The Little Prospector
1802 South Ironwood Drive, Apache Junction, AZ
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A.J.U.S.D.#43 - The Early Learning Center Daycare is a licensed child care center in Apache Junction, Arizona. It is licensed by the state, for up to 128 children.
It describes a Play-based approach, with before-school care, preschool, special-needs / inclusion care and toddler care. It says it provides meals.
Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing made 4 visits in the last 3 years and cited 18 rules across 3 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.
Hours
Programs
| Ages | Age 1-5 & Preschool-5th grade |
|---|---|
| Programs | Before-school care, preschool, special-needs / inclusion care and toddler care |
| Approach | Play-based |
| Daily life | Meals provided |
| Parent updates | Parent app (ParentSquare) |
| Licensed capacity | 128 childrenFrom the state license |
Cost
A.J.U.S.D.#43 - The Early Learning Center Daycare has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Pinal County has a median price of $209 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).
State record
4 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Jan 20, 2026: 10 rules cited
Rules cited on 3 of 4 visits · 18 rules in all
For comparison: 96% of Arizona daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 12.
A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
Own this daycare? Add your response to the state record
AAC R9-5-516.B.3. B. If prescription or nonprescription medications are administered, a licensee shall ensure that: 3. A facility director, or a staff member designated in writing by the facility director, does not administer a medication to an enrolled child unless the facility receives written authorization signed by the enrolled child’s parent or health care provider that includes the: a. Name of the enrolled child; b. Type of the medication; c. Prescription number, if any; d. Instructions for administration specifying the: i. Dosage and route of administration; ii. If indicated, starting and ending dates of the dosage period; and iii. Times and frequency of administration; e. Reason for the medication; and f. Date of authorization; and
“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, the written authorization form for Child #1 lacked documentation of the prescription number.”
AAC R9-5-516.B.4. B. If prescription or nonprescription medications are administered, a licensee shall ensure that: 4. A staff member: a. Administers a prescription medication provided by a parent only from a container dispensed by a pharmacy; b. Administers a nonprescription medication provided by a parent for an enrolled child only from a container prepackaged and labeled for use by the manufacturer and labeled with the enrolled child’s name; c. Does not administer any medication that has been transferred from one container to another; and d. Does not administer a nonprescription medication to an enrolled child inconsistent with the instructions on the nonprescription medication’s label, unless the facility receives written authorization from the enrolled child’s health care provider.
“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, it was determined that Child #1’s prescription medication lacked the original container as dispensed by a pharmacy.”
AAC R9-5-203.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that each staff member submits to the licensee a copy of the staff member’s valid fingerprint clearance card each time the fingerprint clearance card is issued or renewed every five years.
“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, the file for Staff #1's (DOE 2/12/2025) fingerprint card expired on 11/20/2025.”
AAC R9-5-516.H. H. Except as provided in subsection (J), a licensee shall ensure that prescription and nonprescription medications are stored as follows: 1. An enrolled child’s medication is kept in a locked, leak-proof storage cabinet or container that is used only for storing enrolled children’s medications and is located out of reach of children; 2. Medication for a staff member is kept in a locked, leak-proof storage cabinet or container that is separate from the storage container for enrolled children’s medications and is located out of reach of children; and 3. Medications requiring refrigeration are kept in a locked leak-proof container in a refrigerator.
“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, in Classroom F606 (3-5 year-old-children), Child #1's medication was located in a pouch of the child's backpack.”
AAC R9-5-501.A.18. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 18. Except as provided in subsection (A)(20), the following are stored separate from food storage areas and are inaccessible to an enrolled child: a. All materials and chemicals labeled as a toxic or flammable substance; b. All substances that have a child warning label and may be a hazard to a child; and c. Lawn mowers, ladders, toilet brushes, plungers, and other facility equipment that may be a hazard to a child;
“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, on the Toddler Playground, there was a spray bottle of rubbing alcohol located on the red cart accessible to enrolled children.”
AAC R9-5-309.C. C. A licensee shall maintain on facility premises: 1. A current fire inspection report including documentation of any repairs or corrections required by the fire inspection report; and 2. If there are gas pipes that run from a gas meter to an appliance or location on the facility premises, a current gas inspection report including documentation of any repairs or corrections required by the gas inspection report.
