Rainforest Learning Center

Rainforest has clear policies that minimize absences, which we really appreciate as two working parents with no local family. If a kid has a fever over 100.4, three diarrhea poops, or has vomited they’re out until 24 hours resolved. This means common symptoms like a runny nose are fine. Whenever there is an outbreak, Rainforest emails all parents in that room.

To be honest, I’ve had a pretty rough experience with the health side of things at Rainforest. It feels like my kid is constantly coming home with something new, and the communication about what’s going around the classroom is basically nonexistent. The Chicago South Loop location is convenient, but the space feels cramped and the air always seems a bit stuffy—I'm not convinced their ventilation or cleaning routine is up to par for the price we pay. Also, the sick policy feels really inconsistent; I've seen kids dropped off with clear fevers and runny noses while the staff just shrugs it off because they seem so overwhelmed. It’s frustrating when you’re trying to keep your own family healthy and it feels like the school isn't doing much to help.

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about Rainforest. On one hand, the location in the South Loop is super convenient and they do seem to put effort into the cleanliness of the classrooms—you often see the teachers wiping things down and trying to keep the germs at bay. The vibe is pretty inviting and they talk a lot about 'wellness,' but in practice, it feels like your standard urban daycare where colds just cycle through the rooms constantly. My biggest gripe is the communication; sometimes I feel like I don't get the full story on what's going around until my kid is already coming home with a fever. It’s not terrible, and the staff are nice enough, but I wouldn't say the health policies are anything groundbreaking.