Giving Back

Since Chicago Nannies was founded, giving back has been a foundation of the company philosophy. Chicago Nannies is honored to support Reach Out and Read IL to help promote early literacy in the Chicagoland community. Join Chicago Nannies in giving back to this great cause by donating books, volunteering, or DONATE directly.

Reach Out & Read

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Reach Out and Read is an evidence-based nonprofit organization that promotes early literacy and school readiness in pediatric exam rooms nationwide by giving new books to children and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud.

Collecting New or Gently Used Books

Nannies and household staff are in a great position to partner with families in collecting gently used books that children have outgrown.  Nannies may drop off these books at our office or various drop off locations around Chicagoland.  Please contact [email protected] for more information on drop off locations. 
Guidelines for Book Donations
These guidelines were developed out of respect for families and in keeping with the philosophy of Reach Out and Read – every child deserves quality, appropriate books.
  • Reach Out and Read’s focus is on children between the ages of 6 months through 5 years.
  • Hardcover picture books with brightly-colored pictures and interesting stories are ideal.
  • Used books must be “gently-used” (covers and pages intact, clean, and readable).
  • Donated books should be developmentally-appropriate and culturally-appropriate.  Books about sensitive issues like divorce, abuse, or death cannot be accepted, nor can books which include any reference to religious worship, instruction, or proselytization.
  • For a list of suggested children’s books, refer to the Book List for Children

Volunteer Readers

Chicago Nannies will be organizing volunteer events where nannies will read to children in local Pediatric offices around Chicagoland.  One of the three cornerstones of the Reach Out and Read model is to create a literacy-rich environment in the waiting rooms of Reach Out and Read Programs. The single most effective way to create a literacy-rich environment is for volunteers to read aloud to children in the waiting area, and modeling for parents the joy and key techniques of reading aloud. Volunteer readers help to show parents just how much fun reading with children can be, and they provide helpful tips for getting children excited about books.  
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact [email protected]