Choosing a preschool can feel like a daunting task! There are so many different types of schools, different locations, and various days and times of operation; how do you find the one that is just right for you? As parents ourselves we know that every bit of information we can gather helps, but also that you are busy raising kids.

The Little Lake County Preschool Guide has been put together with parents in mind. Schools are listed by city so you can find the one that is in your town or near your office. Each listing includes the type of program, ages, days, and length of the day so you can easily compare and find just what 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 recieved. Schools with larger listings and images paid for those positions. 

Little Lake 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. 

Lake County Preschool Guide

Antioch | Barrington | Barrington Hills | Buffalo Grove | Deer Park | Deerfield | Fox River Grove | Gages Lake | Grayslake | Gurnee | Hainesville | Hawthorn Woods | Highland Park | Ingleside | Island Lake | Lake Barrington | Lake Forest | Lake Zurich | Libertyville | Lindenhurst | Long Grove | Mundelein | North Barrington | Northbrook | Round Lake | Round Lake Beach | Round Lake Heights | Third Lake | Vernon Hills | Wadsworth | Wauconda | Waukegan | Wheeling | Wildwood | Zion

Find a Preschool near you:

Antioch Preschools

A Child’s Place 1410 Deep Lake Rd., Antioch, 60002 (847) 838-7669 Type: Play-Based Offers: 6 weeks- 12 years Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care	Camp Crayon Preschool 806 Holbek Drive, Antioch 60002 (847) 395-2160 Type: Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year-old Pre-K M-W-F, Tues-Thurs, Everyday Half-day
Preschool For All & Early Childhood Special Education Pre-K Program Serving District 34 Residents  Hillcrest Elementary School 433 E. Depot Street, Antioch, 600002  (847) 838-8261 Type: Play-Based  Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K  Half-Day; Everyday

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Barrington Area Preschools

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

“Thank you for being such positive role models.  Our son loves going to school at Bright Horizons and I know it is because he admires his teachers.  He feels respected and appreciated and we couldn’t ask for anything more!”

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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, 4-5 year-old Pre-K M-W-F, Tues-Thurs, Everyday Half-day

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Buffalo Grove Preschools

Buffalo Grove Park District 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove 60089 (847) 850-2111 Type: Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 yr old Pre-K, Half-Day, M-W-F, T-TH After school lunch and enrichment classes	Buffalo Grove Montessori School 950 Ellen Drive, Buffalo Grove 60089 (847) 541-8111 Type: Montessori Offers: Full-Day Montessori for infants through Kindergarten Kindergarten Enrichment Half-Day programs available for 3, 4, 5 year olds and kindergartners
Montessori World of Discovery 1395 N. Arlington Hts. Rd., Buffalo Grove 60089 (847) 415-2021 Type: Montessori Offers: 6 weeks - 10 years Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care	Saint Mary School 50 N. Buffalo Grove Rd., Buffalo Grove, 60089  (847) 459-6270  Type: Faith-Based, Play-Based  Offers: 3-year-old preschool through 8th grade  full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday  Before & After School Care

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Deerfield Preschools

“My appreciation for the teachers at Bright Horizons Lake Cook goes beyond the words that I can express.  They extend themselves daily to our children’s learning.  Both of my sons were more than prepared to move forward in kindergarten, thanks to Bright Horizons.”

“Thank you for a great year of K Prep with our son.  He loves school and we have seen him grow so much this year - his writing and drawing, his imagination in creating art projects, stories, songs, or new ways to play, and how he expresses his feelings.  We look forward to kindergarten with confidence!”

Bright Horizons at Parkway North Parent

Christian Beginnings 824 Waukegan Rd., Deerfield, 60015 (847) 945-5140 Type: Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 yr old Pre-K, Full-Day, Half-Day, Everyday Lunch Bunch

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Grayslake Area Preschools

(Includes Gages Lake Preschools, Grayslake Preschools, Hainesville Preschools, Third Lake Preschools, and Wildwood Preschools.

“Our whole family loves preschool!  Our son’s teachers are fantastic.  We appreciate the constant communication through pictures, daily newsletters, and short conversations at pick up time.  We love that they are very patient, caring and interactive with the children.  My child loves Lake County Tech Campus Preschool and is having fun learning and growing every day.

Preschool Parent

“What do founders of Amazon, Google, and Wikipedia have in common? A Montessori education.  OSM’s dedicated teachers nurtured our two children’s creativity and natural curiosity from an early age and they are thriving! OSM provided them with the foundation for a lifetime of success and a love of learning.”

