Frequently Asked Questions
We know you have questions. Here are the answers.
From enrollment and schedules to meals and safety — everything you need to know about Nany’s Land, answered honestly. If you don’t find your answer here, we’re always just a message away.
General Questions
Programs & Learning
Meals & Nutrition
Safety & Licensing
Enrollment & Fees
📋 General Questions
The basics, answered
We are located at 4853 W. Montrose Avenue, Chicago, IL 60641, in the Irving Park neighborhood. We serve families from across the Chicago area. If you’re unsure about the commute, feel free to reach out and we’ll help you figure out if we’re a good fit for your family’s routine.
We are open Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We observe major federal holidays. If you have a specific scheduling need outside these hours, please reach out directly and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
The easiest way is to fill out our contact form on the Contact page, or reach us directly at nanyslandaycare@gmail.com. We also have an active Facebook page. We typically respond within 24 hours on business days.
We keep our group sizes small by design, so availability is limited. The best way to find out is to reach out directly or schedule a visit — we’ll let you know our current openings and whether we have a spot for your child’s age group.
We welcome all families and do our best to accommodate each child’s individual needs. If your child has a specific diagnosis or requires additional support, please reach out before scheduling a visit so we can have an honest conversation about whether we’re the right fit and how we can best serve your child.
Our primary languages of care are English and Spanish. All activities, conversations, and communication with families can happen in either language. We welcome families from all backgrounds — you do not need to speak Spanish for your child to benefit from our bilingual environment.
🎨 Programs & Learning
Programs, age groups & learning
We welcome children from 3 months to 13 years old. Our programs are organized into four age groups: Infants (3–18 months), Toddlers (18 months–3 years), Preschoolers (3–5 years), and School Age (6–13 years). Each group follows a routine specifically designed for their developmental stage.
Yes, absolutely. English and Spanish are woven into everything we do — songs, storytime, daily conversations, and structured activities. Children don’t need to speak Spanish to join us. The exposure happens naturally through play and interaction, which research shows is the most effective way for young children to absorb a second language.
Every day follows a thoughtful, age-appropriate routine that balances learning, creative play, structured activities, rest, and nourishment. While each group has its own schedule, all children enjoy bilingual storytime, circle time, creative activities, outdoor or active play when weather allows, and proper rest periods. You can find full daily schedules for each age group on our Programs page.
We don’t follow a rigid commercial curriculum. Instead, we focus on play-based, child-led learning enriched with structured activities appropriate for each age group. For preschoolers, we incorporate pre-academic skills (letters, numbers, colors, shapes) with a bilingual approach. For school-age children, we support homework completion and reinforce what they’re learning in school.
Activities vary by age but typically include bilingual storytime and songs, arts and crafts, sensory play, gross motor activities, circle time, and imaginative play. Older children engage in more structured learning activities, homework time, and team games. We rotate activities regularly to keep children engaged and curious.
We take transitions very seriously for our youngest children. We work closely with parents to understand each baby’s individual sleep schedule, feeding routine, and preferences before their first day. We encourage a gradual transition process and keep parents updated multiple times throughout the day as their baby settles in.
🍽️ Meals & Nutrition
Meals, food & nutrition
Yes! Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are included in all full-day programs. All meals are freshly home-cooked every day — warm, nutritious, and prepared with care. Infants are fed according to their individual schedule (formula, breast milk, or age-appropriate solids as directed by parents).
Meals follow a consistent schedule: Breakfast is served between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. Lunch is served from 12:00 to 1:00 PM. Afternoon snack is served around 3:30 PM. Infant feedings happen on demand according to their individual schedule provided by parents.
Please let us know about any allergies, intolerances, or dietary restrictions during enrollment. We take food safety seriously and will work with you to make sure your child’s needs are met safely. We ask that parents provide written documentation of any medical dietary requirements.
Generally, we include all meals as part of our program. However, if your child has specific dietary needs that we cannot accommodate, we’re happy to discuss alternatives. Please reach out so we can find the best solution together.
Yes, we do our best to accommodate dietary preferences and cultural considerations. Please discuss your family’s preferences with us during enrollment so we can plan accordingly. Open communication about food is always welcome.
🔒 Safety & Licensing
Safety, licensing & environment
Yes. Nany’s Land is fully licensed by the State of Illinois to operate as a home daycare provider. We are regularly inspected to ensure ongoing compliance with all state regulations for child care safety, health, and environment.
We keep our group sizes intentionally small. Our capacity is set in accordance with Illinois state licensing requirements for home daycare providers, which ensures a healthy caregiver-to-child ratio at all times. Small groups allow us to give each child the personal attention they deserve.
Yes, thoroughly. Our home has been fully child-proofed: all cabinets are secured, outlets are covered, furniture is child-safe, and access to all areas is controlled. We continuously evaluate our space to make sure it meets the highest safety standards for children of all ages.
We have documented emergency protocols in place for a range of scenarios. Our caregiver is trained in first aid and CPR. Emergency contact information for each child is kept readily accessible at all times. Parents are notified immediately in any situation that requires it, and we coordinate directly with emergency services when needed.
Children are only released to adults listed as authorized pick-ups in your enrollment paperwork. If someone new will be picking up your child, please notify us in advance. We will ask for photo ID from anyone we haven’t met before. Your child’s safety always comes first, no exceptions.
To protect all children in our care, we ask that parents keep children home when they are showing symptoms of illness (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, contagious rash, etc.). If a child becomes ill during the day, parents are contacted immediately to arrange pick-up. Children must be symptom-free for at least 24 hours before returning to care.
📝 Enrollment & Fees
Enrollment, transportation & fees
The first step is to schedule a visit so you and your child can see our space and meet us in person. From there, we’ll walk you through the enrollment paperwork, required documentation (immunization records, emergency contacts, authorization forms), and answer any remaining questions. There’s no pressure — we want you to feel completely comfortable before making any commitment.
Required documents typically include: up-to-date immunization records, your child’s birth certificate, a completed enrollment form with emergency contacts and authorized pick-ups, and any relevant medical information (allergies, medications, physician contact). We’ll provide you with the full checklist after your visit.
Rates vary by age group and program type (full day vs. part time). We discuss rates directly with families after a visit, as they can depend on your child’s specific schedule and needs. We are also familiar with CCAP (Child Care Assistance Program) and can guide you through the process if you qualify for state assistance.
We primarily offer full-day care, but we are open to discussing part-time arrangements depending on availability. Please reach out to talk through your family’s specific schedule and we’ll let you know what we can accommodate.
Yes, transportation is available as an add-on service for eligible families. This includes drop-off and pick-up from school for our School Age program. Availability and pricing depend on your location and schedule. Please contact us directly to discuss your situation.
Yes, we are familiar with the CCAP program and work with families who receive state child care assistance. If you think you may qualify, we encourage you to apply — we’re happy to help guide you through the process and answer any questions you have about how it works with our program.
Still have questions?
We’re always just a message away
If you didn’t find your answer above, please reach out directly. We love hearing from families and are happy to answer any question — big or small. The best way to truly get a feel for Nany’s Land is to come see it for yourself.
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Email us
nanyslandaycare@gmail.com
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Visit us
4853 W. Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60641
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Hours
Monday – Friday · 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM