Ladybug Daycare and Preschool in Elmhurst Opening Soon!

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Ladybug Daycare and Preschool in Elmhurst Opening Soon!

Ladybug Daycare and Preschool in Elmhurst Opening Soon!, image 1

Exciting News! We’re thrilled to announce the opening of our new daycare and preschool at 633 W North Avenue, Elmhurst. Set to open in June 2024, we can’t wait to share more details!

Interested in learning more about our Elmhurst location? Just drop an email to eh-director@ladybug-daycare.com. We’re eager to bring our top-notch daycare services to more families in the Chicago suburbs. Hope to see you soon!

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How to Choose Your Next Daycare in Chicago

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How to Choose Your Next Daycare in Chicago

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Daycare is the perfect childcare choice for many busy families, allowing them to drop off their little ones during the day for learning, supervision, and general care. And if you’re here, the chances are you already know that. What many Chicago parents might not be aware of, however, is the dizzying range of daycare choices available today in and around the Windy City.

Selecting a daycare center for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a new parent who needs to return to work at the end of your parental leave. You want to double-check that the daycare facility you opt for is the highest quality childcare provider.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional daycare, in-home daycare, or family-based childcare center, it’s crucial to find one that suits your budget, caregiving style, and the needs of your family and little one. With so many daycare options in Chicago, how do you even begin to choose?

We provide this checklist —with handy tips and hacks —to help you narrow down your search for the best Chicago daycare for your child.

 

Tips for Getting Started with Your Search

 

– Scout Out the Location

While quality, reliability, and cost are some of the top decision factors, you should also think about convenience, as it can take a lot of hassle out of your daily routine. Try to start looking for daycare by scoping out some potential centers in your neighborhood, school district, close to work, or in an area easy for you to get to!

– Get Recommendations

If there’s one secret to parenting, it’s this: recommendations from people who have been there. They can give you added confidence in the choice you’re making. See if your family, friends, or other parents you trust can recommend a few daycares they’ve had a very good experience with.

Note, however, no two families are exactly alike, so you might find that some recommendations aren’t the best fit for your family. Don’t worry; these recommendations will make for a good start when creating your list of possible candidates.

Before you consider any daycare center they recommend, make sure it’s a state-licensed and an accredited facility that provides a clean, secure, and safe environment.

– Browse State Licensed and Accredited Daycare Facilities

The first place to check for high-quality daycare sites is the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) website. NAEYC-accredited daycare centers are regarded as the cream of the crop, as they are required to meet stringent standards and accreditation rules. They must also go through a rigorous vetting process, seeing to it that only the best centers receive their stamp of approval.

If you’re seeking home-based care for your child, you can use the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFFCC) search tool to find providers accredited by the association in Chicago. Like NAEYC, the NAFFC requires all affiliated facilities to meet the highest standards for child care.

You can also head over to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) websites to search for state-licensed daycare facilities in your specific area. In addition to that, NACCRRA provides a great deal of useful information, including daycare fact sheets and inspection reports.

Features and Quality Considerations

You must do your homework before, during, and even after physically checking out the daycare centers on your radar or candidate list. Even if your potential center is right across the street from your home, research and due diligence can be a surprisingly effective eye-opener.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind during your research:

– Caregiver-to-Child Ratio

Inquire about the staff-to-child ratio (or teacher-to-child ratio for older kids) at the daycare center. Is this ratio fixed or dynamic? Ideally, there should be at least one staff member per 4-6 older toddlers. For younger toddlers and infants (generally babies up to 12 months old), the ideal ratio should be one caregiver per 3-4 tots.

The perfect ratio for preschoolers is 6-9 kids per caregiver. These ratios are important because they ensure your little one will get the 1-on-1 care and attention they need for emotional, cognitive, and social development. Moreover, low ratios of children to providers ensure someone is always supervising the kids, including during playtime, mealtimes, and even during naptime.

– Staff with Proper Training and Education

Surrounding your child with brilliant, creative, and caring caregivers can work wonders on their social and emotional development. But that isn’t enough; the caregivers, administrators, and teachers must also have proper training and education, preferably in early childhood-related coursework.

Recent research from Rutgers University revealed that teachers with a 4-year degree facilitate more efficient cognitive, emotional, and social development in younger children. In addition, a great daycare center ensures that their staff receives ongoing professional education and training to ensure the site meets state standards for continuing education.

