I have toured so many daycares in the Chicago area, and this is hands down the best! Even when compared with the very high-priced centers (Presbyterian and Downtown Children's Learning Place). I think the bad reviews here are from parents with warped priorities, or competitors.

I took my child here after she was injured and exposed to filth at a competing nearby center. She is soooo happy to be dropped off here (she has kicked and screamed at other places). Her teachers are friendly, nice and caring. The kids are taught and cared for in bright, educationally-stimulating rooms with terrific toys. Her classmates also are well dressed and very well-behaved, which speaks to the parents that bring their children here. I was seriously surprised that this place was as great as it is, given how bad some of the reviews are, and that I had combed through the city for a place I felt at ease with and come up with nothing except D2D.
The only drawback is that the outdoor park is not very close by, and I think the kids have to walk a couple of blocks or so. But I guess that's the drawback of city daycares - proximity to green space. Other than that, it's an excellent place.

I also LOVE this school. I am an attorney and was extremely stressed and concerned returning to work. I have two children - one that attended D2D from infant to K and a child now in infant care. I researched all options and was completely discouraged until I toured D2D. I also thought the place was too good to be true. I also observed several day cares with children at the local parks; D2D was the only staff with 2 staff members that interacted with the children. However, the care has exceed my expectations. Staff greets the children by name with a very cheerful good morning - the tone is always positive. The children have fabulous activities each day - weather permitting, the children take advantage of local parks and city activities as age appropriate. There are strollers for the infants for walks each day. There is a large motor room. The children are fed quality and healthy snacks and lunch. Each infant parent receives a note each day detailing diaper changes, eating, naps and the activities. Staff is connected with each child and the individual personalities. The building is well maintained with high ceilings, large and colorfully decorated rooms and plenty of space for the children. There are half doors or large windows for each classroom so that it is clear to see what is happening in each room. In addition, the management has a camera in each room and can observe what is occuring. Parents are permitted in the front office to also observe their children. D2D sends the staff to a conference each year and promotes continuing education. The staff to child ratio is very low and demonstrates the dedication of D2D to the quality of care. I have not had a negative experience. Addressing some of the comments from other reviewers: (i) the hours are appropriate. At the beginning D2D had extended hours, but the director stated some parents were leaving children 5 days for 12 hours, and it was not appropriate for the children. D2D is supplemental care, not primary care. In addition, most of the staff have families and want to return home to see their children; (ii) Days Off - it is unbelievable to me that any parent would begrudge the staff days off and complain they need to take a vacation day to spend with their child. The staff is not highly paid and deserve the days off to spend with their families and this is one of the few benefits that are afforded to providers. Parents can use vacation and personal days during the D2D days off - they are published well in advance. I appreciate the school closing on "snow days" - why have staff, parents and children out in dangerous conditions. I am shocked any parent would complain about staff days off to attend a continuing education conference or to clean the school - most parents view these as positives! I also feel the need to respond to the review from "msmommy" on May 02, 2009. I have never witnessed any act of aggression toward any child - it would not be tolerated. And it would be noticed due to the cameras in each room. I have never seen a child treated in way other than positive. The toys are cleaned at the end of EVERY day and I have seen the staff cleaning the toys, which are age apppropriate and well maintained. The published D2D policy is that a child sick for more than 3 days must have a note to return to school - this is for the protection of all staff and children and a positive, not a negative. Staff is diligent about changing diapers and records each diaper change in a daily note. Any "Mommy" who would leave her child at a day care she alleges is neglectful, poorfully run, aggressive with children and in a "run - down" building for her own "convenience" says far more about the mother than the truth about D2D. If the events described were true, I would not have sent two children to D2D. It is truly premium care.

