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Choosing a preschool can feel overwhelming. You have to decide on the right type of school, find the right location, and the schedule that fits in with family life and your child’s needs. You have a lot of boxes to check off and as parents ourselves we know that every bit of information you can gather helps you check off those boxes faster and with more confidence.

We have been putting together a parent-focused preschool guide for Lake County for the last 5 years and now we’ve brought all that we’ve learned to McHenry County. The Little McHenry County Preschool Guide has been put together with the parents’ needs at the forefront. Schools are listed by city so you can find one that is in your town or near your work. Each listing includes the type of program, ages, days and length of the day so you can weasily compare and find just wjat you are looking for. No buzzwords, no heavy-handed sales tactics here — just simple, easy to read listings.

How did we create this guide?
We emailed almost 300 preschools and daycare centers in Lake and McHenry County. All schools were given the option to complete a form for a basic listing. The guide is made up of the responses we received. Schools with larger listings and images paid for those positions.

Little McHenry County is not associated with any of the schools listed; partnerships are not an endorsement of a particular school or curriculum but are provided to give the community more in-depth information about options available. This guide is updated yearly.

McHenry County Preschool Guide

Find a Preschool near you:

Algonquin Preschools

Kiddie Academy of Algonquin
2420 Harnish Drive, Algonquin, 60102
(847) 458-0200

Type: Play-Based
Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool,
4-5 year-old Pre-K
Half-Day, Full-Day
M-W-F, T-Th, Everyday
Before & After School Care

Barrington Area Preschools

(includes Barrington Preschools, Barrington Hills Preschools, North Barrington Preschools, Lake Barrington Preschools, Deer Park Preschools, and Fox River Grove Preschools)

Montessori Children’s House of North Barrington
115 Clover Hill Lane, North Barrington, 60010
(847) 550-0917

Type: Montessori
Offers: 18 months- 6 years of age
Kindergarten
Half-Day, Full-Day; Everyday
Before & After School Care

The Little Garden School
9215 Gardner Rd., Fox River Grove, 60021
(224) 357-4158

Type: Play-Based
Offers: 2 year old preschool,
3 year old preschool,
Four-Five year-olds, Pre-K
M-W-F, Tues-Thurs, Everyday
Half-day

Cary Preschools

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic School 416 North First Street, Cary, 60013 (847) 639-3041 Type: Faith-Based, Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old Preschool – 8th Grade, Full Day Kindergarten Half-Day, Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care	St. Barnabas Christian Preschool 8901 Cary Algonquin Rd., Cary, 60013 (847) 516-4171 Type: Faith-Based, Play-Based Offers: Terrific Two’s: Friday’s 1.5 hrs. w/ Guardian 3’s M/W AM, T/TH AM or M/W/TH PM 4’s M-TH AM or PM or M/W/TH AM Pre-K M-TH PM
Trinity Oaks Christian Academy 233 Trinity Oaks Way, Cary, 60013 (847) 462-5971 Type: Faith-Based Offers: 3-year-old preschool through 12th grade Half-Day; M-W-F Before & After School Care

Crystal Lake Preschools

“Barlina House teachers go above and beyond to foster a love of learning in my daughter. I tried ALL of the local preschool facilities and Barlina House is by far the best Crystal Lake has to offer. Barlina staff have created an inviting, safe and enriching environment for children.”
Nicole M., Crystal Lake

“Our experience at Immanuel has been an absolute blessing. Our teachers have a special gift of showing children they are loved, they are children of God, and they are learners. We were so happy with Immanuel’s Preschool program that we decided there was no other choice but to continue our children in such a great community and environment
Immanuel Lutheran Parent

Montessori Pathways School 133 Illinois St., Crystal Lake 60014 (815) 459-6727 Type: Montessori Offers: Multi-aged primary class for 3-6 year olds, lower and upper elementary for 6-12 year olds Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care, Lunch Bunch	First Church Preschool 236 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake, 60014 (815) 459-8097 Type: Faith-Based, play-Based Offers: 2-year-old Preschool, 3-year-old Preschool, 4-year-old Preschool, Pre-K, After-Preschool Enrichment Classes Half-Day; M-W-F, T-TH, Everyday
St. Paul’s Christian Preschool 485 W. Woodstock St., Crystal Lake, 60014 (815) 479-9770 Type: Faith-Based Multiple Intelligence with Service Oriented Learning Offers: 2-5 year-old preschool Half-Day; M-W-F, T-TH, Everyday Lunch Bunch	Thunderbird Preschool 625 Rudat Ct., Crystal Lake 60014 (815) 459-2266 Type: Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old preschools, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year-old Pre-K Half-Day, M-W-F, T-TH, Everyday
My Father’s World Preschool 932 McHenry Avenue, Crystal Lake, 60014 (815) 455-3200 Type: Faith-Based, Play-Based Offers: 2-year old preschool, 3-year old preschool, 4-5 Year Old Pre-K and Kindergarten Enrichment Half-Day; M-W-F, Everyday

Huntley Preschools

Little Hands Home Daycare & Preschool
10212 Somerset Lane, Huntley 60142
(847) 814-3213

Type: Play-Based
Offers: 2-year-old Preschool, 3-year-old Preschool, 4-5 year-old Pre-K
Full-Day; M-F
Part-Time spaces based on availability
Before & After School Care

Ingleside Preschools

“Our children have attended St. Bede School’s Preschool for 4 years, and we couldn’t be happier with the quality of education they receive. Mrs. Swiss is a wonderful teacher who not only prepares the students for Kindergarten, but also meets their emotional needs and supports parents in educating the children in our faith. St. Bede Preschool is truly a blessing!”
St. Bede School Preschool Parent

