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JOYFUL STEPS LEARNING CENTER LLC

5-13 E 119TH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60628 · Children's Services Facility

Inspection summary

JOYFUL STEPS LEARNING CENTER LLC has been inspected 10 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since March 30, 2017. The most recent inspection, on October 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: Pests, Cleaning and sanitizing and Handwashing and staff hygiene.

The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.

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.

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on September 11, 2024. For example: INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 17, 2023. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 21, 2022. 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 March 30, 2017. For example: REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS

  • 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 6 times across 5 separate inspections, most recently on September 11, 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. Canvass

    0 infractions

  2. Canvass

    3 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/4" GAP ON BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER OF REAR EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOORS TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ALONG WALLS AND CORNERS IN PREP, STORAGE, AND CLASSROOM AREAS. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED MISSING AND STAINED CEILING TILES IN EAST CLASSROOM. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO REPLACE AND MAINTIAN.
  3. License

    0 infractions

  4. License Re-Inspection

    1 infraction

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • 4-602.13 OBSERVED THE SHELVING UNIT OF THE EQUIPMENT WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID EQUIPMENT.
  5. License

    3 infractions

    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • OBSERVED THE SHELVING UNIT OF THE EQUIPMENT WITH SLIGHT DEBRIS BUILD UP. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN SAID EQUIPMENT.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED A DAMAGED WALL BASE ALONG THE WALL WHERE THE TOIELTS ARE LOCATED IN THE CHILDREN'S TOILET ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SAID WALL BASE TO ELIMINATE POTENTIAL HARBORAGE SPACES FOR PEST AND MAINTAIN.
    • 59. PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION CORRECTED
      • OBSERVED PREVIOUS PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATIONS FROM REPORT # 2568845 DATED ON 12/21/2022 NOT CORRECTED #54 OBSERVED NO OUTSIDE COMMERCIAL GARBAGE DUMPSTER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY 7-42-090, CITATION ISSUED
  6. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • OBSERVED NO HOT WATER AT HAND WASHING SINKS IN PREP AREA(53F), INFANT ROOM (52.9F), STAFF WASHROOM (52.1F), CHILDREN WASHROOM (51.2F). INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE 100F-120F WATER AT ALL HAND WASHING SINKS. PRIORITY 7-38-030(C) CITATION ISSUED
    • 54. GARBAGE & REFUSE PROPERLY DISPOSED; FACILITIES MAINTAINED
      • OBSERVED NO OUTSIDE COMMERCIAL GARBAGE DUMPSTER ON SITE. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO PROVIDE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(B)
  7. Canvass

    2 infractions

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED BOTTOM OF REAR EXIT DOOR NOT RODENT PROOF AT BOTTOM OF DOOR. MUST REPAIR.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • OBSERVED DAMAGED WALL AT FRONT CONTER. MUST REPAIR.
  8. License

    1 infraction

    • 5. PROCEDURES FOR RESPONDING TO VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS
      • NO EMPLOYEE CLEAN UP PROCEDURE FOR VOMITING AND DIARRHEAL EVENTS. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE . MUST INCLUDE ALL NECESSARY ITEMS LISTED IN POLICY INCLUDING DISPOSABLE MASK GLOVES AND DISPOSABLE MOP WITH APPROPRIATE SANITIZER TO KILL THE NOROVIRUS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION
  9. Canvass

    0 infractions

  10. License

    4 infractions

    • 34. FLOORS: CONSTRUCTED PER CODE, CLEANED, GOOD REPAIR, COVING INSTALLED, DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS USED
      • OBSERVED DEBRIS ON FLOORS ON FLOORS IN ELECTRICAL CLOSET.MUST CLEAN/MAINTAIN.ALSO GAPS/OPENINGS ALONG THE COVING IN CHILDRENS WASHROOM.MUST SEAL.
    • 35. WALLS, CEILINGS, ATTACHED EQUIPMENT CONSTRUCTED PER CODE: GOOD REPAIR, SURFACES CLEAN AND DUST-LESS CLEANING METHODS
      • OPENINGS IN CEILINGS AROUND PIPES AND INSIDE CEILING TILES IN OFFICE, CHILDRENS WASHROOM, AND IN THE 2-3YR CLASS ROOM BY WINDOW. MUST SEAL ALL AREAS TO PREVENT ANY HIDING AREAS FOR PEST.
    • 38. VENTILATION: ROOMS AND EQUIPMENT VENTED AS REQUIRED: PLUMBING: INSTALLED AND MAINTAINED
      • LEAKY FAUCET MOP SINK INSIDE FURNANCE ROO. MUST REPAIR.
    • 40. REFRIGERATION AND METAL STEM THERMOMETERS PROVIDED AND CONSPICUOUS
      • NO METAL STEM THERMOMETER TO MONITOR FOOD TEMPERATURES.MUST PROVIDE.

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