Growing Place Main Site
909 S 4TH ST, DEKALB, IL 60115Childery Rating: 4/5
Data last updated ·
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.4 / 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 Gold. 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 Gold (3 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
- 116
- 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
13 Inspection Visits Since 2010 · 85 Findings
Most recent: Feb 18, 2026⤓ Download Latest Report (PDF)
16 Critical64 Important5 Administrative
Across 13 inspections since 2010, the issues cited most often were Children's Records & Files (23), Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (21), and Curriculum & Developmental Programming (9). Of 85 total findings, 16 were critical.
See All 13 Inspection Visits
Feb 18, 20263 Findings2 Critical1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Organization and Administration407.70(f)
Jul 7, 202519 Findings3 Critical16 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)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(b)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Transportation407.280(d)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(c)(2)(k)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(k)(1)(b)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(b)
- Medications407.360(c)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(b)
Jun 28, 202319 Findings3 Critical16 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)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(b)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(e)(2)
- 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)
Feb 3, 20205 Findings1 Critical4 Important
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(5)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(m)
Jul 16, 20184 Findings1 Critical2 Important1 Administrative
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(p)(3)
- Application for Renewal of License407.55(b)
Aug 29, 20171 Finding1 Critical
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(i)
Feb 9, 20172 Findings2 Important
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(j)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(d)(2)(a)
May 6, 20166 Findings2 Critical3 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(11)
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants407.150(c)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(j)
- Organization and Administration407.70(j)
Jul 18, 20143 Findings3 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(1)(a)
Apr 30, 20146 Findings2 Critical4 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(10)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(11)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(2)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(g)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(i)(1)
Jul 1, 20133 Findings3 Important
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
Mar 17, 20116 Findings1 Critical4 Important1 Administrative
- Staffing Structure407.90(d)(1)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(f)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(p)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(d)
- Organization and Administration407.70(i)
Aug 19, 20108 Findings7 Important1 Administrative
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(e)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(f)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(a)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(b)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(b)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(c)(2)(l)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(f)
- Organization and Administration407.70(k)(1)
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