Apple Tree Learning Center

My son attended Apple Tree for a little over a year. We moved to the suburbs and it was heartbreaking leaving this «family». Ms. Flor is amazing and runs a tight ship but that only makes for a great environment for the kids to learn. Ms. Jeanette was truly amazing and my son loved being in her class. I will forever be grateful for all that my son learned at this school. Anyone looking for a safe, healthy learning environment for their child should definitely consider enrolling their child here. Without a doubt your child will be engaged in learning and having fun all at the same time. No worries about being ready for kindergarten when the time comes.
After leaving here I will never feel another daycare is quite suitable for my little one. Miss all the teachers everyday!

My son went here from daycare through preschool. The teachers here did an amazing job and my son is a straight A student and going into second grade now. He was completely prepared for kindergarten and already had all the skills required ahead of time because of what he’d learned from the teachers at Apple Tree. He’s an advanced reader, too! I was so pleased with Apple Tree and his education that I didn’t hesitate to enroll my daughter here when she turned three. She loved it from day one! I know she’ll gain the same love of learning my son has. I wholeheartedly recommend this center to anyone. The teachers here are responsive and loving. And here’s the kicker … it’s actually more affordable than most daycare centers in Chicago.
I love, love, love Apple Tree!

I am a father that takes a serious role in my son’s life. We just entered our son into Apple Tree Learning Center. We have had are son enrolled into a few since my wife decided to go back to work. The first daycare was in Los Angeles which was ok, but he kept getting sick so we eventually rethought the value of day care versus my wife working. When a career opportunity brought me to Chicago, we decided it was time to try again. As first time parents who care, we might be over cautious. The first placed we looked at in Chicago told us they could enroll him on a certain date and when that day came, the director never even called us and waited till three days after the original start date to tell us they couldn’t enroll our son any longer. Fortunately I have an understanding company. We then placed him in a daycare in Little Italy. We thought we found a great place… we were wrong they always had a sign in the front door «open come on in». Now it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why there should be locked doors on a day care. Besides that, the sharp scissors within children’s reach and uninteractive staff made us look else where. Most places were asking for 1600 to 2000 dollars a month for daycare. Now I will never put a budget on my child but Jesus Christ really? My two year old does not need an iPad of his own, nor does he need to eat all these organic, wheat grass, three hydrated soy bean salad diet. Nor do I need a website that I can log in to view my kid. Even if that is possible just goes to show the parent doesn’t trust the facility. At ATLC, we were treated with more care and concern. The director, Ms. Flor sat my wife, son and my self down and thoroughly spoke with us about their program. So ok, they don’t have iPad for each kid, or teach your kid calculus by 3 or how to speak in 9 languages. I tell you what they do have is a very caring staff, all the kids there our amazingly happy and you can feel it as soon as u walk in. If you are looking for that amazing high tech over prized sham of a place, yea go some where else. If you are looking for a place to take your child because you work or what ever reason, a place you know your child won’t just be watched but interacted with and loved, and most importantly cared for, ATLC is definitely the place. Thank you Ms. Flor and all your wonderful staff. You make the Clark family confident in your day care!

My son, now 3 years old has been attending apple tree for about a year and a half now and not only is he happy there but so are we. He was at another facility prior to ATLC and he was not happy. It was also hard to put full faith in their staff as most of them were college students with no actual experience. ATLC has been very good to our son and to the parents. They show that they care about the children and as a parent you can feel it in their warm spirits. Although they show love, they also teach the kids discipline and how to be kind to one another. My son has learned to count in three different languages, write his letters, colors, shapes and much more ! I highly suggest ATLC if you are looking for a place where your kids can learn and play under the care of some of the most caring teachers.

