JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – With schools officially out for the summer, many parents are searching for day cares for their little ones. The Department of Children and Families recently inspected 10 local facilities, and seven of them missed the mark.
One of them may even lose its license if the owner doesn't make staffing changes.
Wayman Early Learning Academy on the Westside received seven violations during a routine inspection. The facility was placed on a provisional license at the end of February because the Academy did not have a director credentialed. Day cares are required to have at least one licensed director.
Counselors notified the owner that if a credentialed director is not hired by August, DCF will revoke the owner's license and the day care could close.
During the inspection, counselors also found that current shot records were missing for the kids at the day care.
The director was not available when News4Jax visited and has not yet returned calls requesting comment.
The Salvation Army Child Development Center Downtown received five violations during its last inspection.
According to the report, two mats in the 3- and 4-year-old rooms had foam exposure, preventing the staff from properly sanitizing the bedding. The staff removed the mats during the inspection.
The facility was also cited for several paperwork-related issues and is working with DCF to fix the problems.
Kids World Academy of Florida in the Riverside area had three violations during a routine inspection.
According to the report, counselors found cans with paint inside on the playground. The report also noted several of those cans were covered with dripping paint that spilled near the building, which could pose a hazard to the kids.
The facility was recently painted, but counselors told the staff that the paint needed to be properly disposed of, or there will be a re-inspection.
Complete list of recent violations:
Wayman Early Learning Academy on Labelle Street
- Written record of fire drills was not completed and did not include one drill during napping/sleeping times, one drill using alternative routes, or one in the presence of the licensing authority. Log updated during inspection.
- No documentation, maintained for a year, that routine inspections were conducted at least every other month of all supports, above and below the ground, all connectors, and moving parts. Log updated during the inspection.
- The facility did not have documentation to show enrollment in the introductory course in child care for a staff member.
- Child care facility was placed on provisional license on Feb. 28, due to no employee having a Director Credential. The provisional license will expire on Aug. 27. If the child care facility has not hired a person with a Director Credential by the expiration date, then the department's intent is to revoke the child care facility's license.
- Current immunization forms missing for the children.
- Personnel record did not include a signed Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements Form. Completed during inspection.
- The Affidavit of Good Moral Character was not completed prior to date of hire. Completed during inspection.?
The Salvation Army Child Development Center on North Ocean Street
- Counselor observed two mats in the 3- and 4-year-old's rooms that had foam exposure, thus preventing staff from correctly sanitizing the mats after each use. Provider removed the mats from the classroom prior to nap time.
- Staff did not have documentation for the required fire extinguisher training.
- New staff missing Employee Supplemental Statement.
- New staff missing abuse and neglect reporting form. Completed during inspection.
- The Affidavit of Good Moral Character was not completed before date of hire.
Kids World Academy of Florida on Oak Street
- Facility's log for children transported did not include the following elements: driver's initials and time verifying all children got out of the vehicle, and second staff member's initials and time confirming visual sweep that no child was left on the vehicle.
- There are empty cans with some paint left inside on the playground. The cans are covered with dripping paint that also spilled in the corner of the playground near the building. May pose hazard to the children. Facility was recently painted, but proper disposal of the paint was not completed.
- New staff missing abuse and neglect reporting form. Completed during inspection.
The Learning Experience at Jacksonville Oakleaf on Oakleaf Village Parkway
- Training transcript not on file for staff member. The provider printed a copy at the time of inspection.
- Two-year employment history verification for staff member was not documented. Provider documented verification during time of inspection.
Pampered Prodigy Early Learning Center on West Ashley Street
- Bottles were not labeled with child's first and last name. Counselor observed staff member label bottles with the child's first and last names during inspection.
- New staff missing abuse and neglect reporting form. Completed during inspection.
Montessori Tides School on Penman Road in Jacksonville Beach
- Staff member did not conduct a five-year background re-screen. Staff member was not at the facility during the inspection.
Chappell Schools, Inc. on Riverplace Boulevard
- Date that staff member signed Affidavit of Good Moral Character was after she started working at facility. Paperwork corrected during inspection.
Day cares with no violations in their latest inspections:
- Little Bundles of Joy on East 43rd Street
- Juzt Kidz Learning Center Inc. on Winton Drive
- Primrose School of Glen Kernan on Hodges Boulevard
Each week, News4Jax will review reports provided by DCF. To report concerns or complaints about a child care facility, call 904-485-9564.
You can also go to http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-care/parent-resources and select "Provider Search" to search for recent inspections for any local child care facility.