– How Safe and Clean is the Center?

Ask about the center’s safety and health procedures and policies — most notably, its sick policy that specifies when parents are required to keep their children at home due to sickness. A great facility must hit all the vital safety and health protocols, such as immunization, diaper changing, hand washing, CPR, food allergies, classroom safety, and pick-up policy – just to quote a few examples.

Other things to look for include the presence of a CPR-certified caregiver on-site at all times, as well as proper evacuation protocols.

– Caregiving Style

This is one area that most parents ignore until they run into trouble with the daycare center. Because the childcare takes place mostly during the day and in your absence, you must ensure that you’re on the same page in caregiving styles. This especially applies to the center’s discipline techniques and parenting styles, which must be in line with yours.

– Activities, Programs, and Curriculum

If you’re planning to enroll your child in a traditional daycare facility, you’ll want to take a second look at its curriculum and activities roster. The center should provide your little one with learning, growth, and exploration opportunities, along with unstructured and structured play times.

Be sure to ask the daycare provider what programs, activities, and tools they have at the center to support your child’s physical, cognitive, and social development. Your child should be able to participate in activities that they can learn and grow from.

– Mealtime: What Will Your Child Eat?

Most daycare centers feed children meals prepared on-site. Others, however, tell parents to bring packed food, drinks, and snacks for their children every day. The USDA requires all licensed childcare facilities to stick to nutritional standards which stipulate feeding children well-balanced, healthy snacks and meals during the day.

In addition, the provider must display all menus in a public place that’s clearly visible. During your visit to the facility, ask what they usually serve as snacks and lunch. Make sure to ask about specific food allergies that apply to your child.

Getting Down to Brass Tacks

– Be Ready for the Waiting List

Most of the crème de la crème of daycare centers in Chicago have waiting lists, particularly those accredited by NAEYC. If something is good enough, it’s worth waiting for, right? Check if the right center can put you on their waiting list. Some of the waiting lists can be long, which is why it pays to start your search well ahead of time.

– What are the Center’s Working Hours?

Although operating hours can vary from center to center, Chicago daycares usually run between 7 am and 6:00 pm. You should factor in the time it takes you to travel from work to pick up your child.

– Does the Center Offer Flexible or Part-Time Care?

As a Chicago parent, there’s a good chance you’re seeking full daycare for your child. But some days you may need care only part-time, such as a few hours each day or a few days in a week. You may only need after-school care for your older children.

If that’s the case, it pays to find a good daycare in Chicago that offers flexible or part-time care.

–  How Much Does the Daycare Cost?

Daycares tend to be higher in cities, so expect to pay up to $47 per where did this figure come from? Infant care costs much more; older childcare less day for full-time childcare at the daycare center. Still, it’s paramount to understand the upfront costs that you’ll be paying. Some Chicago daycare centers have discounted rates for multi-child families and employees of certain companies. It’s always worthwhile to inquire about these discounts.

The Bottom Line

Choosing a daycare center for your child is one decision that you shouldn’t take lightly. While research can unearth much about a particular center, it’s always wise to trust your gut reaction. If something seems off about the facility, it’s best to go with your instinct. Also, it doesn’t hurt to stop by unannounced to see and experience what’s happening at the center first-hand.

Are you looking for a trusted, state-of-the-art daycare in Chicago? Schedule a tour at any of our locations today. Serving Edgewater, Irving Park, Lakeview, North Park, Lincoln Square, Edison Park, and West Loop communities since 2010.

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Chicago Parents: 5 Reasons Why You Should Place Your Child in Daycare in 2021 

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Chicago Parents: 5 Reasons Why You Should Place Your Child in Daycare in 2021 

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Daycare centers are a popular childcare option where you drop off your child to be supervised, nurtured, and cared for by professional caregivers and teachers during the day.  They are well-structured, formal childcare environments with specific times for dropping off and picking up your child.

Most Chicago daycares focus on childcare services for infants and toddlers as well as preschoolers.  Others offer after-school, weekend, and before-school care services for school-going children. Regardless of your child’s age, it’s always difficult to put your little one in the care of someone else, let alone a center where many children are cared for in the same place.

Aside from a little case of separation anxiety, sending your infant or younger child to a daycare facility in Chicago can be incredibly beneficial to both you and your child.  As a Chicago parent here are five worthwhile reasons to seriously consider taking your kid to daycare this year.

