Chicago · Licensed center
Tinker Bell Academy I
At a glance
- Large developmental center, licensed for 123 children.
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 8 of its 9 licensing inspections since September 2021.
See each inspection
Licensing inspections
Oct 8, 202512 citations
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2)
Napping and Sleeping
Napping and Sleeping
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(f)
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(c)
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(g)
Outdoor Play Area
Outdoor Play Area
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.390(l)
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
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)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(8)
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.
Oct 12, 20231 citation
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
- Aug 1, 2023Nothing cited
Jun 26, 202318 citations
Provisions Pertaining to the License
Provisions Pertaining to the License
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(g)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5)
Background Checks for Personnel
Background Checks for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)
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)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(6)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(4)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(e)(5)
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a)
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(e)(1)
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a)(5)
Staffing Structure
Staffing Structure
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(b)
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 29, 20222 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)(4)
Mar 9, 20227 citations
Staffing Structure
Staffing Structure
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(d)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7)
Personnel Records
Personnel Records
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(b)
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(h)(8)
Nutrition and Meal Service
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(g)
Nutrition and Meal Service
Nutrition and Meal Service
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(m)
General Requirements for Personnel
General Requirements for Personnel
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(f)
Dec 17, 20213 citations
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(d)(3)
Program Requirements for All Ages
Program Requirements for All Ages
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(d)(7)
Equipment and Materials
Equipment and Materials
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(k)
Oct 20, 20213 citations
Organization and Administration
Organization and Administration
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(b)
Grouping and Staffing
Grouping and Staffing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(h)(8)
Sep 8, 20214 citations
Health Requirements for Children
Health Requirements for Children
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310
Hand Washing
Hand Washing
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.320(a)(3)
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(l)
Outdoor Play Area
Outdoor Play Area
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.390(i)
The state cited rules at 8 of this center's 9 inspections. Chicago-area centers inspected 9 times split three ways: 45% had fewer, 24% the same, and 31% more (127 centers).
How all 127 Chicago-area centers inspected 9 times compare
Of the 127 Chicago-area centers the state inspected 9 times, how many of those inspections cited a rule:
- 2 of 91%
- 3 of 92%
- 4 of 92%
- 5 of 92%
- 6 of 916%
- 7 of 921%
- 8 of 924%This center
- All 931%
Read every record and the state’s reports
State record — Illinois DCFS
- Last visit
- October 8, 2025
- On file
- 9 visits since September 2021 — 1 cited nothing
- Fixed?
- The latest correction deadline was November 8, 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.
Oct 2025 Monitoring visit 12 findings
Monitoring visit · October 8, 2025
General Requirements for Personnel
3 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) through (f) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · 407.100(c)(8) · 407.100(f)
Grouping and Staffing
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(c) through (g) · Violation substantiated
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(c) · 407.190(g)
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation substantiated
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a)(3) · Violation substantiated
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(b) · Violation substantiated
Napping and Sleeping
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.350(f) · Violation substantiated
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(f)(2) · Violation substantiated
Outdoor Play Area
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.390(l) · 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 597841 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Oct 2023 Monitoring visit 1 finding
Monitoring visit · October 12, 2023
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 597841 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Jun 2023 Monitoring visit 18 findings
Monitoring visit · June 26, 2023
Personnel Records
8 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) through (e)(5) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(a) · 407.120(a)(1) · 407.120(a)(2) · 407.120(a)(3) · 407.120(a)(4) · 407.120(a)(6) · 407.120(e)(4) · 407.120(e)(5)
Grouping and Staffing
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) through (e)(1) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190(a) · 407.190(e)(1)
Health Requirements for Children
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) through (5) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310(a) · 407.310(a)(5)
Provisions Pertaining to the License
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.60(g) · Violation corrected
Staffing Structure
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(b) · Violation corrected
General Requirements for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(5) · Violation corrected
Background Checks for Personnel
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.110 · Violation corrected
Enrollment and Discharge Procedures
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.250(d) · 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 597841 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 29, 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)(4) · Violation substantiated
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 597841 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Mar 2022 Monitoring visit 7 findings
Monitoring visit · March 9, 2022
General Requirements for Personnel
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7) through (f) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.100(c)(7) · 407.100(f)
Nutrition and Meal Service
2 citations · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(g) through (m) · Violation corrected
89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.330(g) · 407.330(m)
Staffing Structure
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.90(d) · Violation corrected
Personnel Records
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.120(b) · Violation corrected
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(h)(8) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 597841 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Dec 2021 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · December 17, 2021
Program Requirements for All Ages
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.200(d)(7) · Violation corrected
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(d)(3) · Violation corrected
Equipment and Materials
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.380(k) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 597841 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Oct 2021 Monitoring visit 3 findings
Monitoring visit · October 20, 2021
Organization and Administration
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.70(b) · Violation corrected
Grouping and Staffing
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.190 · Violation corrected
Special Requirements for Infants and Toddlers
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.210(h)(8) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 597841 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
Sep 2021 Monitoring visit 4 findings
Monitoring visit · September 8, 2021
Health Requirements for Children
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.310 · Violation corrected
Hand Washing
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.320(a)(3) · Violation corrected
Physical Plant/Indoor Space
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.370(l) · Violation corrected
Outdoor Play Area
1 citation · 89 Ill. Adm. Code 407.390(i) · Violation corrected
DCFS compliance lookup On that page, enter provider number 597841 in the Provider box and choose Search; the compliance report downloads from the button on the result row.
A day here
- Updates for parents
- Daily reports via the Bright Wheel app (meals, activities, diaper changes), with text, pictures and video updates
How they teach
Developmental and bilingual
“Through developmentally appropriate practices, children learn, play and master.”
Details
- Phone
- (773) 783-2357
- Address
- 26 E 79th St, Chicago, 60619
We couldn’t find some information that may matter to your decision: openings, child care subsidies, cost, hours and late pickup, ratios and staff, sick and biting policies, and who owns it. 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 tinkerbellacademy.com/pre-school-education
- Approach — Checked August 2026 tinkerbellacademy.com/toddler-education
State record
From Illinois DCFS’s published reports, last checked November 8, 2026.
A day here
- Updates for parents — Checked August 2026 tinkerbellacademy.com
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 "TINKER BELL ACADEMY I" under Provider Name and 60619 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 597841).
- Website — Checked August 2026 tinkerbellacademy.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 "TINKER BELL ACADEMY I" under Provider Name and 60619 under Zip, and press Search (DCFS provider 597841).
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.