JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Children left alone and unsafe playgrounds are just a couple problems state inspectors found at local day care centers this month. The Florida Department of Children and Families inspects day care centers each week to make sure children are safe.
Of dozens of recent day care reports, News4Jax found that several received violations. Directors of some of those day cares cited said they made immediate changes to be compliant with DCF standards.
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Daystar Academy and Learning Center, on Lone Star Road, received six violations during its latest inspection.
According to the report, counselors found a large gap between the fence and the wall facing the street in the playground area. Counselors were concerned that children can squeeze through the gap to the air conditioning unit, which has dangerous pipes and wiring.
Daystar was also cited after a staff member without valid CPR certification was alone in the day care with children.
The director said the staff member knew CPR, but took the class online, which DCF does not count as valid certification. All of the other violations were corrected and the day care passed a follow-up inspection.
Kidz Quest Academy, on University Boulevard North, received five violations after a DCF counselor found nine 2-year-olds napping in a classroom without a staff member present. The counselor and owner kept an eye on the kids until that staff member returned from the kitchen area. That employee was told not to leave the kids alone again.
The director of Kids Quest Academy has not returned a call from News4Jax about the issue.
Little Bundles of Joy, on East 43rd Street, received five violations during its latest inspection because it didn't have the proper staff-to-child ratio. The report says one staff member was watching 11 children from infant to 4 years old. A ratio of 1 staff member to every 4 children is required by DCF.
The counselor also noted that staff member left all 11 children alone to answer the door.
Bundles of Joy's director said said she was on site during the inspection and was preparing meals at the time. She had to give DCF a written staff schedule to ensure the proper staff-to-child ratio, and the center passed a follow-up inspection.
You can also search the inspection reports of all day care centers in Florida by visiting Cares.MyFlFamilies.com.