Lincolnshire · Licensed center

The Gardner School Of Lincolnshire

What the state has found

The state cited rules at 15 of its 16 licensing inspections since July 2018.

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

May 5, 2026No rules cited
Apr 30, 20263 citations

  • General Requirements for Personnel

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)

  • Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)

  • A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCA7A.

Apr 28, 20251 citation

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

Dec 6, 20243 citations

  • Program Requirements for All Ages

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(r)

  • General Requirements for Personnel

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)

  • General Requirements for Personnel

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)(3)

Jun 13, 20243 citations

  • General Requirements for Personnel — Child Abuse / Neglect Report Made

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)(3)

  • Napping and Sleeping — Child Abuse / Neglect Report Made

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(j)

  • Background Checks for Personnel — Child Abuse / Neglect Report Made

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110

May 20, 20246 citations

  • General Requirements for Personnel

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(d)

  • Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(7)

  • Hand Washing

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.320(a)(7)

  • Napping and Sleeping

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c)

2 more from this inspection

  • Medications

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(b)(1)

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

Apr 26, 20234 citations

  • Staffing Structure

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(a)(2)

  • Personnel Records

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

  • Personnel Records

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

  • Napping and Sleeping

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c)

Feb 16, 20231 citation

  • Staffing Structure

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(a)(2)

Jan 19, 20234 citations

  • Staffing Structure

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(a)(2)

  • 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(i)(4)(a)

May 19, 20215 citations

  • General Requirements for Personnel

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(d)

  • General Requirements for Personnel

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)

  • Personnel Records

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

  • Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d)

1 more from this inspection

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

Mar 8, 20212 citations

  • Special Requirements for School-Age Children

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.220(k)

  • General Requirements for Personnel

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)(9)

Dec 21, 20201 citation

  • General Requirements for Personnel

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)(9)

Jul 31, 20201 citation

  • Nutrition and Meal Service

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(i)

Jul 7, 20203 citations

  • Personnel Records

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(5)

  • Personnel Records

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

  • Personnel Records

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

Mar 2, 20204 citations

  • Organization and Administration

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(j)

  • Program Requirements for All Ages

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(p)

  • Program Requirements for All Ages

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(r)

  • Guidance and Discipline

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(6)

Jul 27, 20182 citations

  • Health Requirements for Children

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

  • Grouping and Staffing

    89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(d)

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — Illinois DCFS

Last visit
May 5, 2026
On file
16 visits since July 2018 — 1 cited nothing
Fixed?
The latest correction deadline was May 30, 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.

May 2026 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited
Apr 2026 Monitoring visit 3 findings

Monitoring visit · April 30, 2026

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(i)(4)(a) · Violation corrected

A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCA7A.

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Apr 2025 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · April 28, 2025

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 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Dec 2024 Monitoring visit 3 findings

Monitoring visit · December 6, 2024

General Requirements for Personnel

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a) through (3) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a) · 407.100(a)(3)

Program Requirements for All Ages

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jun 2024 Monitoring visit 3 findings

Monitoring visit · June 13, 2024

General Requirements for Personnel — Child Abuse / Neglect Report Made

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)(3) · Violation corrected

Illinois does not publish what came of a report; that investigation is confidential.

Background Checks for Personnel — Child Abuse / Neglect Report Made

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

Illinois does not publish what came of a report; that investigation is confidential.

Napping and Sleeping — Child Abuse / Neglect Report Made

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

Illinois does not publish what came of a report; that investigation is confidential.

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

May 2024 Monitoring visit 6 findings

Monitoring visit · May 20, 2024

General Requirements for Personnel

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

Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(7) · Violation corrected

Hand Washing

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.320(a)(7) · Violation corrected

Napping and Sleeping

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

Medications

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(b)(1) · 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 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Apr 2023 Monitoring visit 4 findings

Monitoring visit · April 26, 2023

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)

Staffing Structure

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(a)(2) · Violation corrected

Napping and Sleeping

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Feb 2023 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · February 16, 2023

Staffing Structure

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(a)(2) · Violation corrected on site

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jan 2023 Monitoring visit 4 findings

Monitoring visit · January 19, 2023

Staffing Structure

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(a)(2) · Violation corrected

General Requirements for Personnel

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

Personnel Records

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

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

May 2021 Monitoring visit 5 findings

Monitoring visit · May 19, 2021

General Requirements for Personnel

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

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

Personnel Records

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

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d) · 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 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Mar 2021 Monitoring visit 2 findings

Monitoring visit · March 8, 2021

General Requirements for Personnel

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)(9) · Violation corrected

Special Requirements for School-Age Children

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Dec 2020 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · December 21, 2020

General Requirements for Personnel

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)(9) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jul 2020 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · July 31, 2020

Nutrition and Meal Service

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jul 2020 Monitoring visit 3 findings

Monitoring visit · July 7, 2020

Personnel Records

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

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 568667 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 2, 2020

Program Requirements for All Ages

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(p) through (r) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(p) · 407.200(r)

Organization and Administration

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(j) · 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 568667 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jul 2018 Monitoring visit 2 findings

Monitoring visit · July 27, 2018

Grouping and Staffing

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

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 568667 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

8474155420

Address
250 Barclay Blvd
License
license issued (il)

Run The Gardner School Of Lincolnshire? 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 GARDNER SCHOOL OF LINCOLNSHIRE" under Provider Name and 60069 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 568667).
  • Who runs it — Checked October 2026 thegardnerschool.com
  • Who runs it — Checked October 2026 vistria.com

The private-equity firms Quad Partners and The Vistria Group recapitalized The Gardner School in 2023 through a fund set up for that one company, according to their adviser, Lincoln International. Vistria still lists the school among its companies. The school's own site says it is not a franchise. vistria.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.