Step by Step Ottawa
1420 AQUARIUS CIR, OTTAWA, IL 61350Childery Rating: 4/5
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.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
- 59
- 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
15 Inspection Visits Since 2014 · 70 Findings
Most recent: Mar 19, 2026⤓ Download Latest Report (PDF)
28 Critical39 Important3 Administrative
Across 15 inspections since 2014, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (31), Children's Records & Files (19), and Licensing & Administrative Compliance (11). Of 70 total findings, 28 were critical.
See All 15 Inspection Visits
Mar 19, 20261 Finding1 Critical
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
Mar 19, 20254 Findings3 Critical1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)
Oct 18, 20243 Findings1 Critical2 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(10)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(j)
Apr 12, 20243 Findings1 Critical1 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(10)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Organization and Administration407.70(k)(1)
Mar 22, 20247 Findings5 Critical2 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Licensing standards for child care facilitiesCCASEC 7(A)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
Mar 20, 20235 Findings2 Critical3 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
Aug 9, 20221 Finding1 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
Mar 22, 20226 Findings4 Critical2 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Apr 13, 202113 Findings5 Critical7 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(11)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)
Jun 12, 202010 Findings1 Critical9 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(8)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Mar 15, 20193 Findings3 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
Mar 14, 20182 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
Mar 14, 20178 Findings4 Critical4 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
Mar 16, 20153 Findings3 Important
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(1)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
Nov 10, 20141 Finding1 Important
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(g)(i)(i)
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