Nook Bucktown #1 Childcare & Preschool

The Nook 1 in Bucktown has been nothing short of amazing for our family. My oldest daughter has been in the Pre-School classroom for over a year now and has not only grown so much, and made so many friends, but she also has four amazing teachers, who have been the same four teachers since she started: Ms Reyna, Ms Ashley, Ms Vero and Ms Yesenia. My youngest daughter started at The Nook last Summer in the newborn room and then moved up to the Toddler room in the fall, and she also loves it. She’s learned to walk and talk at school, made friends and doesn’t even say goodbye to us anymore, just gets so excited she runs into her classroom. It’s a great feeling to know your children are excited to go to a place they love day in and day out. Honestly couldn’t be happier with The Nook.

We joined The Nook last year and couldn’t be happier with our daughters experience. She has absolutely blossomed and thrived, has felt very comfortable and happily runs into her classroom everyday. The Nook is an incredibly special place, and that is owed to the caring and attentive teachers and administration. Jasmine made the transition in putting our child into daycare seamless and provided so much comfort in this step. The teachers, especially the Toddler room (Marlen, Yrais, and Daisy) where our daughter spent most of her time, are exceptional at what they do and provides so much love and care for the kids. Sending our child to The Nook was a no brainer and we would choose The Nook over and over again.

My son was born premature, which he had an adjusted milestone chart for things like sitting up or pinching with his hands. We had work to do to make sure he catches up with his gestational age group. I was very lucky to work from home and take care of him at the same time, but I reached a point where he was moving and needed more engagement. He joined the nook on Armitage and Leavitt when he was 9 months old. We noticed a considerable difference in his mobility. Not only that, but he was really engaged in the activities and learning. He was stimulated. We also don't have a lot of friends with children yet, so it is nice he gets to interact with children his own age. Since then he has moved onto toddler and then tikes. He loves school so much and he likes showing us his artwork. He tells me which teacher helps him with projects. As parents, we are happy to see him thriving in a safe environment, and learning basic manners like sharing and saying please and thank you. We like working with the nook, because they are reenforcing our child's development and are willing to adjust on how we want to raise him. Secondly, the administration does a great job of organizing parent and child events, so we meet other parents and see our child's learning environment. Lastly, even though, he is in the tike class now, he still runs around to his old teachers and hugs them. It is a collective effort and every teacher participates in our child's wellbeing. We have a newborn and we plan on enrolling her in the Nook when the time is right for us. These are the people that are important to my son and enriches his life from 9 months to present: Infant: Laura, Mabel & Mori Toddlers: Marlen, Yrais & Daisy (Special shout out to Jessica, who was also my son's teacher but moved to the Nook across the street) Tikes: Ceci & Chiquitha Admin: Jasmin & Janette Chef: Shira (My son loves the food. He eats so much, especially the meatballs, which he told me a couple of days ago is his favorite.) Thank you, Nook on Armitage and Leavitt. We love you all so much.

We love The Nook! Teachers Laura, Mabel and Mori have been incredible. Jasmin has been amazing. The infant lesson plans each week crack me up - creative, engaging and she is having fun.

As our time at The Nook comes to an end and we prepare for our move to the suburbs, I wanted to share just how wonderful this school has been for both my son and our family. My son began part-time in the infant room at just four months old, and now—almost three years later—he absolutely loves every day in the Tikes room. When we first started searching for a preschool, every parent I spoke to in the neighborhood had nothing but amazing things to say about The Nook, and they were absolutely right. The warm and welcoming community of teachers and staff has made every drop-off and transition feel easy and natural. It makes my heart so happy to see my son run into his classroom every morning without ever looking back. Ms. Cece and Ms. Chiquitha have created such a fun, safe, and nurturing space that he truly looks forward to being there each day. He even waves and says "Hi, school!" whenever we pass by the building. I also want to give a special shout-out to Ms. Shira, the chef. My son has been thoroughly spoiled by her delicious and nutritious meals these past three years! I know our whole family will miss the variety and care she puts into every dish. The Nook has been such a gift to our family, and we will always be grateful for the love, care, and joy it has given our son.