Chicago · Licensed center
The Gardner School Of Lincoln Park
At a glance
- Large center, licensed for 194 children.
- The Gardner School: owned by Quad Partners and The Vistria Group (private equity).
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 9 of its 12 licensing inspections since February 2017.
See each inspection
Licensing inspections
- Aug 26, 2026Nothing cited
Dec 11, 202521 citations
Staffing Structure
Staffing Structure
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(a)(2)
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)
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)(1)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b)
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(g)(1)
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(2)
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(5)
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(5)(i)
Napping and Sleeping
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c)
Medications
Medications
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(b)(1)
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(d)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, FHSEC305.
- Feb 7, 2025Nothing cited
- Oct 31, 2024Nothing cited
Jan 23, 202410 citations
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(i)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(d)
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)(4)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(2)
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)(3)
Dec 20, 20227 citations
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(d)
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)(4)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a)
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(5)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
Jan 7, 20212 citations
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(3)
Nov 5, 20183 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)
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 5, 20181 citation
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a)
Dec 7, 20173 citations
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)
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
Apr 6, 20172 citations
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4)
Feb 27, 20171 citation
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2)
The state cited rules at 9 of this center's 12 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
- August 26, 2026
- On file
- 12 visits since February 2017 — 3 cited nothing
- Fixed?
- The latest correction deadline was January 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.
Dec 2025 Monitoring visit 21 findings
Monitoring visit · December 11, 2025
General Requirements for Personnel
4 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(c)(6) · 407.100(f)
Personnel Records
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) through (4) · Violation corrected · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) · 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(4)
Diapering and Toileting Procedures
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(2) through (5)(i) · Violation corrected on site · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.340(a)(2) · 407.340(a)(5) · 407.340(a)(5)(i)
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)
Equipment and Materials
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b) through (d) · Violation substantiated · Violation corrected on site
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b) · 407.380(d)
Staffing Structure
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(a)(2) · Violation substantiated
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b) · Violation substantiated
Nutrition and Meal Service
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(g)(1) · Violation substantiated
Napping and Sleeping
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(c) · Violation substantiated
Medications
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(b)(1) · Violation substantiated
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · 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 545410 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jan 2024 Monitoring visit 10 findings
Monitoring visit · January 23, 2024
Personnel Records
4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) through (4) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(1) · 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(a)(4)
General Requirements for Personnel
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) through (d) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(d)
Organization and Administration
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(i) · Violation substantiated
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(2) · Violation substantiated
Guidance and Discipline
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a) · Violation substantiated
Health Requirements for Children
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(3) · Violation substantiated
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 545410 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Dec 2022 Monitoring visit 7 findings
Monitoring visit · December 20, 2022
General Requirements for Personnel
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(d) through (f) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(d) · 407.100(f)
Organization and Administration
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e) · Violation substantiated
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(4) · Violation substantiated
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4)(a) · Violation substantiated
Equipment and Materials
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(j)(5) · Violation substantiated
A citation the state’s report lists only by its code, CCASEC4.
0 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code · Violation substantiated
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 545410 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jan 2021 Monitoring visit 2 findings
Monitoring visit · January 7, 2021
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation substantiated
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(3) · Violation substantiated
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 545410 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Nov 2018 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · November 5, 2018
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f) · Violation corrected
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) · 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 545410 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2018 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · February 5, 2018
Grouping and Staffing
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) · Violation corrected on site
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 545410 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Dec 2017 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · December 7, 2017
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · Violation corrected
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) · 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 545410 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Apr 2017 Monitoring visit 2 findings
Monitoring visit · April 6, 2017
Personnel Records
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) through (e)(4) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(e)(4)
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 545410 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2017 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · February 27, 2017
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 545410 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Details
- Phone
- (773) 661-0232
- Address
- 2850 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, 60657
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, License — Checked July 2026 sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov/…/ProviderLookup.aspx. To check it, open sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov's Licensed Provider Lookup, enter "THE GARDNER SCHOOL OF LINCOLN PARK" under Provider Name and 60657 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 545410).
- Website, Who runs it — Checked October 2026 thegardnerschool.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 "THE GARDNER SCHOOL OF LINCOLN PARK" under Provider Name and 60657 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 545410).
- Who runs it — Checked October 2026 vistria.com
The private-equity firms Quad Partners and The Vistria Group recapitalized The Gardner School in 2023 through a fund set up for that one company, according to their adviser, Lincoln International. Vistria still lists the school among its companies. The school's own site says it is not a franchise. vistria.com
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.