“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that the Licensee lacked documentation of a current violation-free fire inspection report as required.”
AAC R9-5-501.A.12. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 12. The facility premises, including the buildings, are maintained free from hazards;
“Findings: Based on Compliance Officers' observations, the following hazards were observed on the facility playgrounds: Mid-Playground: *There was active rust on the large metal shade poles.”
AAC R9-5-515.F. F. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. A dated, written notice of the communicable disease or infestation is prepared and posted in the facility’s entrance as required by R9-5-303; 2. Documentation of the notification is maintained on facility premises for 12 months from the date of the notification; and 3. Documentation of the absences of staff members and enrolled children due to a communicable disease or infestation listed in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 2, Table 2.2, is prepared and maintained on facility premises for 12 months from the first date of absence.
“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, the Licensee lacked documentation of the Accident, Illness, and Infestation Log.”
AAC R9-5-605.B.9. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 9. Fans are mounted and inaccessible to an enrolled child;
“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in Classroom F 604 ( 3-5 year-old children), there was a fan located on the floor, not mounted located near the teacher's desk.”
AAC R9-5-603.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that the following is provided and maintained within the fall zones of swings and climbing equipment in an outdoor activity area: 1. A shock-absorbing unitary surfacing material manufactured for such use in outdoor activity areas; or 2. A minimum depth of 6 inches of a non-hazardous, resilient material such as fine loose sand or wood chips.
“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observation, the outdoor activity area lacked the following resilient surfacing: *5 of the required 6 inches of sand in the fall zones of the yellow slide, brown steps, and brown slide. *4 of the required 6 inches of sand in the fall zone of the twisted slide.”
AAC R9-5-605.B.5. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 5. Electrical extension cords are not used;
“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1’s observation, in Classroom #F605, there was an electrical extension cord along the East wall.”
AAC R9-5-603.E. E. A licensee shall ensure that the following is provided and maintained within the fall zones of swings and climbing equipment in an outdoor activity area:1. A shock-absorbing unitary surfacing material manufactured for such use in outdoor activity areas; or 2. A minimum depth of 6 inches of a non-hazardous, resilient material such as fine loose sand or wood chips.
“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1’s observation, the outdoor activity area lacked the following resilient surfacing: Large Playground: *5 of the required 6 inches of sand in the fall zones of the yellow slide. *5 1/2 inch of the required 6 inches of sand in the fall zones of the tubular climber and the spring riding toys.”
AAC R9-5-306.A. A. A licensee shall maintain a dated attendance form containing an enrolled child’s name with the time of each admission and release of the enrolled child. 1. Except as provided in subsection (A)(2), a licensee shall ensure that the attendance form is signed with at least a first initial of an individual’s first name and the individual’s last name by each enrolled child’s parent or individual designated by the enrolled child’s parent, each time the enrolled child is admitted or released. 2. An electronic fingerprint verification or an electronic signature may be used in place of a signature of the enrolled child’s parent or designated individual to admit or release the enrolled child. 3. If an electronic signature is used to admit or release the enrolled child, the licensee shall adopt policies and procedures to ensure that the individual whose signature the electronic or digital method of identification represents is accountable for the use of the electronic or digital method; 4. A licensee shall develop, document, and implement policies and procedures to ensure that the identity of an individual is known to the staff member or is verified with picture identification before releasing an enrolled child to the individual. 5. A licensee shall not release the enrolled child to an individual other than the enrolled child’s parent or other individual designated in writing by the enrolled child’s parent except when the enrolled child’s parent is unable to collect the enrolled child and authorizes the licensee by telephone to release the enrolled child to an individual not so designated. a. The licensee shall verify the telephone authorization using a means of verification that has been agreed upon between the licensee and the enrolled child’s parent at the time of enrollment. b. The licensee shall document the means of verification in subsection (A)(5)(a) on the enrolled child’s Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card. 6. A licensee shall not permit the self-admission or self-release of an enrolled child unless the enrolled child is of school age and the licensee has obtained and verified written permission from the enrolled child’s parent. 7. A licensee shall maintain the attendance form on facility premises for 12 months after the date of attendance.