Reason #1: Taking Your Child to Daycare is Far Less Expensive than Hiring a Nanny

If luck is on your side, a relative (I see you grandma!) may agree to watch your little one, so you can dash to a dental appointment, run some errands, go on a date, or even go back to working nine-to-five.  If you’re lucky, this won’t end up putting a major strain on your relationship.

Not everyone has a willing family member or relative who has the time to take care of your child, let alone for free. So, your next option is to hire a nanny, babysitter, or if possible, go dutch with another family for a nanny share service.  Unfortunately, nannies and babysitters can cost a small fortune — especially if you need full-time childcare.  The going hourly rates for a nanny in Chicago range from $11 to $20 (sometimes up to $25 per hour).

The cost of sending your child to a daycare center in Chicago, on the other hand, can often be more affordable than bringing in a babysitter or hiring a nanny. The center usually charges a flat rate for a full day of childcare and is capped at $46.49 per hour by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

The actual price of daycare in Chicago may vary from facility to facility, depending on the type of center, its location in the city, and what is included in their services package.  If you opt for family care (also referred to as an in-home daycare center), you can expect to pay the least for childcare.  Overall, you can expect to pay an average of $894 per month, which is much cheaper than hiring a full-time nanny who can set you back an average of $2,250 monthly.

Reason #2: Vetted Daycare Centers Offer Better Quality of Childcare

Here’s another plausible reason to send your tot to an accredited, licensed, and regulated daycare facility in Chicago.  In major cities, including Chicago, the state, federal government, and local authorities have outlined strict standards and regulations that govern child care facilities.

The state of Illinois mandates childcare requirements, such as a 1:3 caregiver-to-child ratio for daycare centers offering care for infants and toddlers under the age of 2.  The state also dictates the maximum group size and level of training for caregivers & teachers at the center.

Together, these strict guidelines ensure that Chicago’s state-licensed daycares offer the best quality of care for your child.  A study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) backs this up. The research found that daycare centers that meet caregiver-to-child ratio, educational requirements, and maximum group sizes enforced by state regulators tend to have better outcomes, such as higher quality of care and increased social & cognitive development.

Reason #3: Daycare Helps Kids Kick off their Social Life on the Right Foot

At first, the highly interactive nature of the daycare environment may throw your child off, especially if your kid develops temporary separation anxiety. But when little ones get accustomed to the daycare setting, these interactions can make a significant positive impact on their social lives.

Learning, playtime, and generally interacting with their friends and caregivers can have huge benefits for your child’s social, cognitive, and emotional development. This high level of socialization can enable your child to grow and learn with peers, something that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.  After all, it’s been scientifically proven that early social relationships can have a big impact on shaping one’s future life skills in communication, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence.

Reason #4: Daycare Lays Foundation for Better School Life Ahead

Attending daycare not only provides opportunities for socialization and learning but can also lay a solid foundation for future school life. Children who attended daycare tend to be morally and educationally more disciplined — they’re less likely to act out, cause tantrums, or have behavioral issues in school.

This might have something to do with early interactions with others. In a daycare environment, kids usually learn to interact with adults and with their peers in a healthy way. This gives them the head start they need to develop proper social, emotional, and cognitive skills.  For instance, learning how to make friends and solve conflicts amicably at a tender age can stick with you from kindergarten all through to college and even beyond.

Reason #5: Daycare Provides you with Opportunities to Meet Other Parents

Kids, as they say, don’t come with a manual—and it really helps to swap notes with other parents who may have better parenting solutions.  It doesn’t hurt to meet, mingle, and perhaps strike up friendships with other like-minded parents.

For instance, if you drop off or pick up your kids with a certain Samuel almost every day, soon you will find yourself exchanging contacts. Who knows; the person might introduce you to the enchanting art culture of Chicago or get you a membership to an exclusive country club like the Ridgemoor.

That aside, surrounding yourself with other parents can provide you with the kind of support system you need to raise amazing kids.  It all begins with choosing the right daycare center for your family’s needs.

Are you looking for a trusted, state-of-the-art daycare in Chicago?  Schedule a tour at any of our locations today.  Serving the Edgewater, Irving Park, Lakeview, North Park, Lincoln Square, Edison Park, and West Loop communities since 2010.

