Little Explorers Academy Inc
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.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.3 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 3 out of 5 stars overall. 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. 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
- 52
- 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
16 Inspection Visits Since 2019 · 86 Findings
Most recent: Jul 28, 2025⤓ Download Latest Report (PDF)
14 Critical68 Important4 Administrative
Across 16 inspections since 2019, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (23), Children's Records & Files (17), and Curriculum & Developmental Programming (14). Of 86 total findings, 14 were critical.
See All 16 Inspection Visits
Jul 28, 20258 Findings4 Critical4 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Licensing standards for child care facilitiesCCASEC 7(A)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130(e)(2)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Jul 31, 202415 Findings3 Critical11 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(6)
- Personnel Records407.120(b)
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130(l)(1)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(b)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(5)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(1)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(4)(h)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(4)(i)
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)
Sep 11, 20233 Findings3 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(i)(1)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(i)(2)
Sep 8, 20234 Findings4 Important
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(f)(24)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(g)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(h)
Jul 20, 202311 Findings3 Critical8 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(i)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(4)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(d)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(f)(24)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(d)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(k)(4)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(5)
May 12, 20236 Findings6 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(g)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(i)(1)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(i)(2)
Mar 16, 20236 Findings1 Critical5 Important
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants407.150(c)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(p)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(b)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(c)(2)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(b)
Jan 27, 20234 Findings1 Critical3 Important
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130(j)
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants407.150(c)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
Sep 22, 20221 Finding1 Important
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
Sep 13, 20214 Findings1 Critical3 Important
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(3)
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130(j)
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130(l)(2)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
Aug 4, 20214 Findings1 Critical3 Important
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(3)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(g)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)
Jul 1, 20213 Findings3 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(d)(1)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(1)
Jul 16, 20201 Finding1 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
Nov 4, 20192 Findings1 Important1 Administrative
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Organization and Administration407.70(n)
Oct 10, 20192 Findings2 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(f)
Sep 23, 201912 Findings10 Important2 Administrative
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(b)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(b)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(c)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(c)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(h)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(h)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(2)(b)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(2)(b)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(e)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(e)
- Organization and Administration407.70(n)(3)
- Organization and Administration407.70(n)(3)