I am writing this review about my experience with Apple Tree Learning Center. My 3 yr old son has been attending for 2 ½ years. Just like any new parent I was nervous about leaving my son in day care. He was attending a different day care in the suburbs which we really had a bad experience with. I went to speak with Ms. Flor and told me more about her program. Don’t let the older toy’s fool you. Ms. Flor was very genuine and explained what is to be expected from the children and parents. The first time speaking with her I noticed all the kids looked like they REALLY loved it there. The kids are polite and well behaved. The parents kept pouring in to have a word with Ms. Flor just to say hi or give her hugs/​presents. All the teachers are very polite and genuine. I can’t put into words how much the staff really cares about the children. My son has learned so much from them. From writing, counting etc. (My son surprised me one day when he was 2 ½ and wrote the entire alphabet on his own). They have amazing shows during special holidays where all the parents attend and watch their children perform songs and show off what they have learned. (Mother’s day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving etc). Ms. Flor and the teachers are very open and easy to speak with. Field trips are a blast for the kids and they always encourage parental involvement none the least. Apple Tree is my son’s second home where he is genuinely loved and his growth is nurtured by really caring people. BTW Ms’ Flor’s teachers have all been working for her from 10 – 20 yrs. That says a lot about Ms. Flor and her program.
If you want your child to spend most of his days at a place where you will feel that your child is being cared for by loving individuals, learning advanced skills and respect plus good behavior. Apple Tree Learning Center is the place for you.
P.S Like the other posters said. Don’t let the older toy’s or location fool you, I’ve been at a” higher end” day care, it seems those places are just money hungry unlike ATLC.

Both of my sons, 3 & 5, go to Apple Tree. We have been there for almost 1 year now. They had been at another daycare/​preschool since they were 6 months old. When I got a new job, I needed to get a more convenient location for their school. I did an exhaustive search of all the daycare & preschools in the area. I needed to find one that provided all day care, year round since I am a working parent. I visited a lot of places and settled on Apple Tree.
I visited Apple Tree 3 separate times before deciding on it. My first visit… I loved Miss Flor, the Center owner & director. You can tell she is very involved with the kids & teachers and has a real passion for educating the kids, teaching good manners and taking care of the parents. But I was concerned because the facility is older and all the toys/​books seemed old. So I went on visiting other centers. Then I came back to Apple Tree to talk with the teachers and really observe the kids in action. What I saw were very well behaved AND HAPPY kids. That pretty much did it for me. I only went back a 3^rd time to bring my kids to show them their new school.
I could not be happier with Apple Tree! They are so easy to work with… and I ask a lot of questions! They always share with me how the boys did that day, where they struggled, where they triumphed… all without me always having to push for information.
The teachers are strict… which I appreciate… because they show love just as much. The boys always give hugs to their teachers when we leave every day along with hugs for the director. Having an involved director is KEY!
My 5 year old is ready to start kindergarten and a lot of that is due to the preparation he received from Apple Tree.
I would happily refer anyone to Apple Tree, and have done so on a couple of occasions already! Don’t let the dated toys or appearance fool you… this is a fantastic learning center for your children!

I am the mother a 5 year old at APLC. My son has attended Apple Tree since before he was 2yrs old. My son was a child who received professional therapy until the age of 3 and none of the therapist ever mentioned anything to me about the treatment of the children. I’m only guessing that the previous comment was not from one of them. Apple Tree has been a wonderful place for my son. He has grown and learned A LOT from the teachers there. They actually care about the children.
I am extremely pleased with the center and I have and will continue to refer anyone to Apple Tree.

We started sending out oldest daughter to Apple Tree when she turned 2.
My wife and I love this daycare so much we always recommend it to friends/​associates looking for a new daycare.
The owner cares about her employees and the children attending. The staff consistently educate the children and love them as if they were their own.
I agree with Elizabeth with the place being a bit dated however, my wife and I are more concerned with our daughter getting the attention, education, and care she needs to develop. Plus, I always see the staff cleaning and wiping down everything.
As long as its clean, my daughter is getting some lovin, and is learning… all good with me. =)
There is no doubt in my mind when out 2^nd daughter is old enough, she will be going to Apple Tree too.
Ms. Flor and her staff do an awesome job! Keep up the good work Apple Tree!

I am a professional therapist who provides services to kids aged birth to three in their home or daycare. I worked with a child at this center and was appalled by the treatment I consistently witnessed with 2 year olds. The caregivers who I observed constantly said something negative to a child, and there was nearly always at least one child in time out. This occurred over several months– I did not have one observation where someone happened to be having a bad day.
As a professional, I know the value of treating a child with respect to gain their respect and the benefits of using positive reinforcement to increase positive behaviors– these are both foriegn concepts at this center. While I recognize that childcare work can be stressful, the atmosphere at this center stands out dramatically from all the other daycares I have been in. I don’t feel it’s a healthy environment for a child and I feel so strongly that I had to post this review. There are better options; parents– keep looking!