Chicago · Licensed center

Alpha Learning Center

Medium center, licensed for 63 children.

What the state has found

The state cited rules at 12 of its 14 licensing inspections since July 2010.

Of the 859 Chicago-area centers with 10 or more licensing inspections, 78% had rules cited at some but not all of them, as this center did. 22% had rules cited at all of them.

Licensing inspections

Jan 30, 202616 citations

Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(f)(3)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(4)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)

12 more from this inspection

Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(a)
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(b)(1)
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(d)(3)
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(h)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(p)(2)
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(i)
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(l)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(b)(1)(e)
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(g)(1)
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(k)

Oct 2, 20251 citation

Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(a)

Jul 18, 20231 citation

Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110

Oct 24, 2022No rules cited

Apr 19, 20221 citation

Application for Renewal of License
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.55(b)

Jan 31, 2022No rules cited

Nov 22, 20211 citation

Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(6)

Nov 8, 20212 citations

Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(6)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(c)

Oct 26, 202014 citations

Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.150(b)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Hand Washing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.320(c)

10 more from this inspection

Provisions Pertaining to the License
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(5)(b)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(5)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(6)
Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.150(c)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.

Oct 18, 201913 citations

Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4)(n)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(c)

9 more from this inspection

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(8)
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4)
Hand Washing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.320(c)
Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(m)
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(5)(e)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4)(b)
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4)(d)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.

Aug 2, 201811 citations

Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(7)
Special Requirements for School-Age Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.220(c)

7 more from this inspection

Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.150(c)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(8)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(m)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.

Aug 2, 201613 citations

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(6)
Application for Renewal of License
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.55(b)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)

9 more from this inspection

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(2)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1)(g)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(6)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1)(h)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.

Aug 25, 201514 citations

Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(g)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(g)
Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(a)

10 more from this inspection

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
Program Requirements for All Ages
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(d)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(1)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(b)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(4)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(6)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(10)
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a)

Jul 9, 20107 citations

Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(6)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(10)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1)

3 more from this inspection

Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — Illinois DCFS

Last visit: January 30, 2026
On file: 14 visits since July 2010 — 2 cited nothing
Fixed?: The latest correction deadline was March 2, 2026. Illinois DCFS does not publish whether it was made.
Most serious: Illinois DCFS does not publish a severity level for a citation, so there is no most-serious to name.

Illinois DCFS cites each subsection of a rule separately, so one audit of a filing cabinet can produce ten citations. It publishes the rule’s title and a correction deadline, but no description of what was observed.

Jan 2026 Monitoring visit 16 findings

Monitoring visit · January 30, 2026

Nutrition and Meal Service

7 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(a) through (l) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(a) · 407.330(f)(3) · 407.330(g)(1) · 407.330(h) · 407.330(i) · 407.330(k) · 407.330(l)

Napping and Sleeping

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(b)(1) through (d)(3) · Violation corrected on site · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(b)(1) · 407.350(b)(1)(e) · 407.350(d)(3)

General Requirements for Personnel

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (f) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(f)

Health Requirements for Children

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(4) through (5) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(4) · 407.310(a)(5)

Personnel Records

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) · Violation substantiated

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(p)(2) · Violation substantiated

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Oct 2025 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · October 2, 2025

Qualifications for Child Care Director

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(a) · Violation substantiated

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jul 2023 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · July 18, 2023

Background Checks for Personnel

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation substantiated

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Oct 2022 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Apr 2022 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · April 19, 2022

Application for Renewal of License

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.55(b) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jan 2022 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Nov 2021 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · November 22, 2021

Guidance and Discipline

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(6) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Nov 2021 Monitoring visit 2 findings

Monitoring visit · November 8, 2021

Personnel Records

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(c) · Violation corrected

Guidance and Discipline

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(6) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Oct 2020 Monitoring visit 14 findings

Monitoring visit · October 26, 2020

Personnel Records

4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (5) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(a)(4) · 407.120(a)(5)

General Requirements for Personnel

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) through (7) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(c)(6) · 407.100(c)(7)

Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.150(b) through (c) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.150(b) · 407.150(c)

Provisions Pertaining to the License

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(5)(b) · Violation corrected

Health Requirements for Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) · Violation corrected

Hand Washing

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.320(c) · Violation corrected on site

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e) · Violation corrected on site

A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.

