Early Start Daycare Academy
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.5 / 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.Not Available
- 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 5 out of 5 stars overall. 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. No objective process measures (e.g., state quality rating or national accreditation) are available for this daycare. The overall rating reflects structural features only.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- 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
- Not Available
- Licensed capacity
- 57
- 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 8 inspections since 2022, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (23), Curriculum & Developmental Programming (8), and Licensing & Administrative Compliance (5). Of 54 total findings, 22 were critical.
See All 8 Inspection Visits
Apr 14, 20255 Findings2 Critical3 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(7)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
May 16, 202414 Findings7 Critical5 Important2 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(7)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(8)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(4)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(5)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)
- Organization and Administration407.70(l)
Oct 25, 20232 Findings1 Important1 Administrative
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Organization and Administration407.70(k)(3)
Jun 9, 20234 Findings3 Critical1 Important
- Rule CCA 86CCA 86
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants407.150(c)
May 8, 20239 Findings4 Critical5 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(3)
- Staffing Structure407.90(e)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(f)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(f)(24)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(b)(1)
Nov 18, 202212 Findings5 Critical7 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(i)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(f)(1)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(c)(8)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(g)(1)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(2)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(1)
Sep 19, 20225 Findings5 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(d)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(p)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(f)(10)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(g)(1)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(i)
Jun 9, 20223 Findings1 Critical2 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(i)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(d)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(t)(2)