Little Green Treehouse – West Loop

Little Green Tree House was a wonderful experience for our daughter. We would highly recommend it for parents seeking excellent care and education for their children.

I would agree that this is an expensive daycare, but having your child genuinely be happy to go to school every morning makes it worth it. My son has been at Little Green Tree House for just over a year and although we had a bit of a rough start our first week (pink eye and a fall) it’s been nothing but good since. The teachers are great with the kids. They have a very cool enclosed rooftop and take the kids often on buggy rides when the weather cooperates. And since my son has switched to the advanced toddler room, I’ve watched him use the potty, count to 10 in Spanish, recite his ABCs, accomplish hard puzzles and so much more in such a little amount of time. I’m always amazed when I come to pick my son up that the kids are well-​mannered and playing quietly together and under control.
The Directors are very friendly and approachable. The tour was thorough and really helped nudge us on our decision as well. Take a tour if you have any doubts and you’ll see how happy the kids are!

We had our son in this daycare for two years. Excellent place at the time. That was in 2010.

LGTH has been great for our Daughter (s). Our oldest just left to attend Kindergarten and we’ve found that she’s likley advanced compaired to her peers (reading skills, social skills, etc). We did leave for a bit to attempt a cheaper option, but ended up returning due to many issues at the competition (wear and tear, communication, teacher engagement, etc). Happy to return, but there is a price for this service. The front desk staff has always been stellar, the teachers that have stayed in place are solid and the curriculum is very well done. Besides price, the only other complaint we’ve had in recent year or so is the amount of turnover. Not sure if this is due to being distracted while opening up their northside location, but the Ashland location did experience a rash of hires and departures, which was disruptive. However, the core teachers for both our daughters (one is still there) are in place and that has kept the care high and consistant. Would recommend if you can afford this.

My son attends Little Green Tree House at the Lakeview location, 3111 N. Ashland. I couldn’t find this location on Unilocal to review it but both are owned by the same individuals. My son started in February 2013 and we have had nothing but an amazing experience at LGTH Lakeview. His teachers have shown a vested interest in his development and genuinely care about him, as well as the other children in his class. The time and effort that his lead teacher, Nicole, puts in outside of her working hours at LGTH is amazing. In terms of my son’s classroom, I disagree with previous posts that the teachers are unable to maintain control of a room full of toddlers. Maybe the previous posters do not have very active children so they do not comprehend the enormous task of maintaining control of a room full of toddlers, especially boys! When I have stopped by or picked up my son, the children are either fully engaged in an activity or are sitting so peacefully at their tables. This is a key learning for children as it is helps prepare them all for kindergarten. LGTH Hawthorn room is definitely succeeding in this area! I love the daily reports we receive. I know new words my son used that day or what he found the most enjoyable (food, activity, or spotting at the park or on their walks). The teachers know about my son to the same level as I, because they do care. I would and do recommend LGTH Lakeview to my dearest friends and to all the Unilocalers out there as well.

Our child attended this school. The teachers were lovely and very smart but did not have a lot of control over the classroom of toddlers. I am sure that sounds funny because we are talking about 2 year olds. We brushed it off as the age BUT when we visited other schools and noted that the environment was calmer, cleaner and more established we realized that there were better options for our child. I cannot blame the teaching staff — this is through no fault of their own but due to a lack of support staff and proactive assistants. I really wanted to like this school and have our child stay at LGTH, but in the end we found that there were more quality schools in the city for the same tuition fees (15−25K per year).
The front desk staff and enrollment director were all lovely, but we did notice that the leadership from the director (s) at the Ashland location was clearly lacking. The director was a bit too detached and not supportive of the teachers, parents or children compared to other directors we know or have connected with through this journey. The teachers try very hard to create a sense of community by hosting room parties but they need more help so they can focus on engaging the children. It feels like a very nice day care in reality. That isn’t a bad thing, but we expected a different experience for the fees that we were paying.
There are other schooling options out there for your child if you have some time to look. We will miss the excellent teachers.

