The Children's Center Inc
12803 S HALSTED ST, CHICAGO, IL 60628Childery 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 accreditation from NAEYC and NAC. 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)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
- 161
- 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
16 Inspection Visits Since 2010 · 78 Findings
Most recent: Jan 17, 2024⤓ Download Latest Report (PDF)
21 Critical55 Important2 Administrative
Across 16 inspections since 2010, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (26), Curriculum & Developmental Programming (12), and Building & Premises Safety (10). Of 78 total findings, 21 were critical.
See All 16 Inspection Visits
Jan 17, 20241 Finding1 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
Jun 13, 20231 Finding1 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
May 2, 20228 Findings4 Critical3 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(8)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(5)
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)
Apr 22, 20226 Findings2 Critical4 Important
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(2)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(c)(2)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(1)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(b)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(r)
Jan 25, 20221 Finding1 Critical
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)
May 28, 20211 Finding1 Critical
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
Jul 19, 20193 Findings1 Critical2 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
Jul 25, 20189 Findings9 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Jun 30, 20178 Findings3 Critical5 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Jul 1, 20161 Finding1 Important
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(b)
Oct 21, 20155 Findings3 Critical2 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(2)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)
Aug 30, 20132 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(k)
Dec 26, 20128 Findings1 Critical7 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(a)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(g)
Jun 8, 20115 Findings4 Important1 Administrative
- Grouping and Staffing407.190
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(b)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(f)(19)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(m)
- Organization and Administration407.70(k)
Aug 18, 201010 Findings1 Critical9 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(i)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(b)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(5)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(f)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(d)(2)(a)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(d)(2)(b)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(i)(1)
- Outdoor Play Area407.390(k)
Jan 21, 20109 Findings3 Critical6 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)
- Staffing Structure407.90(d)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(i)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(q)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(k)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)
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