Moving to Chicago's North Suburbs With Kids: Childcare Guide

Updated November 2026.

If you are moving to Chicago's north or northwest suburbs with a baby, toddler or preschooler, start your childcare search as soon as you know your new address, ideally two to six months before your move. Infant rooms often have waitlists, and you will want time to tour, check licensing records and plan the budget.

Here is a checklist that walks through each step.

1. Map your daily route first

Before you look at centers, map the routes from your new home to each parent's work or train station. Centers on the way are usually easier than ones in the opposite direction. See daycare near work or near home.

2. Make a short list and get on waitlists

Search licensed providers near your new address.
Call or email to ask about openings for your child's age and your start date.
Join two or three waitlists if needed, and ask about deposits. See daycare waitlists and fees and deposits.

3. Check licenses and inspection reports

Illinois child care licensing is run by the Illinois Department of Early Childhood. Use the state's provider lookup and monitoring reports to check each program before you sign anything. Also look at the program's ExceleRate Illinois level.

4. Tour, in person or by video

If you are moving from out of state, ask for a video tour first, then visit in person before your child starts. Bring our daycare tour questions, and for babies, our infant room checklist.

5. Plan the budget

Full-time center care in the north and northwest Cook County suburbs averaged about $437 a week for infants and $334 a week for three and four-year-olds in June 2025, according to Illinois Action for Children. Lake County prices are likely in a similar range. Check whether you qualify for help:

CCAP for working families with lower incomes. See CCAP income limits.
A dependent care FSA through your employer, now up to $7,500. See our FSA guide.
Free preschool for some three and four-year-olds. See Preschool for All.

Our Illinois daycare cost guide has the full numbers.

6. Gather health records

Illinois child care programs need a recent physical exam and immunization records before a child starts. Ask your current pediatrician for copies before you move, and book a new pediatrician near your new home early, since new-patient appointments can take weeks. See Illinois daycare immunization requirements.

7. Look ahead to school

Suburban school districts are local, so your address decides your public school. If your child will start kindergarten in the next year or two, check:

Which elementary district your new address is in
When kindergarten registration opens. See kindergarten registration in Illinois.
Whether the district offers before and after school care

8. Plan the first weeks

If you can, start care a week before your first workday so your child can settle in.
Keep routines the same as before the move: same bedtime, same comfort item.
Expect some extra clinginess. A move and a new room are a lot of change at once.

9. Find your new local favorites

Parks, libraries and storytimes help your family meet neighbors. See our local guides for Glenview, Park Ridge, Palatine, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Lincolnshire and Grayslake.

Frequently asked questions

How early should I look for daycare before moving?

Two to six months ahead, and earlier for infants.

Can I tour a daycare remotely?

Many centers will do a video call. Visit in person before your child's first day.

What documents does daycare need in Illinois?

Usually enrollment forms, emergency contacts, a recent physical and immunization records.

Children's Land across the north suburbs

Children's Land has 12 locations in Glenview, Park Ridge, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Lincolnshire, Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Chicago, all open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with hot breakfast and lunch. Programs start at 6 weeks in our infant program. Find the location nearest your new home or contact us to plan a tour.

Moving to Chicago's North Suburbs With Kids: Childcare Guide