My daughter has been with Saint Gilbert School for two years of preschool and I cannot say enough about the program. I have an older daughter who did not do Pre-K there and I am amazed at the difference as it relates to kindergarten readiness - specifically in areas of speech, writing, and comprehension. The Saint Gilbert program is teaching things in preschool that other schools don’t start until Kindergarten.

St. Gilbert parent

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Prairie Crossing Charter School 1531 Jones Point Rd., Grayslake 60030 (847) 543-9722 Type: Public Charter School Offers: Kindergarten - 8th Grade Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care	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
Peppermint Stick Children’s Center 40 S. Whitney St., Grayslake 60048 (847) 223-0611 Type: Play-Based Offers: 15 months - Kindergarten Half-Day, Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care	Schoolhouse Adventures Community Preschool Wildwood Park District  33325 N. Sears Blvd., Wildwood, 60030 (847) 223-7275  Type: Play-Based, Community Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K Half-Day; M-W-F, T-TH,  Lunch Bunch
Grayslake Park District - I Love Learning Preschool  240 Commerce Dr., Grayslake, 60030 (847) 223-7529 Type: Play-Based, Community Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K  Half-Day; M-W-F, T-TH, Everyday  Lunch Bunch	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
Westlake Christian Academy 275 South Lake Street, Grayslake, 60030 (847) 548-6209 Type: Faith-Based, Play-Based, Offers: 3-year-old preschool - Grade 12 Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care

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Gurnee Preschools

“Country Meadows Montessori is an alternative educational program that prepares your child not only for success in high school,
but in life.” 

“Mrs. Byker and Mrs. Rowan have become family to us because they made us part of theirs! We love the blend of academics and free choice play. All of our children have gone 2 years each to GCC Preschool and we couldn’t have asked for a better first start for them. Arts and crafts, circle time, gym time, stories, snacks, journal time, and all the lessons are created by them each year. We will forever be grateful to them and would recommend them to everyone!

GCC Parent

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Growing Tree Preschool Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave. Hunt Club Park Community Center, 920 N. Hunt Club Rd. Gurnee, 60031 (847) 623-7788 Type: Community Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K Full-Day, Half-Day; M-W-F, T-TR, Everyda Before & After School Care, Lunch Bunch

Little Learners Preschool  36630 N. Hutchins Rd., Gurnee, 60031 (847) 356-1296  Type: Community  Offers: 3-4 year old preschool T-TH 4-5 year olds Pre-K  M-W-F Half-Day

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Hawthorn Woods Preschools

St. Matthew Lutheran Preschool 24480 North Old McHenry Rd., Hawthorn Woods, 60047 (847) 438-6103 Type: Faith-Based Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K, Kindergarten Enrichment Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care Lunch Bunch

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Highland Park Preschools

Montessori Connection West 1731 Deerfield Rd., Highland Park, 60035 (847) 831-9393 Type: Montessori Offers: 2-year-old preschool - Kindergarten Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday

JCYS George W. Lutz Family Center 800 Clavey Rd., Highland Park, 60035 (847) 433-6001  Type: Play-Based, Faith-Based  offers: Full-Day and Part-Day preschool from 15 months to 5 years.

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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

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Island Lake Preschools

Creative Playtime Preschool 3720 Greenleaf Ave., Island Lake, 60042 (847) 526-8795 Type: Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3 year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K Half-Day; M-W-F, T-TR

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Lake Forest Preschools

“The first few years of life are the most fundamentally important years in terms of how a child sees and understands himself or herself, others, and the world around him or her. As a clinical psychotherapist, I trust LFCDS to nurture and develop my children on a cognitive, social-emotional, and cultural level.

Kate Mursau ’90 LFCDS alumna & current parent, co-author of “Smart Parenting”

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Winter Club Preschool 956 North Sheridan Rd., Lake Forest, 60045 (847) 234-0030 Type: Play-Based, Project Approach Offers: Mixed age-group 3-5 year-old preschool Morning 3 or 5 day options Afternoon enrichment offered daily	East Lake Academy 13911 W. Laurel Dr., Lake Forest 60045 (847) 247-0035 Type: Faith-Based, Play-Based Offers: Preschool - 8th Grade Half-day, Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care, Lunch Bunch
Gorton Center 400 E. Illinois Rd., Lake Forest, 60045  (847)234-2778  Type: Play-Based, Community  Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K  Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday  Lunch Bunch	Kinderhaven Academy 400 Hastings Rd., Lake Forest, 60045  (847) 810-3947  Type: Reggio Emila  Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K  Full-Day, Half-Day;  Everyday

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Lake Zurich Preschools

“Tree of Life Lutheran Preschool is my favorite place for our kids to be for preschool!  The teacher is exceptional with the kids and an amazing teacher. Pastor and staff are encouraging and always supportive of parents and their role. It is an incredible place for my kids to be involved in.”

