CHICAGO, IL - Health department officials identified compliance issues at TINKERBELL ACADEMY 1 in an inspection dated 04/18/2023.
Situated at 20-24 E 79TH ST, the establishment is part of Gold Coast's active food service sector. The Gold Coast area undergoes regular health inspections as part of the city's comprehensive food safety monitoring program.
The inspection identified 4 distinct violations requiring correction. These findings represent specific conditions observed during the inspection that must be addressed to meet health code requirements.
The first violation concerned hand hygiene and handwashing facilities. Inspectors documented: Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, & Used - Comments: Observed a Spray Bottle with an Unknown Chemical Stored in the Dishwashing Area Not Labeled with a Common Name of the Chemical. Instucted Manager That Working Containers Used for Storing Poisonous or Toxic Materials Such As Cleaners and Sanitizers Taken From Bulk Supplies Shall Be Clearly and Individually Identified with the Common Name of the Material. Priority Foundation 7-38-015, Citation Issued.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use.
The second violation concerned food temperatures. Inspectors documented: Thermometers Provided & Accurate - Comments: Observed No Ambient Air Thermometer Inside the Refrigeration Unit in the Infant Classroom, Conspicuously Posted to Monitor the Ambient Air Temperature of the Equipment. Instructed to Equip All Refrigeration Units with Accurate and Working Thermometers and Maintain.. The FDA Food Code requires cold foods to be held at 41°F or below and hot foods at 135°F or above to prevent bacterial growth in the "danger zone." For more information, see FDA guidelines on temperature control. The CDC reports that temperature abuse is a factor in many foodborne illness outbreaks.
The third violation concerned hand hygiene and handwashing facilities. Inspectors documented: Insects, Rodents, & Animals Not Present - Comments: Observed Dead Bugs on the Floor Under the Handwashing Sink in the Food Prep Area. Instructed to Remove Dead Bugs and Maintain.. According to FDA guidelines, proper handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds is the single most effective way to prevent foodborne illness transmission. For more information, see FDA handwashing requirements. Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands.
The fourth violation related to pest prevention. Inspectors documented: Contamination Prevented During Food Preparation, Storage & D. The FDA Food Code requires establishments to eliminate conditions that attract and harbor pests, including proper waste management and facility maintenance. For more information, see FDA pest control standards. Pest droppings and debris can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in sensitive individuals.
Health code violations require prompt correction to maintain operating permits. The health department typically conducts re-inspections to verify that identified issues have been properly addressed.
This inspection data is provided by Chicago Department of Public Health. The establishment had violations identified during the 04/18/2023 inspection. Conditions may have changed since this inspection. For current compliance status, consult the Chicago Department of Public Health. For more information about restaurant inspection regulations in this area, visit the Chicago Food Service Sanitation Rules. Learn more about food safety at FDA.gov and CDC.gov.
This inspection was conducted on August 21, 2025.
