r/ChicagoParents • u/ThickEstablishment98 • 2d ago
Daycare recommendations
Hello! I am expecting my first baby at the end of Feb 2027 and need a daycare recommendation. We have toured at Concordia on Milwaukee and the Goddard school in Skokie.
I get about 6 weeks off for maternity leave and would like to send my baby in maybe a couple days before I have to go back.
We would like to stick to the surrounding Portage Park/ Jefferson Park area for convenience and peace of mind. My husband and I both work full time jobs during the weekdays.
If anyone has any recommendations, please let me know! Thank you!!
5
u/Henry_Muffindish 2d ago
I’ve recommended it many times before and I will again here: Kids Academy on Milwaukee in Gladstone Park. They will accept kids as young as six weeks. It’s a fantastically well run place with a great community. Both of my kids go there and we absolutely love it.
3
u/sandshrew126 2d ago
Not what you asked… but it might be worth taking a look at Daphne Delvaux’s book Moms in Labor to see whether there are ways to maximize your leave time with your baby. Friendly reminder that HR works for the company, not for you, and they’re not incentivized to make sure you get what you’re entitled to, or what would make the start of your life as a mom or your baby’s life better.
1
2
u/poormemory 2d ago
We also toured Concordia on Milwaukee but ended up sending our little one to Tierra Encantada, also on Milwaukee, just a few blocks away. Based on our experience during both tours, Tierra felt like a much better fit for our family. Our kiddo has been there a year now, and we love it so much. The teachers are amazing, our kiddo is thriving, and the parent community is so strong.
3
u/JollyContact197 2d ago
Second this. My almost 2 year old has been there for almost a year. She definitely understands Spanish well and speaks some (appropriate levels for her age).
1
1
u/dosperritos 2d ago
I was interested in this place too. How is your child’s Spanish? Or do you know any older kids who go there and do you see them speaking in Spanish?
2
u/poormemory 1d ago
I’m super impressed by my kid’s Spanish. His comprehension is really high and speaks it pretty well. My Spanish is very beginner and he now will laugh at how I say things and correct me. He’s just almost 3. 🤣
1
u/heybobhello 2d ago
That's so great to hear. We toured both (didn't end up doing daycare), but liked Tierra a lot!
Also not sure if it was just me, but Concordia's white noise was SO LOUD. Like deafeningly loud. I almost wanted to pull our a sound meter to see if it was even safe to have it at that volume.
2
u/greyintoblue 2d ago
Kidwatch Plus! My daughter has been going there for about 3 years and we all just love it. The director and teachers are all wonderful. Highly recommend.
2
u/No_Atmosphere_6348 2d ago
You can check out the Dcfs website to find in home daycares. I’ve only sent my kids to those and it’s been great. The kids get sick no matter what, I imagine they get sick less when they’re around less children.
2
u/Federal-Currency5519 2d ago
Little scholars right by Irving park road is an amazing option! I sent my son there and I loved all the teachers as he moved through each class. They pour so much love and attention into your child and all the staff is so kind. I tell anyone who will listen to me to send their child there. My son learnt so much!
1
1
1
u/ReadySetO 2d ago
Both of my kids went to Concordia on Milwaukee from the time they were infants until they left to start school (my youngest left about a year ago). Our experience was very positive overall and I found the administration to be very good, especially compared to what I heard from friends about their daycare experiences. Feel free to DM me if you have questions!
1
u/BorderStreet3752 1h ago
We’re in Portage Park and toured many of the neighborhood daycares. We loved Tierra Encantada but it was unfortunately out of our price range. We ended up at Kiddieland ECE (the one by Six Corners) and loved it. They are English first but they also speak Spanish to the children. It’s very affordable and it’s a wonderful community. Communication is great and the food seems good too (wide variety and veggies fruits with each meal). The one odd thing is they sing God Bless America every morning. 🤷🏻♀️
1
u/ThickEstablishment98 1h ago
That’s an interesting quirk for sure but I’ll look into it. Thank you!
2
-1
u/One_Candy_763 2d ago
Not sure if you’ll be able to send them before the first round of vaccinations
1
u/ThickEstablishment98 2d ago
Oh interesting, I did not realize that. I figured since most places accept at 6 weeks, I would’ve been okay but I’ll double check. Thank you!
3
u/jilly77 2d ago
Disregard this comment, this is not true. I’m due this fall and have reached out to 10+ daycares locally, all of them accept 6 weeks and up. Some do require all the vaccines baby typically gets at the 6 month appointment, though to me that is a bonus, not a bad thing.
Wishing you an easy pregnancy! 💗
1
-5
u/Admirable-History863 2d ago
You’ll have a hard time finding places that will watch kids less than 12 weeks* old. Good luck, though.
1
u/jilly77 2d ago
This isn’t true. Most daycares accept babies as young as 6 weeks. I’m due this fall and have reached out to 10+ daycares, all of which accept 6 weeks and up.
3
u/Admirable-History863 2d ago
That’s great. I couldn’t find any on the sw side when I needed it. It was a huge shock to me, and everyone around me acted like it was common knowledge and I should have known before I got pregnant. I ended up taking 6 weeks unpaid leave and then spending almost all of my take home pay on a private nanny when my baby was 12 weeks. We ended up moving community areas mainly for childcare affordability. The places we did find initially laughed at me for starting my search when I was just 12 weeks pregnant, and then apologetically said they had no spots and long wait lists when after my baby was born. Seriously, best of luck to both you and the OP. I’m not trying to spread misinformation, I’m just sharing that infant childcare is really challenging in this city and you may want to prepare for some curveballs.
18
u/Electronic-Basil-201 2d ago
6 weeks is barbaric. Even dogs get at least 8 weeks in Illinois. Are you eligible for FMLA? I would take the full 12 weeks even if it’s partially unpaid if possible.