Reach for the Stars Childcare Academy INC.

I really wanted to love this place for my toddler since it's so close to home in Bronzeville, but the sickness cycle is just relentless. It feels like every time I drop my son off, there's another kid with a runny nose or a heavy cough being allowed in, despite the sick-child policy they have on paper. The communication when something is going around—like HFM or RSV—is pretty hit-or-miss, and I usually find out from other moms in the lobby rather than the staff. The rooms look okay, but on a few occasions, it didn't smell like they’d done a deep clean after a messy day. It’s hard to feel good about a wellness culture when the kids are constantly passing things back and forth without much intervention.

I've had my little one at Reach for the Stars in Bronzeville for a while now and honestly, the health side of things is pretty solid. They actually stuck with the enhanced cleaning routines they started during the pandemic, so you don't see those constant cycles of every kid being sick at the same time like at some other daycares. They’re super strict about the sick-child policy, which can be a pain if you're a working parent, but it definitely keeps the germs from spreading through the whole classroom. I also really appreciate that they have some actual behavioral health support on hand for the kiddos who need it—it’s not just a place that watches them, they actually look at the 'whole child' wellness stuff. Overall, it feels clean and well-managed for a city daycare.