In our classrooms children develop a love of learning through self-discovery, imagination, and creativity while interacting with others in a friendly and safe atmosphere. Since taking over the schools in August of 2018 we have made it our mission to develop the most inspiring and nurturing teaching team in Chicago.
We have worked hard at this and we are now confident our staff is unmatched in the city. The ability to provide warmth and comfort to establish trust and connection as well as the training and expertise to provide guidance for discovery and learning is a unique combination that we look for in everyone that works at Songbird.
We have worked hard at this and we are now confident our staff is unmatched in the city. The ability to provide warmth and comfort to establish trust and connection as well as the training and expertise to provide guidance for discovery and learning is a unique combination that we look for in everyone that works at Songbird.
Reviews (18)
Ashley S.
Jul 06, 2021
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Our 11 month old son has been attending Songbird for the past 6 months and is always happy to be dropped off. The Bluebird classroom teachers and administration seem to really care about his development and him as an individual. They provide many pictures and quality updates about his meals, activities, diapers and sleep. But the updates are not too frequent in a way that would make me feel like the teachers are always on their iPads.
We feel like he is stimulated all day based on the next-level art projects, pictures of circle time stories and songs and Spanish lessons. He also has freedom to
We feel like he is stimulated all day based on the next-level art projects, pictures of circle time stories and songs and Spanish lessons. He also has freedom to
Kimberly W.
Jul 06, 2021
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My son has been a student at songbird since he was 8 weeks old. I have never felt more at home nor could I ever recommend a place is highly a songbird. From the Hands-On management but both the team and the owner to the dedication to the children. When I had to send my child to daycare when he was 8 weeks old this was the only place that I felt comfortable in is more than just childcare but as a family and a nurturing environment for my son. he has absolutely thrived and I will recommend this business over and over again.
David S.
Mar 29, 2021
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Our daughter has been a student at Songbird since the summer of 2020. We LOVE this place. As you're reading these reviews, check the date. Songbird is under new ownership since 2018 and the new owners are fantastic.
Our daughter started there during the pandemic, and every step of the way they have been excellent communicators, respectful of their teaching staff, and accommodating to the parents and children. It's no easy feat to keep everyone happy during this bizarre time, but they are doing an incredible job of it. Our daughter LOVES THIS DAY CARE. She is 2 and half years old, started
Our daughter started there during the pandemic, and every step of the way they have been excellent communicators, respectful of their teaching staff, and accommodating to the parents and children. It's no easy feat to keep everyone happy during this bizarre time, but they are doing an incredible job of it. Our daughter LOVES THIS DAY CARE. She is 2 and half years old, started
Kaitlyn V.
Jan 11, 2021
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Here's the level of transparency I received from Songbird:
So, they currently won't do in person tours due to covid. That is not unheard of around here, though other daycares are accommodating individual tours on weekends or after hours given how important it is for a parent to evaluate where they will be leaving their child. But I thought I'd go ahead and schedule a virtual tour anyway just to see if I like the place enough to pursue the next step. It looks great online and has relatively competitive prices for part time care.
Well, the in person tour on Zoom was pointless at
So, they currently won't do in person tours due to covid. That is not unheard of around here, though other daycares are accommodating individual tours on weekends or after hours given how important it is for a parent to evaluate where they will be leaving their child. But I thought I'd go ahead and schedule a virtual tour anyway just to see if I like the place enough to pursue the next step. It looks great online and has relatively competitive prices for part time care.
Well, the in person tour on Zoom was pointless at
Dara S.
Nov 08, 2019
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David S.
Nov 04, 2019
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Beware that your deposit doesn't mean anything, their waitlist process is absolute garbage, and they have no qualms about kicking your family to the curb.
Songbird's waitlist priority is apparently based on "earliest month selected", not on when you actually signed up. Other families got priority over us not because they signed up before us, but because they chose an earlier month - then delayed to a later month, booting us from the list.
As a result, 4 months after we had put a deposit down, Amy emailed us to let us know we had been kicked from December to March... you know
Songbird's waitlist priority is apparently based on "earliest month selected", not on when you actually signed up. Other families got priority over us not because they signed up before us, but because they chose an earlier month - then delayed to a later month, booting us from the list.
As a result, 4 months after we had put a deposit down, Amy emailed us to let us know we had been kicked from December to March... you know
Katherine G.
May 30, 2018
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We were concerned about songbirds based on the yelp reviews, but after almost a year attending we couldn't be happier.
We get regular communication through the tadpoles app, always had new teacher introduced to us, and pleased to see that some of the teachers we've liked have moved up to older rooms so we still get to see them. All of the staff seam genuinely concerned about our little one, provide updates on her day at pick up, and seem excited when she hits new milestones. Our little one seems happy in the morning when she sees her favorite teachers- which makes it so much easier
We get regular communication through the tadpoles app, always had new teacher introduced to us, and pleased to see that some of the teachers we've liked have moved up to older rooms so we still get to see them. All of the staff seam genuinely concerned about our little one, provide updates on her day at pick up, and seem excited when she hits new milestones. Our little one seems happy in the morning when she sees her favorite teachers- which makes it so much easier
Ala F.
Jun 17, 2017
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We have had such a great experience with songbird! Our daughter has been there for over a year. The teachers are really friendly and caring. Ive personally never had a problem with the administration, they've always been efficient, and accommodating of any special schedule requests. I really like how they have an organized schedule for activities that they email parents with monthly. The Montessori system really does make a difference. All in all Im really happy with this daycare, and I love seeing how happy my daughter is everyday at drop off.
Don G.