“I cannot say enough good things about the JCC early childhood programming. The teachers are top notch, and the facility and grounds are beautiful. Where else can you send your kids to school that has a state of the art science center like the Garoon Gateway to Science?”

-Michelle, parent at Jacob Duman Early Childhood Center

Foglia YMCA Preschool 1025 N. Old McHenry Rd., Lake Zurich 60047 (847) 410-5373 Type: Play-Based Offers: 3’s, 4’s and 5’s Multi-Age Classroom Full-Day/Half-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care	Little Leaders Preschool 100 Church Street, Lake Zurich, 60047 (847) 540-7060 Type: Blended Preschool Classrooms Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K Half-day; Everyday
Village of Lake Zurich- Yellow Brick Road Preschool Paulus Park Barn, 200 South Rand Rd. Buffalo Creek Facility, 675 Old Mill Grove Rd. Lake Zurich 60047 (847) 719-2462 Type: Play-Based Offers:Two Year Old Preschool, Just For Me Almost Three Preschool, 3-year-old Preschool & 4-year-old Preschool Half-Day; M-W-F, T-TH Lunch Bunch	Bright Horizons at Kemper Lakes  One Corporate Drive, Suite 180, Lake Zurich, 60047 (847) 719-9007 Type: Emergent Curriculum Offers: Programs for infants, toddlers, early preschool, preschool, and kindergarten prep.  Full day private kindergarten. Full-Day; Everyday
Quentin Road Christian Preschool  60 N. Quentin Rd., Lake Zurich, 60047  (847) 438-4494 Type: Faith-Based  Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K, Kindergarten Enrichment, Kindergarten Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care

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Libertyville Preschools

“Our son attended St. John’s preschool and now loves Kindergarten there. St. John is truly a unique family-centered environment with great teachers who really care about their students and love to invest in their education and spiritual foundation. We look forward to all three of our children attending St. John through 8th grade.”

St. John School Parent

“My daughter blossomed in the St. Joseph preschool program. I appreciated how the curriculum challenged her to grow and think in a safe and loving environment, but my favorite thing she learned was how to use her “loving heart.”

St. Joseph Preschool Parent

Libertyville Montessori School 450 S. Butterfield Rd., Mundelein 60060 (847) 362-5170 Type: Montessori Offers: 2 yr. old preschool - Third Grade Tutoring through 6th grade Half-Day, Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care, Lunch Bunch	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
STEM Montessori Academy of Libertyville 287 Peterson Rd., STE #101, Libertyville 60048 (872) 222-7836 Type: Montessori Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-k, Kindergarten, Kindergarten Enrichment Half-Day, Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care, Lunch Bunch	Young at Heart Preschool 610 Peterson Rd., Libertyville 60048 (847) 367-6110 Type: Play-Based Offers: Infants - Pre-K Full and Part-Time offered
Advocate Condell Day Center Early Learning and Care 700 Garfield Ave., Libertyville, 60048 (847) 990-5800 Type: Play-Based, Hospital Affiliated Offers: Infants - Kindergarten Prep Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday	Matigian Preschool 103 Center St., Libertyville, 60048  (847) 362-7675 Type: Academically-Based  Offers: 2-year-old Preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K, Kindergarten Enrichment  Half-Day, Everyday  Lunch Bunch
The Children’s House of Libertyville  223 W. Golf Rd., Libertyville 60048 (847) 816-3590  Type: Montessori  Offers: Infants through age 12 Full-day; Everyday Before &After School Care

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Lindenhurst Preschools

Little Liberty Preschool 1640 Gelden Road, Lindenhurst, 60046 (847) 356-9329 Type: Faith-Based Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K 9-11:30 a.m.; M-W-F

Red Apple Academy, Inc. 18550 Millburn Road, Wadsworth, 60083 (847) 265-5664 Type: Child-Centered, Hands-on Learning Environment Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday

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Long Grove Preschools

My child comes home from Montessori School of Long Grove excited about what she has experienced that day and continues  to grow in self-confidence. The teachers are caring and patient. My child raves about her teachers who have inspired a love of learning in her.

