Vernon Hills · Licensed center
The Goddard School-Vernon Hills
- Large center, licensed for 168 children.
- Shortlist has found no website for it yet.
What these mean, and where they come from
Large means the biggest quarter of Chicago-area’s 1,949 licensed centers by state-licensed capacity: 119 to 487 children. Small is 8 to 48; medium is 49 to 118.
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 21 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
- November 25, 2025
- On file
- 21 visits since November 2011 — 7 cited nothing
- Fixed?
- The latest correction deadline was November 30, 2018. 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.
Nov 2018 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · November 16, 2018
Personnel Records
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (5) · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(5)
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7) · Rule cited again
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Dec 2016 Monitoring visit 13 findings
Monitoring visit · December 15, 2016
General Requirements for Personnel
4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) through (f) · Rule cited again · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(c)(6) · 407.100(c)(7) · 407.100(f)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3) through (p)(2) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3) · 407.370(f)(2) · 407.370(p)(2)
Personnel Records
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (4) · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(4)
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)(4) · 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 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Nov 2016 Monitoring visit 11 findings
Monitoring visit · November 28, 2016
General Requirements for Personnel
8 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)(1) through (11) · Violation corrected · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)(1) · 407.100(a)(3) · 407.100(a)(4) · 407.100(a)(5) · 407.100(a)(8) · 407.100(a)(9) · 407.100(a)(10) · 407.100(a)(11)
Guidance and Discipline
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(3) through (6)(e) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(3) · 407.270(c)(6) · 407.270(c)(6)(e)
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
May 2016 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · May 24, 2016
Program Requirements for All Ages
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(p) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Nov 2015 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · November 18, 2015
Equipment and Materials
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(b) · Violation corrected on site
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Oct 2015 Monitoring visit 12 findings
Monitoring visit · October 23, 2015
General Requirements for Personnel
5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) through (d) · Violation corrected · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(1) · 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(c)(7) · 407.100(c)(8) · 407.100(d)
Personnel Records
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (4) · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(a)(4)
Program Requirements for All Ages
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(m) · Violation corrected
Medications
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(e) · Rule cited again
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(2) · 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 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Oct 2015 Monitoring visit 7 findings
Monitoring visit · October 22, 2015
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) through (n)(1) · Rule cited again · Violation corrected on site
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) · 407.370(f)(3) · 407.370(n)(1)
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)
Nutrition and Meal Service
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(g) · Violation corrected on site
Medications
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.360(f) · Violation corrected on site
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2015 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · February 17, 2015
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 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Nov 2014 Monitoring visit 25 findings
Monitoring visit · November 12, 2014
Personnel Records
5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120 through (c) · Rule cited again · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120 · 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(a)(4) · 407.120(c)
Guidance and Discipline
5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)(1) through (5) · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)(1) · 407.270(a)(2) · 407.270(a)(3) · 407.270(a)(4) · 407.270(a)(5)
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f)(1) through (4) · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f)(1) · 407.260(f)(2) · 407.260(f)(3) · 407.260(f)(4)
Organization and Administration
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(1) through (3) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(1) · 407.70(e)(2) · 407.70(e)(3)
Health Requirements for Children
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) through (3) · Rule cited again
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) · 407.310(a)(3)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(2) through (n)(2) · Rule cited again · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(2) · 407.370(n)(2)
Staffing Structure
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(a)(2) · Violation corrected
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · Violation corrected
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(i)(4) · Rule cited again
Nutrition and Meal Service
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(j)(3) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Aug 2014 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · August 13, 2014
Guidance and Discipline
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c)(2) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
May 2014 Monitoring visit 2 findings
Monitoring visit · May 21, 2014
Program Requirements for All Ages
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(r) · Violation corrected
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(d) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Dec 2013 Monitoring visit 20 findings
Monitoring visit · December 16, 2013
Guidance and Discipline
5 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)(1) through (5) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(a)(1) · 407.270(a)(2) · 407.270(a)(3) · 407.270(a)(4) · 407.270(a)(5)
Daily Arrival and Departure of Children
4 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f)(1) through (4) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.260(f)(1) · 407.260(f)(2) · 407.260(f)(3) · 407.260(f)(4)
Organization and Administration
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(1) through (3) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(e)(1) · 407.70(e)(2) · 407.70(e)(3)
Personnel Records
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) through (5) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(4) · 407.120(a)(5)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3) through (n)(2) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(e)(3) · 407.370(f)(2) · 407.370(n)(2)
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · Violation corrected
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Feb 2012 Monitoring visit 6 findings
Monitoring visit · February 8, 2012
Guidance and Discipline
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c) through (6) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.270(c) · 407.270(c)(2) · 407.270(c)(6)
General Requirements for Personnel
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)(10) through (b)(1) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(a)(10) · 407.100(b)(1)
Program Requirements for All Ages
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(r) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 489565 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Nov 2011 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · November 29, 2011
Health Requirements for Children
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(3) through (5) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(3) · 407.310(a)(5)
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 489565 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
- 461 Townline Rd
- License
- license issued (il)
- Chain
- The Goddard School, a franchiseSource: goddardschool.com
- Owner
- This school is owned by its franchisee. The Goddard School brand is owned by Sycamore Partners, a private-equity firm.The private-equity firm Sycamore Partners lists Goddard Systems as a current investment. sycamorepartners.comGoddard’s own site says “All Goddard Schools are independently owned and operated.” goddardschool.com
Do you run The Goddard School-Vernon Hills? 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 August 2026 sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov. To check it, open sunshine.dcfs.illinois.gov's Licensed Provider Lookup, enter "THE GODDARD SCHOOL-VERNON HILLS" under Provider Name and 60061 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 489565).
- Chain — Checked September 2026 goddardschool.com
- Owner — Checked September 2026 sycamorepartners.com
- Owner — Checked September 2026 goddardschool.com