“Findings: Based on facility documentation and Compliance Officer #1’s observation, it was determined that 4 out of 5 enrolled children's attendance forms lacked the following information: Child #2; Child #3; Child # 5: Sign-in/out signatures were initials only in March. Child #4: An admission signature and time for March 25, 2024, and March 28, 2024.”
AAC R9-5-503.A.2. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains:2. A hand-washing sink next to the diaper changing surface for staff use when changing diapers and for washing an enrolled child during or after diapering that provides: a. Running water between 86° F and 110° F, b. Soap from a dispenser, and c. Single-use paper hand towels from a dispenser;
“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observation, in the Infant room, the temperature of the diaper changing sink was 112.8° F. rather than 86° F to 110° F. as required. In the Toddler classroom, the temperature of the diaper changing sink was 111.9° F. rather than 86° F to 110° F. as required”
AAC R9-5-501.C.9. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:9. Does the following when a parent permits or asks a staff member to apply personal products on an enrolled child, such as petroleum jelly, diaper rash ointments, sun screen or sun block preparations, toothpaste, and baby diapering preparations: a. Obtains the enrolled child’s personal products from the enrolled child’s parent or, if the licensee provides the personal products for use by the enrolled child, obtains written approval for use of the products from the enrolled child’s parent; b. Labels the personal products with the enrolled child’s name; and c. Keeps the personal products inaccessible to enrolled children;
“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer #2's observation, in the Toddler room, there were 5 out of 10 wipes with first names only.”
AAC R9-5-501.C.1. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Supervises each enrolled child at all times;
“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #2's observation, upon arrival to the Preschool classroom, 3 children were alone in the hall placing items in their back packets with no adult supervision.”
AAC R9-5-306.B. B. A licensee shall: 1. Develop, document, and implement policies and procedures to ensure that a staff member maintains daily documentation of the presence of an enrolled child in an activity area that includes a method to account for any temporary absences of the enrolled child from the activity area, and 2. Maintain the documentation of the presence of enrolled children in an activity area required in subsection (B)(1) on facility premises for 12 months after the date of the documentation.
“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, it was determined that the roster in the Toddler classroom did not reflect the number of children present (6 children present, 5 children listed on the roster).”
AAC R9-5-304.B. B. Except as required in A.R.S. § 36-3009, before an enrolled child receives child care services, a licensee shall require the enrolled child’s parent to complete a Department-provided Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card that is signed by the enrolled child’s parent containing: 1. The child’s name, home address, city, state, zip code, home telephone number, sex, and date of birth; 2. The date of the child’s enrollment; 3. The name, home address, city, state, zip code, and contact telephone number of each parent of the child; 4. The name and contact telephone number of at least two individuals authorized by the child’s parent to collect the child from the facility in case of emergency, or if the child’s parent cannot be contacted; 5. The name and contact telephone number of the child’s health care provider; 6. The written authorization for emergency medical care of the enrolled child when the parent cannot be contacted at the time of the emergency; 7. The name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child; 8. The written instructions of a child’s parent or health care provider for nutritional and dietary needs of the child including, if applicable, the request in R9-5-509(C)(9); and 9. A written record completed by the child’s parent or health care provider noting the child’s susceptibility to illness, physical conditions of which a staff member should be aware, and any individual requirements for health maintenance.
“Findings: Based on facility documentation and Compliance Officer #2’s observation, it was determined that 8 out of 18 enrolled children's Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record cards reviewed lacked the following required information: Child #1: The name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child. 7 children: The children in the developmental classrooms did not have a completed Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card.”
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1802 South Ironwood Drive, Apache Junction, AZ
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FAQ
Yes. Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing lists it as licensed and operating.
Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing lists the most recent visit on January 20, 2026, with 10 rules cited. It lists 4 visits in the last 3 years.
Yes. Inspectors cited 18 rules across 3 of 4 visits in the last 3 years. For comparison: 96% of Arizona daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 12. A cited rule is what an inspector found on the day of a visit. It is not a rating of the daycare today.
128, the licensed capacity on the state record.
Its hours are not listed. Call (480) 677-7570 to confirm.
It has not listed its tuition. Call (480) 677-7570 to ask.
(480) 677-7570.
550 South Ironwood Drive, Apache Junction, AZ 85120. The nearest other daycare we list is Aisling Village, 0.1 miles away.