Primrose School of Long Grove 39885 Old McHenry Rd., Long Grove 60047 (847) 438-3175 Type: Play-Based Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K Full-Day/Half-Day; Everyday

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Mundelein Preschools

Big & Little Child Development Center 1401 N. Midlothian Rd., Mundelein, 60060 (847) 388-5440 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	Learning Center Preschool 1016 Diamond Lake Rd., Mundelein, 60060  (847) 388-5440  Type: Play-Based  Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K, Kindergarten Enrichment  Half-Day; M-W-F, T-TH
Mundelein Montessori School 1401 S. Lake St., Mundelein, 60060 (847) 566-4345 Type: Montessori  Offers: Infant through Pre-K Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care

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Northbrook Preschools

Rootz 557 Waukegan Rd., Northbrook, 60062 (224) 269-0004 Type: Play-Based Offers: 4-5 year old Pre-K, Kindergarten, Kindergarten Enrichment Half-Day, Everyday Before & After School Care Lunch Bunch	Seeds of Grace Christian Child Development Center 2245 Walters Ave., Northbrook, 60062 (847) 498-3060 Type: Faith-Based Offers: Infants - Pre-K Full-Day, Half-Day Monday - Friday
Bright Horizons at Northbrook 1101 Techny Road, Northbrook, 60062 (847) 559-9698 Type: Emergent Curriculum Offers: Programs for infants, toddlers, early preschool, preschool, and kindergarten prep.  Full- and part-time schedules available.  Full-Day; Everyday	Northbrook Community Nursery School 1300 Shermer Rd., Northbrook, 60062  (847) 272-5430 Type: Play-Based, Community Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K Half-Day, Everyday Lunch Bunch

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Round Lake Area Preschools

(Includes Round Lake Preschools, Round Lake Beach Preschools, Round Lake Heights 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

Peppermint Stick Children’s Center 1124 N. Cedar Lake Rd., Round Lake Beach 60073 (847) 223-0611 Type: Play-Based Offers: 15 months - Kindergarten Half-Day, Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care	Early Education Center Round Lake School District 116 882 W. Nippersink Rd., Round Lake, 60073 (847) 270-9920  Type: Play-Based, Community  Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K  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

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Vernon Hills Preschools

CDW At Play Child Care Center 165 North Lakeview Parkway, Vernon Hills, 60061 (847) 465-3431 Type: Emergent Curriculm Offers: Programs for infants, toddlers, early preschool, preschool, and kindergarten prep. Full day private kindergarten. Full-Day; Everyday

Christ Lutheran Preschool  595 N. Deerpath Dr., Vernon Hills, 60061 (847) 367-5791 Type: Play-Based  offers: 2.5 - 5 year old (Pre-K)  Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday  Before & After School Care  Lunch Bunch

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Wadsworth Preschools

“My favorite part of the St. Patrick Preschool program is EVERYTHING! It is such a warm, loving environment with great social, emotional and academic skill development.  I love the knowledge in Religious education as well.  A solid foundation with great teachers!”

St. Patrick Parent

Cubbies Christian Daycare  13432 W. High Ridge Trail, Wadsworth, 60083 (847) 746-1647  Type: Faith-Based  Offers: Infants - 3-year-old Preschool  Full-Day; Everyday

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Wauconda Preschools

“At Da Vinci Waldorf School we have found a community of friends and teachers in an environment that preserves children’s innocence, accentuates creativity and imagination and inspires a profound reverence for humankind and nature.”

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Waukegan Preschools

Immanuel Lutheran School 1310 N. Frolic Ave., Waukegan, 60085 (847) 249-0011 Type: Faith-Based Offers: 3-year-old Preschool - 8 grade Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care

CLC Children’s Learning Center - Lakeshore 33 N. Genesee St. Waukegan, 60085 (847) 543-2190 Type: Play-Based, Community Offers: 2-year-old preschool, 3-year-old preschool, 4-5 year old Pre-K Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday

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Wheeling Preschools

Alexander Graham Bell Montessori School 9300 Capitol Drive, Wheeling 60090 (847) 850-5490 Type: Montessori Offers: 2-year-old Preschool - 8 grade Half-Day, Full-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care

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Zion Preschools

(Includes Beach Park Preschools)

Our Lady Of Humility Catholic School 10601 Wadsworth Rd., Beach Park 60099 (847) 746-3722 Type: Faith-Based, Play-Based Offers: PK3, PK4, and K-8 grades Full-Day; M-W-F, Everyday Before & After School Care, Lunch Bunch	Our Savior’s Lutheran School 1800 23rd Street, Zion 60099 (847) 872-5922 Type: Faith-Based, Play-Based Offers: 3-year-old preschool - 8th grade Full-Day, Half-Day; Everyday Before & After School Care
Zion Park District 2400 Dowie Memorial Dr., Zion, 60099 (847) 746-5500 Type: Play-Based Offers: 3-year-old preschool, 4- year-old Pre-K Half-Day; M-W-F, Everyday

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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: 

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Disclosure: All decisions for this guide were made by the Editorial Staff of Little Lake 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.