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Pros & Cons of Nannies vs. Daycare for Chicago Parents 

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Pros & Cons of Nannies vs. Daycare for Chicago Parents 

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Obtaining childcare is the single most important decision any new parent in Chicago has to make before their child reaches school-going age. One surprise most Chicago families may not be prepared for is just how many choices they have when it comes to childcare in the city.

Yes, you can have a trusted relative watch your child, or perhaps stay at home to care full-time for your little one.  However, if you’ll be out working 9 to 5, your safest bet boils down to either hiring a nanny to take care of your child or, more commonly, enrolling your child in a traditional daycare.

Taking a closer look at the benefits and downsides of nannies vs. daycare can make it easy for you to choose the right childcare facility in Chicago. Let’s break down the pros and cons of both options.

 

Pros and Cons of Hiring a Nanny

 

Nannies’ biggest selling points are flexibility, one-on-one attention, and increased parental control. A reliable nanny around the house can also help you with household work. But hiring a nanny can be pricey, especially in a world-class city like Chicago.

 

Advantages of Using a Nanny in Chicago

 

1- One-on-One, Focused Attention

At this stage, your infant and toddler still need much love, care, and attention to promote healthy brain development. You can count on a good nanny to excel in this area. The babysitter or nanny will tailor care, activities, and learning moments to your child’s individual needs. After all, there’s no competition for your nanny’s attention, allowing them to focus exclusively on your tot’s wellbeing and development.

2- The Parent Has More Control

When you hire a nanny, he or she is basically your employee. You have control of everything that goes into the care of your child, be it the activities they indulge in, what they eat, where they go, what your child is exposed to, or even when they should sleep.

This makes it easy for you to dictate the kind of parenting style your nanny will adopt. In fact, most professional nannies in Chicago create a journal of what happens throughout the day, as well as provide the parent with visual proof (video, photos, etc.)

If you’re a strict parent (who isn’t right) who plans to micromanage every bit of the childcare, then hiring a nanny may be a great fit for you.

3- Consistency in Care

At most daycare centers, caregivers, teachers, and administrators come and go almost every year. With a full-time nanny, this is a thing of the past. They usually stay with your family from when your baby is a few weeks old until they start going to school or even beyond that, which can do wonders for your child’s social and emotional well-being.

4- A Nanny Can Be Quite Flexible

Flexibility is one positive attribute that comes with hiring a dedicated nanny.  Whether you’re an early riser, work a normal 9-5, or your work veers into the evening, the nanny can work around your unique schedule. It’s easy for you to make last-minute plans, like a date, dinner with the clients, etc.

5- Help with Household Work

A nanny can be a lifesaver if you also need someone to do some household chores like receive deliveries, let in handymen, wash laundry, cook, and clean the house.  It truly takes some pressure off of you as a working parent.

6- Convenience and Attachment

With the nanny at home, you don’t have to pack up or prepare for your child’s daycare. Besides, your nanny will become a primary attachment figure when you’re out hassling for the big bucks.

 

Disadvantages of a Nanny

 

1- Nannies Can Be Quite Expensive

Compared to using a daycare center, hiring a nanny can be a budget buster. In Chicago, the going rate for a nanny ranges from $12 to $20 or more depending on the services you need. Full-time nanny care can cost an eye-watering weekly bill of between $600 and $1,100.

2- Administrative Headaches

With daycare, all that you have to do is enroll and pay a daily or weekly fee. When you hire a nanny, on the other hand, you will need to file an IRS W-2 form for her and pay her Social Security taxes. Much paperwork and many administrative tasks are involved in being the sole employer of a nanny.

3- Oversight Problems

It’s true; most Chicago parents put up expensive nanny-cams. But when it’s just the nanny and your child (such as at the park or playground), anything goes and you’ll have no way of knowing it.

4- Clash in Parenting Styles

You can easily disagree with your nanny’s discipline, sleeping, feeding, and other parenting styles. This parenting style conflict can affect your child in many ways.

5- Lack of Regulation

Nannies are generally not required to obtain a license, get trained, or become accredited. Until you experience their services first-hand, hiring a nanny is mostly like throwing a dart in the dark.

6- Unreliability

What if your nanny calls in sick? Who will cover for them at the last minute? If your nanny also runs late or decides to arrive at work drunk, you might have to skip work yourself.

 

Pros and Cons of Daycare

 

Daycare centers have become the gold standard of childcare for decades now for good reason. They are wallet-friendly, predictable, and expose your child to multiple caregivers and other children, which can work wonders for their social, emotional, and cognitive development.

