness to our family situation and understanding of how changing schools could be a stressful situation for my daughter. I have found the environment to be loving, flexible, and genuine. My daughter has just blossomed there. She loves school and is extremely prepared for kindergarten. The staff fosters independence and education, all while inspiring friendships, community and a general respect of each other and self. I am sad to leave B'nai Torah preschool, but feel as though we have gained so much during our 1 year there.

Terri Soussan

Bnai Torah is a warm and creative Pre school. I have my youngest there now and another one that went there for two years. My daughter LOVES school and is so excited to see her friends and teachers every time she goes. The director is compassionate and accessible as are the teachers.

Bnai' Torah has given our son a safe atmosphere in which to learn, grow, gain mastery, develop positive peer relationships and flourish. Every day he wakes up and asks if we are going to school today. It truly takes a village to raise a child! We look foward to continuing his education at Bnai' Torah!

My children have attended the JCYS Lutz Center and I have been so happy with the caring and wonderful environment there. The teachers are so caring and warm.

I have two daughters, one who graduated from Bnai Torah and the other currently attending. My kids LOVE the program and really learned a lot during their time there. The setting is beautiful, on the lake and the school takes advantage of learning through nature. The Director is amazing and we love all of our teachers. They are very accommodating and take the time to know each child very well. It's a wonderful environment! It is also nice because it is more intimate then some of the other schools. Vote Bnai Torah! :-)

I know there are some great preschools out there but I just feel so lucky to have had my children attend lakeside congregation. The kids have been exposed to such a warm and nuturing environment and I feel that my voice as a parent has always been heard and respected. Paula the diector goes totally above and beyond. All I say to anyone who asks is "run do not walk your child over to lakeside"!!!! I will truly miss walking in there (10 minutes late) next year.

Highland Park Nursery School and Day Care is a caring place that highly values children and family. Both my children attended for nursery school, kindergarten enrichment, before school care and day care. Being a working mom, their flexibilty is so helpful. Jean Wallace Baker is an amazing director. The staff is highly qualified. I love the low key atmosphere where kids get to be kids - explore, interact with others, learn. They get the kids outside! The healthiest thing for kids. They also have a wonderful chef, the kids really like the food. I did go to another facility for 6 months, so I have one place to compare it to. So it is an amazing place and affordable!!

Our son loves Bnai Torah. He has learned so much there!

Both of my sons have attended Lakeside Congregation Children's Center since they were 2yrs. old. My 7 yr old still loves to come visit the school because he has such warm memories of the teachers and the program. My 4 yr old loves his teachers and the activities. The school is a reflection of the enormous devotion and dedication that the principal, Paula Davis, and her amazing teachers have for their students. It is so evident how much they love the kids! I will miss Lakeside when my youngest graduates!

Lakeside Congregation has been an incredible experience for both of our children...and I know will continue to be! The warmth and care that is shown to the students & families is beyond compare. My 4 year old absolutely adores her teachers and is excited---every day!--- to go to school. Lakeside is skilled at building a safe and strong schooling foundation for each child.

Lakeside Congregation is family and home to our family. We moved to Deerfield in May and had many choices of great preschools. Lakeside welcomed us with open arms. From the second we walked in the door we have felt such a sense of family, warmth and community. It was very important to us to send our daughter to a school that had a warm environment, a colorful classroom, amazing teachers and strong leadership. We found all of qualities mentioned above in Lakeside. The entire staff has been amazing and helpful. The staff, community and families make Lakeside the most amazing preschool ever. My daughters cannot wait to go to school everyday.

This was our first year at Lakeside and it already feels like home. Paula and all the teachers are so sweet and caring. We love them all!!

There are many excellent preschools in this area, but our family has cherished our time at Lakeside Congregation Children's Center. We have been a part of Paula's Lakeside family since 2006. Many tears were shed when my now 1st grader graduated from Lakeside. He wished that Paula would make a bigger school so he would not have to leave. My daughter will start her Pre-K year this coming fall, it will be our last year at Lakeside. It will be hard to leave Paula and her amazing staff. Paula Davis, the Director, has set the tone for a warm, nurturing environment that provides a solid fundamental education to prepare your child for elementary school. My children love the activities that are in the curriculum such as the Stretch 'n Grow program by Ilyce Zoloto and Yoga classes. The World Travelers program is a great experience for pre-schoolers. Paula and the teachers are incredibly responsive to parent's input, dedicated to the children, and work very hard each day to provide a great pre-school experience.

No doubt one of the things that draws us into our wonderful community is the Education as a whole, with Pre School well served by many excellent programs. We moved from the city where my oldest attended Sinai Pre School 7 years ago and my wife vetted all of the Pre Schools before our move. She ending up choosing Montessori East on Laurel. They have an excellent program with an outstanding staff. When we entered public school we were nervous about our daughter being the youngest in her class and thought about holding her back. The principal assured us that Montessorri children have no difficulties and are well prepared. Now she is getting ready for Jr Hi and our little one is very happily following her sister's legacy :)

I might also add that Country Day offers an excellent program but is likely disqualified as they are within Lake Forest Boundaries:)

We love Nss Beth EL!