I think the person below summed up the tree house when he says they are out to get your money and that’s what they want the most. My son was selected to go to here on a part time basis and was called and confirmed. When we got there to fill out the paper work we were notified that his spot was taken by a full time student. We were stunned and appalled. They did not call to let us know he was taken off or was replaced. They said we can be placed on the waiting list (which was no guarantee) and cost $ 150. So they agreed to place us on a waiting list (the list never to be called) for free. I’m very disappointed but glad this event happened early to prevent us from going to this highly suspect place. Hope this review helps and you are aware of this shady business.

After doing research about this day care center and sending my 2 year old boy here, the people who run the place are awful except for a woman at the desk named Betsy. This place is extremely DISAPPOINTING. They are just about getting your money and do not know how to properly take care of your children. If you are looking in the west loop the gardner school is opening soon and its about 2 blocks away. I have heard good things. DO NOT GO HERE

My 3-​year old went here for a few months while we were in transition.
Pros: She really liked it. The staff was very friendly, and seem to really enjoy working with kids. Great facility, organic food, indoor and outdoor gross motor space available. Billing is electronic, which is convenient. Parents have key fobs to enter the building, also convenient and safe.
Cons: Costly. Difficult to park on Ashland for pickup/​drop off. For the same price my daughter spent a year at the Montessori Academy of Chicago just a few blocks away from here, and I felt that the educational structure there was superior. May just be a personal preference.

My son has gone to LGTH for a little over two years (started at 18mths & he is almost four) and it has been an amazing experience for us! I have loved all of his teachers and more importantly, so has he! I feel like he has learned a lot during his time there but also has been allowed the freedom to have fun during the day and be a kid (or better put — they make the learning fun so that he can do both at the same time). I feel like he is well taken care of and truly loved by all of his teachers — so if he can’t be with me 24/​7, I can’t think of a better place for him to be. When it comes time for my little guy to graduate to kindergarten it will be a sad goodbye to a place that feels like home for him!

Not bad, but not worth the money. Recently received 4 violations from DCFS for having a convicted felon working in the kitchen.

I am a former employee of LGTH and it was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Not only was it rewarding to have the privileged opportunity to work in an environment that supports growing and learning for the students and the staff, LGTH has also benefitted me in my education endeavors in regards to business. The LGTH staff and teachers encourage students to expand their minds and express their individualism through daily activities. The teachers that I worked with were highly qualified and loved by their students. When I have children, LGTH will be my number one choice for a day care!

My daughter goes to this school and the teachers are just wonderful. They treat them as if they are their own children and really get them involved. My daughter just loves it there and seems conflicted about leaving her friends and teachers when I show up to get her!

We could not be happier with LGTH. Our two kids have been there for years, starting in the infant room. The teachers have been uniformly excellent: caring, smart, and above all engaged with the kids. The facility is great, and there’s tons of indoor play space for the wintertime. We have complete peace of mind during the workday, and are confident our kids will have a leg up when they start kindergarten.

We are very pleased with LGTH. Our daughter has been going there for 3 months now and I have seen so much growth and development in terms of speech, sharing with others and being comfortable in new environments. The personal touch we feel is amazing. Every one working there is so friendly and seems genuinely interested in how our daughter is doing. The staff at LGTH is responsive to our questions, flexible with our ever changing schedules and very hands on. Although it is expensive, we had been going to a place in Old Town that was more expensive, and not nearly as warm, friendly and welcoming. We love it here and so does our daughter!

3.5 Stars. We send our toddler here part time and he is typically happy when we drop off and pick up. It is very clean, and nice play areas including a rooftop garden and an indoor playground. We never have to worry about him being well taken care of and they seem to have good educational activities. My only problems are all the rules and related costs: strict 6pm pick up time, strict policy about letting mildly sick kids go to daycare [calling me out of work], and too many holidays /​‘snow’ days, which by the way you still have to pay for.
So overly costly, strict, but high quality. There has also been a lot of turnover among the teachers but so far my child seems to like them all.

