Chicago · Licensed center
Small Stride Academy
At a glance
- Medium center, licensed for 103 children.
- Hours 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., 5 days a week, year round.
- Tuition $823 a month, full time; the age it is for isn’t stated. See costs
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 11 of its 14 licensing inspections since April 2010.
See each inspection
Licensing inspections
Jan 27, 20269 citations
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(i)(3)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(14)
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4)
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)(8)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
Jun 6, 202414 citations
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(6)
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(c)(1)
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(i)(3)
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(11)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2)
Nutrition and Meal Service
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(l)(1)
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(g)
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(k)(8)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(i)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
Jun 8, 20232 citations
Qualifications for Child Care Director
Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130
Guidance and Discipline
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(6)
- Feb 22, 2023Nothing cited
Aug 3, 20222 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(f)(2)
Jun 1, 20219 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)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(6)
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)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d)
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)
Jun 19, 202015 citations
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(6)
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)
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)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(2)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(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(a)(6)
Nutrition and Meal Service
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(b)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
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 27, 20197 citations
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f)
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(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)(2)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
- Oct 26, 2018Nothing cited
- Jul 24, 2018Nothing cited
Jun 7, 20187 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)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d)
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f)
Guidance and Discipline
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)
Jun 5, 20131 citation
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)
May 19, 201010 citations
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(3)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5)
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)(6)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(h)
Qualifications for Child Care Director
Qualifications for Child Care Director
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(k)
Apr 6, 20109 citations
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(m)
Outdoor Play Area
Outdoor Play Area
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.390(o)
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
Confidentiality of Records and Information
Confidentiality of Records and Information
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.80(c)
Volunteers
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(a)
Volunteers
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(b)
Volunteers
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(c)
Volunteers
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(d)
Volunteers
Volunteers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.180(e)
The state cited rules at 11 of this center's 14 inspections. Most Chicago-area centers inspected 10 or more times had rules cited at some but not all of theirs, as this center did: 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%This center
- All22%
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.
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, FHSEC305.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · 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.
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.
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.
What it costs
From $823 a month
Chicago-area comparison hidden until they say which age this price is for.
A day here
6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., 5 days a week, year round
Meals
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, and snack provided
Details
- Phone
- (773) 239-0040
- Address
- 10317 S Western Ave, Chicago, 60643
We couldn’t find some information that may matter to your decision: openings, child care subsidies, teaching approach, ratios and staff, 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.
What it costs
- Monthly tuition — Checked August 2026 smallstrideacademy.com
State record
From Illinois DCFS’s published reports, last checked November 8, 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 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 "SMALL STRIDE ACADEMY" under Provider Name and 60643 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 398740).
- Ages they serve — Checked August 2026 smallstrideacademy.com
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.