Parents in Morton Grove and Niles LOVE their children's preschools. That's the message readers sent loud and clear when they entered 700 votes and 15 comments in this week's "Readers Choice: Preschools" competition. 

The competition asks readers to vote for their local favorites. Votes and comments are both weighed in determining the winners.

We tallied up the votes and comments (two comments came in after the 9 a.m. Friday contest deadline so we didn't include those) according to the rules in the contest announcement, and the Niles Park District's Bright Beginnings preschool took first place. Jerusalem Lutheran Church's Precious Child Early Learning Center, in Morton Grove, came in a robust second, and A Mother's Touch, in Niles, came in third. 

Parents wrote in to tell us about their wonderful experiences with other preschools, too, including St. John Brebeuf and St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church's Aristotle Preschool.

Lisa Weber wrote about Niles Park District's Bright Beginnings Preschool:

"My daughter has attended Miss Laurie's 3's preschool for two years. She has special needs. When no one in CPS believed that Mackenna could be in a regular preschool with 20 kids, Miss Laurie told me no way. She has helped her learn, grow and has the most incredible patience with my daughter. She has helped her learn to socialize with the kids and she has made many friends. She has helped with her school goals and attended her special education meeting to let the other school know all the things she has seen my daughter accomplish. 

Leci F. wrote about Precious Child Early Learning Center: 

"Precious Child Early Learning (Jerusalem Lutheran) is an amazing organization with extremely caring teachers. Each and every child is important and it shows in the daily interactions. The teachers are all excellent and care for each child as if they were their own. My child has been there for both 3 year and 4 year old preschool and I cannot believe how much she already knows; my older child did not go to this preschool and the differences at this age are very noticeable! I am extremely thankful for the caring professionals at Precious Child: Ms. Sonia, Ms. Vicki, Miss Erin, and Ms. Ellen."

Cindy Conejo wrote about A Mother's Touch:

"We looked at ten different day cares before choosing one for our children, and A Mother's Touch was by far the best option. There are separate classrooms for the children, as well as both indoor and outdoor space to play. My daughter attended for three years, and was reading before she entered kindergarten! My son is now there, and progressing much more quickly than he did last year in an early intervention program. We have had minor issues with only three staff members in the four years we have been at A Mother's Touch, and none of the three lasted more than a few weeks there. They do an excellent job of hiring (and retaining) people who truly care and do a great job with the children."

Thanks to everyone who voted and made comments, and congratulations to all the great preschools.

Be sure to enter the Readers Choice contest starting Monday: Best Tacos in Morton Grove and Niles.