The Learning Tree Of Elgin West
Day Care Center · Licensed · Licensed since 2019
GoldiCheck · State record
Protective Plan issued on 2025-10-09 (407270C6A: Staff used PROHIBITED PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE on a child) — DCFS assessed an active child safety risk; 3 outstanding (past-deadline) violations: FHSEC305, 407120A6, 407210C5
Category check
3 safety areas flagged serious — see red below.
Safety
can be flagged seriousKey findings
Most recent or most severe violations based on your filters.
Children were NOT properly supervised
This citation is recorded when an inspector documents children without the level of adult supervision Illinois requires. Supervision rules exist because a lapse is the point at which a child can be harmed before staff can respond, which is why DCFS treats this category as high-risk.
Staff used PROHIBITED PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE on a child
Illinois prohibits physical punishment — hitting, slapping, shaking, or physical restraint used as discipline — in licensed daycares. This citation code is recorded when an inspector documents that prohibition being breached.
Staff worked with children WITHOUT completed background check
All violations
117 violations shown (22 outside lookback window)
Background checks(13)
Background check not completed for a household or non-staff member
Staff worked with children WITHOUT completed background check
Staff worked with children WITHOUT completed background check
Background check not completed for a household or non-staff member
Staff member with NON-WAIVABLE disqualifying criminal record working with children (Health Care Worker Background Check Act §25-I)
This citation category applies when a background check identifies a Category I record — the offense classes Illinois never permits a waiver for. Under the Act, a person with such a record cannot work with children. Check the status shown with this finding: a Category I citation most often reflects the screening system doing its job — the check surfaced a record and the facility acted on it — rather than a continuing situation.
Staff member with disqualifying criminal record working with children (Health Care Worker Background Check Act §25-II)
This citation category applies under Illinois' Health Care Worker Background Check Act when a background check identifies a Category II record — offenses such as certain drug felonies, robbery, or aggravated assault. These are presumptively disqualifying, though DCFS may grant a formal waiver under specific conditions. Check the status shown with this finding: these are commonly recorded once screening has surfaced the record and the facility has responded.
Background check NOT completed or documented for personnel (or probationary employee left unsupervised with children)
This citation applies when required background-check documentation is missing or incomplete for personnel, or when a probationary employee is documented unsupervised with children. DCFS classifies background-check compliance as a critical safety standard, which is why this category is treated as high-risk.
Background check NOT completed or documented for personnel (or probationary employee left unsupervised with children)
This citation applies when required background-check documentation is missing or incomplete for personnel, or when a probationary employee is documented unsupervised with children. DCFS classifies background-check compliance as a critical safety standard, which is why this category is treated as high-risk.
Background check NOT completed or documented for personnel (or probationary employee left unsupervised with children)
This citation applies when required background-check documentation is missing or incomplete for personnel, or when a probationary employee is documented unsupervised with children. DCFS classifies background-check compliance as a critical safety standard, which is why this category is treated as high-risk.
Background check not completed for a household or non-staff member
Staff member with NON-WAIVABLE disqualifying criminal record working with children (Health Care Worker Background Check Act §25-I)
This citation category applies when a background check identifies a Category I record — the offense classes Illinois never permits a waiver for. Under the Act, a person with such a record cannot work with children. Check the status shown with this finding: a Category I citation most often reflects the screening system doing its job — the check surfaced a record and the facility acted on it — rather than a continuing situation.
Staff member with disqualifying criminal record working with children (Health Care Worker Background Check Act §25-II)
This citation category applies under Illinois' Health Care Worker Background Check Act when a background check identifies a Category II record — offenses such as certain drug felonies, robbery, or aggravated assault. These are presumptively disqualifying, though DCFS may grant a formal waiver under specific conditions. Check the status shown with this finding: these are commonly recorded once screening has surfaced the record and the facility has responded.
Background check NOT completed or documented for personnel (or probationary employee left unsupervised with children)
This citation applies when required background-check documentation is missing or incomplete for personnel, or when a probationary employee is documented unsupervised with children. DCFS classifies background-check compliance as a critical safety standard, which is why this category is treated as high-risk.
Supervision(3)
Children were NOT properly supervised
This citation is recorded when an inspector documents children without the level of adult supervision Illinois requires. Supervision rules exist because a lapse is the point at which a child can be harmed before staff can respond, which is why DCFS treats this category as high-risk.
Children were NOT properly supervised
This citation is recorded when an inspector documents children without the level of adult supervision Illinois requires. Supervision rules exist because a lapse is the point at which a child can be harmed before staff can respond, which is why DCFS treats this category as high-risk.
Children were NOT properly supervised
This citation is recorded when an inspector documents children without the level of adult supervision Illinois requires. Supervision rules exist because a lapse is the point at which a child can be harmed before staff can respond, which is why DCFS treats this category as high-risk.
Discipline(6)
Staff used PROHIBITED PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE on a child
Illinois prohibits physical punishment — hitting, slapping, shaking, or physical restraint used as discipline — in licensed daycares. This citation code is recorded when an inspector documents that prohibition being breached.
Staff used PROHIBITED PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE on a child
Illinois prohibits physical punishment — hitting, slapping, shaking, or physical restraint used as discipline — in licensed daycares. This citation code is recorded when an inspector documents that prohibition being breached.
DISCIPLINE — rules on treatment of children not followed
This citation family covers discipline violations. Severity depends on the sub-code — some cover prohibited physical punishment. Check the full citation code and the status shown with this finding.
