Christopher House

Honestly, Christopher House is okay, but I have mixed feelings about the health setup. On the plus side, the preschool program feels very supportive and they focus a lot on the whole child, which I appreciate. However, since it's a daycare/PK setting, it feels like there's always something going around. The communication about illnesses could definitely be better—sometimes I feel like I only find out a kid was sick in my child's class after my own kid starts sniffing. Also, knowing the staff had to unionize recently for better conditions makes me wonder if they're stretched too thin to really keep up with all the deep cleaning and wellness checks needed for toddlers. It's a lifesaver for child care in the neighborhood, but don't expect it to be a germ-free bubble.

My little one is at Christopher House and honestly, I'm pretty impressed with how they handle the germs. It’s a daycare, so you expect a constant runny nose, but the teachers are really on top of wiping down surfaces and making the kids wash their hands. They are pretty strict about the fever-free policy before kids can come back, which is a bit of a headache for work but definitely keeps the whole class from getting taken out at once. Communicating about outbreaks (like HFM or the flu) is quick and transparent. They also focus a lot on healthy snacks, which I appreciate. Only downside is the playground can get a bit muddy/messy during Chicago winters, but overall it feels like a very clean and safe spot for the tiny ones.