Chicago · Licensed center

Smart From The Start Armitage LLC

Medium center, licensed for 111 children.

What these mean, and where they come from

Medium means the middle half of Chicago-area’s 1,949 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 49 to 118 children. Small is 8 to 48; large is 119 to 487.

Shortlist doesn’t have these yet: cost, hours and late pickup, teaching approach, ratios and staff, a typical day, sick and biting policies.

What the state has found

Routine visits: 18 of 24 cited something

Chicago-area centers: the state cites something at about 5 in 6 routine visits.

From Illinois DCFS’s published reports, last checked September 25, 2026.

Read every record and the state’s reports

State record — Illinois DCFS

Last visit: May 13, 2026
On file: 24 visits since May 2012 — 6 cited nothing
Fixed?: The latest correction deadline was June 12, 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 Monitoring visit 6 findings

Monitoring visit · May 13, 2026

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e) through (3) · Violation corrected

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

General Requirements for Personnel

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

Personnel Records

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4) · Violation corrected

Health Requirements for Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5) · Violation corrected

Equipment and Materials

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(g) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Mar 2025 Monitoring visit 6 findings

Monitoring visit · March 31, 2025

Health Requirements for Children

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(c) through (h) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(c) · 407.310(h)

Medications

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(c) through (d) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(c) · 407.360(d)

Organization and Administration

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(m) · Violation corrected

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Mar 2025 Monitoring visit 8 findings

Monitoring visit · March 28, 2025

General Requirements for Personnel

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) through (f) · Violation corrected

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

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3) through (11) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3) · 407.370(e)(11)

Personnel Records

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) · Violation corrected

Health Requirements for Children

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(6) · Violation corrected

Napping and Sleeping

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

Equipment and Materials

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(g) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Oct 2024 Monitoring visit 2 findings

Monitoring visit · October 29, 2024

Nutrition and Meal Service

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(h) through (i) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(h) · 407.330(i)

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

May 2023 Monitoring visit 16 findings

Monitoring visit · May 10, 2023

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

7 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(d)(2) through (n) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(d)(2) · 407.370(d)(3) · 407.370(e)(1)(c) · 407.370(e)(3) · 407.370(e)(7) · 407.370(e)(11) · 407.370(n)

Napping and Sleeping

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(a) through (f) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(a) · 407.350(f)

Organization and Administration

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(i) · Violation corrected

Staffing Structure

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

Background Checks for Personnel

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

Personnel Records

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

Qualifications for Early Childhood Assistants and School-age Assistants

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.150(a) · Violation corrected

Grouping and Staffing

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) · Violation corrected

Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(19) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jul 2022 Monitoring visit 15 findings

Monitoring visit · July 21, 2022

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

6 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(d)(2) through (r) · Violation substantiated · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(d)(2) · 407.370(d)(3) · 407.370(e)(3) · 407.370(e)(6) · 407.370(e)(7) · 407.370(r)

Health Requirements for Children

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(b) through (f) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(b) · 407.310(f)

Napping and Sleeping

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c) through (j) · Violation substantiated · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c) · 407.350(j)

Equipment and Materials

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(g) through (h) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(g) · 407.380(h)

Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(c)(5) · Violation substantiated

Hand Washing

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

Nutrition and Meal Service

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Apr 2022 Monitoring visit 2 findings

Monitoring visit · April 11, 2022

General Requirements for Personnel

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f) · Violation substantiated

Personnel Records

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

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Sep 2021 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Apr 2021 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Jun 2019 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Mar 2019 Monitoring visit 4 findings

Monitoring visit · March 28, 2019

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1) through (2) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1) · 407.250(i)(2)

Personnel Records

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

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Apr 2018 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · April 11, 2018

Grouping and Staffing

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jun 2017 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Apr 2017 Monitoring visit 9 findings

Monitoring visit · April 10, 2017

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

4 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)(1) · 407.250(i)(2) · 407.250(i)(4)(a)

Health Requirements for Children

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5) through (6) · Violation substantiated

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5) · 407.310(a)(6)

Equipment and Materials

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4) through (5) · Violation corrected on site

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(4) · 407.380(j)(5)

Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.140(h) · Violation substantiated

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Mar 2017 Compliance monitoring visit nothing cited

Apr 2016 Monitoring visit 6 findings

Monitoring visit · April 22, 2016

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(7) through (o)(1) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(7) · 407.370(e)(11) · 407.370(g) · 407.370(o)(1)

Diapering and Toileting Procedures

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(h) · Violation corrected

Equipment and Materials

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(e) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Mar 2015 Monitoring visit 3 findings

Monitoring visit · March 31, 2015

General Requirements for Personnel

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

Health Requirements for Children

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

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Dec 2014 Monitoring visit 7 findings

Monitoring visit · December 5, 2014

Diapering and Toileting Procedures

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(5) through (f) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(5) · 407.340(a)(5)(f)

Napping and Sleeping

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(e) through (f) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(e) · 407.350(f)

Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(8) · Violation corrected

Animals

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.300(f) · Violation corrected

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(o)(2) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

May 2014 Monitoring visit 6 findings

Monitoring visit · May 30, 2014

Enrollment and Discharge Procedures

5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1)(a) through (h) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1)(a) · 407.250(i)(1)(b) · 407.250(i)(1)(d) · 407.250(i)(1)(g) · 407.250(i)(1)(h)

Physical Plant/Indoor Space

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e) · Violation corrected on site

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Apr 2013 Monitoring visit 7 findings

Monitoring visit · April 17, 2013

Nutrition and Meal Service

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(e) through (p) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(e) · 407.330(g) · 407.330(p)

Grouping and Staffing

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) through (e)(1) · Violation corrected on site · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) · 407.190(e)(1)

Provisions Pertaining to the License

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(g) · Violation corrected

Personnel Records

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(6) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jul 2012 Monitoring visit 1 finding

Monitoring visit · July 24, 2012

Nutrition and Meal Service

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(k) · Violation corrected on site

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

Jun 2012 Monitoring visit 4 findings

Monitoring visit · June 29, 2012

Napping and Sleeping

2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(e) through (f) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(e) · 407.350(f)

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) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

May 2012 Monitoring visit 4 findings

Monitoring visit · May 25, 2012

Nutrition and Meal Service

3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(b) through (k)(4) · Violation corrected

89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(b) · 407.330(g) · 407.330(k)(4)

Grouping and Staffing

1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) · Violation corrected

DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 512000 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.

How the comparison is built

Routine visits: across Chicago-area centers, the state cites something at about 5 in 6 routine visits (19,088 visits).

Details

7736977057

Website: smartfromthestart.net
Address: 4135 W Armitage Ave
License: license issued (il)
Ages they serve: six weeks to age 5

Do you run Smart From The Start Armitage LLC? Shortlist has no tuition, hours or ratios for it, because the state does not publish that. Adding it is free and takes about ten minutes.

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

Every state visit and complaint on file, shown in full and never edited. Open a date to read what the state wrote.

Details

Phone, Address, License — Checked July 2026 sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov. To check it, open sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov's Licensed Provider Lookup, enter "SMART FROM THE START ARMITAGE LLC" under Provider Name and 60639 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 512000).
Website — Checked August 2026 smartfromthestart.net
Ages they serve — Checked August 2026 smartfromthestart.net