GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT OLD TOWN

Hours

Hours change without the licence record changing. Call before you plan a drop-off around these times.

What Illinois licensed

Illinois licenses day care and overnight care separately, so GUIDEPOST MONTESSORI AT OLD TOWN is listed against each one it holds. Every figure is a ceiling the state set, not a count of places free.

Day care, ages

6 weeks to 36 months

Day care, licensed for

86 children

Languages reported

English

Amenities and accessibility

Reported on the provider's Google business listing, not verified by the state.

How the reviews split

The 3.9 average comes from 14 Google reviews. An average hides whether opinion is consistent or divided, so the spread is shown too.

• 5 star10
• 4 star0
• 3 star0
• 2 star0
• 1 star4

From Google

Recent parent reviews

• ★★★★★

  I would caution anyone who is interested in enrolling their child at Guidepost, particularly this location. Our daughter attended for about 6 months before we finally followed our intuition and pulled her out. Firstly, despite advertising having a 3:1 ratio, this center is continually understaffed. It is clear that the guides are unhappy, and we actually had two of them quitting within a month of each other. One of the guides gave two weeks notice, while the other left abruptly. What was even more troubling was that families were not notified of the guide leaving abruptly and the change in staff. This poor communication was a themes and continually a problem throughout our experience and continues to be problematic, even after leaving. We prepaid our daughter’s tuition, and despite being told we would receive a refund within a month, we are still waiting 2 months out. I have called and emailed several times, and I have received apologies without any concrete details of when we would be receiving our money back. Mind you, this is over $12,000, so it is not a small amount of money owed to us. The hygiene/cleanliness of the facilities is also questionable. Due to the poor staffing, my husband has observed infants pulling at trash in the trash cans, without an adult intervening. Based on the location of the center (below an apartment complex), there have also been instances when the facility smelled like cannabis. I initially thought it was normal for our daughter to have fevers on a monthly basis (sometimes bimonthly), but since removing her, she has not had one. Yes, we understand that children get sick at daycare, but the frequency and severity seems concerning, particularly in hindsight. The daily programming is also lacking here, which also likely stems from being understaffed. While this somewhat improved over the course of our time at Guidepost, many times we received pictures of our daughter crying or napping. Even over the summer months, there were maybe a total of 5 walks. When discussing with the guides, they often expressed not having the right ratio to do a walk. Considering the cost of this center, we were truly shocked by the poor experience we had. We have been so happy since leaving and transitioning her to a different daycare center. The contrast in the programming and communication has been night and day. We hope that other families can save themselves from the experience we had.

  Priscilla DuongOct 24, 2025
• ★★★★★

  I never leave reviews, but I felt an obligation to share my experience. I can only speak about the infant room, and I was only there for about 30 minutes for a tour — but I couldn’t believe what I saw in that short time. From the moment we walked in, things felt off. No one greeted us or asked who we were. We just walked in, unacknowledged, until we told someone we were there for a tour. We were told to wait at the front desk, and eventually a woman came out and asked what questions we had. This immediately struck me as strange — most daycare tours start with a walkthrough before inviting questions. I told her we’d like a tour, and she reluctantly agreed. As we walked to the infant room, we passed several staff members, none of whom smiled, said hello, or even acknowledged us. When we got to the classroom, we were immediately let in — which I found very concerning. Every other daycare we toured had us stay by the door to observe without disrupting the children. Here, we were just allowed to walk in, which felt like a serious safety issue. While we are obviously not harmful people, it made me wonder who else they might casually allow into the classroom. Inside the room, things were even more alarming. There were only two teachers in what appeared to be a full classroom — probably 10 to 12 babies. Neither teacher was interacting with the children. They were off to the side, cleaning bottles or preparing food, while three or four babies cried loudly on the floor. One baby was even hitting another on the head with a toy, and no one intervened or seemed to notice. And this was while we were in the room. I can’t imagine what happens when no one is watching. On our way out, we noticed a leak in the ceiling. Water was dripping onto the floor, and when we brought it up, the front desk staff just laughed and said, “Oh, this has never happened before!” like it was no big deal. The whole experience left us deeply unsettled. Even my husband, who is usually more positive and optimistic, asked me why I stayed for the whole tour — because it was clear from the start that something was very wrong. Of course, this is just my personal experience, and I know I only saw a small window into one part of the daycare. I understand that no daycare is perfect, and maybe we caught them on an off day. But I also know how important and stressful it is for parents to find a safe, caring place for their children. I felt strongly that I should share what we saw, in case it helps another parent make an informed decision.

  JoAnna BroganJul 24, 2025
• ★★★★★

  We had such a wonderful experience partnering with Guidepost Montessori – Old Town for picture day. The entire team made us feel welcome from the start, and it was clear just how much care and intention goes into every part of the school day. The leadership, and staff were incredibly supportive and well-prepared, helping everything run smoothly. The teachers were gentle, attentive, and so in tune with the children’s needs, which created such a calm and welcoming space. Thank you, Guidepost Old Town, for the warm welcome and the meaningful work you do each day. We’ll see you again soon! —Lil’ Angels Photography Chicago

  Jackie KardeshApr 2, 2025
• ★★★★★

  We’ve had a wonderful experience at Guidepost Montessori at Old Town. The staff is caring, attentive, and truly committed to providing a nurturing environment. My daughter loves going to school here, and it’s clear she feels happy and comfortable every day. The Montessori approach they follow is well-implemented, allowing her to grow at her own pace and develop a love for learning. The facilities are clean and well-organized, and the communication with parents is excellent.

  Yin JingfengSep 15, 2024
• ★★★★★

  My grandson attended the Spanish immersion program at Guidepost Montessori Old town this summer, and we are very pleased. Ms. Jesenia and Ms. Melissa took great care of him, and we are grateful to Ms. Kassie for the opportunity. It’s a wonderful place for children!

  Reshma SultanaSep 5, 2024
• ★★★★★

  My 4-year-old son attended the Spanish Immersion Children’s House at Guidepost Montessori at Old Town this summer, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. The lead guide, Jesenia, is incredibly kind and caring, and my son absolutely loves her. Ms. Melissa is also wonderful—she takes such great care of him, and we’re truly grateful for her dedication. We’re especially thankful to Ms. Kassie for giving us this opportunity. This Montessori is a fantastic place for young children, and we’re so glad we chose it!

  Israt JahanSep 5, 2024

Reviews shown verbatim as published on Google Maps.