Chicago · Licensed center
Academy Of Creative Thinking Inc
At a glance
- Medium center, licensed for 55 children.
What to know
The license is the range the state allows. It does not say which ages have openings.
What the state has found
The state cited rules at all 9 of its licensing inspections since June 2015.
See each inspection
Licensing inspections
Jun 8, 202610 citations
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a)(1)
Provisions Pertaining to the License
Provisions Pertaining to the License
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(g)
Staffing Structure
Staffing Structure
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(d)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(b)
Qualifications for Child Care Director
Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(l)(2)
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(d)
Napping and Sleeping
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(b)
May 14, 202513 citations
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(4)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)
Napping and Sleeping
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(j)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(24)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(8)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
Napping and Sleeping
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(f)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(d)(3)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(8)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(9)
Napping and Sleeping
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(i)(4)
Jan 11, 20242 citations
Guidance and Discipline
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(b)(3)
Provisions Pertaining to the License
Provisions Pertaining to the License
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(g)
Mar 21, 20231 citation
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)
Apr 12, 202213 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(c)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(c)(3)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(c)(5)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(c)(7)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(8)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(q)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(6)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(11)
Feb 25, 20203 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(1)
Students and Youth Aides
Students and Youth Aides
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.160(b)
Apr 2, 20192 citations
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b)
Apr 11, 20171 citation
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
Jun 30, 20151 citation
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
The state cited rules at all 9 of this center's inspections. Most Chicago-area centers inspected 9 times had fewer: 69% of 127.
How all 127 Chicago-area centers inspected 9 times compare
Of the 127 Chicago-area centers the state inspected 9 times, how many of those inspections cited a rule:
- 2 of 91%
- 3 of 92%
- 4 of 92%
- 5 of 92%
- 6 of 916%
- 7 of 921%
- 8 of 924%
- All 931%This center
Read every record and the state’s reports
State record — Illinois DCFS
- Last visit
- June 8, 2026
- On file
- 9 visits since June 2015 — all of them cited findings
- Fixed?
- The latest correction deadline was July 8, 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.
Jun 2026 Monitoring visit 10 findings
Monitoring visit · June 8, 2026
Personnel Records
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) through (b) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) · 407.120(b)
Grouping and Staffing
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) through (1) · Violation substantiated · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) · 407.190(a)(1)
Provisions Pertaining to the License
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(g) · Violation corrected
Staffing Structure
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(d)(1) · Violation corrected
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f) · Violation corrected
Qualifications for Child Care Director
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(l)(2) · Violation corrected
Health Requirements for Children
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(d) · Violation corrected
Napping and Sleeping
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(b) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 540027 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
May 2025 Monitoring visit 13 findings
Monitoring visit · May 14, 2025
General Requirements for Personnel
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) through (8) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(c)(7) · 407.100(c)(8)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(8) through (24) · Violation corrected · Violation corrected on site
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(8) · 407.210(f)(9) · 407.210(f)(24)
Napping and Sleeping
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(f) through (j) · Violation corrected · Violation corrected on site
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(f) · 407.350(i)(4) · 407.350(j)
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) · Violation corrected
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i) · Violation corrected
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(4) · Violation corrected
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(d)(3) · Violation corrected on site
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 540027 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jan 2024 Monitoring visit 2 findings
Monitoring visit · January 11, 2024
Provisions Pertaining to the License
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(g) · Violation corrected
Guidance and Discipline
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(b)(3) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 540027 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Mar 2023 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · March 21, 2023
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e) · Violation substantiated
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 540027 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Apr 2022 Monitoring visit 13 findings
Monitoring visit · April 12, 2022
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(c) through (f)(8) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(c) · 407.210(c)(3) · 407.210(c)(5) · 407.210(c)(7) · 407.210(f)(8)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3) through (11) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3) · 407.370(e)(6) · 407.370(e)(11)
Personnel Records
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (e)(4) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(e)(4)
Health Requirements for Children
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5) through (q) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5) · 407.310(q)
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 540027 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2020 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · February 25, 2020
Personnel Records
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) through (e)(1) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) · 407.120(e)(1)
Students and Youth Aides
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.160(b) · Violation substantiated
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 540027 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Apr 2019 Monitoring visit 2 findings
Monitoring visit · April 2, 2019
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b) · 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 540027 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Apr 2017 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · April 11, 2017
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 540027 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jun 2015 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · June 30, 2015
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 540027 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Details
- Phone
- (312) 283-5791
- Address
- 4200 N Central Ave Ste B, Chicago, 60634
We couldn’t find some information that may matter to your decision: openings, child care subsidies, cost, hours and late pickup, teaching approach, ratios and staff, a typical day, sick and biting policies, and who owns it. We can ask the program for you and copy you in.
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 November 8, 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 "ACADEMY OF CREATIVE THINKING INC" under Provider Name and 60634 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 540027).
- Ages on the license — Checked November 2026 sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/…/ProviderLookup.aspx. To check it, open sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov's Licensed Provider Lookup, enter "ACADEMY OF CREATIVE THINKING INC" under Provider Name and 60634 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 540027).
Medium means the middle half of Chicago-area’s 1,948 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 49 to 118 children. Small is 8 to 48; large is 119 to 487.
The ages on the license are what the state licenses it to care for, which can be wider than the ages it takes.