what is really going on!!! I am currently a parent at D2D. I have a child there and one at another school. I have to tell you, if i had my way both of my children would be there. I really, really, really love this school. The teachers are great with the kids and i'm always greeted by them, rather it be my child's teachers or not. I love the fact that there are many friendly faces there. I feel really good about leaving my baby there. I can remember when I was first given a tour at D2D, me, my husband and his mother couldn't believe this place could really exist. I remember us saying that this place was too good to be true. We said that maybe because they know we are watching everybody are on their best! Well...after being there for over three years, everybody seems to still be on their best so it wasn't just a front. As i read other reviews it seems as if some are angry that the teachers are given too many days off. If you ask me or maybe you don't want to ask me because i would tell you that not only D2D teachers but teachers all around the world have the hardest jobs there is. how could you be selfish enough to complain about the days these teachers have off. After all they are only humans not robots. And just because they care for our kids doesn't mean that they have to bend over backwards and lower their school standards for us. If anything we should bend over backwards for them after all these teachers care for our most prize possesions... our children. So instead of me treating them bad or barking demands on them, I show my child's teachers every year (and throughout the year i might add), just how much i really do appreciate them caring for kid. To me there isn't enough that i can do. Some one also mentioned that the teachers are paid pretty close to minimum wage, i agree that is not good but some one also mentioned that's not D2D fault, I also agree it's the nation's fault. Keep in mind people caring for a classroom full of kids is not easy and because these teacher's are not paid what they should, we need to be careful of the way these teachers are treated and respect your child's school. maybe i said to much already! I'm just telling it like it is. D2D is the best, try it for youself and i promise you will agree.

I think those writing negative comments about D2D are confusing the meaning of QUALITY. 1st & foremost-anyone trained in education(myself included, having my masters in EC, with specialization in infant care/special ed)would not make comments like the ones I've read & then continue to keep their child there out of "convenience." Convenience has NOTHING to do with quality. The directors are WONDERFUL-every school should be SO lucky to be where they pay 2 directors when the state only requires 1. Those of us enrolled are also so lucky to have so much staff-the ratios are the absolute best anywhere! I have never heard of a school willingly having a 6to1 ratio for preschool where the state allows 10to1! Standard by state regs for preschool is a group of 20 with 1 teacher/1 aide! I actually found out about this place from someone at DCFS, she said it was the only place she & co-workers would ever send any child they knew - believe me, she's seen it all! Another point is that some comments were made about teachers not being treated well, but then also complaints that they close school early & for holidays/conferences. Can't anyone see the forest for the trees? They do this as benefit for the staff -- giving them early shifts, extra days off and taking them to off-site conferences, I think that is so ahead of the times, and I think they have been doing it for like 15 yrs! So, yes they don't offer insurance & staff aren't paid like those of us who utilize the center. NEWS FLASH. Daycare professionals are among the lowest paid workers in our country. That is not a D2D problem, it is a national problem. I think D2D does the best it can & still retains top notch, loving staff year after year. My last thought is that any comment on how this place is run can't be taken seriously without considering D2D PURPOSELY has way less kids per class than they could-that means they make less tuition & have more staff. To me that means the program does what it can within its means & is NOT GREEDY.

A parent of a former student told me should write in to clear the air.

I used to work fo D2D for many years. It made me so sad to leave but I needed insurance 401k. I do not blame D2D, I understood they were much to small to compete with benefits given at centers with thousands of employees.

I LOVED D2D. My heart is still there after all this time. They treat the kids with respect and do what is right. The food is fresh and plentiful. The staff-to-child ratios are awesome. The group sizes are small and manageable. They care about teachers and do all they can for them- including conferences with dinners and nice hotels - treated me like royalty - it felt great, $1000 bonuses, little gifts, encouragement, etc., etc., etc.

Where I am now is just a job. Yes, I love the kids. But as for my employer -- they are big, I am just a number, while I get insurance and 401k, I get far less sick/vacation, no holidays except xmas, no bonus, no gifts, definately no conferences and very little encouragement - no communication from anyone in administration. They do not treat the kids the same here - food is ucky and scarce, kids are crowded in rooms and admin is dealin in greed.

I miss the Detour family. I secretly recommend D2D to anyone who asks me, including co-workers looking for a new job!