Photo Credit: Guidepost Montessori
We are tremendously thankful for all the essential workers in our community who are risking their health during the COVID-19 pandemic. For essential workers with children, there are child care options for you.
Below you’ll find a list of emergency child care centers in the Chicago area. To find other options for emergency child care in your area, call (888) 228-1146 or visit the state government’s COVID-19 Emergency Provider Search.
Elmhurst Premiere Childcare
Ages: 6 weeks-5 years
Location: Elmhurst
Elmhurst Premiere Childcare is open for essential workers seeking child care. Call 630-530-5678 for more information.
First Academy Child Care
Ages: Infants-5 years
Location: Chicago (West Ridge)
This North Side child care center will be open Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for children of essential workers. Call 773-856-0649 for more information.
Guidepost Montessori
Ages: 8 weeks-12 years
Locations: Chicago (Wicker Park, Magnificent Mile & West Loop) and Naperville
The Montessori school’s Emergency Care program offers flexible drop-off options for essential workers. They are also following safety and sanitization requirements based on CDC recommendations. Fill out this form for more information.
Kiddie Academy
Ages: 6 weeks-12 years
Locations: Arlington Heights, Bolingbrook, Gurnee and New Lenox
The comprehensive educational child care center is serving essential workers’ families in the Chicago area. They will be taking health and safety precautions to make sure children and staff are in great care. Please visit their website or call 800-554-3343 for more information.
Kindercare Learning Center
Ages: 6 weeks to 12 years (varies by each location)
Locations: Addison, Arlington Heights, Bolingbrook, Chicago (Streeterville), Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Hoffman Estates, Joliet, Lemont, Naperville, Oak Forest, Plainfield, Tinley Park, Vernon Hills and West Chicago
Kindercare has opened essential KindCare centers across the Chicago area to help families in essential services roles. Call 866-337-3105 for more information.
La Petite Learning Academy
Ages: 6 weeks-12 years
Locations: Oswego
The school’s Oswego location is open to children of essential workers. They’re following health and safety practices throughout the day such as screening staff and children’s temperatures and having parenting remain in common areas only. Call 630-554-8755 for more information.
Little Green Tree House
Ages: 6 weeks-5 years
Locations: Chicago (Lakeview, Lincoln Park & West Loop) and Evanston
All Little Green Tree House schools will provide child care from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for essential workers. For more information, email enrollment3111@littlegreentreehouse.com about their Lakeview location and email betsyt@littlegreentreehouse.com for other locations.
Mosaic Early Childhood
Ages: 6 weeks-12 years
Location: Skokie (Dempster)
Families will be screened before being placed on their emergency child care list. Call 847-675-7030 or email mosaicearlychildhood@hotmail.com for more information.
South Loop Montessori School
Ages: 8 weeks-9 years
Location: Chicago (South Loop)
South Loop Montessori School has recently opened their doors as an emergency child care center. Part of their healthy and safety precautions, teachers will wear masks and only 10 students will be in each classroom. For more information, call 312-431-8050.
YMCA of Metro Chicago
Ages: 5-9 years
Location: Chicago (Irving Park) and Palatine
If you qualify for Illinois Child Care Assistance Program, you only have to pay $20 per day for YMCA’s emergency child care. Each location will take safety precautions such as taking everyone’s temperature upon entry and plan activities that do not require close physical contact. Call 773-905-5115 for more information.
Bright Horizons
Ages: Infants-12 years
Location: 33 N. LaSalle St., Chicago
Cisco has partnered with #FirstRespondersFirst to open a free child care hub to healthcare workers on the frontlines of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. The center is being operated with enhanced health and safety protocols, including teachers wearing masks, curbside pick-up and drop-off and enhanced hand washing.
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