Near the Pier Development Center School

Grades: PK-KG
Student Enrollment: 15

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4 out of 5 | 8 Reviews

Address
540 N Lake Shore Dr
Chicago, IL 60611

Phone
(312) 527-2223

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School Description
School Ratings and Reviews
Faculty Details and Student Enrollment

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School Description

Near the Pier Development Center School enrolls 15 preschool and elementary school students from grades PK-KG. It is located in Chicago, IL, which is a highly populated city with a median household income of $38,625.

School Operational Details

Early Childhood or Child Care Center
Students Have Access to a Library or Media Center

School Days and Hours

School Days Per Year: 180
Note: Kindergarten Operates Five Days Per Week
School Hours Per Day: 3
Note: Kindergarten Operates on a Half Day Schedule

School Associations

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Similar Schools Nearby

Frances Xavier Ward School PK-8 \| 740 Students \| 0.7 miles away	5 out of 5	-

Chicago Grammar School PK-2 \| 27 Students \| 1.2 miles away	Not Yet Rated	-

Lake Shore Preparatory School PK-KG \| 58 Students \| 1.3 miles away	Not Yet Rated	-

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School Ratings and Reviews

Overall Rating

4 out of 5 | 8 Reviews

The Overall Rating is the school's average rating from parents, students, school faculty and staff. The highest rating is five apples and the lowest is one apple.

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8 reviews for Near the Pier Development Center School

Reviewed by Parent/Guardian on September 26, 2010
Rating: (5 / 5) Flag as inappropriate
A friend recommended this facility to my wife and me. We toured the center and were duly impressed with the presentation and the knowledge of the person giving the tour. We have since registered our child and are anticipating sending our second child. I know daycare CAN be a nightmare but we have truly been blessed with excellent child care providers. Near the Pier, keep growing so children can have a great foundation. We applaud you!
Signed, Grateful.

Reviewed by Parent/Guardian on May 27, 2010
Rating: (5 / 5) Flag as inappropriate
I cannot say enough wonderful things about this daycare. My children have both gone here since they were 3 months old. The caregivers have been fantastic and I always felt they were trying to partner with me to ensure the best for my children (who are now 3 yrs and 16 mos). Both of my children are advanced for their age and I attribute much of that to their time at Near the Pier, to the care they received, the programs they participated in, and the socialization that daycare offers. I trust everyone there and I know they are invested in my children. On more than one occassion I have received phone calls at home or text messages from a caregiver just checking in on my child if they had a rough day, weren't feeling well or if the caregiver noticed something "irregular" in my child's disposition.

I disagree with much of what is written by the 1 apple giver. The infants do not go out in the buggies during the day, it is not a stroller built for the infants so if that parent was under that impression that's too bad. The toddlers use everyday that weather permits. As far as cleanliness goes, this facility is extremely clean. Caregivers use gloves to change diapers and discard them after each child's diaper is changed. They use gloves to distribute food to each child. My 3 year old was potty trained primarily at daycare and I was told it was time to buy her panties and voila - a day and half later a potty trained 2 yr old. She washes her hands like a grown up and fusses when she thinks someone hasn't, so she is clearly picking up cleanliness at daycare. Are there times when a infant is in a swing crying, sure. That will happen at any daycare when one adult is responsible for 4 infants. But in all the years I have been there, I have never once seen or believed that a child's tear went unattended to or unnoticed by any caregiver. I have never had a caregiver lie to me, I have never had any reason to think anyone has anything but love in their heart for my child and their best interest in focus.

My children love the caregivers/teachers so much they pretend to be them. That's the best compliment in the world. In many instances caregivers from here have babysat for me and have even stayed over at my house and driven my car with my children in it to and from daycare and my house when I have had to be out of town for work.

