Aurora · Licensed center

The Children's Courtyard

Large center, licensed for 206 children.
A Children's Courtyard center. The chain is owned by American Securities, a private-equity firm.
Shortlist has found no website for it yet.

What the state has found

The state cited rules at 9 of its 13 licensing inspections since April 2019.

Of the 860 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

Aug 31, 2026No rules cited

Apr 29, 202625 citations

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Medications
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(e)

21 more from this inspection

Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(3)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1)(h)
Outdoor Play Area
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.390(i)(3)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c)
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(1)
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(2)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(3)
Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(i)
Staffing Structure
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(e)(3)(a)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(6)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(8)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(d)
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC7.

Apr 4, 2025No rules cited

Feb 19, 202517 citations

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(d)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1)
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(l)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3)

13 more from this inspection

Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(r)(3)
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(7)
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(6)
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(e)(3)
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(2)
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.

Nov 6, 2024No rules cited

Apr 29, 202421 citations

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(b)
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(c)
Program Requirements for All Ages
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(f)(5)

17 more from this inspection

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(6)
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(f)
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(g)
Program Requirements for All Ages
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(g)
Program Requirements for All Ages
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(j)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(9)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(f)
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(f)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(d)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a)
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.

Apr 27, 202315 citations

Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)(3)
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)(4)

11 more from this inspection

Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)(5)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(p)
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(l)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(d)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)(1)
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)(2)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.

Feb 24, 20227 citations

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(d)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d)

3 more from this inspection

Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(4)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.

Feb 18, 2022No rules cited

Mar 10, 20214 citations

General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.

Mar 18, 20204 citations

Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b)
Medications
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(e)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.

Aug 22, 20191 citation

Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)

Apr 17, 20193 citations

Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c)
Program Requirements for All Ages
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(d)
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(d)

Read every record and the state’s reports

Across The Children's Courtyard's 5 locations in the Chicago area, it cited something at 66% of 32 visits.

State record — Illinois DCFS

Last visit: August 31, 2026
On file: 13 visits since April 2019 — 4 cited nothing
Fixed?: The latest correction deadline was May 22, 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.

Aug 2026 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Apr 2026 Monitoring visit 25 findings

Monitoring visit · April 29, 2026

General Requirements for Personnel

7 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (f) · Repeat violation

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(c)(6) · 407.100(c)(7) · 407.100(c)(8) · 407.100(d) · 407.100(f)

Organization and Administration

4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) through (3) · Repeat violation

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) · 407.70(e)(1) · 407.70(e)(2) · 407.70(e)(3)

Personnel Records

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) through (4) · Repeat violation

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

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) through (3) · Repeat violation

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

Staffing Structure

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(e)(3)(a) · Violation substantiated

Qualifications for Child Care Director

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

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1)(h) · Repeat violation

Guidance and Discipline

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a) · Repeat violation

Health Requirements for Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) · Repeat violation

Napping and Sleeping

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c) · Repeat violation

Medications

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(e) · Repeat violation

Outdoor Play Area

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.390(i)(3) · Repeat violation

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

0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Repeat violation

A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC7.

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 576797 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Apr 2025 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Feb 2025 Monitoring visit 17 findings

Monitoring visit · February 19, 2025

Personnel Records

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

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(a)(4) · 407.120(a)(6)

General Requirements for Personnel

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (d) · Repeat violation

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

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3) through (r)(3) · Repeat violation · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3) · 407.370(r)(3)

Equipment and Materials

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b) through (j)(7) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b) · 407.380(j)(7)

Daily Arrival and Departure of Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(e)(3) · Violation substantiated

Guidance and Discipline

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(2) · Violation substantiated

Health Requirements for Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(l) · Violation substantiated

Napping and Sleeping

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c) · Repeat violation

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

0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Repeat violation

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

0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Repeat violation

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 576797 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Nov 2024 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Apr 2024 Monitoring visit 21 findings

Monitoring visit · April 29, 2024

General Requirements for Personnel

5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (d) · Repeat violation

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

Grouping and Staffing

5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) through (g) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) · 407.190(b) · 407.190(c) · 407.190(f) · 407.190(g)

Program Requirements for All Ages

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(f)(5) through (j) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(f)(5) · 407.200(g) · 407.200(j)

Personnel Records

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) through (4) · Repeat violation

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

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(9) through (i)(4)(a) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(9) · 407.250(i)(4)(a)

Nutrition and Meal Service

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(f) through (1) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(f) · 407.330(f)(1)

Napping and Sleeping

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c) · Repeat violation

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

0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Repeat violation

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 576797 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Apr 2023 Monitoring visit 15 findings

Monitoring visit · April 27, 2023

Guidance and Discipline

6 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a) through (5) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a) · 407.270(a)(1) · 407.270(a)(2) · 407.270(a)(3) · 407.270(a)(4) · 407.270(a)(5)

General Requirements for Personnel

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

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

Personnel Records

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) through (4) · Repeat violation

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

Organization and Administration

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(l) · Violation substantiated

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

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

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

0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Repeat violation

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 576797 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Feb 2022 Monitoring visit 7 findings

Monitoring visit · February 24, 2022

General Requirements for Personnel

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

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c) · 407.100(d)

Personnel Records

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

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

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

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

Health Requirements for Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(4) · Violation corrected

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

0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Rule cited again

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 576797 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Feb 2022 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Mar 2021 Monitoring visit 4 findings

Monitoring visit · March 10, 2021

General Requirements for Personnel

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · Violation corrected

Personnel Records

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) · Rule cited again

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

0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Rule cited again

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 576797 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Mar 2020 Monitoring visit 4 findings

Monitoring visit · March 18, 2020

Personnel Records

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · Violation corrected

Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers

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

Medications

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(e) · Violation corrected

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

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 576797 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Aug 2019 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · August 22, 2019

Personnel Records

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 576797 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Apr 2019 Monitoring visit 3 findings

Monitoring visit · April 17, 2019

Program Requirements for All Ages

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

Daily Arrival and Departure of Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(d) · Violation corrected on site

Napping and Sleeping

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 576797 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

6308514414

Address: 701 Shoreline Dr
License: pending renewal application (rn)

Run The Children's Courtyard? 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 10, 2026.

Details

Phone, Address, License — Checked August 2026 sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/…/ProviderLookup.aspx. To check it, open sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov's Licensed Provider Lookup, enter "THE CHILDREN'S COURTYARD" under Provider Name and 60504 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 576797).
Who runs it — Checked October 2026 childrenscourtyard.com
Who runs it — Checked October 2026 american-securities.com

The Children’s Courtyard is one of Learning Care Group's brands. The private-equity firm American Securities lists Learning Care Group among its current companies, an investment it made in 2014. american-securities.com

Large means the biggest quarter of Chicago-area’s 1,949 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 119 to 487 children. Small is 8 to 48; medium is 49 to 118.