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IVY GARDEN EARLY LEARNING CENTER

1455 S MICHIGAN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60605 · Children's Services Facility

Inspection summary

IVY GARDEN EARLY LEARNING CENTER has been inspected 14 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since October 8, 2015. The most recent inspection, on January 21, 2026, recorded 1 infraction.

5 of 14 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there was 1 inspection with 1 infraction recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Handwashing and staff hygiene and Cleaning and sanitizing.

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 your health. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.

  • 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 2 times on September 1, 2016. For example: POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE

  • Handwashing and staff hygieneHigher risk

    Hands are one of the main ways germs spread, from person to person and onto food and surfaces. Inspectors look for stocked, accessible handwashing sinks, staff washing their hands when required, and sick staff being kept away from work where it matters. Gaps here can spread illness quickly.

    Recorded once on April 3, 2019. For example: PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS

  • 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 once on April 3, 2019. For example: WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS

  • 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 6 separate inspections, most recently on January 21, 2026. 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on April 3, 2019. For example: PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES

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.

14 inspections

  1. License

    1 infraction

    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED CLUTTER IN CLOSET STORAGE AREA LOCATED IN CHILDREN'S PLAYROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ANY UNUSED ITEMS, ORGANIZE AND MAINTAIN.
  2. Canvass

    0 infractions

  3. Canvass

    0 infractions

  4. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 52. SEWAGE & WASTE WATER PROPERLY DISPOSED
      • OBSERVED WASTE WATER FROM 3 COMPARTMENT SINK BEING IMPROPERLY DISPOSED. WHEN ONE COMPARTMENT IS DRAINED WASTE WATER COMES OUT OF ANOTHER COMPARTMENT. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SERVICE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK ACCORDINGLY. PRIORITY VIOLATION 7-38-030 (C). CITATION ISSUED.
  6. License

    1 infraction

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • 5-501.17 OBSERVED NO COVERED RECEPTACLE INSIDE OF THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE.
  7. Canvass

    0 infractions

  8. License

    1 infraction

    • 53. TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED
      • FOUND WOMEN'S TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE UNCOVERED. MUST PROVIDE COVERED TOILET ROOM RECEPTACLE.
  9. Canvass Re-Inspection

