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DISCOVERY EARLY LEARNING CENTER

7534-7538 S HALSTED ST, CHICAGO, IL 60620 · Daycare Above and Under 2 Years

Inspection summary

DISCOVERY EARLY LEARNING CENTER has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since July 30, 2020. The most recent inspection, on July 11, 2025, recorded 1 infraction.

1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. No inspections are on record from the past 12 months. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Food temperature control.

Recent inspections have recorded fewer infractions than earlier ones, so the record is improving.

What these findings mean

Health authorities word their findings differently, so we group them by what they mean for the people in care. Higher-risk findings are the ones that could directly make someone sick, and they matter more here because young children, older adults and people who are unwell are more vulnerable to infection.

  • PestsHigher risk

    Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food, supplies and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.

    Recorded 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on October 20, 2020. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hand hygiene is the most important way to stop germs spreading between children, residents and staff. Inspectors check that sinks are stocked and easy to reach, that staff wash their hands when required (for example after diapering or before handling food), and that sick staff stay away from work.

    Recorded once on July 30, 2020. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • Food temperature controlHigher risk

    Inspectors check that anything that has to be kept at a set temperature, such as chilled or hot food, or equipment like sterilizers, stays in its safe range and that accurate thermometers are on hand. With food, temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning.

    Recorded once on July 30, 2020. For example: PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL

  • Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk

    Floors, walls and ceilings must be clean and in good repair, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate health risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.

    Recorded 13 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on July 11, 2025. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

  • Food safety training and certificationLower risk

    Many jurisdictions require a trained or certified person on site, such as a certified food handler. These findings mean the training record or the trained person was missing at the time. They do not by themselves mean anything was handled unsafely.

    Recorded once on October 8, 2021. For example: MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING

About this data

These results come from Chicago Department of Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.

7 inspections

  1. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN THE FLOOR IN THE KITCHEN PANTRY UNDER THE STORAGE SHELVES.
  2. License

    2 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE INOPERABLE TOILETS (2) IN FIRST KIDS TOILET ROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN TODDLERS #1 & #2 CLASSROOM & INFANTS,HALLWAY.DAMAGED FLOOR TILE IN PRE-SCHOOL NEAR COTS.
  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. License

    4 infractions

    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED LOW COLD WATER PRESSURE AT HAND SINK IN INFANTS ROOM NEXT TO CHANGING TABLE MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT CHIPPING PAINT ON WALLS IN INFANTS & 3-5 YR OLD ROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPLACE OR REPAIR STAINED CEILING TILE IN KITCHEN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE OR ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN SUPPLY CLOSET.
  5. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • OBSERVED NO SIGNED EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AVAILABLE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT ANY ILLNESS TRANSMISSIBLE THROUGH FOOD.. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-010
  6. License Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • Violation Codes: 6-202.15 Inspector Comments: OBSERVED AN APPX."1/2" GAP ALONG SIDE OF FRONT DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • Violation Codes: 6-201.13 Inspector Comments: MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES IN SCHOOL AGE ROOM ,CRACKED FLOOR TILES AND MISSING WALL OUTLET COVER IN MOP SINK CLOSET,OPENINGS AROUND PIPES IN BOTH KIDS TOILET ROOMS
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • Violation Codes: 6-501.114 Inspector Comments: MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN ELECTRICAL AREA,SCHOOL AGE ROOM .
  7. License

    9 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED HAND WASHING SINK WATER TEMPERATURE IN INFANTS ROOM @ 86.5F AND TODDLERS ROOM @ 84.9F. MUST HAVE AT A MINIMUM OF 100.0F. MUST ADJUST AND MAINTAIN.(PRIORITY 7-38-030(C)
    • 33. PROPER COOLING METHODS USED; ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL
      • OBSERVED HOT HOLDING EQUIPMENT ON SITE BUT NOT ABLE TO MAINTAIN AT 135.0F. MUST HAVE HOT HOLDING UNIT AT 135.0F OR ABOVE.(PRIORITY 7-38-005)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED APPX. 50 OR MORE MICE DROPPINGS ON SHELVING UNITS ,ON FLOOR UNDER SHELVING UNITS AND BEHIND DOOR IN KITCHEN,SCHOOL AGE ROOM BEHIND CHAIR AND ON TOY SHELF,INFANTS ROOM-ON TOY SHELF AND APPX. 30 OR MORE LIVE ANTS CRAWLING ON WALL AND FLOOR UNDER HAND SINK NEAR CHANGING TABLE,LAUNDRY ROOM-ON FLOOR NEXT TO WASH MACHINE,HOT WATER TANK AREA- IN BETWEEN CLUTTER AND ALONG WALL BASES..MUST REMOVE DROPPINGS.CLEAN AND SANITIZE AREAS.RECOMMENDED TO HAVE A PEST CONTROL OPERATOR TO SERVICE PREMISES ON OR AFTER 7/30/20.(PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A)
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED AN APPX."1/2" GAP ALONG SIDE OF FRONT DOOR.MUST MAKE DOOR TIGHT FITTING.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • MUST REMOVE RUST FROM LID OF GREASE TRAP AT 3- COMPARTMENT SINK.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE STAINED CEILING TILES & GAP IN LOWER WALL IN SCHOOL AGE ROOM ,HOLES IN LOWER WALL IN BETWEEN BEDS IN INFANTS ROOM,CRACKED FLOOR TILES AND MISSING WALL OUT LET COVER IN MOP SINK CLOSET,BROKEN GROUT IN KIDS GREEN TOILET ROOM,OPENINGS AROUND PIPES IN BOTH KIDS TOILET ROOMS.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST SCRAPE AND PAINT PEELING PAINT ON WALL AT FRONT WINDOW IN INFANTS ROOM.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • MUST ELEVATE,REMOVE AND ORGANIZE ARTICLES OFF OF FLOOR AND AWAY FROM WALLS IN ELECTRICAL AREA,SCHOOL AGE ROOM ,STORAGE ROOM AND HOT WATER TANK AREA.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • MUST REPAIR OR REPLACE VENTILATION SYSTEM AT HOOD OF COOKING EQUIPMENT NOT WORKING.

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