Blair Early Childhood Center

I've had my little one at Blair for a bit now, and honestly, the health and wellness vibe here is pretty special compared to other CPS buildings. Because they handle so many kids with disabilities and special medical needs, the staff actually seems to take hygiene and safety way more seriously than a typical preschool. You can tell they have a more holistic approach and are used to managing health plans. The communication about illnesses going around the classroom has been solid, which is a huge relief when you're worried about everyone staying healthy. My only real gripe is just the general CPS bureaucracy when it comes to nurse staffing—sometimes it feels like the on-site medical support is spread thin despite how much the teachers care. But overall, it feels like a safe, clean place for the kids.

My little one has been at Blair for a year now and I honestly love how they handle the health side of things. Since it's all PK-1st, you’d expect a total germ fest, but the classrooms actually stay really clean and the staff is super on top of making sure the kids wash their hands constantly. They’re pretty strict about the sick policy—if your kid has a fever, they have to stay home, no exceptions—which can be a pain for working parents but it definitely keeps the flu outbreaks to a minimum in the building. Only downside is sometimes the communication about a cold going around the classroom can be a little slow, but the nurses there are so sweet and really know the kids by name, which makes me feel way better about leaving my son there every morning.