Licensed. Accredited.
Camera-Monitored. Loved.
Every badge below is real, every link goes to the issuing body, and every certification is current. Because the parent searching at 11 PM deserves proof, not promises.
NAEYC Accredited
Since 2019
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State Licensed
License #ECE-2024-0847
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Health Dept. Certified
Inspected Feb 2026
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Best of City 2025
3rd Consecutive Year
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100% CPR Certified
All Staff · Current
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USDA Food Program
Active Participant
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Live Camera Access — Every Room
Check in from your desk at any time. No app required. Secure parent portal, encrypted feed.
Every 15 Minutes of Their Day
We publish the full daily schedule because we have nothing to hide. Every activity, every meal, every transition — visible to every parent.
Arrival & Morning Welcome
arrivalSigned in by lead teacher. Health check logged. Camera system confirms arrival.
Free Exploration
learningChild-led play in age-appropriate centers. Teachers observe and document developmental milestones.
Breakfast
mealUSDA-approved meal. All allergens logged. Menu posted two weeks in advance.
Circle Time & Literacy
learningStructured group learning. Language development, phonics, social-emotional skills.
Outdoor Play
outdoorFenced yard, age-separated equipment. 1:4 staff ratio maintained outdoors.
Morning Snack
mealWhole food snack. Allergy cross-reference check before serving. Logged in parent app.
Structured Learning
creativeSTEM activities, art, sensory exploration, or music depending on curriculum week.
Lunch
mealHot meal prepared on-site. Every item logged before leaving the kitchen. No exceptions.
Nap / Quiet Rest
restIndividual cots. SIDS-safe sleep protocols for infants. Cameras active. Parents may check in.
Afternoon Snack
mealAllergen-logged snack. Children who did not nap engage in quiet independent activity.
Enrichment Activities
creativeSpanish, music, yoga, or guest reader depending on day. Rotating weekly schedule.
Outdoor Play & Pick-Up
outdoorStaggered dismissal. Only authorized adults with photo ID may pick up. Staff confirms each release.
Camera access is live during all waking hours. Parents may check any room at any time through our encrypted parent portal. No recordings are stored beyond 72 hours.
Every Teacher, Every Certificate
We publish CPR expiration dates because we renew them before they expire — not after. Every certification below is current as of May 2026.
100%
CPR Certified
8.4 yrs
Avg. Experience
6/6
IL Gateways Level 3+
1:3
Infant Staff Ratio
Patricia Okafor
Lead Infant Teacher
11 yrs experience
Education: B.S. Child Development, DePaul University
1:3 Infant Ratio
Marcus Delgado
Lead Toddler Teacher
8 yrs experience
Education: A.A.S. Early Childhood Education, Truman College
1:4 Toddler Ratio
Jennifer Kowalski
Pre-K Lead Teacher
14 yrs experience
Education: M.Ed. Early Childhood, Loyola University Chicago
1:8 Pre-K Ratio
Amara Singh
Toddler Assistant Teacher
4 yrs experience
Education: B.A. Psychology, UIC
1:4 Toddler Ratio
David Chen
Infant Assistant Teacher
3 yrs experience
Education: B.S. Family Studies, Northeastern Illinois
1:3 Infant Ratio
Keisha Thompson
Center Director
17 yrs experience
Education: M.S. Educational Leadership, Roosevelt University
Center Director
Every Snack Logged Before It Leaves the Kitchen
We participate in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. Every meal is planned two weeks out, allergen-flagged, and logged in real time. Parents receive a meal confirmation each day.
Sample Weekly Menu
USDA CACFP Compliant| Day | Breakfast | Lunch | Snack | Allergens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Whole grain oatmeal, fresh banana, whole milk | Turkey & cheese on whole wheat, steamed broccoli, apple slices | Hummus with cucumber rounds | DairyGluten |
| Tuesday | Scrambled eggs, whole grain toast, orange wedges | Bean & rice bowl, shredded carrots, pears | Rice cakes with sunflower butter | EggsGluten |
| Wednesday | Yogurt parfait with berries, granola | Grilled chicken strips, sweet potato mash, green beans | Fresh fruit medley (melon, grapes, strawberries) | DairyGluten |
| Thursday | Whole grain pancakes, applesauce, whole milk | Lentil soup with whole grain bread, mixed salad | Cheese cubes and whole grain crackers | DairyGluten |
| Friday | French toast, fresh berries, orange juice | Pasta primavera with marinara, steamed peas, peaches | Celery with sunflower butter, raisins | EggsGluten |
Nut-free kitchen. All allergen substitutions available upon written request. Individual allergy plans on file for every enrolled child.
Illness & Symptom Policy
Quoted Verbatim from HandbookA child must be symptom-free for a full 24 hours before returning to Nurture. Symptoms requiring immediate pickup include: fever of 100.4°F or higher, two or more episodes of vomiting or diarrhea, unexplained rash, pink eye (conjunctivitis), or any communicable illness as defined...
Logged in Real Time
Every meal entry timestamped and visible in parent portal within 5 minutes of serving.
Instant Allergy Alerts
Cross-reference check against every enrolled child's allergy profile before any food is distributed.
Monthly Nutrition Report
PDF summary of your child's meals, portion sizes, and any substitutions emailed monthly.
What It Feels Like When Competence Is Visible
I checked the camera feed seventeen times on my first day back at work. By noon I stopped, not because I gave up, but because every single time I looked, someone was holding her.
Rachel Bernstein
First-time parent, infant room · Enrolled Feb 2025
We toured six centers. Most of them told us what we wanted to hear. Nurture showed us the license, the CPR cards, the inspection report, and the camera login — before we even asked.
James & Priya Nambiar
Dual-income family, toddler room · Enrolled Sept 2024
Our employees who use Nurture take fewer unplanned days off than our national average. That's not a coincidence — it's what happens when parents actually trust where their kids are.
Sandra Kowalczyk
VP People Operations, Midcontinent Financial · Benefits Partner
By the Numbers — No Rounding, No Cherry-Picking
100%
State inspection score, last 3 years
4.9 / 5
Average parent satisfaction rating
47
Children currently enrolled
0
Licensing violations, ever
11 yrs
Serving Chicago families
94%
Families who re-enroll siblings
HR Directors: Add Nurture to Your Benefits Package
We partner with Chicago-area employers to offer reserved enrollment spots, employer billing, and monthly utilization reports. No cost to add to your benefits portal.