Choosing a preschool can feel overwhelming. You have to decide on the right type of school, find the right
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

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
McHenry County Preschool Guide
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)
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 | 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
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 | 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 |
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
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 | 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 |
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 | 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
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 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
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
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
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 | 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 |
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 | 5211 W. Bull Valley Road McHenry IL 60050 (815) 388-0158 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
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
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 | 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

“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
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 | 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 |
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 | 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 |
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 | 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.
Back to TopNot 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.
