Chicago · Licensed center

Small Stride Academy

Medium center, licensed for 103 children.

What the state has found

The state cited rules at 11 of its 14 licensing inspections since April 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 27, 20269 citations

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(8)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)

5 more from this inspection

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(3)
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.

Jun 6, 202414 citations

Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(k)(8)
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(g)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(6)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14)

10 more from this inspection

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(3)
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(11)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2)
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(l)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(i)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.

Jun 8, 20232 citations

Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(6)

Feb 22, 2023No rules cited

Aug 3, 20222 citations

Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(f)(2)

Jun 1, 20219 citations

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(6)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(2)

5 more from this inspection

Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(6)

Jun 19, 202015 citations

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(6)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(2)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)

11 more from this inspection

Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(2)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(6)
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(b)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.

Jun 27, 20197 citations

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f)

3 more from this inspection

Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(2)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.

Oct 26, 2018No rules cited

Jul 24, 2018No rules cited

Jun 7, 20187 citations

Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d)
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f)

3 more from this inspection

Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)

Jun 5, 20131 citation

Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)

May 19, 201010 citations

Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(3)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)

6 more from this inspection

Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(6)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(h)
Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(k)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5)

Apr 6, 20109 citations

Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(e)
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(m)
Outdoor Play Area
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.390(o)
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110

5 more from this inspection

Confidentiality of Records and Information
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.80(c)
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(a)
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(b)
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(c)
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(d)

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — Illinois DCFS

Last visit: January 27, 2026
On file: 14 visits since April 2010 — 3 cited nothing
Fixed?: The latest correction deadline was February 26, 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 9 findings

Monitoring visit · January 27, 2026

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14) through (i)(4)(a) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14) · 407.250(i)(3) · 407.250(i)(4)(a)

General Requirements for Personnel

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(8) through (f) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(8) · 407.100(f)

Personnel Records

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) through (e)(4) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) · 407.120(e)(4)

Background Checks for Personnel

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

A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 398740 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jun 2024 Monitoring visit 14 findings

Monitoring visit · June 6, 2024

General Requirements for Personnel

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

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(c)(6) · 407.100(f) · 407.100(i)

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14) through (i)(4)(a) · Violation corrected · Violation corrected on site

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14) · 407.250(i)(3) · 407.250(i)(4)(a)

Organization and Administration

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) through (k)(8) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) · 407.70(k)(8)

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(11) through (f)(2) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(11) · 407.370(f)(2)

Grouping and Staffing

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(g) · Violation corrected

Nutrition and Meal Service

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(l)(1) · Violation corrected

A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 398740 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jun 2023 Monitoring visit 2 findings

Monitoring visit · June 8, 2023

Qualifications for Child Care Director

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130 · 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 398740 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Feb 2023 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Aug 2022 Monitoring visit 2 findings

Monitoring visit · August 3, 2022

Personnel Records

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

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 398740 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jun 2021 Monitoring visit 9 findings

Monitoring visit · June 1, 2021

General Requirements for Personnel

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

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(c)(2) · 407.100(c)(6) · 407.100(f)

Personnel Records

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (3) · Violation corrected

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

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)

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 398740 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jun 2020 Monitoring visit 15 findings

Monitoring visit · June 19, 2020

General Requirements for Personnel

5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (f) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(c)(2) · 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(c)(6) · 407.100(f)

Personnel Records

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

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

Health Requirements for Children

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

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

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(2) · Violation corrected

Nutrition and Meal Service

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(b) · Violation corrected

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

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

A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 398740 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jun 2019 Monitoring visit 7 findings

Monitoring visit · June 27, 2019

General Requirements for Personnel

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

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(c)(2) · 407.100(c)(7) · 407.100(f)

Grouping and Staffing

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

Daily Arrival and Departure of Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f) · 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 398740 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Oct 2018 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Jul 2018 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Jun 2018 Monitoring visit 7 findings

Monitoring visit · June 7, 2018

Personnel Records

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) through (4) · Violation corrected

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

General Requirements for Personnel

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

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d) · Violation corrected

Daily Arrival and Departure of Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f) · Violation corrected

Guidance and Discipline

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

Health Requirements for Children

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 398740 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jun 2013 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · June 5, 2013

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 398740 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

May 2010 Monitoring visit 10 findings

Monitoring visit · May 19, 2010

Personnel Records

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (6) · Violation corrected

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

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) through (3) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) · 407.370(f)(3)

General Requirements for Personnel

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

Qualifications for Child Care Director

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

Grouping and Staffing

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

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4) · Violation corrected

Health Requirements for Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 398740 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Apr 2010 Monitoring visit 9 findings

Monitoring visit · April 6, 2010

Volunteers

5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(a) through (e) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(a) · 407.180(b) · 407.180(c) · 407.180(d) · 407.180(e)

Organization and Administration

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(m) · Violation corrected

Confidentiality of Records and Information

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.80(c) · Violation corrected

Background Checks for Personnel

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

Outdoor Play Area

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.390(o) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 398740 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Openings, child care subsidies, teaching approach, ratios and staff, and sick and biting policies aren’t on this page.

What it costs

From $823 a month

Chicago-area comparison hidden until they say which age this price is for.

A day here

Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:30 PM, 5 days a week, year round
Meals: breakfast, lunch, and snack provided

Details

7732390040

Website: smallstrideacademy.com
Address: 10317 S Western Ave
License: pending renewal application (rn)
Ages they serve: ages 2 years old to 5 years old

Run Small Stride Academy? 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.

What it costs

Monthly tuition — Checked August 2026 smallstrideacademy.com

State record

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

A day here

Meals, Hours, Calendar — Checked August 2026 smallstrideacademy.com

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 "SMALL STRIDE ACADEMY" under Provider Name and 60643 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 398740).
Website — Checked August 2026 smallstrideacademy.com
Ages they serve — Checked August 2026 smallstrideacademy.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.