Once Upon a Time Child Care
1778 W STATE ST STE C, SYCAMORE, IL 60178Childery Rating: 5/5
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.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 NAC 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)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)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
- 73
- 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
28 Inspection Visits Since 2010 · 143 Findings
Most recent: Mar 25, 2026⤓ Download Latest Report (PDF)
33 Critical106 Important4 Administrative
Across 28 inspections since 2010, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (35), Children's Records & Files (25), and Staff-to-Child Ratios & Group Size (22). Of 143 total findings, 33 were critical.
See All 28 Inspection Visits
Mar 25, 20263 Findings1 Critical2 Important
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Jan 14, 20261 Finding1 Important
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
Dec 15, 20252 Findings2 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(t)(2)
Nov 5, 202510 Findings5 Critical5 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(11)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(3)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(b)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(5)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(k)(5)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(r)(3)
Sep 17, 20253 Findings2 Critical1 Important
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(l)
Aug 4, 202518 Findings3 Critical15 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)
- 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)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(c)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(b)
Oct 2, 20233 Findings3 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
Sep 1, 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)
- Students and Youth Aides407.160(a)
- 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(e)
- 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)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(c)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(b)
Aug 18, 20212 Findings2 Important
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130(m)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(l)
Jan 8, 20212 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(11)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
Dec 2, 20192 Findings2 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(f)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
Sep 6, 20192 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
Sep 1, 20171 Finding1 Critical
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
Jan 28, 201512 Findings5 Critical6 Important1 Administrative
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(2)
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(3)
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(4)
- Staffing Structure407.90(b)
- Staffing Structure407.90(d)(1)
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers407.140(c)
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers407.140(h)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(d)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(e)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(b)(1)
- Organization and Administration407.70(a)
May 29, 201414 Findings5 Critical8 Important1 Administrative
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(2)
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(3)
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(4)
- Staffing Structure407.90(b)
- Staffing Structure407.90(d)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers407.140(c)
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers407.140(h)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(d)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(e)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(e)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(b)(1)
- Organization and Administration407.70(a)
Mar 12, 20143 Findings3 Important
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(k)(1)
Feb 20, 20146 Findings2 Critical4 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(3)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(5)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(e)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(n)(1)
Jan 30, 20141 Finding1 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
Nov 4, 201314 Findings1 Critical12 Important1 Administrative
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(c)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(f)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(g)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(h)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(i)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(i)(2)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(b)(1)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(j)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(p)(3)
- Organization and Administration407.70(m)
Aug 16, 20134 Findings1 Critical3 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(p)(3)
May 2, 20132 Findings2 Important
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(1)
Feb 14, 20137 Findings1 Critical6 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(f)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(g)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(m)
Aug 8, 20122 Findings2 Important
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
Sep 16, 20112 Findings2 Important
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(p)(3)
Aug 10, 20114 Findings4 Important
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(i)(4)
Nov 16, 20102 Findings1 Critical1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(9)
- Confidentiality of Records and Information407.80(a)
Aug 26, 20101 Finding1 Important
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
Mar 8, 20101 Finding1 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
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