DISCIPLINE — rules on treatment of children not followed
This citation family covers discipline violations. Severity depends on the sub-code — some cover prohibited physical punishment. Check the full citation code and the status shown with this finding.
DISCIPLINE — rules on treatment of children not followed
This citation family covers discipline violations. Severity depends on the sub-code — some cover prohibited physical punishment. Check the full citation code and the status shown with this finding.
DISCIPLINE — rules on treatment of children not followed
This citation family covers discipline violations. Severity depends on the sub-code — some cover prohibited physical punishment. Check the full citation code and the status shown with this finding.
Health & sanitation(20)
Diapering or toileting requirement not met
Diapering or toileting requirement not met
Soft bedding or prohibited objects in infant sleep area (suffocation/SIDS risk)
Illinois requires infants to sleep on a firm, flat, bare surface. This citation is recorded when soft objects — pillows, bumper pads, stuffed animals, or loose blankets — are documented in an infant's sleep space. The rule exists because such objects raise the risk of suffocation and SIDS.
Safe sleep practice requirement not met
Medication handling requirement not met
Child health record or immunization requirement not met
Child health record or immunization requirement not met
Child health record or immunization requirement not met
Child health record or immunization requirement not met
Diapering or toileting requirement not met
Diapering or toileting requirement not met
Child health record or immunization requirement not met
Child health record or immunization requirement not met
Child health record or immunization requirement not met
Diapering or toileting requirement not met
Child health record or immunization requirement not met
Medication handling requirement not met
Soft bedding or prohibited objects in infant sleep area (suffocation/SIDS risk)
Illinois requires infants to sleep on a firm, flat, bare surface. This citation is recorded when soft objects — pillows, bumper pads, stuffed animals, or loose blankets — are documented in an infant's sleep space. The rule exists because such objects raise the risk of suffocation and SIDS.
Safe sleep practice requirement not met
Medication handling requirement not met
Building safety(14)
Outdoor playground safety requirement not met
Indoor facility or space safety requirement not met
Indoor facility or space safety requirement not met
Equipment or toy safety requirement not met
Equipment or toy safety requirement not met
Outdoor playground safety requirement not met
Indoor facility or space safety requirement not met
Indoor facility or space safety requirement not met
Indoor facility or space safety requirement not met
Equipment or toy safety requirement not met
Equipment or toy safety requirement not met
Outdoor playground safety requirement not met
Outdoor playground safety requirement not met
Indoor facility or space safety requirement not met
Staff-to-child ratios(2)
Required staff-to-child ratio was not maintained
Required staff-to-child ratio was not maintained
Staff training(15)
Staff qualification or training requirement not met
Organization and administration requirement not met (§407.70 general)
Staff qualification or training requirement not met
Required pre-service or early in-service training not completed (mandated reporter, life safety, emergency plan, communicable disease)
Annual 15-clock-hour in-service training requirement not met
Annual 15-hour in-service training not completed
Annual 15-clock-hour in-service training requirement not met
Annual 15-clock-hour in-service training requirement not met
Biennial staff physical re-examination not completed
Annual 15-clock-hour in-service training requirement not met
Required pre-service or early in-service training not completed (mandated reporter, life safety, emergency plan, communicable disease)
Annual 15-hour in-service training not completed
Annual 15-clock-hour in-service training requirement not met
Annual 15-clock-hour in-service training requirement not met
Biennial staff physical re-examination not completed
Paperwork / records(33)
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Daily arrival or departure procedure not followed
Daily arrival or departure procedure not followed
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Enrollment or discharge procedure not followed
Enrollment or discharge procedure not followed
Enrollment or discharge procedure not followed
Enrollment or discharge procedure not followed
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Daily arrival or departure procedure not followed
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Enrollment or discharge procedure not followed
Enrollment or discharge procedure not followed
Enrollment or discharge procedure not followed
Enrollment or discharge procedure not followed
Daily arrival or departure procedure not followed
Personnel records or documentation requirement not met
Operations(11)
Infant & toddler special requirement not met
Infant & toddler special requirement not met
Staffing structure requirement not met (director oversight or on-site presence)
License provision not met
Staffing structure requirement not met (director oversight or on-site presence)
Program operations requirement not met
Program operations requirement not met
Program operations requirement not met
Program operations requirement not met
Infant & toddler special requirement not met
Staffing structure requirement not met (director oversight or on-site presence)
How we rate this daycareIllinois DCFS records›
DCFS doesn't grade violations, so we classify each citation by the rule it cites: rules tied to immediate child safety (supervision, background checks, discipline, and the higher-risk building and health rules) are red; administrative rules (ratios, training, paperwork) are yellow. Classification is per citation, so two findings in the same category can differ.
🔴 Serious concerns — any of:
- A child-safety (red) violation is still unresolved — past its correction deadline, or cited again as a repeat
- DCFS issued a Protective Plan — a formal finding of an active risk to a child
- 2 or more violations are past their correction deadline
🟡 Watch carefully — any of:
- A child-safety (red) violation was corrected or is being corrected
- 3 or more administrative (yellow) violations
- 1 violation is past its correction deadline
- An active corrective plan — DCFS formally required a fix
🟢 Clean
Actively licensed, with no violations (or only minor, corrected ones) in your lookback window.
Data sourced from Illinois DCFS (DCFS Sunshine). Last updated: Aug 7, 2026. GoldiCheck is not affiliated with DCFS. Always verify with the DCFS Sunshine record (search Provider #584195).