First 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.3 / 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.3 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 3 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects an ExceleRate Illinois rating of Silver. Structural quality reflects a license that's pending or provisional. 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
- Preschool, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 74
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Preschool 1:10 20
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- Child Development Associate (CDA)
Inspection History
14 Inspection Visits Since 2012 · 115 Findings
Most recent: Jan 30, 2025⤓ Download Latest Report (PDF)
11 Critical98 Important6 Administrative
Across 14 inspections since 2012, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (32), Building & Premises Safety (30), and Children's Records & Files (21). Of 115 total findings, 11 were critical.
See All 14 Inspection Visits
Jan 30, 20259 Findings1 Critical8 Important
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Personnel Records407.120(a)
- Special Requirements for School-Age Children407.220(c)(2)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(3)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(2)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(p)(2)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(p)(3)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(m)
Nov 20, 20233 Findings1 Critical2 Important
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Personnel Records407.120
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(b)
Jul 25, 20234 Findings1 Critical2 Important1 Administrative
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130(l)(2)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(e)
- Provisions Pertaining to the License407.60(a)
Jul 21, 20233 Findings1 Critical2 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(i)
Dec 19, 202225 Findings3 Critical22 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(e)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Staffing Structure407.90(d)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(4)
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers407.140(h)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(2)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(5)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(3)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(6)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(p)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(f)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(g)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(h)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(3)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(4)(d)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(4)(i)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(4)(k)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(4)(l)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(4)(m)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(4)(n)
Dec 8, 20229 Findings1 Critical7 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130(l)(2)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(f)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(l)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(m)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)(5)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(i)(1)
- Organization and Administration407.70(n)(3)
Jun 21, 202213 Findings1 Critical12 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(c)(5)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)(1)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(c)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(d)(1)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(3)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(5)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(5)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(9)(b)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(i)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(q)(2)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(r)
Mar 1, 20226 Findings1 Critical5 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
Oct 18, 20213 Findings1 Critical1 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Organization and Administration407.70(j)
May 21, 20217 Findings7 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(c)(9)(b)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(2)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(d)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(d)
Nov 5, 20201 Finding1 Administrative
- Provisions Pertaining to the License407.60(5)(a)
Mar 14, 20165 Findings5 Important
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(b)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(2)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
Feb 28, 201312 Findings12 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(5)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(6)
- Personnel Records407.120(b)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(e)(2)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(2)
Aug 14, 201215 Findings13 Important2 Administrative
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(b)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(f)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(g)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(h)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(i)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(d)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(k)
- Provisions Pertaining to the License407.60(g)
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)