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FIRST STEPS TO SUCCESS

11045 S WENTWORTH AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60628 · Daycare (2 - 6 Years)

Inspection summary

FIRST STEPS TO SUCCESS has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since April 30, 2019. The most recent inspection, on June 6, 2025, found no infractions.

3 of 10 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: Cleaning and sanitizing, Protecting food from contamination and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

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.

  • Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk

    Surfaces, dishes and tools that touch food or people must be cleaned and then sanitized or disinfected. Inspectors check sanitizer strength, dishwasher temperatures and how cleaning is done. Poor sanitizing lets germs survive from one use to the next.

    Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on May 17, 2023. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk

    This covers how food and supplies are stored and handled: kept covered, off the floor, and away from anything that could contaminate them. Where food is served, raw meat must be kept away from ready-to-eat food, a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.

    Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 14, 2022. For example: CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on May 7, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 once on April 30, 2019. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 7 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on September 6, 2024. For example: PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN

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.

10 inspections

  1. License

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER INSIDE UTILITY AND REAR STORAGE CLOSET. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE ALL UNNECESSARY ITEMS AND ORGANIZE STORAGE AREAS TO PREVENT PEST HARBORAGE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN KITCHEN, CLASSROOM AND STORAGE AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
  3. License Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  4. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE. INSTRUCTED A CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE WITH THE ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • 4-904.11 OBSERVED TABLEWARE AND KITCHENWARE NOT INVERTED IN THE DRYING RACK ON THE DRAINBOARD OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT SAID TABLEWARE AND EQUIPMENT.
  5. License

    3 infractions

    • 44. UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED
      • OBSERVED TABLEWARE AND KITCHENWARE NOT INVERTED IN THE DRYING RACK ON THE DRAINBOARD OF THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT SAID TABLEWARE AND EQUIPMENT.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK USED FOR MANUAL WAREWASHING HOT WATER NOT MEETING COMPLIANCE. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER WAS 103.0F. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE HOT WATER AT THE THREE COMPARTMENT SINK REACH AND MAINTAIN 110F. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-025, NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 60. PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED PREVIOUS CORE VIOLATIONS NOT CORRECTED FROM 12/14/2022, REPORT #2568506 #47 OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN. #56 OBSERVED VENTILATION HOOD NOT OPERABLE ABOVE STOVE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-42-090, NO CITATION ISSUED
  6. Non-Inspection

    0 infractions

  7. Canvass

    8 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • OBSERVED NO PERSON IN CHARGE ON SITE WITH VALID CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION CERTIFICATE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO DESIGNATE PERSON IN CHARGE DURING ALL HOURS OF OPERATION. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • OBSERVED NO CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE OR VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED WHEN COOKED PASTA(160.8F) PREPARED AND SERVED. A CHICAGO FOOD SANITATION MANAGER MUST BE ON SITE AND VALID CERTIFICATE POSTED AT ALL TIMES TCS FOOD PREPARED AND SERVED. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD ITEMS STORED ON FLOOR IN PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO ELEVATE ALL FOOD ITEMS SIX INCHES OFF FLOOR.
    • 45. SINGLE-USE/SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES: PROPERLY STORED & USED
      • OBSERVED SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES STORED ON FLOOR UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REMOVE TO PROTECT FROM POTENTIAL LEAKAGE AND CONTAMINATION.
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED RAW WOOD SURFACES UNDER 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL AND MAINTAIN.
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • OBSERVED MISSING STALL DOOR ON EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED OPENINGS AND PEELING PAINT ALONG WALLS IN PREP, STORAGE, AND CLASSROOM AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
    • 56. ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED
      • OBSERVED VENTILATION HOOD NOT OPERABLE ABOVE STOVE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  8. License

    2 infractions

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSAERVED RAW WOOD UNDER 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL TO BE SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED STORAGE SHELVES IN PREP AREA NOT CLEAN OF DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/MAINTAIN.
  9. License Re-Inspection

    2 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • : NO EMPLOYEE CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED (PIC) TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS NEEDED IN POLICY INCLUDING DISPOSABLE GLOVES,FACE MASK AND DISPOSABLE MOP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
  10. License

    7 infractions

    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH. INSTRUCTED PERSON IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO EMPLOYEE CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED (PIC) TO PROVIDE PROCEDURE WITH ALL NECESSARY ITEMS NEEDED IN POLICY INCLUDING DISPOSABLE GLOVES,FACE MASK AND DISPOSABLE MOP. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • EVIDENCE OF IMPROPER PEST CONTROL.32 LIVE ANTS ON FLOOR IN JANITOR CLOSET AND IN OFFICE. RECOMMENED TO TO CONTACT PEST SERVICE . PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 39. CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY
      • OBSERVED FOOD NOT PROTECTED IN PREPRATION AREA. NO CEILING WHERE FOOD WILL BE HELD/ PREPARED. SEWER WATER OVERHEAD PIPES IN CEILING. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL CEILING. PRIORITY FOUNDATION.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED FAUCET TOO LONG FOR 3- COMPARTMENT SINK. FAUCET MISS THE MIDDLE COMPARTMENT. MUST REPLACE ADEQUATE FAUCET FOR SINK. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 1ST TOILET IN WASHROOM SHARED WITH TEACHERS NOT FLUSHING PROPERLY. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • FLOORS IN PREP AREA IN CORNERS AND UNDER 3- COMPARTMENT SINK NOT CLEAN OF DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN/ MAINTAIN.

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