Jan 16, 2017
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On the front of this business establishment is a sign with the phrase "sustainable business practices". This organization is a poor member of the community as they consistently and repeatedly litter the alley with garbage despite the pleas of their neighbors. They don't pay for regular disposal and allow garbage to stack up outside for weeks, attracting rats and creating an unsafe environment for their neighbors. They also leave trash in the hallway of the building they reside instead of taking it outside during the day. Very disappointing practices for an organization that cares
Dustin G.
Jan 10, 2017
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My son has been at Songbird for the past year. All in all, we've had a positive experience. The are some hiccups in the administrative process and response times can be slow on occasion. But the teaching staff seems high-quality and the kids seem to do well there. Good choice if you're looking for a place in Lakeview a bit different than traditional daycare.
J. O.
Nov 23, 2015
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This place totally screwed us over.
We visited them 2 times in person and spoke to the "Director."
She assured us that Songbird had space for our son.
We checked in regularly, and were told everything was "OK."
2 weeks out, we call to confirm and guess what? Their 2nd wing wasn't ready and our son is now 40th on a waiting list that was never disclosed.
So now we have to SCRAMBLE to find something, because my wife's maternity leave was about to expire. Fortunately my parents were able to take our baby for a month while we searched for a Nanny (who is awesome
We visited them 2 times in person and spoke to the "Director."
She assured us that Songbird had space for our son.
We checked in regularly, and were told everything was "OK."
2 weeks out, we call to confirm and guess what? Their 2nd wing wasn't ready and our son is now 40th on a waiting list that was never disclosed.
So now we have to SCRAMBLE to find something, because my wife's maternity leave was about to expire. Fortunately my parents were able to take our baby for a month while we searched for a Nanny (who is awesome
Birds N.
Oct 28, 2015
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Our son has been at the Montrose location for 5 months and we could not be happier. The staff is amazing and thoughtful. He has a smile on his face EVERYDAY that I pick him up and is always joyful. I have never had one hesitation leaving him even when he was an infant. I have done a random pop in here and there and he is on schedule for sleep, eating and diaper changes. There are always growing pains with every business, but any issues that I have had come up have been resolved within the hour I call. When I say issues I mean nothing major that would put my son or any other child in a compromising
Martina M.
Sep 15, 2015
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My son William has been attending the Songbird Academy on Belmont Avenue since August 2015, and I have had a very positive experience. I found it to be a great daycare full of play and discovery mixed with discipline, amazing teachers and education. William was used to staying at home with me until he started the Songbird Academy at the age of 29 months. I was very concerned about his transition from being with me most of the time to attending a daycare. I quickly found out there was nothing to worry about. Ms. Rachel, Ms. Kristien and Ms. Elma have done a great job transitioning William. He loves
Betsy K.
Sep 04, 2015
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My daughter has been at the Lakeview location since it opened in February 2014. She started at age 22 months and is now 3.5 in the pre-primary room. She loves it and looks forward to "going to school". The teachers are great and I really appreciate the Montessori model. This summer I was really pleased with the variety of field trips the children went on including to a CFD firehouse, the Lincoln Park Zoo, a water park, and Emily Oaks Nature Center. The only reason I give 4 stars rather than 5 is that this summer and as recently as last week there has been issues with teacher turnover
Claire K.
Aug 10, 2015
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My son attended the Belmont Songbird Academy from their opening until recently. I gave it two stars because I honestly love the teachers and toddler director that work in the 2-3 room. They were fantastic with my son and if I could have taken them with me, I would have. But the overall communication breakdown, teacher retention, cleanliness, and lack of organization forced us to exit Songbird.
Communication: Be prepared for the phone to be rarely answered and your emails to be left unanswered. They have been better about notifying of new teachers in the past month and it generally is told
Communication: Be prepared for the phone to be rarely answered and your emails to be left unanswered. They have been better about notifying of new teachers in the past month and it generally is told
Vanessa K.
Jun 24, 2015
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This review is for the Songbird Academy on Montrose Ave (formally Short Stuff). Our daughter has been at Songbird Academy since she was 3 months old. She is 6 months old this week & is one of the 12 kids who accesses the nursery at Songbird Montrose.
I LOVE this place! The staff are amazing and thoughtful. Our daughter is thriving in part b/c of the attention and love that she gets at the Songbird Academy on Montrose. I was incredibly worried about working full-time and having our kid in daycare all day. However, all of the parents I have met have been lovely! Two have checked in with me regularly
I LOVE this place! The staff are amazing and thoughtful. Our daughter is thriving in part b/c of the attention and love that she gets at the Songbird Academy on Montrose. I was incredibly worried about working full-time and having our kid in daycare all day. However, all of the parents I have met have been lovely! Two have checked in with me regularly
Daisy H.
Dec 08, 2014
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Updated, August of 2015. We decided that we had to leave Songbird for a variety of reasons, all of which went back to the owner and the operations of Songbird as a whole. Although we generally had fantastic teachers, we noticed disorganization that only grew over time. When disorganization began to couple with frequent teacher turnover and incredibly poor communication over the teachers that were leaving, we did not feel our child was in a nurturing, caring environment. Our child was enrolled at Songbird for over a year, which is long enough in my opinion, to determine if the issues that are experienced
L. L.
Aug 12, 2014
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My son has been attending the toddler room for 4 months now and really seems to love it. The teachers are nice and good communication. Yes, it is not your jumbo franchise but it has a small 'family' owned feel to it. They offer organic meals and trips to the park daily and yoga/dance classes - just like the larger more costly daycares. The older area is montessori and can't speak to that part of the center. It's small, but comfortable and kids really seem to enjoy it. For someone that's on a budget but still wants quality care and knowing my child is safe and happy, I feel