We just love LGTH. From day one we felt comfortable to leave our 3 yr old son where we felt that love and needed care were provided. Teachers are so nice and enthusiastic. Love the fact that we receive a detailed e-​mail and some pictures from the teacher every day. Puts a smile on your face and makes it easier to imagine their busy day. Nice to know they have a play ground on the roof too though they go to the park every day if weather permits. It was important to us that school provides healthy meals and even more so that it is an ECO friendly place. We just wish the nap time would be optional for the 3 year olds and older or at lease shortened to 1.5 hr because if they don’t sleep they have to be still for about 2.5 hrs. I still give it 5 stars since sleep for the kids is important but once again that’s if they sleep.

Our daughter attended LGTH for 5 weeks, from 15 to 20 weeks of age. The only reason we left LGTH was because my husband got a great job offer out-​of-​state that allowed us to be closer to extended family and therefore we relocated. At any rate, I cannot say enough good things about LGTH. Our daughter’s teachers were all so knowledgeable, energetic, and caring. I immediately felt safe and secure leaving our baby in their hands, which says a lot as I am a first-​time mom who worries easily. Not only were our little girl’s basic needs met, but I truly felt she was being stimulated intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically, even at only 4 months of age. In only 5 weeks, all of her teachers really got to know her and she was clearly bonded to them. They really got to know her personality and respected her as an individual, not just a young baby, if that makes sense. She was happy every single morning as I left and every single evening that I picked her up. Communication was top-​notch. With the infant seed note, we were well-​informed as to her eating, sleeping, and diapers throughout the day, as well as notes to inform us of the need for additional supplies. Best of all, our teacher always wrote a fun little note about what our daughter enjoyed doing that day or a new experience. And the verbal communication with the teachers at the beginning and end of day was excellent as well. I really felt like I knew what our little girl did each day. I experienced nothing but the utmost professionalism from the teachers, front desk staff, and director. The building is secure and also well-​monitored by front desk staff. Although I am quite happy with the daycare we now use here in Wisconsin, I truly don’t believe we’ll ever be able to top LGTH. High quality child care (in a safe and beautiful building to boot!) like this is worth its weight in gold.

This is a very expensive day care, but worth it in my opinion. I looked at a lot of places, and others were not that much cheaper, considering how much less they offered. My daughter has been here 5 months, and I feel secure that she is in good hands. The teachers are very committed and make sure to know each child very well, so they get totally individualized attention.
The former Business Manager did have kind of a snobby, corporate attitude, but she is gone now, and everyone else is very warm and helpful. The teachers definitely get attached to the kids in their rooms, and the kids to them!
I love that they provide lesson plans (even for the infants), weekly email updates and pictures of the kids’ progress and adventures, and that they take them out for frequent trips to the park. The only part that I think is a bit challenging in the infant rooms is that since all of the kids nap at different times, they’re always trying to sleep with all the lights on and lots of noise, which can be hard for sensitive babies. But I think that’s the case in a lot of day care centers.
All in all, I think we were lucky to get a spot here, and worth the high price tag for peace of mind.

Snobbery in Day Care. I will first say that we are expecting parents and do NOT have a child here. We were out one morning visiting several potential daycare centers. All welcomed us in, without appointments, were friendly & happy to show us around and give us information – except Little Green Tree House. We walked in and two women were at reception and neither was especially welcoming. I got a «who do these people think they are?» vibe from one of them. They advised us of when they do «tours» for prospective parents and informed us their waiting list was frozen for 10 months. I had filled out their online info request form 3 months prior and never got a reply. They are also by far the most expensive of the day cares we were considering.
As much as I love their philosophy, I call them «Designer Daycare». They are in demand, & their price & attitude reflects it. I can only hope they get some good competition from a more down-​to-​earth center soon.