JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – How do you know the child care facilities you use follow the rules?
News4Jax is beginning a new investigative segment reviewing inspection reports from the Department of Children and Families and alerting you to violations among day cares.
We're also bringing you the good news of child care businesses making the grade from local inspectors.
John Harrell from Department of Children and Families explained the process for investigators and the day care operators.
What we see in these multi-point inspections only reflects facilities, not home child care operations.
"We owe it to the children of the state to make sure they are safe at these facilities," Harrell said. "We also want to make sure, the people working at these facilities have completed their background checks so we know they're safe to be around children and additionally to know they've completed their trainings to know how to deal with emergencies that may come up with as well."
Child care facilities submit to unannounced inspections at least three times a year.
More than 60 items are on the list, covering several safety concerns.
In Jacksonville, these facilities have a capacity of about 50,000 children.
And while there are three "classes" of violation, the most dangerous errors probably will not be found in these reports. But Harrell said these reports are still important.
"Because you can't put a price tag on child safety," Harrell said. "So even if there are violations that seem smaller than others, we take all violations very seriously."
This week, among the 20 reports News4Jax reviewed, half displayed violations.
They included Fullerton Child Care & Education Services on Lenox Avenue in Jacksonville, which had three violations, including a shovel, bags of trash and a wheel barrow accessible when children were outdoors playing.
The inspection happened Aug. 20.
Simonette Swain, who runs Fullerton, told News4Jax she handled the problems right away.
Inspectors reported eight violations at Ivy League Academy in Fleming Island one week ago, on Sept. 4. Those violations range from an outdoor equipment maintenance issue to paperwork trouble on background screenings.
Mulberry Lane Childcare on College Drive in Orange Park came away with eight violations as well.
A student health examination form wasn't available, bathroom facilities weren't cleaned, and the playground needed mulch, among other items.
"That's an indication how properly the facility is being run," Harrell said. "When it comes to children, you've gotta be able to get all the things right."
Empowering Kids Christian Academy on Soutel Drive had one violation related to employee training.
Jumping Jax Child Development Center in Hilliard had three violations, all related to the facility's physical environment, including issues in the toddler bathroom and outdoor play area.
New Beginning Day Care Center on West Edgewood Avenue and Total Learning Center on Barnes Road each had one violation related to record keeping on student health examination forms.
Mandarin Presbyterian Preschool on Mandarin Road had one violation regarding a lack of supervision when young children went to the bathroom.
Little Saints Child Care Center on Emerson Street had one violation related to unsanitary bedding for children.
Around The Clock Kid Care and Preschool on Southside Boulevard had one violation regarding documentation on accident or incident notifications.
Ten facilities had no violations:
- Kidsville 2000 on Soutel Drive
- Little Temples Child Center on Merrill Road
- Childtime Children's Center in Orange Park.
- YMCA Pryme Time at Argyle Elementary in Orange Park
- Cinderella Child Development Center on East 27th Street
- Dayspring Christian Academy and Preschool on Dunn Avenue
- T's Learning Center on Beach Boulevard
- Bethlehem Lutheran Preschool on Palm Circle
- Bright Start School and Daycare in Orange Park
- Young Heart PK-2 on North Main Street
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 then select "Provider Search" to search for any local child care facility.