About
About Us
More Than a Daycare —
A Community That Grows With You
The Learning Tree Center is a trusted childcare and preschool in Lake Zurich and Island Lake — serving northwest suburban families since 1988. We don't just care for children; we nurture the whole child, partnering with parents every step of the way.
Both Locations
Nurturing the Whole Child, Together with You
At The Learning Tree Center — a trusted childcare and preschool serving Lake Zurich and Island Lake — we believe that great childhood begins with great relationships — between children and teachers, between families and our center, and between every child and the world around them.
Our mission is to provide a warm, safe, and intellectually rich environment where each child feels seen, celebrated, and supported. We nurture emotional resilience, social confidence, cognitive curiosity, and physical wellness — because we know that the habits formed in early childhood shape the people children become.
We accomplish this by working in close partnership with families. Open communication, transparent daily updates through the Brightwheel app, and genuine relationships with parents aren't extras for us — they're fundamental to who we are.
Every child deserves a place where they are known by name, loved without condition, and celebrated for exactly who they are.
- Emotional Safety First
Children learn best when they feel secure. Every routine, every room, every relationship is designed to communicate: you belong here. - True Family Partnership
Real-time updates, daily notes, and an open-door philosophy so parents are never out of the loop. - Growth at Every Stage
From infants to pre-K, every program is thoughtfully designed for the developmental needs of each age.
35 Years of Growing Alongside Families
What started as a single childcare center has grown into a beloved community institution — shaped by thousands of children, dedicated educators, and the families who have trusted us across generations.
The Learning Tree Takes Root
The Learning Tree Center was founded in Lake Zurich, Illinois, with a simple but powerful vision: to give young children a nurturing, enriching place to grow — and to give parents a center they could truly trust. From day one, the focus was on deep relationships between educators and families.
A Team That Stays — and Grows
Unlike centers with frequent teacher turnover, The Learning Tree Center cultivated a team of deeply committed educators. Many teachers who joined in these years are still with us today — some for over two decades — creating the stable, familiar environment that children and parents rely on.
Innovation in Early Education
We adopted The Creative Curriculum®, a nationally recognized research-based framework by Teaching Strategies, to strengthen our academic programming. We also launched our signature Mandarin Immersion Program — a first in the area — and expanded enrichment offerings to include karate, soccer, STEM, and the Jungle Bus.
Two Locations, One Community
Today, The Learning Tree Center operates two vibrant campuses — in Lake Zurich and Island Lake — proudly serving families across 15+ communities in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. We've welcomed thousands of children and continue to be the center that parents turn to when only the best will do.
Our Educational Philosophy
We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We believe in observing each child, understanding how they learn, and creating experiences that ignite their natural curiosity.
Play-Based & Project-Based Learning
Children are natural scientists, storytellers, and builders. We channel that energy into purposeful play and hands-on projects that build skills across all developmental domains — without sacrificing joy.
Observing the Individual Child
Every child has their own pace, their own strengths, and their own way of understanding the world. Our teachers are trained observers who tailor experiences to each child's unique developmental journey.
Global Mindset from Day One
Through daily Mandarin and Spanish exposure, cultural celebrations, and community storytelling, we raise children who are curious about the wider world and comfortable with difference.
Language-Rich Environments
From the moment a baby enters our infant room, we surround children with rich language — stories, songs, conversations — because vocabulary and communication skills are the foundation of all future learning.
Social-Emotional Intelligence
We explicitly teach children to name their feelings, navigate conflict, practice empathy, and build genuine friendships. These skills matter as much as academics — and our graduates show it.
School-Home Continuity
Learning doesn't stop at pickup time. Through Brightwheel updates, parent-teacher conferences, and shared resources, we keep families fully involved in their child's growth every single day.
The Creative Curriculum® — Research-Based from the Start
- 1
Developed by Teaching Strategies
The Creative Curriculum® is one of the most widely researched early childhood education frameworks in the United States, built on decades of child development science.
- 2
Whole-Child Development
Every lesson plan, routine, and environment is designed to simultaneously support social-emotional, cognitive, physical, and language development — not in isolation, but together.
- 3
Developmentally Appropriate Practice
Programming is matched to where each child actually is developmentally — not just their age — so every child experiences the right level of challenge and support.
- 4
Continuous Assessment & Planning
Teachers document observations regularly and use them to plan intentional next steps, ensuring each child is progressing and no one falls through the cracks.
Development Domains We Nurture
Our curriculum is supplemented by weekly Mandarin immersion, Spanish exposure, STEM exploration, and physical enrichment — creating a complete, multi-dimensional early education experience.
Teachers Who Stay — Because They Believe
Teacher turnover is one of the biggest concerns parents have about childcare. At The Learning Tree Center, it's something we've always taken seriously — and our track record speaks for itself.
When a child starts at The Learning Tree Center as an infant and walks out ready for kindergarten, they've likely been loved by many of the same teachers the entire time. That continuity is not accidental — it's a core part of who we are.
- ✓Degrees in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related fields
- ✓Annual professional development and curriculum training
- ✓Background checks and DCFS licensing compliance
- ✓Brightwheel-certified — real-time updates shared with families throughout the day
- ✓Bilingual instructors on staff for Mandarin and Spanish programs
- ✓Native Mandarin-speaking teacher for authentic immersion experiences
ExceleRate Illinois Silver Circle of Quality
Both our Lake Zurich and Island Lake centers hold the Silver Circle of Quality — Illinois' independent, rigorous quality certification for early learning programs. This recognition isn't self-reported; it's earned through verified assessment by independent evaluators.
Both Centers Certified at the
Silver Circle of Quality
ExceleRate Illinois is the state's official Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), administered by INCCRRA on behalf of the Illinois Department of Human Services. The Silver Circle requires programs to meet or exceed rigorous benchmarks across learning environment quality, teaching practices, and administrative standards — verified by an independent, on-site assessor.
Learn About ExceleRate Illinois →The Four ExceleRate Circles of Quality
What the Silver Certification Means for Your Family
Independently Verified
Silver status is awarded only after an on-site assessment by a trained, independent evaluator — not based on our own claims.
High Teaching Quality Standards
Our classrooms meet or exceed specific benchmarks for learning environment quality and instructional practice on the CLASS® assessment tool.
Qualified Educators
Silver programs must demonstrate that educators meet degree and professional development requirements above the state minimum.
Strong Administration
Program leadership, policies, family communication, and record-keeping all meet Silver-level administrative standards.
Continuous Quality Improvement
Certification isn't permanent — we participate in ongoing quality improvement processes to maintain and advance our standing.
Both Locations Certified
Whether you choose our Lake Zurich or Island Lake center, you can be confident you're enrolling in an ExceleRate Silver–recognized program.
Two Locations, Serving 15+ Communities
We proudly serve families throughout Lake Zurich, Island Lake, Hawthorn Woods, Barrington, Deer Park, Wauconda, Kildeer, Long Grove, and more.
See The Learning Tree Center in Person
The best way to understand what makes us different is to walk through our doors. Schedule a tour and meet our teachers — we think you'll feel the difference the moment you step inside.