Discovery Center for Little Scholars
Data last updated · May 2026
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.4 / 5
- Process QualityThe quality of daily care — caregiver-child interactions, learning activities, and the emotional climate. Drawn from the state QRIS rating, accreditations, and Head Start CLASS observations.3 / 5
- Structural QualityMeasurable features like staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, license status, and teacher qualifications. Provider-level data when available; otherwise the state regulatory baseline.5 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 4 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects an ExceleRate Illinois rating of Silver. Structural quality reflects a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Illinois's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Illinois caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:5, and preschool ratios at 1:10. Lead teachers must hold a Child Development Associate (CDA). Teachers must complete 15 hours of annual training.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- State Quality Rating
- ExceleRate Illinois Silver (2 out of Max 4) Learn more →
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)Not Accredited
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)Not Accredited
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)Not Accredited
Facility Info
- Facility type
- Child Care Center
- Age groups served
- Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 81
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 12 Toddlers 1:5 15 Preschool 1:10 20
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- Child Development Associate (CDA)
Inspection History
Across 14 inspections since 2011, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (36), Children's Records & Files (14), and Curriculum & Developmental Programming (13). Of 123 total findings, 20 were critical.
See All 14 Inspection Visits
Apr 13, 202637 Findings6 Critical26 Important5 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Licensing standards for child care facilitiesCCASEC 7(A)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers407.140
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants407.150
- Students and Youth Aides407.160
- Substitutes407.170
- Volunteers407.180
- Grouping and Staffing407.190
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210
- Intergenerational Programs407.230
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260
- Guidance and Discipline407.270
- Animals407.300
- Health Requirements for Children407.310
- Hand Washing407.320
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340
- Napping and Sleeping407.350
- Medications407.360
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
- Equipment and Materials407.380
- Outdoor Play Area407.390
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
- Application for License407.50
- Application for Renewal of License407.55
- Provisions Pertaining to the License407.60
- Organization and Administration407.70
- Confidentiality of Records and Information407.80
Apr 28, 202518 Findings3 Critical15 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(h)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Volunteers407.180(b)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(b)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Transportation407.280(d)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(b)
- Medications407.360(c)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(b)
May 9, 202325 Findings3 Critical19 Important3 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers407.140
- Volunteers407.180
- Grouping and Staffing407.190
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(b)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260
- Guidance and Discipline407.270
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Hand Washing407.320
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340
- Napping and Sleeping407.350
- Medications407.360
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370
- Equipment and Materials407.380
- Outdoor Play Area407.390
- Provisions Pertaining to the License407.60
- Organization and Administration407.70
- Confidentiality of Records and Information407.80
Oct 31, 20222 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
May 7, 20193 Findings3 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(5)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Apr 11, 20183 Findings3 Important
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130(k)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(4)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(n)
Apr 20, 20172 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(h)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
Oct 27, 20161 Finding1 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
Sep 29, 20161 Finding1 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
Apr 7, 201612 Findings4 Critical8 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(5)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(5)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(j)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(j)
May 23, 201412 Findings2 Critical7 Important3 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(b)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(4)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(5)
- Medications407.360(d)(2)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(a)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(m)
- Organization and Administration407.70(b)
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)
- Organization and Administration407.70(f)
Apr 16, 20132 Findings2 Important
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(k)(1)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(3)
Apr 18, 20124 Findings4 Important
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(k)(1)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(3)
May 25, 20111 Finding1 Important
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(k)(1)