Lead Testing for Daycare in Illinois: Child and Water Rules

Updated November 2026.

Illinois daycares, preschools and kindergartens must ask parents of children ages 6 months through 6 years for a statement from a doctor or health care provider showing the child has been checked for lead. Since July 1, 2026, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) calls for all Illinois children to have a blood lead test at 12 and 24 months, not just children in high-risk ZIP codes.

Here is what the rules say, what the daycare health form needs, and what to ask about lead in a center's drinking water.

Why lead testing matters for young children

Lead can harm a young child's growing brain, and most children with lead in their blood show no signs. A blood test is the only way to know. IDPH says there is no safe level of lead in the blood. Babies and toddlers are at higher risk because they crawl, put things in their mouths and absorb lead more easily. Common sources include dust from old paint in homes built before 1978, soil and some imported products.

The new Illinois testing rule

• Before July 1, 2026, automatic blood lead testing at 12 and 24 months applied to children living in IDPH's high-risk ZIP codes.
• Since July 1, 2026, all Illinois children are to be tested at 12 and 24 months, wherever they live.
• All children 6 and younger are also to be assessed for lead exposure with IDPH's Childhood Lead Risk Questionnaire during well-child visits.

If your child missed a test, ask your pediatrician at the next visit. Children living in Chicago may have additional city testing guidance, so ask your doctor.

What daycare needs from you

Illinois law directs child care facilities, preschools and kindergartens to require each parent of a child 6 months through 6 years to provide a statement from a physician or health care provider that the child has been assessed or screened for lead. In practice, this is usually part of the health examination form your doctor fills out for enrollment.

Illinois licensing rules for day care centers (23 Ill. Adm. Code 2008.310) also require a medical report on file, dated no more than 6 months before enrollment for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Ask your doctor to complete the lead section at the same visit. Our guide to Illinois daycare immunization requirements covers the rest of the form.

Lead in daycare drinking water

Under the Illinois Child Care Act (225 ILCS 10/5.9), licensed day care centers, day care homes and group day care homes built on or before January 1, 2000 that serve children under 6 must test their water for lead under state rules. If results are high, the facility has to tell parents and take steps to reduce exposure.

Questions you can ask on a tour:

• When was the building built?
• Has the water been tested for lead? Can I see the results?
• Which taps are used for drinking and for preparing food and bottles?
• What was done if any tap tested high?

For more tour questions, see our daycare tour questions guide.

Lowering lead risk at home

• Wash hands before meals and after outdoor play.
• Wipe windowsills and floors with a damp cloth in older homes, and keep children away from peeling paint.
• Use cold tap water for drinking and for mixing formula.
• Feed regular meals with foods rich in iron and calcium.
• Talk to your pediatrician if you are renovating an older home.

Frequently asked questions

Does my child need a lead test for daycare in Illinois?

Daycares must ask for a provider's statement that your child, if 6 months through 6 years, has been screened or assessed for lead. Under IDPH's new standard, all children are to be blood tested at 12 and 24 months.

When should my child be tested for lead?

IDPH calls for blood lead tests at 12 and 24 months for all Illinois children since July 1, 2026, plus a lead risk questionnaire at well-child visits through age 6.

Do Illinois daycares test their water for lead?

Licensed facilities built on or before January 1, 2000 that serve children under 6 must test their drinking water for lead under Illinois law.

What if my child's lead level is high?

Your pediatrician and local health department will guide next steps, which can include retesting, finding the source of lead and follow-up care. Tell your daycare director so they can help with any steps at the center.

Enrolling at Children's Land

Children's Land has 12 locations in Glenview, Park Ridge, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Lincolnshire, Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Chicago. Care starts at 6 weeks in our infant program. Ask your location for the enrollment health forms. Find a location or contact us to schedule a tour.

Related reading: Illinois Daycare Immunization Requirements by Age.