Chicago Department of Public Health
The following violations were documented: NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE CABINETS UNDER ALL OF THE WASHBOWLS IN THE TOILET ROOMS IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND TO MAINTAIN ALL TO REMOVE DIRT, CLEANER SPILLS AND DEBRIS.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO FIX THE LEAK AND MAINTAIN THE SINK.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED A HOLE IN THE WALL ABOVE THE TOILET IN THE TOILET ROOM IN THE REAR TODDLER CLASSROOM; OPENING IN THE LOWER CORNER ON THE WALL IN THE TOILET ROOM WHERE THE RODENT ACTIVITY WAS FOUND; OPENING UNDER THE 2-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS AND HOLES IN THE WALLS THROUGHOUT AS NEEDED.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN ALL OF THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THE CLASSROOMS, LAUNDRY ROOM, STORAGE ROOMS, UTILITY, ELECTRICAL CLOSETS AND KITCHEN WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGHOUT. ALSO, THE VENT IN THE HALLWAY BY THE KITCHEN AND STAFF TOILET ROOM WITH THICK DIRT/DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENT.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE REAR UNUSED CLASSROOM AND ALL OF THE STORAGE ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE CLUTTER, ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND ORGANIZE ALL AREAS WITH CLUTTER. MAINTAIN SAME. -; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED THE MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN THE STAFF'S TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED THE 3 LIGHTS IN THE KITCHEN WITH NO BULBS CAUSING THE AREA NOT TO BE WELL LIT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BULBS AND MAINTAIN A WELL LIT AREA PER CITY CODE.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED RODENT ACTIVITY ON THE PREMISES. 100 FOUND IN VARIOUS AREAS: THE REAR TODDLER CLASSROOM (BY THE INFANT ROOM) IN THE TOILET ROOM ALONG THE SIDE OF THE WASHBOWL; AROUND THE REFRIGERATOR IN THE REAR OF THE TODDLER CLASSROOM, IN THE INFANT ROOM-REAR; AROUND THE 3-COMPARTMENT AND HAND WASHING SINK IN THE KITCHEN AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE ALL RODENT DROPPINGS, CLEAN/SANITIZE THE AFFECTED AREAS. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-020 (a) CITATION ISSUED; NON-FOOD/FOOD CONTACT SURFACES CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE CABINETS UNDER ALL OF THE WASHBOWLS IN THE TOILET ROOMS IN NEED OF CLEANING. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND TO MAINTAIN ALL TO REMOVE DIRT, CLEANER SPILLS AND DEBRIS.; PLUMBING INSTALLED; PROPER BACKFLOW DEVICES - Comments: OBSERVED A LEAK AT THE BASE OF THE FAUCET ON THE 3-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO FIX THE LEAK AND MAINTAIN THE SINK.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE FLOORS IN ALL OF THE CORNERS AND UNDER/AROUND ALL HEAVY EQUIPMENT IN THE CLASSROOMS, LAUNDRY ROOM, STORAGE ROOMS, UTILITY, ELECTRICAL CLOSETS AND KITCHEN WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN FLOORS THROUGHOUT. ALSO, THE VENT IN THE HALLWAY BY THE KITCHEN AND STAFF TOILET ROOM WITH THICK DIRT/DUST. INSTRUCTED TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN VENT.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED CLUTTER IN THE REAR UNUSED CLASSROOM AND ALL OF THE STORAGE ROOMS. INSTRUCTED TO ELIMINATE CLUTTER, ELEVATE ALL ITEMS AT LEAST 6" OFF THE FLOOR AND ORGANIZE ALL AREAS WITH CLUTTER. MAINTAIN SAME.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED A HOLE IN THE WALL ABOVE THE TOILET IN THE TOILET ROOM IN THE REAR TODDLER CLASSROOM; OPENING IN THE LOWER CORNER ON THE WALL IN THE TOILET ROOM WHERE THE RODENT ACTIVITY WAS FOUND; OPENING UNDER THE 2-COMPARTMENT SINK. INSTRUCTED TO SEAL ALL OPENINGS AND HOLES IN THE WALLS THROUGHOUT AS NEEDED.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED THE MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN THE STAFF'S TOILET ROOM NOT WORKING. INSTRUCTED TO FIX AND MAINTAIN.