Brilliant Minds Academy

1811.A. Based on record review at 11:30 a.m., documentation of a CCCBC based determination of eligibility (CCCBC) failed to be conducted for 1 of 8 staff at least once during a five-year period. S1's date of hire is 5/26/2021. Her CCCBC expired 2/23/2026. She was present at the center working without a CCCBC based determination of eligibility on the following dates: 2/23/2026 - 2/27/2026, 3/2/2026 - 3/6/2026, 3/9/2026 - 3/13/2026, 3/16/2026 - 3/20/2026, 3/23/2026 - 3/27/2026, and 3/30/2026 - 4/2/2026. S1 received a CCCBC based determination of eligibility on 4/15/2026. Corrective Action:…

Based on record review at 11 a.m., S1 failed to ensure that the entire center and play yard were checked after the last child departed to ensure that no child was left unattended at the center on 10/1/2025 and 10/2/2025. This could not be corrected. Corrective Action: Effective 10/13/2025, S1 stated she will prefill the dates on the record form and include one month's dates on individual forms. S1 will review the record daily each morning for completion, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on record review at 1:30 p.m., S1 failed to ensure S3 documented that the entire center and play yard were checked after the last child departed to ensure that no child was left unattended at the center on 8/25/2025, 8/27/2025, and 8/28/2025. Corrective Action: Effective 9/11/205, S1 stated she will double-check to ensure staff are documenting that the visual checks are completed, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation at 10:45 a.m., S1 failed to ensure the required child-to-staff ratio for children was met for the following ages: 12 children, aged 1-year-old to 4-years-old, with 1 staff, S2. The required child-to-staff ratio for children of this age is 7 children per 1 staff person. One additional staff person was needed at all times. Ratio was corrected when S5 arrived at 11:08 a.m. Corrective Action: Effective 9/11/2025, S1 stated she will retrain all staff on the child-to-staff ratio. She will have a staff person fill in the classroom if a staff member needs to leave…

Based on observation at 10:45 a.m., while supervising a group of children, S2 and S3 failed to devote their time to supervision of the children, meeting the needs of the children, and participating with the children in their activities. The Specialist observed S2 sitting on the playground with her cellphone in hand and on speaker while supervising 12 children, aged 1 to 4 years old, and S3 facetiming on her cellphone while supervising 3 children, aged infant to 1 year old. S2 and S3 both corrected by closing their cellphones. Corrective Action: Effective 9/11/2025, S1 stated she will…

Based on record review at 12 p.m., S1 failed to ensure S2 completed the DCFS online Mandated Reporter Training within seven days of the first day present at the center on 4/14/2025. S2 completed the training on 5/6/2025. Corrective Action: Effective 9/12/2025, S1 stated she will have all new hire staff complete the required orientation training prior to their first day working or on their first day working, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

C.: Based on record review at 1 p.m., S1 failed to ensure 4 of 4 staff, S1, S3, S5, and S6 obtained a minimum of 12 clock hours of training annually. S1 needed an additional 5 hours, S3 an additional 10.50 hours, S5 an additional 3.50 hours, and S6 all 12 hours. Corrective Action: Effective 9/11/2025, S1 stated all staff will complete required annual trainings through EC Learn platform, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation and record review at 10:45 a.m., S1 failed to ensure S2 had a current certification in pediatric first aid and CPR within 90 calendar days from the date of hire on 4/9/2025, and prior to assuming sole responsibility for 12 children, aged 1 to 4 years old. A date for the training was not scheduled during the inspection. Corrective Action: Effective 9/11/2025, S1 stated she will schedule all new hire staff within their first week of work to complete the required training. Staff will work with a trained staff until they receive their certification, to ensure…

Based on observation at 11 a.m., S1 failed to ensure strings and cords were inaccessible to children under age 4. The Specialist observed a speaker and a radio cord were accessible to 9 children, aged 1 to 3 years old, in S2's classroom. S2 corrected during the inspection. Corrective Action: Effective 9/11/2025, S1 stated she will conduct a visual walk-through of the classrooms to ensure all cords are inaccessible and will review this regulation with the staff at the next monthly meeting, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation at 10:50 a.m., S1 failed to ensure the outdoor play space was enclosed with a permanent fence or other permanent barrier. The Specialist observed that the playground's wooden fence had an opening where it unscrewed from the top of the metal fence post. This was not corrected during the inspection. Corrective Action: Effective 9/11/2025, S1 stated she will conduct a visual check in the morning to ensure all areas of the fenced playground are secure, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation at 11 a.m., S3 failed to ensure the manufacturer's restraint device was used while C1 (Infant) was in a floor bouncer and C2 (Infant) was in a floor rocker. S3 corrected during the inspection. Corrective Action: Effective 9/11/2025, S1 stated she will double-check and remind staff to strap children while in their devices, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation at 10:55 a.m., S2 failed to have a written authorization from a physician available for C1 (5-months-old) to sleep in a floor bouncer. S2 corrected and placed C1 in the crib. Corrective Action: Effective 9/11/2025, S1 stated she review this regulation with staff at the next monthly meeting, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on record review at 11 a.m., S1 failed to have documentation that 2 of 5 staff on the premises and accessible to children had current certification in infant, child, and adult CPR through training approved by the Department. S1 and S4 failed to have current certification. A class has been scheduled for 6/13/2025. Corrective Action: Effective 6/12/2025, S1 stated she will create and post a chart with staffs' CPR expiration dates to reference in order to schedule renewal classes timely, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on record review at 11 a.m., S1 failed to have documentation that 2 of 5 staff on the premises and accessible to children had current certification in pediatric first aid through training approved by the Department. S1 and S4 failed to have current certification. A class has been scheduled for 6/13/2025. Corrective Action: Effective 6/12/2025, S1 stated she will create and post a chart with staffs' PFA expiration dates to reference in order to schedule renewal classes timely, to ensure compliance with this regulation.