First Steps

Searching for childcare in Chicago is a monumental task. It’s even harder when you’re on maternity leave and looking. I looked into nanny shares and other places through various city parenting resources during my remaining weeks of maternity leave. I turned to olé trusty Unilocal and looked through reviews. From there, I found First Steps. I booked an appointment immediately for a visit.
From the time my son was three months old until he was a little over 2 years old, we had him with Damaris and her crew. We love, love First Steps. We had a fantastic experience from day 1. Her and her staff are breastfeeding friendly. When it was time to transition to formula, it was easy. Instead of carrying packs of diapers with me when we were running low, I would send them to the daycare which made everything simple. When he started solids, he enjoyed the yummy food they make. I remember a few times where his breakfast was better than mine with yummy smoothies. In our time at First Steps, Damaris moved the daycare to a dedicated space filled with books and toys. It’s always clean, bright, and welcoming. I found myself lingering in the morning to talk to them because they’re so personable and nice.
Our kiddo thrived in First Steps care. Like other parents mentioned, he hit his milestones on schedule, learned to talk and socialize, and play well with other kids as well as alone. As other reviewers have said, they discipline the kids well. There’s no reasoning with a toddler and they don’t. Damaris also helped us with parenting issues as well. As our son got older, we also started potty training with their help. He’s been potty trained since 2 years old. It started with their encouragement.
I recommend to First Steps to anyone looking for quality childcare. Here’s a hint about Unilocal reviews and childcare, there’s fewer because parents covet their best finds in the city. I’m happy to add myself to the chorus of praises for First Steps, Damaris, Chati, and the rest of staff. We miss them already, but want to share our secret of this awesome daycare.

I LOVE First Steps Home Childcare. Damaris is amazing with the children and has so much experience. My son has flourished under the care of her staff. They love all their children and take the time to care about what happens with the kids outside of daycare. If you need guidance they offer guidance, if you have a new idea for the daycare they would love to hear it! They will not coddle your child or hold them all day — they are not a nanny service, they will teach your child to be independent so you can put them down without them screaming. They will show your child love, compassion, and teach them multiple skills. I love that they will speak in Spanish to the children and teach them basic words in Spanish. We are also teaching our son basic sign language and they also work on that with him while he is there.
When I need special requests (like my mother wanting to pick him up and take him for a few hours with no notice so I have no diaper bag ready) they are great at accommodating. They will set him up with diapers, wipes, a bottle and anything else to make it easy for us.
And the food — AMAZING! They cook the best food for the kids and its always a healthy meal (sometimes I wish I could stay for breakfast after drop off). If you have special needs for your child they make sure those needs are met.
I love Damaris so much I recommended the daycare to my best friend. Highly recommended if you can get in!
Oh and if you have a Chase account you can do quick pay — AMAZING!

My experience with First Steps was wonderful and I would recommend Damaris and her team to everyone, especially, first time moms. She is extremely knowledgeable in infant care is always willing to answer questions. The space is bright, clean and organized, which, is something other day cares we visited were lacking. Our son hit all his milestones accordingly and the ladies got him potty trained in just a few days. They make all their own baby food and speak to the children in Spanish, which was very important to us. When Joey turned 3 and it was time to leave he was more than prepared for Pre-​K and we would not have been able to that without First Steps.

Since all day cares in Chicago seem to have a 6 month+ wait list, we were very excited to hear that First Steps had an opening for full time care. We scheduled time to meet with Damaris. When we first arrived, Damaris shared her philosophy of teaching independence to her students. Then she proceeded to leave the four children on their own in the living room while she conducted the tour of her small apartment. While I am all about teaching independence, leaving young children under the age of 3 unsupervised raised an immediate flag. Damaris mentioned that the children had been swimming earlier in the day and led us to the back door where a kiddie pool was placed on the 2^nd floor porch, with opening slots wide enough to make any parent a little nervous. After the tour, we revisited the children in the living room, where a little boy who we were told had «anxiety» started to get fussy. Instead of attempting to comfort him, the little boy was removed from the living room and left alone in the bedroom where the kids nap (it was 5:30pm). Then when he started to cry, he was brought a bottle of juice and left alone again. I was starting to get the feeling that ignoring the children was her idea of teaching independence.
I asked Damaris to give us time to think about our options. She advised us that she would let us know if anyone else was interested in the open spot, offered references and explained next steps. Feeling I may have judged her too quickly, I contacted Damaris the following week, asking for references and requested that my daughter and I stop by for some play time so I could further observe the day care. I was informed that the open spot was now filled with a «good luck and I will will let you know if something opens up in the future». What happened to letting me know if anyone else was interested in the open spot? Good riddance, I am now grateful to have dodged that bullet.

Damaris and her team of care takers are absolutely amazing. Without any hestitation I strongly recommend this day care.
My almost 2 year old daughter has been going here for almost one year. She loves to go to school to see her friends, play, and do «circle time.» And to eat! Apparently the organic food they serve is out of this world — every day I walk in, I wish I could be invited for breakfast. My daughter eats everything and anything, and happily finishes all her vegtables.
Damaris has set up a very structured and disciplined system of care. She is very honest, and always tells me what we need to be working on at home. She is firm, but equally loving and joyful. All the kids respect her, and also love her very much and think she’s pretty funny, since she is.
Maria and Marcella work here with Damaris. They are also amazing. You can tell they love children deeply, and my child love them. She pretends to talk to them on her play phone when she is at home!
When I go to pick her up, all the kids are playing, happy, and it is surprisingly calm and quiet. It is such a calm and caring enviroment, it is easy to see why the kids all feel comfortable there, and are learning and growing the way they are. Every day she comes home, she surprises me with new words, or a new skill. She is growing at an amazing rate, and she is speaking both Spanish and English very well.
There is a good age range at the daycare. She takes kids up to 3-​years old. I think that is perfect since you might be thinking about pre-​school around that time anyway.
Lastly, Damaris keeps the space very clean and tidy. She runs the daycare out of her home. You have to walk up a long flight of stairs to get there, just in case that is an issue for you. Her rates are a steal for the kind of personal attention paid to each child, every day. You really must consider this daycare if you have a toddler or new baby!