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED THE 3 LIGHTS IN THE KITCHEN WITH NO BULBS CAUSING THE AREA NOT TO BE WELL LIT. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE BULBS AND MAINTAIN A WELL LIT AREA PER CITY CODE.; TOXIC SUBSTANCES PROPERLY IDENTIFIED, STORED, & USED - Comments: OBSERVED A SPRAY BOTTLE WITH AN UNKNOWN CHEMICAL STORED IN THE DISHWASHING AREA NOT LABELED WITH A COMMON NAME OF THE CHEMICAL. INSTUCTED MANAGER THAT WORKING CONTAINERS USED FOR STORING POISONOUS OR TOXIC MATERIALS SUCH AS CLEANERS AND SANITIZERS TAKEN FROM BULK SUPPLIES SHALL BE CLEARLY AND INDIVIDUALLY IDENTIFIED WITH THE COMMON NAME OF THE MATERIAL. PRIORITY FOUNDATION 7-38-015, CITATION ISSUED.; THERMOMETERS PROVIDED & ACCURATE - Comments: OBSERVED NO AMBIENT AIR THERMOMETER INSIDE THE REFRIGERATION UNIT IN THE INFANT CLASSROOM, CONSPICUOUSLY POSTED TO MONITOR THE AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE OF THE EQUIPMENT. INSTRUCTED TO EQUIP ALL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH ACCURATE AND WORKING THERMOMETERS AND MAINTAIN.; INSECTS, RODENTS, & ANIMALS NOT PRESENT - Comments: OBSERVED DEAD BUGS ON THE FLOOR UNDER THE HANDWASHING SINK IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO REMOVE DEAD BUGS AND MAINTAIN.; CONTAMINATION PREVENTED DURING FOOD PREPARATION, STORAGE & DISPLAY - Comments: OBSERVED THE HANDWASHING SINK NEAR THE DRAINBOARD OF THE THREE-COMPARTMENT SINK WITH CLEAN DISHES WITHOUT A SPLASH GUARD. INSTRUCTED TO INSTALL A SMOOTH AND EASILY CLEANABLE SPLASH GUARD ON THE SAID SINK AND MAINTAIN; UTENSILS, EQUIPMENT & LINENS: PROPERLY STORED, DRIED, & HANDLED - Comments: OBSERVED UTENSILS (SPOONS, TONGS, SPATULAS, ETC.) NOT PROPERLY INVERTED ON THE COUNTER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA. INSTRUCTED TO INVERT ALL SIAD UTENSILS TO AVOID CONTAMINATING EQUIPMENT AND MAINTAIN.; TOILET FACILITIES: PROPERLY CONSTRUCTED, SUPPLIED, & CLEANED - Comments: OBSERVED NO GARBAGE RECEPTACLE WITH A LID IN THE EMPLOYEE TOILET ROOM NEAR THE FRONT ENTRANCE. INSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE FRONT STORAGE CLOSET WHERE SEASONAL EQUIPMENT IS STORED SLIGHTLY CLUTTERED AND ITEMS NOT ELEVATED. INSTRUCTED TO ORGANIZE, ELEVATE ITEMS, AND MAINTAIN SAID STORAGE CLOSET.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED THE VENTILATION COVER ABOVE THE COUNTER IN THE FOOD PREP AREA WITH DUST ACCUMULATION. INSTURCTED TO CLEAN SAID VENTILATION COVER AND MAINTAIN.; PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED & CLEAN - Comments: OBSERVED A WHITE CORD HANGING FROM THE WALL AT THE TOILET ROOM AND FURNACE ROOM NEAR THE INFANT ROOM. INSTRUCTED TO REPAIR SAID CORD AND MAINTAIN.; ADEQUATE VENTILATION & LIGHTING; DESIGNATED AREAS USED - Comments: OBSERVED A MISSING LIGHT BULB IN THE FOOD PREP AREA NEAR THE EXIT DOOR. INSTRUCTEDTO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN..
Fecal-oral transmission of pathogens occurs when hands are not properly washed after restroom use. The CDC reports that temperature abuse is a factor in many foodborne illness outbreaks. Cross-contamination from raw foods to ready-to-eat items often occurs through unwashed hands.
This inspection data is sourced directly from Chicago Department of Public Health. For the most current information, please visit the official health department website.
Federal Guidelines: Our reporting follows standards established by the FDA Food Code, CDC Food Safety Guidelines, and USDA Food Safety Standards.
📖 Food Safety Codes: Reference the specific regulations that govern this establishment: Chicago Food Code, FDA Food Code 2022
⚠️ Important Note: Restaurant conditions can change rapidly. This inspection represents a snapshot in time and may not reflect current conditions. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking recent reviews or contacting the establishment directly.
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