The Goddard School
8350 LEMONT RD, DARIEN, IL 60561Childery 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.3 / 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 Silver. 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 Silver (2 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
- 139
- 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
18 Inspection Visits Since 2013 · 127 Findings
Most recent: Jan 15, 2026⤓ Download Latest Report (PDF)
31 Critical89 Important7 Administrative
Across 18 inspections since 2013, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (49), Children's Records & Files (33), and Curriculum & Developmental Programming (16). Of 127 total findings, 31 were critical.
See All 18 Inspection Visits
Jan 15, 20261 Finding1 Important
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
Dec 9, 20244 Findings3 Critical1 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
Jan 8, 20246 Findings1 Critical4 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(6)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)
Nov 22, 202210 Findings2 Critical6 Important2 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(7)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers407.210(f)(9)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)(1)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)(3)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
- Organization and Administration407.70(e)
- Organization and Administration407.70(k)
Oct 27, 20214 Findings1 Critical3 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
Dec 15, 20204 Findings4 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
Dec 19, 201918 Findings6 Critical10 Important2 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(10)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(4)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(8)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(7)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(g)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)(5)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(p)(1)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(5)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
- Organization and Administration407.70(j)
- Organization and Administration407.70(k)
Nov 13, 20195 Findings3 Critical1 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(10)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(4)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(a)(8)
- Program Requirements for All Ages407.200(r)
- Organization and Administration407.70(j)
Oct 30, 201815 Findings2 Critical13 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants407.150(c)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(h)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(2)(b)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)(3)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)(5)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Nov 28, 201713 Findings4 Critical8 Important1 Administrative
- 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)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(h)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)(4)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)(5)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(p)(1)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
- Organization and Administration407.70(k)
Dec 16, 20167 Findings3 Critical4 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(7)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
Nov 13, 20157 Findings1 Critical6 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(g)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(1)(h)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)(1)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(i)
Apr 2, 20153 Findings1 Critical2 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(2)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
Dec 5, 20147 Findings7 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(g)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(j)(1)
- Diapering and Toileting Procedures407.340(a)(5)(g)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(1)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(5)
Jan 2, 201410 Findings1 Critical9 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)(1)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)(2)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)(3)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)(4)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(n)(2)
Sep 3, 20132 Findings2 Important
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(5)
May 23, 20139 Findings2 Critical7 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(d)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(1)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(n)(2)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(b)
Apr 26, 20132 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
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