Well, I don't think our 14 month old is quite ready to start hanging out at Gearhead "a day that'll bring a tear of joy to his daddy's eye", but we're starting to think that it might be a good idea for him to spend a little time with other kids his age. And, maybe give mommy a few hours a week of peace. We're not looking for a fulltime, monday-friday, type setup, just a few hours a week, maybe like on a Tuesday and Thursday. Any recommendation in the area? I pass the Childtime Learning Center on Geneva everyday?

Thanks all!

Many of the churches in the area offer great preschool programs and some may have programs for toddlers. I'd check into that.

My kids went to Kindercare in Lombard (the one near the train station) and we were very happy there.

Its been a long time but I hope YWCA still maintains a list of local childcare providers. They are legal providers who pay tax so your cost is deductible. We found a wonderful woman in Wheaton who just loved little ones. But you interview to find who you are comfortable with.

i think st. marks episcopal does a parents day out still...my kids went to that and it was great. i'm not sure what the minumum age is, but keep that in mind.

Don't most places require the child be toilet trained? That's what I recall (unless you're talking actual daycare, rather than just a preschool program). Anyway, when we moved here I had one child who was preschool age, and we had a great experience with the program at Peace Lutheran Church on Butterfield (just east of 53). (We moved mid-school year, and couldn't get in any place right in Glen Ellyn, but this isn't far at all.)

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also check out rainbow place at faith lutheran. they offer (or did) both preschool and daycare, and the daycare could be part time, and may have started earlier than the typical 3 year old age. rainbow was a wonderful preschool experience.

When my kids were that age, I needed exactly what you are looking for. Childtime was great and was willing to flexibly work with me on a few hours per week basis over one or two days. It all depends on how many full time kids are enrolled since they need to maintain a proper ratio of children to caregivers.

Also, look at the Park District website or catalog for classes that cater to a 14 month old. Most of these classes require a parent to participate, if I recall.

When that post appeared in the "Upcoming Events" section last week announcing the Newcomers new-member meeting in August, I thought that this was exactly what your wife should look into. When we moved here a million years ago my oldest was just a year and a half old. We didn't know a sole and lived in the first house to be built on our cul-de-sac...hence we didn't even have neighbors! Not only did my son need playmates, but so did I! By the end of that summer, I was ready to move back to the city. Newcomers was exactly what I needed, right when we needed it. I'm sure they still offer the same playgroups, dinner groups, book clubs etc. that they used to...it may be just what your wife is looking for.

As for sitters...once school starts, check out the list that Wheaton College publishes.

Thank you agnes, this is exactly what we're looking for!

I'm a newcomer member. Most of the members are mom's with young kids. They have a yahoo group that is always full of information regarding kids.