Our trusted resources
Are you looking for local community resources to enrich your life and the lives of your little one(s)? Are you a career nanny who's ready to *level up* your background experience? Check out our top suggestions for community classes, local programs, postpartum care, nanny trainings, events, & more.
Resources for Parents
Community Kids Classes
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Located in Lincoln Park, Harmony Learning Center is a Montessori-inspired learning space for children of all ages. Ginny Conforti, Harmony’s director and founder, created the center to offer community, care, and connection both for little ones and for their caregivers.
Their class offerings include Montessori-style open play, preschool prep, after-school programs, summer camps, and more. Plus, they offer programs from other local Chicago businesses like the Music Playhouse of Chicago and Connections Academics. To learn more about Harmony or to sign up for classes, click here.
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The Music Playhouse is a mom-owned independent business with a team of seriously talented teachers. They are a mobile business and offer classes at Harmony Learning Center, Sheil Park, Metta Baby, Family Picnic, and more.
Their mission is to stimulate brain and muscle development through music while providing a safe and energetic learning environment for children and caregivers. With hands-on, interactive activities and research-based approaches, the team at Music Playhouse aims to foster a lifelong love of music in even their youngest of students! See their class offerings here.
Trusted Doulas
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Partum Health offers holistic support through fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum services designed for your individual health needs. Their model is one that prioritizes care for the whole person through some of the most monumental life changes and transitions.
They also offer classes and events that allow families to feel informed, empowered, and prepared throughout their pregnancy journey and postpartum experience.
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Based in Chicago, Nia is a trained Postpartum Doula and Newborn Care Specialist. As a postpartum doula, she is committed to providing quality, individualized support to every birthing person and family in her care. With her wealth of experience, Nia has a deep understanding of the life-changing transition that occurs within the fourth trimester, and she is well-equipped to assist families as they journey through this.
Find more details about Nia’s services and her community events on her site.
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Chicago Family Doulas is a renowned agency that focuses on placements of postpartum doulas and newborn care. We love everything that they stand for and they do a fantastic job connecting the Chicago community. Check them out and be sure to tell Anna (the amazing founder) we sent you! ;)
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Carrie Sobel has strong ties to the Chicago childcare community going all the way back to 2009! She is a DONA-certified postpartum doula and specializes in daytime postpartum support between the hours of 9am and 7pm. Carrie works primarily in the city (and nearby suburbs like Oak Park) but is open to traveling a bit further with a travel fee. She is always seeking to offer flexibility, accessibility, and inclusive care for all families and is open to shifts with a three-hour minimum when she has the availability!
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Kassie Leachman is a nurturing, inclusive, and experienced full-spectrum doula, offering both birth and postpartum support. Her joy is in “creating a safe space for families to grow, advocating for them and providing them with the most intentional and compassionate evidence-based care.” Her goal is to offer both reassurance and empowerment and to fight for justice in the birth world. To get a better feel for her services and the birth/postpartum package she offers, click here.
Birth, Postpartum, & Beyond
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Trini is an absolutely incredible labor and support doula who you would be lucky to have in your corner. She goes above and beyond for her clients and her community, offering thoughtful education for parents and empowering birthing people as they navigate such a personal transition in their lives. Trini also offers lactation support (and can even be on call for lactation consulting). All in all, her approach is rooted in evidence-based care, equipping parents with the tools to advocate for themselves and offering personalized resources to meet their needs. For more on Trini’s services, check out her website or reach out to her directly at luzmaternalchicago@gmail.com.
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Maggie is a registered nurse, board-certified lactation consultant, certified infant/child/adult CPR instructor through American Heart Association, and one of the warmest people you’ll meet! Both as a lactation consultant and as a CPR instructor, she offers in-home options as well as larger classes. To learn more or to schedule with Maggie, email maggie@lactationms.com.
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Kelly Murray Sleep Consulting was founded by Kelly in 2016, and she and her growing team of sleep experts are Certified Newborn, Baby, Toddler, and Child Sleep Consultants. They equip parents and caregivers with an easy-to-follow sleep conditioning program and support them through the whole process so that the whole family can get the rest they need and deserve.
