The Gardner School of Chicago

Data last updated · May 2026

Quality Indicators

Overall Quality
3 / 5
Process Quality
Not Available
Structural Quality
3 / 5

Why this rating

This daycare earned 3 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects a license that's pending or provisional. 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: Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age
Licensed capacity: 175
Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed: Age Max ratio Max group
Infants 1:4 12
Toddlers 1:5 15
Preschool 1:10 20

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

13 Inspection Visits Since 2014 · 78 Findings

Most recent: May 14, 2024⤓ Download Latest Report (PDF)

13 Critical60 Important5 Administrative

Across 13 inspections since 2014, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (34), Children's Records & Files (11), and Licensing & Administrative Compliance (7). Of 78 total findings, 13 were critical.

See All 13 Inspection Visits

May 14, 20242 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(p)
Nov 8, 20233 Findings3 Important
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(d)(4)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(2)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(b)
Jul 24, 20231 Finding1 Critical
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100
Mar 31, 20224 Findings1 Critical3 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
Nov 10, 20213 Findings2 Important1 Administrative
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
- Organization and Administration407.70(j)
Mar 19, 201913 Findings3 Critical7 Important3 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(5)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Medications407.360(e)
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)(1)
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)(2)
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)(3)
Apr 10, 201815 Findings1 Critical14 Important
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(5)
- Personnel Records407.120(f)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(3)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Hand Washing407.320(c)(5)
- Hand Washing407.320(e)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(l)(1)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(5)(g)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(5)(l)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Mar 17, 201613 Findings3 Critical9 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(5)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(2)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(g)
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)
Oct 29, 20152 Findings2 Important
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(c)(6)(a)
Mar 26, 201513 Findings2 Critical11 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(5)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(6)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(2)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
Jan 13, 20154 Findings4 Important
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(4)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(b)
Sep 16, 20143 Findings1 Critical2 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
Apr 29, 20142 Findings2 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)