0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Oct 2019 Monitoring visit 13 findings

Monitoring visit · October 18, 2019

Equipment and Materials

5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4) through (5)(e) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4) · 407.380(j)(4)(b) · 407.380(j)(4)(d) · 407.380(j)(4)(n) · 407.380(j)(5)(e)

Personnel Records

4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) through (c) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) · 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(c)

General Requirements for Personnel

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(8) · Violation corrected

Qualifications for Child Care Director

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(m) · Violation corrected

Hand Washing

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.320(c) · Violation substantiated

A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.

0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Aug 2018 Monitoring visit 11 findings

Monitoring visit · August 2, 2018

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370 through (e)(7) · Violation corrected · Violation corrected on site

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370 · 407.370(e) · 407.370(e)(7)

Personnel Records

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) through (2) · Violation corrected on site · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) · 407.120(a)(2)

Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b) through (f)(8) · Violation corrected on site · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b) · 407.210(f)(8)

Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.150(c) · Violation corrected on site

Special Requirements for School-Age Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.220(c) · Violation corrected

Nutrition and Meal Service

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(m) · Violation corrected on site

A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.

0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Aug 2016 Monitoring visit 13 findings

Monitoring visit · August 2, 2016

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d) through (i)(2) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d) · 407.250(i)(1)(g) · 407.250(i)(1)(h) · 407.250(i)(2)

Personnel Records

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) through (3) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) · 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3)

General Requirements for Personnel

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) through (6) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(c)(6)

Health Requirements for Children

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5) through (6) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5) · 407.310(a)(6)

Application for Renewal of License

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.55(b) · Violation corrected

A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.

0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Aug 2015 Monitoring visit 14 findings

Monitoring visit · August 25, 2015

General Requirements for Personnel

4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (7) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(c)(6) · 407.100(c)(7)

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(4) through (f)(1) · Violation corrected · Violation corrected on site

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(4) · 407.370(e)(10) · 407.370(f)(1)

Equipment and Materials

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(g) through (j) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(g) · 407.380(j)

Personnel Records

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(b) · Violation corrected on site

Qualifications for Child Care Director

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(a) · Violation corrected on site

Grouping and Staffing

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) · Violation corrected on site

Program Requirements for All Ages

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(d) · Violation corrected on site

Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(g) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jul 2010 Monitoring visit 7 findings

Monitoring visit · July 9, 2010

Personnel Records

4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) through (6) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) · 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(a)(6)

Health Requirements for Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) · Violation corrected

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(10) · Violation corrected

Equipment and Materials

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 465760 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Openings, child care subsidies, cost, hours and late pickup, teaching approach, ratios and staff, a typical day, and sick and biting policies aren’t on this page.

Details

7734454252

Website: alphalearningctr.com
Address: 8422 S Damen Ave
License: pending renewal application (rn)

Run Alpha Learning Center? Correct or add anything here, free.

Add what is missing

Sources and dates

Where every fact on this page came from, and when Shortlist last checked it against that source. Anything Shortlist could not source is named here rather than left blank.

State record

From Illinois DCFS’s published reports, last checked October 9, 2026.

Details

Phone, Address, License — Checked July 2026 sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/…/ProviderLookup.aspx. To check it, open sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov's Licensed Provider Lookup, enter "ALPHA LEARNING CENTER" under Provider Name and 60620 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 465760).
Website — Checked August 2026 alphalearningctr.com

Medium means the middle half of Chicago-area’s 1,949 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 49 to 118 children. Small is 8 to 48; large is 119 to 487.