Primrose School to open in Algonquin
A new Primrose School will open Tuesday in Algonquin, and its owners are the same husband-and-wife team that opened Illinois' first such preschool in South Elgin.
Kurt and Laura Daniel of Barrington are the owners of the school, which sits on a 2.5-acre campus at 2300 County Line Road and includes an 11,000-square-foot building and four enclosed playgrounds.
The school has 11 classrooms and is licensed to serve 184 students, including after-school programs for children up to age 12.
Laura Daniel said she worked for 28 years for a child care organization in positions ranging from preschool teacher to regional vice president of operations, while her husband sold his construction company two years ago to focus on the couple's new venture.
Daniel said she and her husband, who helped oversee the building of the facility, enjoy following their passions. “ ... And we work together. It's a unique opportunity,” she said.
The academic day runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the school is open 6:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. for families who need an extended day, Daniel said.
Tuition for infants ranges from $400 a month for half-day enrollment two days a week, to $1,300 a month for full-day enrollment, five days a week. Prices decrease as kids get older.
Primrose Schools apply the “balanced learning” curriculum, which blends teacher-lead learning with child-driven learning. “We believe children learn best when given balance,” Daniel said.
The school also emphasizes character development, she said. “It's not just about creating smart students, but creating students who are good citizens. For example, we talk about what it means to be generous, be a good friend, have courage,” she said.
The owners had planned to start with 50 students, and enrollment is “a stone's throw away” from that, Daniel said. Staff currently numbers 10 women teachers, but that number will grow as enrollment increases, Daniel said.
A third location in Naperville is slated to open next summer under a different set of owners, Daniel said.
Atlanta-based Primrose School was founded in 1982 and has more than 220 locations in 17 states.