Apple Tree Children's Learning Center

To be honest, I’ve been pretty underwhelmed with how things are handled at Apple Tree. It feels like my kid is coming home with a new bug every other week, and I rarely get a heads-up from the staff about what’s going around the classroom until it's too late. The facility is in an older space on Elston and it definitely feels a bit cramped and lived-in; I’ve definitely had some concerns about the deep cleaning schedule and the overall ventilation in the play areas. For the price, I really expected a more proactive approach to wellness and clearer communication on their sick-child policies. It feels more like a basic 'squeeze them in' daycare than a place focused on a healthy learning environment.

My toddler has been at Apple Tree for about six months now and honestly, I'm pretty relieved with how they handle the usual daycare germs. The Irving Park location is kept really tidy and you can tell they actually wipe down the toys because it doesn't have that 'old milk' smell some places get. They're super strict about the 24-hour fever-free policy, which can be a pain when you have to call out of work, but it definitely keeps the classroom outbreaks to a minimum. Plus, the teachers are great about reminding the kids to wash their hands constantly. Only downside is the communication can be a bit slow if it's just a minor scrape, but for anything health-related, they're usually right on top of it.