Daycare isn't for everyone, but chosing this daycare has been the right decision for my family

Reviewed by Former Student on May 14, 2010
Rating: (3 / 5) Flag as inappropriate
When I was younger I went to Neir the Peir I didn't very much like it.They were a few nice teachers, but others were horrible. One teacher threatened to beat us, and they MADE us eat. I am uncertain if that certain teacher is still there.but for all those parents out there, listen to what your child has to say about these teachers and bring it up with the director or principal. I honestly didn't like the school and I only attended because I was or is somewhat related to the owner and my mother worked there. I am now 13 years old, and I can still remember my years there. Also, some of the kids are little brats.so watch what goes on. As for the education I was about 4 or 5 when I went there and there was academics, but pretty basic. Also, remind your child to wash their hands often.I rarely saw ones wash their hands.and some teachers had bad hygiene, as in nasty smelling armpits when hugged. (it's bound to happen especially if you're small compared to the teachers your hugging)

Reviewed by Parent/Guardian on May 03, 2010
Rating: (5 / 5) Flag as inappropriate
My child started at Near The Pier at 8 months and is now in the two year old class, I have never had any bad experiences and we are expecting our second child and I have secured my spot already.

Reviewed by Parent/Guardian on May 03, 2010
Rating: (5 / 5) Flag as inappropriate
I find it amazing how people can be so dramatic and untruthful. I have 2 children that attend near the pier and they are co-partners with my husband and I in raising our kids. Granted there are NO perfect situations, but when things do occur, the staff shows so much integrity in notifying my husband and I. Over the past 3 years both of my children have been in the infant class and both are growing and learning more than I can imagine...Clearly some of your are simply in need of nanny care - and that's fine, but don't create untrue statements about people just to make yourself feel better. I trust the staff 100%. They are loyal and nurturing. I am going to make sure that more parents take the time to share their positive experience, for there are MANY.

Reviewed by Parent/Guardian on March 19, 2010
Rating: (1 / 5) Flag as inappropriate
The absolute WORST daycare I have ever seen. I had high hopes for this place and of course, really needed daycare for my infant daughter. The fact that there was no waiting list (as all other Goldcoast daycares do) seemed like a dream come true, but there is a reason for this. I really tried to like it here, but they continued to disappoint. The front desk staff seemed nice enough, although there is a broken doorbell in the front, so many days I stood freezing in the hallway banging on the door waiting for someone to let me in. There are two infant rooms, both windowless and dimly lit. There is one tiny sink that hardly works (converted drinking fountain I assume) and I hardly ever saw any of the caregivers use it. There are so many things wrong with this place, where do I start? The caregivers were not very warm and very rough with the children. The babies were often strapped into swings and high chairs crying and left there. I came in many times to see my baby girl strapped into the swing with tears in her eyes. They lie about feeding. I came in one day as they were dumping all my daughters bottles down the drain, but they write down on the â€�"report cardâ€ that she drank them all. I never saw them wash their hands. one time I saw one caregiver feeding two children at the same time, she did not wash her hands before, and was using her hands to feed them pieces of pancakes. They use your supplies as â€�"public goodsâ€. I brought in diapers, formula, and wipes for my kid and put them in her cubby. one week later they were all gone and I was told to bring in more. They say they take the kids outside, but the â€�"buggiesâ€ are always broken and my kid never went out once.

Reviewed by Parent/Guardian on November 13, 2009
Rating: (5 / 5) Flag as inappropriate
My children have all graduated from Near the Pier. They have entered one of the top magnet schools in downtown Chicago and I owe so much to Near The Pier.

Reviewed by Parent/Guardian on August 23, 2009
Rating: (5 / 5) Flag as inappropriate
I am very excited by the things that my child is learning. Their program provides a wonderful foundation at an early age.

Read All 8 Reviews ->

Faculty Details and Student Enrollment

Students and Faculty

Total Students Enrolled: 15
Total Full Time "Equivalent" Teachers: 2.0
Full-Time Teachers: 2
Average Student-To-Teacher Ratio: 2.5
Percent Minority Students: 26.7%

Students Gender Breakdown

Males: 2 (13.3%)
Females: 13 (86.7%)

Student Enrollment Distribution by Race / Ethnicity

Near the Pier Development Center School Student Race Distribution

	Number	Percent
American Indian	-	-
Black	4	26.7%
Asian	-	-
Hispanic	-	-
White	1	6.7%

Number of Students Per Grade

	Number	Percent
Pre-Kindergarten	10	66.7%
Kindergarten	5	33.3%

Source: IL Department of Education, Source: NCES 2009-2010

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