It’s no easy task finding the right childcare fit for your family’s unique needs. We’re here to make that just a bit easier for the families of Champaign, Urbana and beyond.
Finding the right childcare for your family can be a daunting task. There are so many scenarios in which you might find yourself needing childcare. From traditional daycare (center-based or in-home?) to drop-in care to parent’s night out to in-home babysitters to afterschool care, we have information for all kinds of childcare needs for the families of Champaign-Urbana.
Thank you to Chesterbrook Academy for presenting our guide on finding childcare in Champaign, Urbana and beyond. At Chesterbrook Academy, you will find a nurturing community where children can grow, learn and thrive. The proprietary curriculum, Links to Learning, prepares children for kindergarten and beyond by developing important academic, social and emotional skills.
Dedicated teachers personalize learning with creative activities designed to match the interests and abilities of each child. Chesterbrook Academy provides the perfect balance of learning and play for children to take those vital first steps toward a lifetime of learning.
Serving children from 6 weeks to pre-kindergarten. Also offers before and after care for school-aged children in addition to summer camp programs.
Chesterbrook Academy has two locations to serve area families:
2001 S. Oak St., Suite A, Champaign (Research Park)
2208 S Duncan Rd, Champaign (Southwest Champaign)
For more information, call (877) 959-4182 or visit the Chesterbrook Academy website.
Tips for finding a childcare center in Champaign-Urbana
Everyone wants “The Best” childcare for their family. But the truth is, there is no “best” one-size-fits-all childcare solution for every family. That’s why it’s important to do your research; network with other families; and ask a lot of questions of any childcare center you might consider.
Most traditional center-based care in the Champaign-Urbana area operate on a five-day-per-week schedule, with hours generally 6:30 am to 6 pm (of course there are variations). A newer option in the community is Lodgic Kids Camp, which offers childcare in the evenings and on Saturdays.
Most childcare centers will offer prospective families tours, and allow them to observe the classrooms; meet/interview staff; and ask a lot of questions. How to know which ones to call? If you’re new to the community, ask your colleagues at work; your neighbors; and anyone involved in a faith community. If you’re new to being a parent in the community, rely on word of mouth recommendations from family and friends, but always check out the options and do your research.
Tips for finding a home daycare
We get a lot of questions about how to find a home daycare in the Champaign-Urbana area. We understand why- it’s a big decision for parents to make with many variables to consider.
If you are new to town or don’t have any recommendations from family or friends, your first call should be to the Child Care Resource Service at the University of Illinois. CCRS helps families every day find the best daycare match for their children in the area. CCRS manages a database that includes hundreds of home daycares in Champaign, Douglas, Iroquois, Macon, Piatt and Vermillion counties. More in our “How to Find a Home Daycare” article HERE.
Preschool guide
When you’re looking for a preschool for your child in Champaign-Urbana, the options can be overwhelming. Half days, full days, two days, five days, just to pick a few options you can encounter. That’s not to mention the flexible, drop-in preschools we have in Champaign-Urbana versus the schools you commit to for an entire year.
In our preschool guide, which is updated annually, we feature schools that generally cater to children ages 2-5 (with the majority specifically for 3-5 year olds), require children to be potty trained to attend, and operate on a school-year calendar with regular school breaks throughout the year. Hear from preschool directors, learn about school curriculum and more as you evaluate your options.
Finding backup childcare
In spite of your best-laid plans, every working parent knows all too well how stressful the inevitable scramble to find backup childcare can be. Sometimes it is a sick child, bad weather, or simply a last minute change in schedule that you find yourself navigating.
Knowing how important it is for you to have not just one backup plan, but several layers of backup, we’ve written this article with seven tips on securing backup childcare. Options range from the gentle reminder that “it takes a village” to do this parenting thing and you can ask friends for help to details on getting established at Lodgic Kids Camp to be your backup plan and everything in between.
After School childcare
There are a number of reasons you may be looking for after school care for your child and in Champaign-Urbana, we have an extensive list of options. While many schools have their own aftercare options, and many families find this to be the best fit for their family, a variety of other options also exist throughout the community.
Learn about which facilities we know of that provide after school busing as a service to their students, where you can find afternoon enrichment and more in this helpful article written by a local parent.
Finding a babysitter
For all of those situations we encounter as parents where it just makes the most sense to have someone watch our children in our home, you’re going to want to know how to find a babysitter in Champaign-Urbana. We’re fortunate to have a distinct advantage over other communities of similar size when it comes to searching for a qualified babysitter, as we have a great number of viable candidates here at the University of Illinois for a season.
So whether you need to know HOW you go about finding the perfect sitter for your family or you just want to find local teens near you, we walk you through how to identify your childcare needs, find prospective sitters and walk all the way through the interview and hiring process, including background check options.
Every parent needs to know how to find someone to care for their children when they have a need or want for care. We think you’ll find this “how to” article especially helpful.
Parents Night Out Events
This is the fun part of finding childcare for your kids, right? Parents Night Out events are awesome options for that special night for your kids that simultaneously gives you a free night to go on a date, hang out with friends or simply enjoy the quiet in your own home.
We’ve included what we know about in Champaign-Urbana and have the important information about what ages are able to attend the Parents Night Out events at that facility. You’ll have to visit each organization’s website or give them a call to find out what their upcoming schedule is though.
How much to pay a babysitter in Champaign-Urbana
If you do a quick internet search, the national average to pay a babysitter is $16.75 for one child and $19.26 for two children. And while the cost of what to pay a babysitter varies greatly depending on geographic location, along with many, many other factors. we’re here to let you find out what families in Champaign-Urbana are paying their babysitters based on information we compiled through our Facebook page.
Schools guide
Perhaps you’re planning a move to Champaign-Urbana, just starting out with the school years or working with some sort of your transition in your family, and a new school is part of your plans. The schools featured in this listing will generally cover some portion of K-12 grades, though there may be some that have a preschool, too, and they may only cover 3 or 4 school grades, too (like middle school).
In reading through the guide, you will glean information like whether or not the school is faith-based, affiliated with a nationwide institution or independent, and what makes each school unique. When you’re selecting a school for your child to learn and grow, we know the more information you have, the more informed you will be on making the best choice for your family.
Summer camp guide
If it’s not summer time, it is time to be thinking about summer time! We know this is something many parents consider year-round not just for scheduling purposes but budgeting, too. Every year, we are proud to share the chambanamoms.com summer camp guide with our readers.
Yes, if you’re reading this generally during the months of August through January, last year’s information will be displayed. However, we’ll be sure to update it as soon as new summer plans are revealed by our community partners and we think you will find this guide helpful all year as you evaluate your options for the coming year for general planning purposes.
Thanks again to Chesterbrook Academy for presenting our childcare guide. Chesterbrook believes that when parents and teachers work as partners in a child’s education, the learning experience is richer and more meaningful. Chesterbrook uses Links 2 Home mobile app to send photos, daily reports, school news, and emergency closings to parents. Parents can use the app to send notes to their child’s teacher, receive notifications and more. Chesterbrook Academy provides the perfect balance of learning and play for children to take those vital first steps toward a lifetime of learning.
For more information, call (877) 959-4182 or visit the website.