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LITTLE HANDS LEARNING CENTER ACADEMY

10126 S WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60643 · Children's Services Facility

Inspection summary

LITTLE HANDS LEARNING CENTER ACADEMY has been inspected 7 times by Chicago Department of Public Health since November 10, 2022. The most recent inspection, on March 17, 2026, recorded 3 infractions.

1 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 9 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Handwashing and staff hygiene, Pests and Cleaning and sanitizing.

Recent inspections have recorded more infractions than earlier ones, so it is worth reading the latest reports closely.

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.

  • 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 March 17, 2026. For example: ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE

  • 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 March 4, 2026. 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 March 4, 2026. For example: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN

  • 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on March 17, 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 3 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on August 9, 2024. 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.

7 inspections

  1. License Re-Inspection

    3 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • THE FOURTH WASHBOWL IN THE KID'S TOILET ROOM WATER PRESSURE IS VERY LOW. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE THE WATER PRESSURE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WATER-STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM AND CLOSETS IN THE CLASSROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLUTTER IN THE CLASSROOM CLOSETS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL CLUTTER AND ORGANIZE THE CLOSET AREAS. MAINTAIN A CLUTTER FREE SPACE.
  2. License

    5 infractions

    • 10. ADEQUATE HANDWASHING SINKS PROPERLY SUPPLIED AND ACCESSIBLE
      • THE FOURTH WASHBOWL IN THE KID'S TOILET ROOM WATER PRESSURE IS VERY LOW. INSTRUCTED TO INCREASE THE WATER PRESSURE AND MAINTAIN.
    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • RODENT DROPPINGS FOUND ON THE PREMISES. 40 IN PRE-K 1 CLOSET AREA; 30 IN THE FRONT MOP SINK CLOSET; 20 IN THE CORNER/SIDE AROUND THE REFRIGERATOR IN THE KITCHEN AND 30 IN THE FRONT WINDOWSILL. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL DROPPINGS, CLEAN/SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS AND CONTACT PREST CONTROL FOR ASSISTANCE. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020(A) CITATION ISSUED
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • INTERIOR OF MICROWAVE WITH FOOD AND STAINS. LOWER SURFACE OF THE CABINETS IN THE CLASSROOMS WITH DIRT/DROPPINGS AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN ALL.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • WATER-STAINED CEILING TILES IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM AND CLOSETS IN THE CLASSROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE CEILING TILES AND MAINTAIN.
    • 55. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN
      • CLUTTER IN THE CLASSROOM CLOSETS. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL CLUTTER AND ORGANIZE THE CLOSET AREAS. MAINTAIN A CLUTTER FREE SPACE.
  3. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • OBSERVED THE DOOR HANDLE OF THE REACH IN COOLING UNIT IN THE KITCHEN WITH A BROKEN HANDLE LEAVING SHARP METAL EDGE. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR AND MAINTAIN.
  4. License

    0 infractions

  5. Canvass

    4 infractions

    • 1. PERSON IN CHARGE PRESENT, DEMONSTRATES KNOWLEDGE, AND PERFORMS DUTIES
      • NO CERTIFIED MANAGER ON SITE
    • 2. CITY OF CHICAGO FOOD SERVICE SANITATION CERTIFICATE
      • NO CITY OF CHICAGO CERTIFIED MANAGER OR CERTIFICATE ON SITE WHILE HANDLING TCS FOOD PRODUCTS SUCH AS MILK, LEAFY GREENS, BROCCOLI CUTS ETC... INSTRUCTED MANAGER IN CHARGE TO PROVIDE PERSON AND SERTIFICATE AT ALL TIMES. PRIORITY FOUNDATION VIOLATION 7-38-012 CITATION ISSUED
    • 47. FOOD & NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEANABLE, PROPERLY DESIGNED, CONSTRUCTED & USED
      • LARGE CAN OPENER IN NEED OF NEW BLADE. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
    • 49. NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN
      • NEW DOOR HANDLE NEEDED ON REACH IN COOLER. INSTRUCTED TO OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN.
  6. Canvass

    1 infraction

    • 38. INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT
      • OBSERVED 1/4" GAP ON BOTTOM LEFT CORNER OF FRONT OFFICE DOOR. INSTRUCTED MANAGER TO SEAL ALL OUTER OPENINGS ON DOOR TO PREVENT PEST ENTRY.
  7. License

    1 infraction

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

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