Oak Park YMCA for after school? (River Forest, Concord: day care, house, neighborhood)

[DCB80]

Does anyone have any experience with this for their young children? I have a 5 year old and an 8 year old - both girls. They will pick up after school with their shuttle. Sounds like it might work logistically. Just wondering how my kindergartner will do for half a day there.

[Lookout Kid]

That YMCA is one that actually has a bunch of almost-homeless adult men staying there. There are currently plans to demolish the old building, and a battle is brewing between neighborhood residents and affordable housing activists. Some see that YMCA as a blight on the neighborhood while others see it as an affordable alternative to homelessness. Either way, I don't think I'd be comfortable sending my young daughters there.

[DCB80]

We tried Hepsebub (sp?) when we knew we were moving . Wait-listed, with very little chance of getting a spot. I think we'll have to spend $$ we don't have and get a nanny. We've had nannies in the past. 1 is still like family, the others with good to terrible experiences. Welcome to the real world where both parents need to work in order to provide.

[CarolL]

I used both Hephzibah and Children's Garden Montessori when my kids were little and I highly recommend them both.

BTW, someone on the forum (sorry, can't remember where) was looking for a Spanish immersion program and Children's Garden has it:

http://www.childrensgardenmontessori.com/

[Lookout Kid]

How hard is it to get into daycares and pre-schools in Oak Park? It's been a nightmare in the city so far...

[kindrakindra]

Getting into preschool seems to be a lot easier in Oak Park. There are more options, it seems, with less people vying for spots. River Forest has Concordia and Dominican, and I know OPers that like them both quite a bit. We applied to several preschools before we even found a house in OP and got in to a few.

[DCB80]

We're already accepted at our school. It's the after school that we're having difficulty with. Hephzibah is booked solid and the Montessori is a school, not a daycare if I understand correctly.

[CarolL]

Originally Posted by DCB80

We're already accepted at our school. It's the after school that we're having difficulty with. Hephzibah is booked solid and the Montessori is a school, not a daycare if I understand correctly.

Alcuin Montessori is a school, I believe, and not a day care center, as I recall. Children's Garden Montessori is both a school and a day care center (or was when we went there). CG has day care and, if you choose to use it, a private Montessori kindergarten. The day care programs are also based on Montessori principles.

Sorry Hephzibah is booked, but put your name on the list. It is worth the wait. They really do become like family, and my kids have fond memories of the staff there.