Gavin District 37 Pre-K
36414 N Ridge Road, Ingleside, 60041
(847) 973-3280

Type: Play-Based
Blended 3-5 year-old Pre-K*
Children with IEP’S or are referred from Early Intervention
Half-Day; Everyday
*For residents within Gavin District Boundaries

Island Lake Preschools

Creative Playtime Preschool
3720 Greenleaf Ave., Island Lake, 60042
(847) 526-8795

Type: Play-Based
Offers: 2 yr. old preschool, 3 yr. old preschool, 4-5 yr. old Pre-K
Half-Day; M-W-F, T-TR

Lake in the Hills Preschools

District 158 Parent Tot Program
D158 Early Childhood Center/Door 4
10910 Reed Road, Lake in the Hills, 60156
(847) 659-5721

Type: Play-Based
The Parent Tot program is a fee based drop in center for parents and their children (birth-5). THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY FOR RESIDENTS OF SCHOOL DISTRICT 158 AND PROOF OF RESIDENCY IS REQUIRED.
Half-Day; Everyday

McHenry Preschools

Joyful Noise Christian Preschool 2107 W. Lincoln Rd., McHenry, 60051 (815) 344-5888 Type: Play-Based, Faith-Based Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year-old Pre-K Half-day; M-W-F, T-TH, Everyday	Zion Lutheran School 4206 W. Elm St., McHenry 60050 (815) 385-4488 Type: Faith-Based Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year-old Pre-K, Kindergarten and 1st grade Half-Day, Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care
Little Angels Preschool 3504 W. Washington St., McHenry, 60051 (815) 385-5380 Type: Faith-Based, Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year-old Pre-K, Kindergarten Half-Day Full-Day; M-W-F, T-TH, Everyday Before & After School Care	Noah’s Ark Preschool 5211 W. Bull Valley Road McHenry IL 60050 (815) 388-0158 Type: Play-Based, Faith-Based Offers: 2-year-old Parent/Child Class, 3-year-old Preschool, 4-5-year-old Pre-K M-W-F, T-TH Half-Day

Union Preschools

Little Blessings Preschool
6821 Main Street, Union, 60180
(815) 923-2733

Type: Play-Based, Faith-Based
Offers: 3-year-old Preschool, 4-5 year-old Pre-K
Half-day; M-W-F, T-TH

Woodstock Preschools

We have grown to know and love the teachers, staff, and other families. Preschool is where our children began building relationships, develop basic skills for learning, and become more equipped for life. My husband and I feel that we are a part of their education with open communication and the ability to participate in special occasions, and we know our Catholic values are shared by the teachers and school.
Mary’s Little Lambs Preschool Parent

St. John’s Lutheran Preschool 401 St. John’s Rd., Woodstock 60098 (815) 338-5185 Type: Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old Preschool, 3-year-old Preschool, 4-5 year-old Pre-K Half-day; Everyday	First United Methodist Preschool 201 W. South St., Woodstock, 60098 (815) 338-8341 Type: Faith-Based, Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K Half-Day, M-W-F, T-TH, Everyday
Grace Lutheran Preschool 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Rd, Woodstock, 60098 (815) 338-0554 Type: Faith-Based Offers: 2 year-old preschool, 3 year-old preschool, and 4-5 year -old Pre-K Half-Day, Everyday

Lake County Preschools

“I can’t say enough about how happy we are with our sons’ experience here. I did a lot of research. I am so happy we chose Nature Walk Montessori. The teachers are so kind, skilled, and calm. The director is extremely involved, engaged, and warm. We love Nature Walk!”
Nature Walk Montessori Parent

davinci waldorf school, waldorf school mchenry county, waldorf preschool

“My daughter bakes bread, gardens, sews, finger knits, spends time in nature, and listens to wonderful stories. She eats nutritious snacks that she helps prepare. She builds imaginary worlds with other children to develop excellent social skills. All of this prepares her for success in grade school and in life.”
DaVinci Waldorf Parent

Alta Vista Montessori School 1850 West Winchester Rd., Libertyville 60048 (847) 918-1621 Type: Montessori Offers: 6 weeks – Kindergarten Half-day, Full-Day; 3, 4, 5 days Year Round School	Gloryland Preschool 607 W. Belvidere, Grayslake 60030 (847) 548-0112 Type: Faith-Based Offers: 2-year old preschool, 3-year old preschool, 4-year old preschool, Pre-Kindergarten Half-day; M-W-F, T-TH, Everyday
Rootz 557 Waukegan Rd., Northbrook, 60062 (224) 269-0004 Type: Play-Based Offers: 4-5 yr. old Pre-K, Kindergarten, Kindergarten Enrichment Half-Day, Everyday Before & After School Care Lunch Bunch	Little Liberty Preschool 1640 Gelden Road, Lindenhurst, 60046 (847) 356-9329 Type: Fait-Based Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K Half-Day; M-W-F
College of Lake County Children’s Learning Center 19351 W. Washington, Room D132, Grayslake, 60030 (847) 543-2053 Type: Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 yr. old Pre-K Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday	Round Lake Area Park District Child Development Center 814 Hart Rd., Round Lake, 60073 (847) 546-8558 Type: Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old Preschool, 3-year-old Preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care

Find the full Lake County Preschool Guide at Little Lake County.

Not sure what exactly all those different types are? Heather breaks down the different types of preschools and what type of child/family they are good for in Choosing the Right Preschool for your Child. Get a quick look at the difference here:

Disclosure: All decisions for this guide were made by the Editorial Staff of Little McHenry County; we apologize for any errors or glaring omissions. Promotional consideration was paid by sponsored listings as indicated. Don’t see your preschool listed? Be sure we have your current information by completing this form.

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