The Growing Place - First Congregational
615 N 1ST ST, DEKALB, IL 60115Childery 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.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
- School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 30
- 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
12 Inspection Visits Since 2012 · 100 Findings
Most recent: Nov 3, 2025⤓ Download Latest Report (PDF)
25 Critical72 Important3 Administrative
Across 12 inspections since 2012, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (43), Children's Records & Files (22), and Building & Premises Safety (12). Of 100 total findings, 25 were critical.
See All 12 Inspection Visits
Nov 3, 202511 Findings1 Critical10 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(i)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(c)
- Special Requirements for School-Age Children407.220(c)(2)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(4)
- Nutrition and Meal Service407.330(a)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(j)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(t)(2)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(4)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(5)
Nov 25, 202414 Findings3 Critical11 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(h)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Evening, Night, Weekend and Holiday Care407.240(g)(3)(c)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Animals407.300(f)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(b)
Nov 20, 202320 Findings5 Critical15 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(h)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Grouping and Staffing407.190(a)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(b)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(e)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(f)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Transportation407.280(d)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
- Napping and Sleeping407.350(b)
- Medications407.360(c)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)(3)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(b)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Oct 20, 202212 Findings3 Critical9 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(d)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(i)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(e)(4)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(2)
- Guidance and Discipline407.270(a)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(6)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(4)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)(5)
Oct 25, 20192 Findings1 Important1 Administrative
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
- Application for Renewal of License407.55(b)
Nov 15, 20182 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
Nov 22, 201717 Findings8 Critical9 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(6)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(f)
- Background Checks for Personnel407.110
- Staffing Structure407.90(a)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6I)
- License requirement; application; noticeCCASEC 4(6II)
- 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)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(i)(4)(a)
- Equipment and Materials407.380(j)
- Fire/Health Safety Code reference (NFPA Life Safety Code, OSFM adoption)FHSEC 305
Mar 8, 20173 Findings2 Important1 Administrative
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(1)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(e)(4)
- Application for License407.50(b)(1)
Dec 17, 20154 Findings1 Critical3 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Daily Arrival and Departure of Children407.260(d)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)
Dec 22, 201411 Findings2 Critical8 Important1 Administrative
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(1)
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(1)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(3)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(4)
- Personnel Records407.120(a)(6)
- Personnel Records407.120(b)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(1)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(3)
- Physical Plant/Indoor Space407.370(f)
- Provisions Pertaining to the License407.60(g)
May 1, 20132 Findings1 Critical1 Important
- General Requirements for Personnel407.100(c)(5)
- Enrollment and Discharge Procedures407.250(d)
Oct 23, 20122 Findings2 Important
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(1)
- Health Requirements for Children407.310(a)(5)
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