Chicago · Licensed center
Better Boys Foundation Kidlab
At a glance
- Small center, licensed for 30 children.
- Run by a nonprofit. A board oversees it, and there are no owners taking profit.
Program news
The state’s license allowed 90 children in July. Since October it allows 30.
From the state’s licensing record. Shortlist last read it on November 8, 2026.
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 11 of its licensing inspections since October 2010.
See each inspection
Licensing inspections
Oct 22, 202422 citations
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(q)(2)
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)(11)
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(k)
Application for License
Application for License
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.50(b)(1)
Application for Renewal of License
Application for Renewal of License
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.55(g)
Nutrition and Meal Service
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(a)
Nutrition and Meal Service
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(g)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(b)
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(a)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
Qualifications for Child Care Director
Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(m)
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(e)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(d)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Guidance and Discipline
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)
Sep 29, 202311 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(d)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(3)
Qualifications for Child Care Director
Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(a)
Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers
Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.140(h)
Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants
Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.150(b)
Volunteers
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(a)
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
Sep 26, 20222 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1)
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f)
Oct 7, 20208 citations
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(d)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(3)
Oct 4, 20197 citations
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)(1)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
Nov 18, 20166 citations
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)
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(a)(1)
Dec 15, 201516 citations
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(a)(6)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(5)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14)
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(1)
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(2)
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(3)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(c)
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(f)(1)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(f)(2)
Oct 29, 20138 citations
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(h)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(6)
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)
Guidance and Discipline
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(k)
Volunteers
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(b)
Aug 17, 20121 citation
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)
Sep 30, 201111 citations
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(k)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers
Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.140(h)
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b)
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4)
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(5)
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(6)
Oct 27, 201010 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(5)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(6)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Volunteers
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(b)
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4)
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(5)
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(6)
The state cited rules at all 11 of this center's inspections. Most Chicago-area centers inspected 10 or more times had fewer: 78% of 868.
How all 868 Chicago-area centers inspected 10 or more times compare
Of the 868 Chicago-area centers the state inspected 10 or more times, how many of those inspections cited a rule:
- Some78%
- All22%This center
Read every record and the state’s reports
State record — Illinois DCFS
- Last visit
- October 22, 2024
- On file
- 11 visits since October 2010 — all of them cited findings
- Fixed?
- The latest correction deadline was October 29, 2023. 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.
Oct 2024 Monitoring visit 22 findings
Monitoring visit · October 22, 2024
General Requirements for Personnel
5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (f) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(d) · 407.100(e) · 407.100(f)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(b) through (q)(2) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(b) · 407.370(e) · 407.370(e)(3) · 407.370(e)(11) · 407.370(q)(2)
Organization and Administration
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) through (k) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) · 407.70(k)
Nutrition and Meal Service
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(a) through (g) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(a) · 407.330(g)
Application for License
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.50(b)(1) · Violation substantiated
Application for Renewal of License
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.55(g) · Violation substantiated
Provisions Pertaining to the License
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(g) · Violation substantiated
Staffing Structure
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(a) · Violation substantiated
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation substantiated
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) · Violation substantiated
Qualifications for Child Care Director
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(m) · Violation substantiated
Guidance and Discipline
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a) · Violation substantiated
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 016674 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Sep 2023 Monitoring visit 11 findings
Monitoring visit · September 29, 2023
Personnel Records
5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (e)(3) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(d) · 407.120(e)(2) · 407.120(e)(3)
Qualifications for Child Care Director
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(a) · Violation corrected
Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.140(h) · Violation corrected
Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.150(b) · Violation corrected
Volunteers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(a) · 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)(a) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 016674 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Sep 2022 Monitoring visit 2 findings
Monitoring visit · September 26, 2022
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) · Violation corrected
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 016674 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Oct 2020 Monitoring visit 8 findings
Monitoring visit · October 7, 2020
Personnel Records
6 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) through (e)(3) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) · 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(a)(4) · 407.120(d) · 407.120(e)(3)
General Requirements for Personnel
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (2) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(c)(2)
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 016674 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Oct 2019 Monitoring visit 7 findings
Monitoring visit · October 4, 2019
General Requirements for Personnel
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (f) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(f)
Personnel Records
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) through (4) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(a)(4)
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 016674 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Nov 2016 Monitoring visit 6 findings
Monitoring visit · November 18, 2016
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(a)(1) through (e)(3) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(a)(1) · 407.370(e) · 407.370(e)(3)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14) through (d) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14) · 407.250(d)
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 016674 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Dec 2015 Monitoring visit 16 findings
Monitoring visit · December 15, 2015
Personnel Records
6 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(c) through (f)(2) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(c) · 407.120(e)(3) · 407.120(e)(4) · 407.120(e)(5) · 407.120(f)(1) · 407.120(f)(2)
Organization and Administration
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(1) through (3) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(1) · 407.70(e)(2) · 407.70(e)(3)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14) through (i)(4)(a) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14) · 407.250(d) · 407.250(i)(4)(a)
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)
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · Violation corrected
Equipment and Materials
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 016674 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Oct 2013 Monitoring visit 8 findings
Monitoring visit · October 29, 2013
Organization and Administration
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) through (k) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) · 407.70(k)
General Requirements for Personnel
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f) through (h) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f) · 407.100(h)
Personnel Records
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) through (6) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) · 407.120(a)(6)
Volunteers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(b) · Violation corrected
Guidance and Discipline
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 016674 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Aug 2012 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · August 17, 2012
Organization and Administration
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 016674 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Sep 2011 Monitoring visit 11 findings
Monitoring visit · September 30, 2011
Equipment and Materials
4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b) through (j)(6) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b) · 407.380(j)(4) · 407.380(j)(5) · 407.380(j)(6)
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)
Organization and Administration
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) through (k) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) · 407.70(k)
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c) · Violation corrected
Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.140(h) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 016674 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Oct 2010 Monitoring visit 10 findings
Monitoring visit · October 27, 2010
Personnel Records
6 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)(4) · 407.120(a)(5) · 407.120(a)(6)
Equipment and Materials
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4) through (6) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4) · 407.380(j)(5) · 407.380(j)(6)
Volunteers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(b) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 016674 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Details
- Phone
- (773) 542-7300
- Address
- 1512 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, 60623
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, and sick and biting policies. 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 — Checked July 2026 sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/…/ProviderLookup.aspx. To check it, open sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov's Licensed Provider Lookup, enter "BETTER BOYS FOUNDATION KIDLAB" under Provider Name and 60623 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 016674).
- Website — Checked August 2026 bbfcenterforthearts.org
- License — Checked October 2026 sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/…/ProviderLookup.aspx. To check it, open sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov's Licensed Provider Lookup, enter "BETTER BOYS FOUNDATION KIDLAB" under Provider Name and 60623 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 016674).
- 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 "BETTER BOYS FOUNDATION KIDLAB" under Provider Name and 60623 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 016674).
- Who runs it — Checked October 2026 projects.propublica.org
Small means the smallest quarter of Chicago-area’s 1,948 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 8 to 48 children. Medium is 49 to 118; 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.