Small Stride 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.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.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.5 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 5 out of 5 stars overall. 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. 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
- Preschool, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 103
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Preschool 1:10 20
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- Child Development Associate (CDA)
Inspection History
14 Inspection Visits Since 2010 · 100 Findings
Most recent: Jan 27, 2026⤓ Download Latest Report (PDF)
29 Critical67 Important4 Administrative
Across 14 inspections since 2010, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (42), Children's Records & Files (20), and Licensing & Administrative Compliance (7). Of 100 total findings, 29 were critical.
See All 14 Inspection Visits
Jan 27, 20269 Findings3 Critical6 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(8)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(c)(14)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(3)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Jun 6, 202414 Findings4 Critical8 Important2 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(i)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(g)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(c)(14)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(3)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(l)(1)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(11)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(2)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)
- Organization and Administration407.70(k)(8)
Jun 8, 20234 Findings4 Important
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers407.140
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
Feb 22, 20233 Findings2 Critical1 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(4)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(9)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)
Aug 3, 20222 Findings2 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(f)(2)
Jun 1, 20219 Findings4 Critical5 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(2)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
Jun 19, 202016 Findings7 Critical9 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(2)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(2)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(b)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Jun 27, 20198 Findings6 Critical2 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(2)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(7)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
Oct 26, 20182 Findings2 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
Jul 24, 20186 Findings6 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(f)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(p)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(b)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(d)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(e)
Jun 7, 20187 Findings1 Critical6 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- 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)
Jun 5, 20131 Finding1 Important
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)
May 19, 201010 Findings1 Critical9 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(h)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(6)
- Qualifications for Child Care Director407.130(k)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(2)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
Apr 6, 20109 Findings1 Critical6 Important2 Administrative
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Volunteers407.180(a)
- Volunteers407.180(b)
- Volunteers407.180(c)
- Volunteers407.180(d)
- Volunteers407.180(e)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(o)
- Organization and Administration407.70(m)
- Confidentiality of Records and Information407.80(c)