But they do come with a few setbacks, too.

 

Advantages of Daycare

 

1- Daycare’s Social Factor

Daycare centers are inarguably social havens where your little one can interact with several teachers, caregivers, administrators, parents, and their peers. They get to play, socialize, and interact in a meaningful, supervised, and healthy way that encourages learning and promotes social skills.

2- Well-Trained and Educated Staff

Unlike nannies who have no educational requirements, most daycares boast well-trained, educated, and experienced caregivers and teachers who have been working with children for years, if not decades.  It’s not uncommon for almost 75 percent of employees in the best Chicago daycare centers to have a four-year college degree in early childhood education.

That means your child will get the highest quality of care because these teachers instill their curiosity, creativity, and use of play periods or toys to facilitate learning and development. It’s no wonder one study found that younger children have elevated social, emotional, and cognitive development when their teachers have a 4-year degree.

3- Licensed, Regulated, and Vetted Caregivers

All state-licensed daycare facilities in Chicago are required to meet strict federal and state licensing regulations and accreditation rules. Caregivers and teachers must undergo a thorough vetting process that includes background checks, so you can rest assured your child is in safe hands.

Be sure to check if your choice has been cited by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) for violation of quality, safety, space, or sanitation issues. Don’t forget to ask if the facility has been accredited by the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) or the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

4- Structured and Resourceful Care

Daycare facilities will provide structured working hours and dates to cater to working parents. They also provide a range of games, books, toys, play equipment, and other resources that boost learning and play. Daycare centers work hard to create and maintain environments conducive to creative play.

5- Provide Virtual Monitoring

Some state-of-the-art daycare centers let parents monitor their child’s care and check-in online during the day. Basically, you can visit your child remotely at least once during the day, providing extra peace of mind.

6- Lower Cost

The cost of daycare services tends to be more wallet-friendly than hiring a full-time nanny. However, the actual price will vary greatly depending on the type of daycare center, its location, and whether you need full-time or flexible care.

 

Disadvantages of Daycare

 

1- Incidents and Sick Policies

Daycare centers often have strict sick policies meant to help protect against outbreaks of illness. This means you will be left without childcare help if your child falls ill. Reports of falls, bites, and small incidences are common in these centers, as well.

2- Inflexible Operating Hours

A nanny can wait until you arrive, while a daycare center has fixed operating hours.  This can be tricky and costly if you tend to run late when picking up your child.

3- Increased Chances of Illness

With children sharing space, toys, and other resources, it’s easy to spread germs and catch an illness. Finding a daycare with stricter sick policies and high standards of sanitation can make a big difference.

4- High Turnover Rates

Daycares often change caregivers and teachers, which can be emotionally draining.

 

The Bottom Line

In many aspects, enrolling your child in a daycare trumps hiring a nanny.  Daycare centers are inexpensive, well-structured, offer ample social opportunities, and your child will receive care from multiple well-trained, educated, and experienced caregivers and teachers.

Are you looking for a trusted, state-of-the-art daycare in Chicago?  Schedule a tour at any of our locations today.  Serving the Edgewater, Irving Park, Lakeview, North Park, Lincoln Square, Edison Park, and West Loop communities since 2010.

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Understanding the Cost of Daycare in Illinois 

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Understanding the Cost of Daycare in Illinois 

Understanding the Cost of Daycare in Illinois , image 1

It’s no secret that the cost of childcare across the country can be stag. Recent estimates from the Economic Policy Institute show that new parents in Illinois pay an average of $1,150 for infant care every month. If you do the math, that comes to an eye-popping yearly bill of $13,802, which is akin to purchasing a brand new Ford Fiesta outright every year.

But that figure doesn’t exactly tell the whole story. In reality, parents in Illinois have quite a number of options for child care, including traditional daycare, employing an at-home nanny, on-site (workplace) daycare, nanny sharing, or deciding to have one parent stay home to care for your little one.

Is daycare financially feasible for Illinois parents? How do other childcare alternatives stack up against the standby of daycare when it comes to the overall costs?

In this article, we provide a quick rundown of the costs associated with each childcare option, so you can figure out which is best for your child care needs and budget.

