Every question. Honest answers.
Every question nervous parents ask before choosing a home daycare — answered honestly. No corporate spin.
👩🏫
26+
Years Experience
🏡
12
Children Max
🚪
100%
Open Door Policy
⭐
5.0
Rating · 30+ Reviews
Categories
Safety & Licensing
The questions every responsible parent should be asking.
Yes — fully. We are licensed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), which is the governing body that regulates all home daycare operations in the state. Our license is current, active, and subject to regular inspections. You can request to see our license any time — we’ll proudly show it.
Pro tip: Always ask any childcare provider to show their DCFS license number. If they hesitate — run.
Yes. Every adult who lives in or has regular access to our home has completed both an FBI fingerprint background check and an Illinois State Police background check — both required by DCFS. These are renewed regularly, not just done once. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Yes — CPR and First Aid certified through the American Red Cross, renewed annually (never expired). In the event of any medical emergency, our protocol is: (1) Administer first aid and call 911 immediately, (2) Contact parents and emergency contacts simultaneously, (3) Stay with child until emergency services or parent arrives, (4) Document incident and notify DCFS if required. Our emergency plan is posted visibly in the main living area at all times.
Our home meets and exceeds every DCFS safety requirement — and we go further. Outlet covers on all electrical outlets · Baby gates at all stairs and restricted areas · Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every floor (tested monthly) · All cleaning products locked away, out of reach · Non-toxic cleaning products used throughout · Furniture anchored to walls · First aid kit fully stocked · Outdoor play area fully fenced and secure.
We take illness seriously — because every child here deserves a healthy environment, including yours. Children must stay home if they have: Fever over 100°F (must be fever-free for 24 hours before returning, without medication) · Vomiting or diarrhea (24 hours symptom-free required) · Contagious illness: pink eye, strep, hand-foot-mouth, lice, etc. · COVID or flu-like symptoms. If a child develops symptoms during the day, parents are called immediately and must pick up within the hour.
Yes — we carry home daycare liability insurance as required by DCFS. In the event of an injury, we administer first aid, contact parents immediately, and document the incident. Serious injuries trigger our full emergency protocol (911 + parent contact simultaneously). All incidents, however minor, are logged and shared with parents the same day.
Education & Development
What your child actually learns here — and how.
Both — and they’re not mutually exclusive. We follow a structured developmental curriculum built around age-appropriate milestones, but it’s delivered through play, exploration, and daily routines rather than worksheets and drills. Children at this age learn best when they don’t realize they’re learning. For Pre-K children specifically, we cover pre-reading (phonics, letter recognition), early math (counting, patterns, shapes), science exploration, and social-emotional skills — all embedded in the daily flow.
Yes — and often ahead of their peers. Children who complete our Pre-K program typically enter kindergarten already knowing their letters, letter sounds, numbers to 20+, basic shapes and colors, how to write their name, and how to function in a group learning environment. The social and emotional skills are what teachers notice most.
It’s not a class — it’s an environment. Both English and Spanish are used naturally throughout the entire day: during meals, story time, outdoor play, and instruction. Songs are sung in both languages. Books in both languages are part of our library. Research consistently shows that early bilingual exposure (before age 5) significantly boosts cognitive flexibility, problem-solving, and academic performance. We consider it one of the most valuable things we offer — and it costs you nothing extra.
Zero recreational screen time. We follow the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines strictly: no TV, tablets, or phones as entertainment or babysitting. Educational content may be used very occasionally as a learning supplement for specific topics (e.g., a nature documentary during a science unit), but it is never a default activity. Every hour has a purpose — and a screen is never that purpose.
We evaluate each child individually during the tour and enrollment process. Our small group size (maximum 6 children) means we can provide more individualized attention than most centers — which often makes us a better fit for children who need a more personalized, less overwhelming environment. Please discuss your child’s specific needs during your free tour so we can have an honest conversation about whether we’re the right fit.
Several ways. You get daily photo and activity updates via text/messaging app. We conduct informal developmental check-ins monthly and share observations with you. For Pre-K children, we do a structured progress review every 3 months covering academic readiness, social-emotional development, and motor skills. Beyond formal reports — you can also just call or text us anytime and ask. We’re always happy to talk.
Daily Life at ABC
What actually happens between drop-off and pickup.
Our standard hours are Monday through Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Early drop-offs from 6:00 AM accommodate parents with long commutes or early work schedules. We do not operate on weekends or major federal holidays. For parents who work non-traditional hours (healthcare workers, shift workers), contact us — we’ll discuss your specific situation and see what we can accommodate.
All meals are home-cooked daily — breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. We participate in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which means our menus meet federal nutritional standards. We absolutely accommodate: food allergies (nut-free environment available), gluten-free or dairy-free requirements, religious dietary restrictions (halal, kosher considerations), and cultural food preferences. Share your child’s dietary needs during enrollment and we’ll confirm exactly what we can provide.
For infants and toddlers, nap time follows your home routine as closely as possible — we don’t impose a rigid schedule on babies. For 3–4 year olds, we have a daily rest period. For older Pre-K and school-age children who no longer nap, we offer quiet time — independent reading, puzzles, or calm activities. No child is ever forced to sleep. We simply protect the quiet so those who need rest can get it.
Yes — outdoor time is part of our daily routine, year-round. We follow the Chicago Park District outdoor policy: children go outside when the temperature (including wind chill) is above 20°F. For cold days, we ensure everyone is dressed appropriately. For severe weather (below 20°F, active storms, heavy snow), we substitute with indoor active play. Fresh air and movement aren’t extras — they’re essential for healthy childhood development.
We use positive guidance and redirection exclusively. No yelling, no shaming, no punitive timeouts used as punishment. Our approach: Redirect behavior before it escalates · Name emotions and help children express them with words · Use natural and logical consequences when appropriate · Offer choices to give children a sense of control · Praise specific positive behavior consistently. We never use physical discipline, isolation, food withholding, or verbal humiliation. This is non-negotiable and required by our DCFS license.
We send daily photo updates and brief activity reports via text message. You’ll typically receive 2–3 photos throughout the day plus a short note about meals, naps, and highlights. For infants, we send more frequent updates including feeding and sleep logs. You can also text or call us during the day — we’ll respond as soon as we have a free moment.
Enrollment & Pricing
How to get started and what to expect.
School Transportation
How the pickup and drop-off service actually works.
For Parents
The honest stuff that doesn’t fit neatly into any other category.
💬 Still Have Questions?
Your question probably isn’t weird. We’ve heard them all. Ask us.
The best answer comes from a real conversation — not a webpage. Here’s how to reach us.
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Call or Text Us
The fastest way to get answers. Call or text during operating hours and we’ll pick up — or call back within the hour.
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Schedule a Free Tour
Bring your questions in person. A 30-minute walk-through answers more than any FAQ page ever could. No commitment required.
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Send Us a Message
Prefer writing? Email us and we’ll respond within one business day with a thorough, honest answer.
DCFS Licensed
State of Illinois
CPR Certified
American Red Cross
Background Checked
FBI + Illinois State
USDA CACFP
Nutrition Program
5.0 Rating
30+ parent reviews