    0 infractions

  10. Canvass

    6 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • 2-102.14 OBSERVED LICENSEE HOLDER DESIGNATED PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE A ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED FOOD SAFETY MANAGER CERTIFICATE.DESIGNATED PERSON IN CHARGE DOES NOT HAVE PROOF OF ENROLLMENT INCLUDING OR ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SAFETY MANAGER CERTIFICATE ON SITE OR FOR REVIEW. EDUCATED PERSON IN CHARGE OF PROPER FOOD HANDLING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • 2-101.11 OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT ORIGINAL CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE MANAGER AND CERTIFICATE ON SITE OR POSTED WHILE PREPPING AND SERVING(CHILDREN) HOT & COLD FOOD ITEMS OFFERED ON MENU (OATMEAL & MILK). INFORMED PERSON IN CHARGE CITY OF CHICAGO ORIGINAL FOOD SERVICE CERTIFICATE MUST REMAIN POSTED ON SITE AND CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE DURING TEMPERATURE CONTROL FOR SAFETY(TCS) FOOD PREP, COOKING, SERVING DURING OPERATING HOURS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012. CITATION ISSUED.
    • 3. MANAGEMENT, FOOD EMPLOYEE AND CONDITIONAL EMPLOYEE; KNOWLEDGE, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING
      • 2-2102.14(N) OBSERVED NO EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE EMPLOYEE HEALTH POLICY AND SIGNATURES FOR REVIEW. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-010 NO CITATION ISSUED
    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • OBSERVED NO VOMITOUS AND DIARRHEAL INCIDENT CLEAN UP POLICY IN PLACE AND KIT (GLOVES, FACE MASKS, DISPOSABLE MOPS, SANITIZER) ON SITE. MUST PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION. 7-38-005. NO CITATION ISSUED.
    • 48. WAREWASHING FACILITIES: INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & USED; TEST STRIPS
      • OBSERVED FACILITY WITHOUT SANITIZER TEST KIT FOR CHEMICAL SANITIZER UTILIZED IN FACILITY FOR TESTING CHEMICAL RESIDUALS. FACILITY MUST OBTAIN TEST KIT FOR CHEMICALS SANITIZER UTILIZED AND MAINTAIN. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-005.
    • 51. PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES
      • OBSERVED NO AIR GAP AT THE FLOOR DRAIN LOCATED UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION A ALUMINUM COKE (SODA) CAN WAS AROUND THE PIPE CONNECTING DRAIN AND PIPE (AIR FLOW), CREATING AN ENCLOSED SPACE. INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEE TO REMOVE COKE(SODA)CAN AND ALLOW THE REQUIRED AIR GAP SPACE BETWEEN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK PIPE AND FLOOR DRAIN TO PREVENT POTENTIAL BACK SIPHONAGE OCCURRENCES AND MAINTAIN. FACILITY MANAGER REMOVED THE CAN AND WATER SPILL ON THE FLOOR OF FOOD PREP AREA. MUST REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  11. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 21. * CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ON SITE WHEN POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS ARE PREPARED AND SERVED
      • OBSERVED NO CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE WHILE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS (MILK, MACARONI AND CHEESE) ARE BEING HANDLE, PREPARED AND SERVED. INSTRUCTED TO HAVE A CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION MANAGER ON SITE AT ALL TIMES WHILE HANDLING POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOODS. SERIOUS VIOLATION 7-38-012.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED NO AIR GAP AT THE FLOOR DRAIN LOCATED UNDER THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK. AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION A PIECE OF PLASTIC WAS AROUND THE DRAIN AND THE AIR, CREATING AN ENCLOSED SPACE. INSTRUCTED EMPLOYEE TO REMOVE PLASTIC AND ALLOW AT LEAST 6 INCHES BETWEEN THE 3 COMPARTMENT SINK PIPE AND FLOOR DRAIN TO PREVENT POTENTIAL BACK FLOW AND MAINTAIN.
  12. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 32. FOOD AND NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAINED
      • THERE NEEDS TO BE A PARTITIONER TO SEPARATE THE HAND WASHING SINK FROM THE DRAIN BOARD ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK IN THE KITCHEN TO PREVENT BACK SPLASHING. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • THE INTERIOR/EXTERIOR OF THE FLOOR DRAINS IN THE KITCHEN NEEDS TO BE CLEANED. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 36. LIGHTING: REQUIRED MINIMUM FOOT-CANDLES OF LIGHT PROVIDED, FIXTURES SHIELDED
      • THE LIGHTING IN THE KITCHEN AREA IS DIM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE LIGHTING AND MAINTAIN.
  13. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 3. POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS FOOD MEETS TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENT DURING STORAGE, PREPARATION DISPLAY AND SERVICE
      • Potentially hazardous foods stored at improper temperature, found 4 lbs. of ground turkey Sloppy Joe at 104.2F stored in a 2 inch pan, 8 lbs. of cooked green beans at 109.4F, items stored in steam table that was not turned on proper setting. instructed mgr. to keep such foods stored at 140f or higher, or 40f or lower. critical citation issued 7-38-005(A). food discarded valued at $60.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • No metal stem thermometer to temp delivered food, instructed to obtain.
    • 41. PREMISES MAINTAINED FREE OF LITTER, UNNECESSARY ARTICLES, CLEANING EQUIPMENT PROPERLY STORED
      • soiled rags hanging on hand sink to dry, instructed to store away properly.
  14. License

    1 infraction

    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OBSERVED BASE BOARDS MISSING IN THE BASEMENT MAIN STORAGE ROOM AND INSIDE OF THE BASEMENT RESTROOM. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BASE BOARDS FOR THE MAIN BASEMENT STORAGE ROOM AND THE BASEMENT RESTROOM.

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