Option #1- Daycare

Daycare remains one of the most practical [and perhaps most cost-effective] ways to obtain care for your child while you’re at work, in school, or running errands.  Daycare is the most chosen option across Illinois. It’s not difficult to understand why:

Many choices available – Daycare centers in Illinois come in all shapes and sizes. Your choice includes small daycares in an operator’s home vs. large daycare centers vs. Montessori facilities. Of course, each choice offers a different set of services and comes at different price points.

Ultimately, your preference for style of care and your budget will be the deciding factors. For instance, if you want a daycare facility where your child will get the most personal attention, you would be better off choosing an at-home-based daycare center. However, if you’re finicky about the quality of care your child will receive, you will probably pick a daycare center green-lighted by the NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).

Extra peace of mind – Almost all daycare centers (except for smaller home-based daycares) in Illinois are licensed and closely monitored by the Department of Children and Family Services. They must follow strict accreditation rules and adhere to state regulations.  For this reason, you can always rest easy knowing that your child is in the safe hands of highly professional, duly vetted, and regulated caregivers.

More resources for childcare – Daycare centers are usually well-equipped with all sorts of books, playground equipment, toys, and other handy resources that promote your child’s development.

More wallet-friendly – It’s well-known that daycare is less costly than nanny care and other alternatives (more ahead on the actual costs).

Multiple caregivers/teachers – Most daycare facilities are staffed with many experienced teachers and trained caregivers who have been working with children for years. Your child will get to interact with multiple teachers, which is important for building better social skills.

Shedding Some Light on the True Cost of Daycare in Illinois

The actual cost of daycare in Illinois varies greatly depending on your child’s age and whether you need full-time or part-time care, as well as the type of center you choose and where it’s located.

For babies and toddlers (i.e., those under-2 years of age), the state-wide average you can expect to pay is $1,150 per month for full-time care at a center in Illinois. That means the daily cost comes down to around $38.33. If you take your child to a daycare center within Group 1A Counties (such as Kendall, Cook, etc.) or Group 1B Counties (like Champaign, Monroe, etc.), that rate can be as high as $46.49 per day — or a little shy of $1,400 each month.

However, parents who take their children to daycare centers in Group 2 Counties, which are essentially any childcare facility outside of the two zones mentioned above will incur up to $33.53 per day. This is the maximum daily rate capped by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

The prices mentioned so far apply to licensed daycare facilities only.  Although they still operate under the watchful eye of the IDCFS, license-exempt daycare facilities can’t care for more than three children at a time. If you opt for this type of daycare, the prices are a bit fairer at $40.50, $36.73, and $28.46 per day in Group 1A, Group 1B, and Group 2 counties, respectively.

Parents who choose to get 5 or fewer hours of care for their children at a daycare center will enjoy lower part-time rates of between $14.60 and $23.25 per day for a child under age 2.  The amount will depend on the number of hours of care provided and the location of the facility.

When the child reaches the age of 2, the maximum cost of daycare drops to between $23.77 and $39.26 per day for full-time childcare at a licensed facility in the state.  Parents patronizing license-exempt centers will pay up to $34.20 in the expensive Group 1A zone.

While infant care costs parents in Illinois around $13,800 annually, the daycare cost for a child three years of age and older is roughly $864 monthly or $10,370 annually.  Parents of children at this age who opt for licensed daycare centers will have to be content with a daily maximum rate of between $23.77 and $32.72. For license-exempt centers, the prices range from $28.50 to $20.70, depending on the county where the facility is located.  Learn more about these daycare rates here.

These statistics clearly show that the costs of daycare do vary immensely.  Pricing is based on the kind of center, what features it provides, and where you reside. City parents are sure to foot a bigger childcare bill, of course.  You’d be lucky to pay less than $50 for a licensed daycare center in Chicago, for instance.  Meanwhile, parents who manage to score a good home daycare in Group 2 centers will be happy paying as little as $19 for a full day of childcare.

Option -2: In-home nanny

In-home nannies serve as a reasonable alternative to traditional daycare for parents seeking a more intimate form of childcare.  Contrary to common belief, nannies are not glorified babysitters; they do much more than you think.

A conventional in-home nanny is responsible for taking your child to and from activities like playgrounds, parks, etc.; feeding and cleaning your little one, and of course, assisting with household chores like laundry, washing dishes, cooking, and so forth.

Think of an in-home nanny as your own Mary Poppins (except that she’s painfully expensive and nowhere near perfect, of course).  Nannies engage in activities, create daily schedules, and generate play opportunities to ensure your child’s healthy emotional, physical, and mental growth.

