We moved to the area at the start of the pandemic and by 2021 were ready to send our 4 year old to…read morea Montessori. So began our hunt for the best of many in the Oak Park area. We didn't know any folks who had sent their kids to one near by so had to do cold calls and tours. I reached out to a few in the area and Mrs Eggerding was the fastest to callback and schedule a tour, starting us off on a great foot about how well the school had their act together. We got to observe a classroom and we're extremely excited by the vibe of the guides (Montessori speak for "teachers") and the children. There was just so much independence and respect that we knew we found the right school. At first our 4 year old was resistant. He had been with his grandmother for the last 1.5 years of the pandemic so I get his resistance. But even after day 1 he was excited to share his experiences. We eventually sent our second child there too in a different classroom, which they were happy to accommodate. We couldn't have been happier with our choice even with a 10+ min drive every day. We're definitely planning to send out third there as well. At first it doesn't seem too different from other schools as far as what they're able to do but by even a few months in they're showing so much more independence and eagerness to do more. It's a challenge to me to expect and enable them more at home. The guides have been wonderful about getting to know our children and guiding them on their journey. We've had a few parent teacher conferences which are helpful to peek behind the current as they're often exhausted in a good way by the end of the day. Our child's guides and the front office staff were very receptive to questions and helped us both understand Montessori better but also our child. It was funny for us as parents to go from a city daycare that sent us his eating, peeing, pooping, and activity schedule with activity photos nearly as they were happening to come to Montessori which is really trying to put the child first and focus on them, not logging everything they're doing. I had been a Montessori student so expected that but it was still funny. We get photos and reports every couple of weeks and had parent teacher conferences that did align with what he was saying or what we figured was going on.

If i could rate this place half a star i would. i took my daughter here for preschool and she loved…read more1 teacher only 1. as soon as she got into her 1st year at that school she was getting bullied by everyone and the teachers because she had a physical disability. the classrooms are VERY packed, my kid was in a class of 35 from preschool to 6th grade. she was the happiest little girl and she loved dressing up and having parties, but as soon as she got into 1st grade she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. she was CONSTANTLY having fights with her teachers because of her depression, later she was diagnosed with explosive anger issues. because of her teachers . she was coming home crying because of the kids bullying her. she eventually had to leave in the middle of her 6th grade year because her mental health was super bad. she is now happily at gwendolyn brooks middle school and doing much better.

The Day Nursery is incredible! They go above and beyond to help the children. My daughter has…read moreflourished while attending both academically and emotionally. The support and loves she's received in a very tough year is unmatched. We were incredibly blessed she was placed in the sunshine room with the infamous Ms Kira and Ms Latrice! My daughter feels so loved, loves going to preschool, and has made lasting relationships. I would recommend them to any family looking. Your child with be loved and individualized in their approach. It's hard to trust other people to care for your children, this is one place you'll never have to worry!

The Day Nursery offers a great program and strong overall childcare, however, do not plan on their…read morefacility being open consistently. Do to a combination of Covid-related restrictions that are in place per the Oak Park Health Department and additional restrictions that the Day Nursery puts in place, we have been unable to consistently rely on the Day Nursery as a childcare provider. In the last 6 months our daughter's classroom has repeatedly closed for 5 days at a time, with the latest closure happening despite zero cases of Covid in her classroom. Communication with parents has been minimal, inconsistent, and reactionary. Our experience has been not been a unique one, with similar closures occurring in all the classrooms. There is a significant movement among school families to remove their children due to the ongoing lack of consistent childcare as well as a lack of future strategy. **Full disclosure, we are a vaccinated, science following, and mask-wearing household.

Kangaroo Korner is the best affordable daycare in the Northwest Suburbs. The staff truly loves and…read morecares for the children, and they always do their best to engage and encourage them. Their location is convenient and their hours can't be beat. Special thanks to Angela and Suzanne!!!

From the owner: Kangaroo Korner is a state-licensed full day child care and early childhood education center and…read moreafter-school program for children age 15 months to 8 years old. Our learning programs stimulate children and provide a solid foundation for future academic success and personal development. Our teachers are passionate about making learning fun and engaging. We also offer one of the best after-school programs in the area. We understand that a lot of families have two working parents. Before and after-school programs allow kids to learn and grow with other children their age. In all of our programs, we focus on creative learning with the support of warm, caring and observant staff. Call us to learn more about current availability and schedule an appointment to visit our location in Forest Park.

My daughter has been attending this daycare for almost 2 years and I have nothing but positive…read morethings to say. I'm very grateful with the entire staff for actually showing how much they care for the kids. They send me updates and pictures everyday, they are very strict when it comes to safety, food allergies etc. They have so many different activities during the week, they engage with every holiday for the kids, staff is very educated and professional they always welcome you with a smile. My daughter is advanced in learning for her age and that shows how much effort they put into teaching the kids, I have tried other daycares and learning centers and definitely Kids R Our Starts is the best!!

I have had my daughter at this facility since she was 6 weeks old. Now she is 5 and going to…read morekindergarten to a public school in Berwyn. She has created a lot of memories and experiences there. All teachers are certified with associates and bachelors, plus food and safety certifications. They do many activities with kids and always want to create the best for the child and parents within their relationship.

Nice clean professional preschool program. Has subsidized full day programs as well as half day…read morepreschool programs

This is a newer school in Oak Park so I was a little nervous at first. The class sizes are small so…read morethe teachers are very attentive. Pricing is better compared to some in the Chicagoland areas. My daughter is taking Japanese classes here and so far so good. She really likes her teacher which I feel is important. The space also promotes learning, rugs and pillows everywhere but also small classrooms for teaching. On the weekends the environment is very quiet. Had a chance to write this review while sipping complementary coffee while waiting for my daughter. The staff here are always so welcoming!

I am Cynthia R.'s husband. We signed up for the whole summer back in January and have the email to…read moreprove it. When we showed up with our daughter for day 1 of the 2nd 6 weeks, we were shocked when they said we had not enrolled. Then they lied to us and said the session was full; we had a friend call the next day and found they had room. It wasn't until after repeated calls and emails that the director (does not deserve this title) informed us it was due to our child's behavior. We were only notified once of any issues and we immediately addressed them. In addition, we asked every day how things were and were always told "good" and "fine" and were never again contacted about any behavior issues. If we had been, we would have dealt with them but the lies and deceit are so very unprofessional and unethical. We have filed a formal complaint with the BBB of Chicago and have done the same with the Village of Oak Park. Our child did love Academia and is heart broken, is this how an institution of child learning acts and behaves? Buyer beware with this place!!