Shining Star Early Learning 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.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
- 105
- 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
Across 19 inspections since 2010, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (38), Children's Records & Files (16), and Curriculum & Developmental Programming (10). Of 83 total findings, 16 were critical.
See All 19 Inspection Visits
Jan 16, 20266 Findings4 Critical2 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(7)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(8)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(h)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(l)(1)
Feb 21, 20241 Finding1 Critical
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
Feb 6, 20242 Findings2 Important
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(b)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(h)
Jan 5, 20236 Findings5 Important1 Administrative
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(4)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)
Feb 1, 20221 Finding1 Important
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)(2)
Sep 8, 20215 Findings5 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(b)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(c)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(c)(2)(r)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(i)
Apr 2, 20211 Finding1 Critical
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)
Jan 27, 20212 Findings2 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(d)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(l)(1)
Nov 5, 20201 Finding1 Critical
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(11)
Jan 23, 201810 Findings4 Critical6 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)
Jan 31, 20173 Findings1 Critical2 Important
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Personnel Records407.120(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
Jan 16, 20154 Findings1 Critical3 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(4)
Jan 27, 201417 Findings3 Critical14 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- Staffing Structure407.90(b)
- Staffing Structure407.90(d)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(5)
Sep 26, 20125 Findings5 Important
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(f)(21)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(h)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(d)(2)(a)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(i)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(l)(1)
May 16, 20122 Findings2 Important
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(4)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(5)
Sep 29, 20101 Finding1 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
Jul 9, 201011 Findings11 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(2)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(1)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(2)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(4)
Mar 12, 20101 Finding1 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
Feb 11, 20104 Findings3 Important1 Administrative
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(b)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(h)(8)
- Organization and Administration407.70(n)(3)