Barnette Academy

Honestly, I was pretty nervous about sending my toddler to daycare with all the germs going around, but Barnette Academy has been a pleasant surprise. The space in Bucktown is super bright and actually feels clean when you walk in, which isn't always the case with these local spots. They seem to take safety pretty seriously since I've noticed the staff using proper safety gear and they really keep up with the sanitizing. My only minor gripe is that communication on minor sniffles can be a little slow sometimes, but overall, it's a solid, healthy environment where I don't feel like I'm bringing home a new bug every single week.

Honestly, I've been really happy with Barnette Academy so far. The facility looks clean whenever I'm dropping off my daughter, and I don't get that 'stale' smell you find in a lot of daycares. They are super strict about their sick policy—if a kid has a runny nose or a slight fever, they’re calling you to pick them up ASAP. It’s a bit of a pain for working parents, but it keeps the germs from spreading through the whole class, so I appreciate it in the long run. The staff is really communicative too; I usually get a heads-up via email if there's a bug going around the Bucktown area. My only small gripe is I wish they did a bit more organized outdoor time when the Chicago weather is actually nice, but overall it's a solid, healthy spot for the little ones.