How much does in-home nanny care cost in Illinois?

Live-in nannies are, without question, the most expensive of all daycare options parents have in Illinois.  Conservative estimates put the average state-wide cost of an in-home nanny at around $13.92 per hour, but this rate varies immensely based on where you reside in Illinois.  Even though the state’s minimum wage is $11/hour, the going rate can vary wildly from $11 to $20 or well beyond that.

Some households do provide the nanny with room & board in a bid to dial down the hourly rate.  Even so, some of the downsides of hiring an in-home nanny for childcare are too glaring to ignore. Managing a nanny (as an employee) is often a big headache for parents, plus lack of regulations, sick leave, lateness, and parenting style conflicts can put a huge bummer on the relationship.

Option -3: Nanny share

As the name suggests, nanny share is a form of childcare where multiple families share the service of a single nanny.  It’s often a good choice for parents who live in a multi-family facility like multiplexes, apartments, condominiums, etc.

In this situation, the nanny gets a fatter paycheck, but you end up paying less per child for the service. This choice offers a decent degree of flexibility, comfort, and convenience, along with increased socialization for the children and help with household work.

As with any other childcare option, nanny share costs are all over the place.  However, the nanny will ask for one or two dollars more than the local going rate for a traditional nanny service.  That means the hourly fee can fall somewhere between $13 and $22.

There are of course some key disadvantages of using this type of childcare.  If you have only one child, the cost of taking him or her to a traditional daycare makes more financial sense than joining a nanny share. Administrative challenges like payroll, taxes, and paperwork can make nanny share less convenient for ever-busy parents.  The relationship with the nanny-share can sour pretty quickly if there are any parenting style conflicts.

All things considered, daycare remains the best form of childcare for parents in Illinois in terms of practicality and cost.  Are you looking for a trusted, state-of-the-art daycare in Chicago? Schedule a tour at any of our locations today.  Serving the Edgewater, Irving Park, Lakeview, North Park, Lincoln Square, Edison Park, and West Loop communities since 2010.

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New Location at 7652 W Touhy, Chicago now open

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New Location at 7652 W Touhy, Chicago now open

New Location at 7652 W Touhy, Chicago now open, image 1

Exciting News! We are opening a new daycare and preschool facility at 7652 W Touhy Ave Chicago, in the Edison Park neighborhood.

The brand new facility follows the same LadyBug & Friends model providing an arts-based curriculum and programs designed for babies, toddlers and young children ages 1 year to 5 years.

Our mission is to continue to create an enhanced, quality early education program that emphasizes the arts, cultural experiences, and the unique individuality of each child.

Full-time or part-time options are available. Please contact us to schedule a tour as positions are limited and sure to fill up fast!

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Lincoln & Jersey Location Now Open

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Lincoln & Jersey Location Now Open

Lincoln & Jersey Location Now Open, image 1

We opened a new daycare and preschool facility at Lincoln & Jersey near North Park.

The brand new facility follows the same LadyBug & Friends model providing an arts-based curriculum and programs designed for babies, toddlers and young children ages 1 year to 5 years.

Our mission is to continue to create an enhanced, quality early education program that emphasizes the arts, cultural experiences, and the unique individuality of each child.

Full-time or part-time options are available. Please contact us to schedule a tour as positions are limited and sure to fill up fast!

Get Enrollment Information and Register for our Tours & Waitlist…


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We’re learning about hibernation this week

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We’re learning about hibernation this week

We're learning about hibernation this week, image 1

Today we are introducing our students to what animals do in wintertime and how they are able to adapt and survive during these colder months. While some animals like bears hibernate, others like birds migrate to warmer weather. Our students are fascinated to learn about each animal🐻🦌🦜#LearningwithMiaandFriends

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Daycare starting from 6 weeks old

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Daycare starting from 6 weeks old

Daycare starting from 6 weeks old, image 1

Did you know that your child can start coming to Ladybug Daycare from just 6-weeks-old? It’s true. 👶🏻 Our curriculum has been perfected to make sure that we provide what every child needs, at every stage and through every transition.

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Can you name winter animals?

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Can you name winter animals?

Can you name winter animals?, image 1

We’re learning about animals who come out of hibernation for winter, like the polar bear. Many of our students will be introduced to these animals for the first time which is makes showing them pictures so fun!😊✍🏻 #LearningwithMiaandFriends

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