Whiz Kidz Academy - Pekin, Illinois

Jecolia A.

Not a good daycare my children declined going here they shutdown and reports were not as consistent or detailed enough. Kids sense energy and they did not feel comfortable enough to potty consistently here as they were trained at home but sent with diapers and were so nervous they would go in the diaper. They cried and screamed and went against authority because the staff had no patience with children and had no breakdown of the curriculum. They also got sick immediately here, I am not sure if it’s sanitized and disinfected areas. No security access to rooms. They are now at a new daycare and have done a 360 back to where I had them before going to this place at the new daycare they potty consistently, gravitate to the teachers and students, they are no longer sick, and their curriculum is clear and kids are advancing quickly. Daily reports and at new daycare the staff are patient and the kids do not cry or scream, they feel at home.

Kayleigh M.

My family has moved around a lot. We have even been in some parts of Chicago. I have worked in childcare for about 10 years now and this daycare by far the worst daycare I have ever encountered.
I am thankful that my kids both have great teachers, miss Jamie and Miss Phoebe, however the owner is very rude to parents and staff. She will compare your children to other children and if you have a special needs child, she will point that out and make you feel lesser than. I have heard the owner complain about how many times she has had to work with DCFS cases against the center because her facility isn’t run properly.
A few months back when he had a previous teacher, my son was left outside by himself. He is autistic and now is very anxious that he will get left alone again.

Katelyn C.

0 stars. My son fell on the playground and hit his mouth & not one person notified me of the incident. He had to have his tooth removed the next day because he would not eat. I did like Miss Gidget and am very grateful that she took great care of him as an infant. However the classroom sizes are beyond legal limits of 1 adult per 7 children. Children are not safe in this establishment, if you are comfortable sending your children into a lions den then sure send them here. However if you care about the wellbeing of your child look elsewhere.

Mindy M.

Amazing, Fun, Clean, Passionate, Flexible, Professional, Caring, Honest, Affectionate, Considerate. I could go on and on. My niece attended this academy and I was blown away with how compassionate the whole staff was. Not just about the children but in general. Each educator my niece had, had a special way of teaching that ensured her learning milestones were met. When she enrolled in kindergarten I was so sad and excited. But we knew she would have no problem entering school. Way to go ladies! You are the best childcare center in Pekin, IL!!

Jessica K.

We absolutely love Whiz Kidz. We have been using this daycare since 2015 and my three kids have pretty much grown up here. The staff is absolutely incredible. Two of my three kids have graduated from their pre-K program and will continue to go to whiz kidz for their school age before and after school program. We love all the art projects and outside activities! My two year old is starting to potty train and the teachers have been great at getting him to actually want to use the potty. The director is super personable and honestly makes us feel like family. I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending our kids anywhere else.

Paula E.

My son went to Whiz Kidz for a few months. In the beginning I was very impressed with how well cared for he was and how friendly the staff was. Things started turning, as they lost a teacher in the infant room due to "stress and unable to handle the situation, as she was pregnant " from then on there was never a consistent teacher in the room. His care started to decline. At least once a week I was called to come get him. One time there was supposedly a power outage, though they never knew the cause and my ride watched the director turn on her office light and quickly off again. They would not even give me the time to get back to my vehicle to come get him, as I drive for a disabled woman. They made me come get him with an extra, used carseat they had. It was not secure and I should've refused to use it but they pressured me to hurry and leave with him. Then he kept having low grade fevers although on two occasions by the time I got him home, he was fever free. No other symptoms, and he wouldn't be allowed back the next day. Also they have a 9 am drop off. Upon registering I told the director that some days he would be in after 9, per my work schedule. Said it was ok, thwn one day we were running late, as life happens, and she smirked at me and turned me down at the door. I almost lost my job.

Most importantly, the director does NOT follow DCFS protocol. My son's biological father is unstable. I asked her what the procedure would be if he walked in and tried to take my son. She actually told me that she legally would have to hand him over but would then call me and the police. Note that, he IS NOT ON ANY PAPERWORK! she literally told me she would illegally hand my child over to someone not on the approved list!

As far as the center itself, the infant room is a hole in the back with no windows, and it was horribly warm and stuffy in there. It did look fairly clean, but nowhere near where we are now. The regulations and policies at our new daycare made me realize how sketchy and unofficial Whiz Kidz was! They did not even refund me for the month I paid ahead of time after I pulled my son from the daycare. In the beginning I felt very welcomed, and by the end I felt constantly judged and inferior. The director is extremely condescending and honestly sounds like she half ass knows what she's talking about.

To back up some of what I said, i have a friend who's child has attended for years. She went through a lot of what I did. Especially them calling and having a reason to send her child home every week as an infant.

I have had 2 bad experiences with Pekin daycares until I found our current place. I would not recommend anyone place their child in Whiz Kidz. I was terrified a stranger could just walk in and take my son. They always have the front door propped open too!

Kayla S.

Both of my daughters have attended and LOVED Whiz Kidz! We've been going there since August 2015. The teachers truly love my kids and have taught them so much! It feels like family!

Heather M.

I absolutely LoVe Whiz Kidz and ALL of their Staff. My daughter has practically grown up there w these women and they have gotten her MORE than ready for kindergarten. As a single mom, they have helped me out in more ways than one. Unfortunately, she can't go next yr bc the school she will be going to, doesn't bus to them and we are all heartbroken. SO WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS SUMMER COUNT!! Lillian and I love y'all!