Jcys Michael R. Lutz Family Center

Honestly, keeping a toddler healthy in daycare is a full-time job, but the Lutz center does a pretty solid job with it. The facility in Wicker Park feels really clean when I drop off, and they have a nice outdoor space which is a huge plus for getting the kids fresh air instead of just cooping them up in a classroom all day. I've noticed they're pretty strict about their sick policy—if a kid has a runny nose that looks even slightly questionable, they're calling you. It can be a scramble for us parents sometimes, but I'd rather that than a stomach bug ripping through the whole class every other week. Communication from the staff about when things are going around has been reliable, which helps us stay on top of things at home too.

My toddler has been at the Lutz center for a year and overall I'm really happy with the health vibe. Since it's right in Wicker Park, it's a busy spot, but they keep the classrooms super clean. They’re pretty strict about the '24-hour symptom-free' rule before kids can come back, which can be a total headache for my work schedule, but honestly, it keeps the classroom 'crud' from spreading to everyone else. The communication is great too—I always get an email right away if there's a case of HFM or a stomach bug in his room so I can be on high alert. The only downside is the shared play spaces can get a little germy during peak flu season, but that's just daycare life in the city!