Chicago · Licensed center
Start Early - Educare Chicago
At a glance
- Large play-based center, licensed for 204 children.
- Hours 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., 5 days a week, year round.
- Run by a nonprofit. A board oversees it, and there are no owners taking profit.
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 13 of its 16 licensing inspections since July 2010.
See each inspection
Licensing inspections
Mar 19, 20264 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(10)
Program Requirements for All Ages
Program Requirements for All Ages
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(m)
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 17, 20257 citations
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
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(d)(3)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(7)
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(e)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(q)(1)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
Feb 2, 20248 citations
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(q)(2)
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(f)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7)
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)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4)
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.
Mar 10, 20231 citation
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
- Feb 14, 2020Nothing cited
Jan 9, 20201 citation
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Oct 19, 20171 citation
Guidance and Discipline
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(6)
- Feb 21, 2017Nothing cited
Jan 31, 20172 citations
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(f)
Feb 10, 20164 citations
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(5)
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(2)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Feb 4, 20143 citations
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Medications
Medications
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(e)
Oct 25, 20131 citation
Guidance and Discipline
Guidance and Discipline
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(6)
Jan 31, 20133 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)
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
- Mar 5, 2012Nothing cited
Feb 15, 20114 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
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)
Jul 20, 20102 citations
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(h)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(9)
The state cited rules at 13 of this center's 16 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
- March 19, 2026
- On file
- 16 visits since July 2010 — 3 cited nothing
- Fixed?
- The latest correction deadline was April 19, 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.
Mar 2026 Monitoring visit 4 findings
Monitoring visit · March 19, 2026
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · Violation substantiated
Program Requirements for All Ages
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(m) · Violation corrected
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(10) · Violation corrected
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 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jun 2025 Monitoring visit 7 findings
Monitoring visit · June 17, 2025
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(d)(3) through (q)(1) · Violation corrected · Violation corrected on site
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(d)(3) · 407.370(f)(2) · 407.370(q)(1)
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · Violation corrected
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(f)(7) · Violation corrected on site
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(e) · Violation corrected on site
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 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2024 Monitoring visit 8 findings
Monitoring visit · February 2, 2024
General Requirements for Personnel
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7) through (f) · Violation corrected · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7) · 407.100(f)
Organization and Administration
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) · Violation corrected
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4) · Violation corrected
Guidance and Discipline
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a) · Violation corrected
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(q)(2) · Violation corrected
Equipment and Materials
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(f) · 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 348098 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 10, 2023
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f) · Rule cited again
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jan 2020 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · January 9, 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 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Oct 2017 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · October 19, 2017
Guidance and Discipline
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(6) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jan 2017 Monitoring visit 2 findings
Monitoring visit · January 31, 2017
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(f) · 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 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2016 Monitoring visit 4 findings
Monitoring visit · February 10, 2016
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) · Violation corrected
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(2) · Violation corrected
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) · Violation corrected
Equipment and Materials
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(5) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2014 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · February 4, 2014
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · Violation corrected
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(2) · Violation corrected
Medications
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(e) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Oct 2013 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · October 25, 2013
Guidance and Discipline
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(6) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jan 2013 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · January 31, 2013
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)
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2011 Monitoring visit 4 findings
Monitoring visit · February 15, 2011
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)
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · Violation corrected
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jul 2010 Monitoring visit 2 findings
Monitoring visit · July 20, 2010
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(c)(9) · Violation corrected
Health Requirements for Children
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(h) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 348098 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
A day here
7 a.m. to 5 p.m., 5 days a week, year round
Meals, diapers and updates for parents
- Meals
- Two USDA guideline-approved meals and snacks provided daily
- Diapers
- Helps families obtain diapers, pull-ups, wipes, and infant formula/food
- Updates for parents
- ClassDojo
How they teach
Play-based
“Combining play-based learning, research-backed curriculum and individualized support.”
Details
- Phone
- (773) 924-2334
- Address
- 5044 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, 60615
We couldn’t find some information that may matter to your decision: openings, child care subsidies, cost, ratios and staff, 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.
How they teach
- Approach — Checked August 2026 educarechicago.org
State record
From Illinois DCFS’s published reports, last checked November 8, 2026.
A day here
- Meals, Diapers, Updates for parents, Hours, Calendar — Checked August 2026 educarechicago.org
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 "START EARLY - EDUCARE CHICAGO" under Provider Name and 60615 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 348098).
- Website — Checked August 2026 educarechicago.org
- 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 "START EARLY - EDUCARE CHICAGO" under Provider Name and 60615 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 348098).
- Who runs it — Checked October 2026 usaspending.gov
Large means the biggest quarter of Chicago-area’s 1,948 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 119 to 487 children. Small is 8 to 48; medium is 49 to 118.
The ages on the license are what the state licenses it to care for, which can be wider than the ages it takes.