Chicago · Licensed center
Smart Learning Center
- Medium center, licensed for 71 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: 14 of 15 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 19, 2025
- On file
- 15 visits since August 2013 — 1 cited nothing
- Fixed?
- The latest correction deadline was July 1, 2025. 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 2025 Monitoring visit 7 findings
Monitoring visit · May 19, 2025
Application for License
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.50(b)(7) through (c) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.50(b)(7) · 407.50(c)
General Requirements for Personnel
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (d) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(d)
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)(4) · Violation corrected
Qualifications for Child Care Director
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.130(e) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jun 2024 Monitoring visit 6 findings
Monitoring visit · June 20, 2024
General Requirements for Personnel
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c) through (f) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c) · 407.100(d) · 407.100(f)
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)
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
May 2023 Monitoring visit 8 findings
Monitoring visit · May 17, 2023
Personnel Records
5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (e)(4) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(a)(4) · 407.120(e)(1) · 407.120(e)(4)
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation corrected
Qualifications for Early Childhood Teachers and School-age Workers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.140(c)(3) · Violation corrected
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f)(1) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Aug 2021 Monitoring visit 6 findings
Monitoring visit · August 2, 2021
Personnel Records
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) through (3) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) · 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3)
General Requirements for Personnel
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (5) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(c)(5)
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Aug 2020 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · August 10, 2020
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Aug 2018 Monitoring visit 2 findings
Monitoring visit · August 1, 2018
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) · Rule cited again
Health Requirements for Children
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(3) · Rule cited again
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2018 Monitoring visit 5 findings
Monitoring visit · February 16, 2018
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(a)(1) through (o)(2) · Violation corrected on site
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(a)(1) · 407.370(k) · 407.370(o) · 407.370(o)(2)
Nutrition and Meal Service
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(l)(2) · Violation corrected on site
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jun 2016 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · June 7, 2016
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)
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) · Violation corrected on site
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Aug 2015 Monitoring visit 7 findings
Monitoring visit · August 14, 2015
Personnel Records
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) through (3) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) · 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d) through (i)(4)(a) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d) · 407.250(i)(4)(a)
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 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Mar 2014 Monitoring visit 5 findings
Monitoring visit · March 26, 2014
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) · Violation corrected
Program Requirements for All Ages
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(d)(3) · Violation corrected
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(5) · Violation corrected
Equipment and Materials
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b) · Violation corrected
Outdoor Play Area
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.390(l) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Dec 2013 Monitoring visit 12 findings
Monitoring visit · December 3, 2013
Program Requirements for All Ages
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(d)(3) through (j) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(d)(3) · 407.200(j)
Nutrition and Meal Service
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(d) through (g) · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(d) · 407.330(g)
Medications
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(b)(1) through (c)(2) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(b)(1) · 407.360(c)(2)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e) through (10) · Violation corrected · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e) · 407.370(e)(10)
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(h) · Violation corrected
Health Requirements for Children
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) · Rule cited again
Hand Washing
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.320(b)(2) · Violation corrected
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(5) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Oct 2013 Monitoring visit 6 findings
Monitoring visit · October 29, 2013
Health Requirements for Children
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) through (6) · Rule cited again · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) · 407.310(a)(4) · 407.310(a)(6)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1)(i) through (4) · Violation corrected · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1)(i) · 407.250(i)(4)
Nutrition and Meal Service
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(j)(1) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Sep 2013 Monitoring visit 6 findings
Monitoring visit · September 13, 2013
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1) through (4) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1) · 407.250(i)(2) · 407.250(i)(4)
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · Violation corrected
Health Requirements for Children
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) · Violation corrected
Nutrition and Meal Service
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(d) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Aug 2013 Monitoring visit 15 findings
Monitoring visit · August 21, 2013
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1) through (4) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(1) · 407.250(i)(1)(g) · 407.250(i)(1)(h) · 407.250(i)(2) · 407.250(i)(4)
Program Requirements for All Ages
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(f)(1) through (p) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(f)(1) · 407.200(f)(4) · 407.200(p)
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)
Provisions Pertaining to Permits
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.65(f) · Violation corrected
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · Violation corrected
Grouping and Staffing
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(f) · Violation corrected
Nutrition and Meal Service
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(p)(1) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 524677 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
- Address
- 2980 S Archer Ave
- License
- pending renewal application (rn)
Do you run Smart Learning Center? 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 missingSources 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 LEARNING CENTER" under Provider Name and 60608 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 524677).
- Website — Checked August 2026 smartlearningcenter.weebly.com