My son has been going to Haven for Tots for a year and a half now. When we moved to Oak Lawn during the height of the Pandemic, it was hard to find somewhere with a spot available. Haven was the first place that could accommodate us, so we jumped on in. What a fantastic decision that was. Communication with teachers on eating schedules, the children's learning curriculum, and their daily activities was wide open. We get daily updates, photos, and progress reports monthly to track the progress of our little one and things we can help him work on at home. There's also a monthly news letter that goes out about birthdays, the focuses on each classroom for the month, Holidays, and upcoming events. They spend ample time outside when the weather permits, allowing the children to get fresh air and experience a form of nature. They also have them learning English and Spanish which helps with the growing Hispanic cultures of the Chicagoland area. We've developed such a great bond with the Administrators and Teachers here, and while there is turn over like every daycare, I never felt like the new ones coming on board were less than qualified in their positions. Of course children will be children, sometimes there's bites, and scratches, but we've always been made aware of these instances, and it's been well documented with the DCFS recommendations. As COVID-19 guidelines were loosened up at our friends daycares, the Staff here continued Masking, cleaning schedules for all areas of the facility, and isolation for those with symptoms. Which really made me and my wife feel like they truly cared for the safety and wellbeing of my little one. While I understand this is a touchy subject to some, working in the Healthcare industry, this put me at ease. Their policies and procedures are structured and communicated quickly and efficiently, so you never are guessing on what's going on at the facility. It's also just happens to be one of the cheapest Daycares and Pre-Schools in the area, which is concerning for some, but I never felt like we were paying a "cheap care tax". It's a non-profit, and has been around for decades, and it always felt to me that we were getting way more from our money compared to others in the area. They also are very understanding and accepting of Child Care subsidy programs, Dina the Director puts up a lot with my Federal Employee Child Care Subsidy which requires a lot more information than others. The reviews here that are bad are old, and not at all a representation of the experience we have had here. I send my child here every day during the week, and I trust them with the safety and wellbeing of my Child. He looks forward to going to school, getting excited every morning when we start getting his shoes on screaming "SHOES! SCHOOL!". I look forward to working with them over the next couple of years as my Child grows, and am more than satisfied with our decision to go here. It's worth noting that Haven For Tots is in a Lutheran Church, and is a Christian based Daycare. Which, if you're in the area than you know how common this is. While I did question this before going as our family does not practice but respects others rights to, the most of their religious activities are prayers before meals. Which in the grand scheme of things, is very minor, and there's nothing wrong with saying thanks for food provided. They've found a way to keep their Christian goals acceptable with those that don't follow, without leaving you feeling like something is being forced into your kid's brain. Shout out to Luisa and Dina, who really put us at ease when we first became part of the Haven For Tots family. read more

Worst response to child abuse from staff and board. 8/19 I dropped off pull ups for my kids at day care. 8/22 I dropped off clean underwear for them for the week. 8/23 I go and pick up my children and notice my son had on nothing not a pull up or underwear underneath his shorts. When I questioned why I was told by their teacher with a nasty attitude might I add "they need more". Now I knew for a fact they didn't need more because I just brought some and if they needed more of anything no one had informed me. I kindly disagree with the teacher and she comes back with the bag of underwear I dropped off for my children. 8/24 my mom picks up the children for me to take them to a drs apt while I'm at work. She and the teacher had a nasty verbal disagreement in regards to the underwear incident. 8/25 my son throws the nastiest fit ever the entire morning leading up to getting them to daycare as well as after school he was extremely upset. To the point that I recorded these fits in disbelief as to why would my child who is always so happy and excited to run out the door for school was so reluctant to go. I also call DCFS and report the underwear incident this day. 8/26 8:47pm I'm taking my son out of the bath and he's telling me "so and so hit me" I then proceed to record him and ask who hit him, where on his body did they hit him and where were they when this happened. 8/29 DCFS called me to follow up and I make them aware of what my son told me that weekend. They advised me to make a police report. 8/29 at pick up I had the police arrive with me to speak with me about said incidents I've reported to DCFS. I kindly asked the teacher not he arrested considering her child goes to daycare there also and I'm not a monster. Since then I've been emailed letters stating it's in the best Interest of all parties involved that my children remain home until DCFS makes a recommendation(yet I'm being told the teacher was at work that day). Since then I've spoken with DCFS, family attorneys and other parents. I've also tried to contact the daycare personally via phone, email and the app we use to communicate about the children throughout the day. NO RESPONSE AND ALL MY CALLS WERE IGNORED. A letter was sent out to all of the parents EXCEPT me claiming the police were there because "An unfortunate situation occurred with a parent and the Oak Lawn Police Department came to investigate." Apologizing to those students parents for the stress they may have endured. This is wrong on ALL levels. I did what any good parent should ALWAYS do and listen to my child and take whatever he says seriously. I'm highly disappointed in our experience. I'm flabbergasted as the daycares response is to blame the victim and punish the family. Today 11/13 I still have not heard back from DCFS. The daycare refused to answer any calls and the teacher has still been working since the alleged incident. I do have videos of my son telling me what happened. I have videos of him acting out not wanting to go back following the alleged event, as well as letters from the daycare and their response to these incidents. I lost weeks of wages because we were so suddenly "asked" not to come back to daycare. Let's talk about the binder full of "accident reports" my sons accumulated while in their care. A binder full! I'm glad my sons can talk now and tell me what was really going on. If I could give zero stars I WOULD! read more

Lots of great activities to engage the kids (even infants), decent place to socialize your child(ren) with other kids in the neighborhood from diverse backgrounds, and my little guy seems happy. They work on all sorts of skills, too (like eating with a spoon, potty training, colors and numbers, and jumping and such) lessening the usual guilt of a working parent a bit, and have a photographer in bi-annually for "class pictures," (really cute when they're infants/toddlers) It's an old building, so it definitely has a bit of a funky smell about it (if you went to a Catholic school in the area, you'll know the smell), but it doesn't transfer to the kids' clothes or hair or anything. They're clean, just an old building. Not full 5 stars because I've heard some staff get a little short with the 5-year olds, have had specific instructions ignored (nothing life threatening or anything, just preferences) and have to repeatedly follow-up on receipts for tax paperwork. They have a lot going on, though, so forgiveable, and if those are my only complaints, then we have it pretty good :) read more

Wonderful caring staff, we have trusted Haven for Tots with both of our daughters and they love it here. The facilities are clean and the center is outstanding. Great communication was very important to my wife and I and we have never been disappointed. Their program is educational with a focus on early development. I would highly recommend Haven to anyone looking for a trusted day care center with a professional, loving, and caring staff with classrooms conducive toward development and education. read more

I visited this place for a tour and it smelled like pee!! The stench was horrible and to think people drop off their kids here daily.