Rainforest Learning Center - Chicago, Illinois

Ojus Padston

Rainforest is a dream, premium daycare. Our son has been there for nearly a year, starting at 6 months, and we've had a perfect experience. The teachers are genuinely caring, warm, and encouraging. The classrooms are safe and engaging. The management is very responsive. Our son is moving up a room and we are excited, but also a bit sad given how close and special a connection he has with one of his teachers.

What sets Rainforest apart is their shows. Every season there's a show where the kids gets to perform on stage, show off their art, present their poetry, or do whatever creative/artistic endeavor Rainforest comes up with. These shows are professionally produced with a stage, costumes, high parent attendance, even complimentary snacks for the visiting families. I love the idea that our son will be regularly speaking and taking creative risks in front of a large, but warm and supportive audience.

The only con is that the cost is reasonably high, on the order of a few hundred more than a nearby location when we were comparing. Management is quite thoughtful, such as never increasing cost once your kid is already in a given classroom, and honestly it makes sense given how much demand there is for the South Loop location.

Emanuel Grant

We really love the place. The staff are kind, and our son just adores his teachers.
I wish they would publicly post their accreditations on their website, give us daily pictures, and provide meals like our last daycare... but what can you do!

dorothy devin

Our kids went to Rainforest for SEVEN years and we couldn't be happier with our time there! The teachers are incredibly thoughtful and kind. The shows throughout the year are fantastic and a way to see what they work on in their classrooms. And they go to the park every day!

Nicolle Bartels-Macias

Rain Forest is such a magical place. The teachers are amazing! The art shows and student performances are so creative and fun. I have two their now and one graduated. My oldest was well-prepared entering kindergarten. My kids love going to Rain Forest.

Chris Welke

Our daughter loves going to Rainforest so much that she now brings us her shoes, her coat, and the car keys in the morning to go after several weeks of crying because she had to say goodbye to mommy. The staff is really great and we love getting the updates to the convenient app on our phones showing meal/diaper/nap information. We are looking forward to the art show this Friday.

I actually stumbled upon these reviews because I was using Google maps to find apartment buildings with convenient locations to get to Rainforest for our daughter to continue going there even if we move. It unfortunately appears like the only three people in the city with complaints were the ones who took the time to leave ratings here so I could not resist weighing in. The current star rating here is absurd and definitely needs a much larger sample size to be close to appropriate.

To address other reviews:
For Chaquita's review- the children and staff are not predominantly white. If you go and visit for more than two minutes you will quickly see this is not a realistic complaint.

For Blake and India's reviews: I don't know what their beef is because they didn't leave any explanations, but so far Rainforest has been great for us so don't let their reviews deter you from visiting and seeing for yourself.

Hilary Hall

Rainforest was love at first visit. Two kids and five years later, from infant care through preschool, it has exceeded our expectations with smart and loving teachers, a wondrous and quirky environment and an administration that is committed to engaging and educating children through play and the arts. This is truly a unique gem in Chicago.

Kat Thomas

I wouldn't recommend anyone to work for this location. I was hired about 5 months ago. I knew the first week I wouldnt stay long. The current director is HORRIBLE! She gives off a fake persona during interviews but she treats the mexican and black staff very poorly. She doesn't know how to talk to people and is very rude. Her energy and vibes rub you the wrong way. I wanted to quit early but my coworkers didnt want ne too. I love them? But I was told I wasnt a good fit. Not because I didnt do my job, or the parents did not like me, but because I wouldnt do work on my lunch break for free. And I also was one to "go there" with her when she spoke to me wrong. Im glad she let me go. Im at a better facility with a wonderful director and I run my classroom.

Mindaugas Prismontas

Our 4 year old daughter loves the place , teachers are very good.