South Loop DayCare Centers - Please Advise

Consider CCC Daycare. It's in the Metcalf Federal Building, but on the back side on VanBuren between Clark and Dearborn. I think it's 78 VanBuren? We've had our daughter there since 14 months. It's a 2 story addition to the building, and on the second level there's a small outdoor play ground for the kids. It's a simple daycare, but a happy place and the kids are fast friends. They do lots of art and have the usual learning circles. Another nice thing is that the 2 year olds are split into young ones and older ones that do their lessons separately since their skill levels are so far apart, but come together to play. My daughter, who tends towards clinginess likes it there. It's also very affordable because it's subsidized to help federal employees. However, since they can't advertise, they can often take non-federal employees when they have space. I happen to know they are enrolling for 2 year olds now. Ask for Ms. Daphne ###-###-#### or Carla.

Both my kids attend Kindercare on State Street. My daughter is now in Kindergarten but will go back for the summer program. Both of my children LOVE their teachers and the front desk staff. My daughter still goes in to drop off her brother or pick him up so that she can say hi to her favorite teachers. Everyone is so friendly and loving. And, depending on the stage of the child they have programs that are fun but educational. My daughter went through the phonics program (I think it is once/week) and has been reading since last summer. My son is in the Music and Me program and loves listening to the CD's in the car that come quarterly with the program. I obviously don't get to see what happens during the day, but my kids don't get upset when I drop them off and often aren't ready to leave when I pick them up which says tons to me. My only complaint - the parking is horrible!!! If you are dropping off/picking up at a popular time it can get crazy. They have come up with alternative parking in the morning to help with traffic, but evenings can be tough.

Have you considered an Au Pair program? I know many people has considered this option because of flexible schedules and you know your child will be be cared for in a familiar surroundings, plus you can have more control over child care activities and they can even help with other household need. For the cost, I've researched and on average the weekly cost of having an au pair is less than other childcare options. Well, you can find more information at www.goaupair.com
Hope that helps!!

We visited KinderCare and it was ok. Eventually, however, we decided on It Takes a Village (polk and wells). We've had our daugher there for 1 year now - shes been in 2 different classrooms and the staff is really excellent. There has been no turnover in that time (of staff) - they have added staff as they expanded, but nobody I know of has quit. As a bonus, it's quite a bit cheaper than either Kindercare or Rainforest. ANyway, another option to consider.

DO NOT GO TO Detour 2 Discovery!!!!!! I hear "iffy" reviews on Rainforest. If have heard good reviews of Kindercare as of lately. There is another good one - new and VERY clean on wells about halfway between Harrison and Polk (it is not It Takes a Village which is in River City, I believe)- it is in a high rise on the 1st floor, my friend sent her son there and loved it and we visited it and liked it but my son was already too old. There is also West Loop Montessori which may be called something else.