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Chicago Car Seat Pro is a car seat consultation service, dedicated to ensuring the safety and comfort of your child in the car. As a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, Lauren Ossey educates families on proper installation and use of your car seat in the convenience of your home. Additionally, she provides personalized car seat recommendations tailored to your family's needs. Learn more at ChicagoCarSeatPro.com.
Local Moms Groups
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Chicago Moms Network has one very simple goal: providing a one-stop-shop to give moms (and dads) the gift of time. They do this by giving Chicago area families a place to find all the information they’re looking for when it comes to caring for & entertaining their families in the wonderful city of Chicago! This includes highlighting resources available to you around Chicago, activity calendars updated regularly, blog posts about community and parenting topics, their Meet-a-Mom column celebrating local moms, newsletter, and numerous local events to foster community and connection!
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The Mama League (Hinsdale) provides support for you and your baby throughout the fourth trimester and beyond! They are an excellent resource for “helping moms build their village by connecting local moms and experts.” Their six-week immersive programs are taught by local experts (who are moms too!) and cover everything from feeding to sleep schedules to navigating the postpartum experience. The Mama League is a safe and welcoming space where new moms can feel free to come as they are, build their community, ask questions, and settle in to the “new normal” of the fourth trimester. Mommy-and-me classes are now available for little ones ages 3-18 months too!
Resources for Nannies
Associations
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Become a member for just $55/year and have access to blog posts, support groups, online communities, skills assessments, and more. They also host an annual conference each year, which is an amazing way to connect with likeminded nannies from around the country!
Trainings + Certifications
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International Nanny Training Day is a one-day training held in April of each year. In many years past, there has been an INTD offered in both Chicago and Naperville/Western Suburbs. This is the most wonderful, full-day training for nannies to brush up on their skills, listen to presentations from experts in the field, meet with agencies, and connect with local nannies.
Keep your eyes and ears open for more information on INNTD 2025!
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NCSA is the Industry Association and Certification Entity for Newborn Care Specialists, Newborn Nannies and Infant Sleep Consultants.
The NCS Certification is your industry association verification that you have the qualifications, experience, knowledge and professionalism to care for newborns at the highest standard.
This is the most widely-recognized (newborn-focused) certification, nationwide. The NCS certification is highly-respected and and a very impressive credential for nannies/caregivers!
For more info, click here.For a glance at their signature courses & pricing, click here.
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Chicago Car Seat Pro is a car seat consultation service, dedicated to ensuring the safety and comfort of children in the car. As a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, Lauren Ossey educates caregivers and families on proper installation and use of car seats. Additionally, she provides personalized car seat recommendations tailored to each family’s unique needs. Learn more at ChicagoCarSeatPro.com.
Nationwide Events
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The International Nanny Association hosts an annual conference which is a wonderful chance for nannies to network, meet some of the countries top nanny agencies and surround yourself with likeminded individuals!
The 2024 conference will be hosted from May 16-19 in Portland, Oregon! Click HERE for more details.
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Nannypalooza is an annual conference specifically geared towards nannies where you can expect a variety of educational workshops, networking with other nannies, and a laid-back, fun atmosphere.
Conference includes:
— Afternoon programming and a welcome reception Friday night 8- 10pm
— Full day of workshops Saturday and half day Sunday
— Continental breakfast Saturday, lunch Saturday and breakfast buffet Sunday & more!
Click here for more details — coming soon!
Apps
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The Rayz Kidz app is a one-stop-shop for nannies, parents, and caregivers to all feel like they're on the same page. The app offers ideas on activities for different age groups, a digital photo album, a chat feature, family schedule, safety resources, and more.
By using our link and mentioning Nanny Harmony, you can offer your nanny-family a $20 discount for the annual membership!
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The Wonder Weeks app is a phenomenal tool for both nannies and parents to learn more about what magical "leaps" your little one is experiencing/approaching. Unfamiliar with milestones? This is a fun, educational tool that will map out your baby's milestones, week by week.