Mustardseed Learning Center
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.5 / 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 5 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects an ExceleRate Illinois rating of Gold and NAEYC accreditation. 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)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
- 68
- 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
9 Inspection Visits Since 2017 · 57 Findings
Most recent: Apr 16, 2026⤓ Download Latest Report (PDF)
17 Critical38 Important2 Administrative
Across 9 inspections since 2017, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (19), Children's Records & Files (17), and Curriculum & Developmental Programming (8). Of 57 total findings, 17 were critical.
See All 9 Inspection Visits
Apr 16, 202613 Findings1 Critical12 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Personnel Records407.120
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130
- Grouping and Staffing407.190
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260
- Guidance and Discipline407.270
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370
Jul 24, 20255 Findings3 Critical1 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(8)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(i)
- Hand Washing407.320(a)
- Provisions Pertaining to the License407.60(g)
Apr 16, 20241 Finding1 Critical
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
Oct 13, 20226 Findings2 Critical3 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Staffing Structure407.90(d)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(e)
- Confidentiality of Records and Information407.80(c)
Apr 5, 20222 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
Jul 16, 202018 Findings2 Critical16 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(b)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(b)
Apr 25, 20195 Findings5 Critical
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(2)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
Aug 6, 20183 Findings3 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(f)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(p)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
Apr 11, 20174 Findings2 Critical2 Important
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Staffing Structure407.90(d)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)