Children's Creative Center, INC.

Honestly, the Creative Center is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to the health side of things. It’s an older urban building, so space is tight and it sometimes feels a little stuffy in the rooms, especially during the winter. They do a decent job with the daily cleaning, but when one kid gets a stomach bug, it usually rips through the whole class pretty fast. I wish their sick policy was enforced a bit more strictly because I’ve definitely seen kids dropped off with 'allergies' that turned out to be full-blown colds. That being said, the staff really does care and they're quick to call if your little one seems off or develops a fever. Communication is usually via quick notes or at pickup, which is fine, but it’s not the most high-tech wellness setup. It’s your standard Chicago daycare—nothing fancy, just okay. Just be prepared for those first-year-of-daycare germs to hit hard.

Overall we've had a really good experience here. The center is always super clean when I drop off my son, and you can tell they actually stay on top of sanitizing the toys and surfaces. They’re pretty strict about the sickness policy—if your kid has a fever, they’re definitely going home—which can be a hassle for working parents but honestly it kept the flu from spreading through the whole class last winter. My only minor gripe is the communication can be a little slow sometimes when there's a bug going around, but the teachers are so caring and they really make sure the kids get enough outdoor time on the playground when the Chicago weather actually cooperates.