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Child care center 

Desert Dawn Private School

15815 North 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 850324.7· 29 reviews
licensed capacity
99
open each week
5 days
a week, county median
$270

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Desert Dawn Private School

Desert Dawn Private School is a licensed child care center in Phoenix, Arizona. It is licensed by the state, for up to 99 children.

It is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. It describes its programs: pre-k, preschool and toddler care.

Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing made 2 visits in the last 3 years and cited 9 rules across 2 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

Preschool / pre-K
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio, teacher qualifications and whether it accepts child care subsidies.
Type
Child care center
Ages
18 months to 5 years
Hours today
Closed today
Licensed capacity
99 children

Hours

Hours

Monday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Wednesday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Friday6:30 AM to 6:00 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayTodayNot listed

Programs

Programs and care

Ages18 months to 5 years
ProgramsPre-K, preschool and toddler care
SafetyOutdoor playground
MoreFounded 1987
Licensed capacity99 childrenFrom the state license
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

Desert Dawn Private School has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Maricopa County has a median price of $270 a week (U.S. Department of Labor, 2022).

Ask the daycare for its ratesIt has not listed its tuition. The county medians below are a starting point.
Maricopa County medians, full time, per week

Infant

Center$270
Home daycare$180

Toddler

Center$210
Home daycare$171

Preschool

Center$210
Home daycare$171

School age

Center$175
Home daycare$150

County median full-time prices at centers and home daycares, U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices, 2022 (the latest year). Not this daycare's rates; prices have risen since.

State record

Inspection reports for Desert Dawn Private School

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Licensed Child Care Center
Capacity
99 children
License number
#CDC-5444
See the state's record

Summary

2 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Oct 7, 2025: 3 rules cited

Rules cited on 2 of 2 visits · 9 rules in all

  • Health, medication and illness 4
  • Building, equipment and play areas 3
  • Safety and hazards 1
  • Records and paperwork 1

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

See all 3 visits
  1. Oct 7, 2025Inspection3 rules cited
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      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 observations, the Playground lacked 3.5” - 5.5” of the required 6” of resilient surface (sand) in the fall zones of the climbing equipment and black tires.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      AAC R9-5-516.G. G. A licensee shall return all unused prescription and nonprescription medications to a parent when the medication prescription date has expired or the medication is no longer being administered to the enrolled child or dispose of the medication if unable to locate the enrolled child's parent after the child's disenrollment.

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, Child #1's medication expired 6.2.2025.”
    • Safety and hazards

      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 the Compliance Officer's observations, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: Art room (3-5s) toilet room: There was a loose toilet seat. Outdoor sink: There was sharp and broken wood below the sink.”
  2. Oct 17, 2024Inspection6 rules cited
    • Health, medication and illness

      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 the Compliance Officer's observation, Child #1's medication form lacked the prescription number and the end date.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      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 the Compliance Officer's observation, the prescription medication for Child #1 was in a bag and not in a container dispensed by a pharmacy.”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      AAC R9-5-603.C. C. Except as provided in subsection (D), a licensee shall ensure that an outdoor activity area:1. Is enclosed by a fence: a. A minimum of 4 feet high; b. Secured to the ground; and c. With either vertical or horizontal open spaces on the fence or gate that do not exceed 4.0 inches; 2. Is maintained free from hazards, such as exposed concrete footings and broken toys; and 3. Has gates that are kept closed while an enrolled child is in the outdoor activity area

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations of 2 outdoor activity areas, on the Preschool playground, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: *There were 2 exposed cement footings protruding through the sand attached to a shade structure. *There was 14” of black irrigation line exposed and protruding upward through the sand. *There was rust with peeling metal on a pipe attached to the west wall.”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      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 the Compliance Officer's observations of 2 outdoor activity areas, the following was observed: Toddler playground: There was hard surfacing on the rubber mats located around the climbing structure. Preschool playground lacked: * 3” of the required 6” of sand in the fall zones of the black tire swing. * 4” of 6" of sand in the fall zones of the fireman pole. * The sand was hard-packed at the base of the white slide and stairs. * 3.5” of 6” of sand in the fall zones of the tall white slide. * 5.5” of 6” of sand in the fall zones of the jungle gym and white helicopter.”
    • Records and paperwork

      AAC R9-5-302. A. A licensee shall prepare a written statement of child care services provided by the licensee that includes the following:1. A description of the facility’s child care services classifications in R9-5-204; 2. Hours of operation; 3. The facility’s street address, city, state, zip code, mailing address, and telephone number; 4. Child enrollment and disenrollment procedures; 5. Charges, fees, and payment requirements for child care services; 6. Child admission and release requirements; 7. Age-appropriate discipline guidelines and methods; 8. Transportation procedures; 9. Field trip requirements and procedures; 10. Responsibilities and participation of parents in facility activities; 11. A general description of activities and programs; 12. A description of the liability insurance required by R9-5-308 that is carried by the licensee and a statement that documentation of the liability insurance coverage is available for review on the facility premises; 13. Medication administration procedures; 14. Accident and emergency procedures; 15. A notice stating inspection reports are available on-site; 16. A provision stating that the facility is regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services including the Department’s local street address, city, state, zip code, and local telephone number; 17. The procedures for notifying a parent at least 48 hours before a pesticide is applied on a facility’s premises; and 18. A statement that a parent has access to the areas on facility premises where the parent’s enrolled child is receiving child care services. B. A licensee shall provide a copy of the written statement of child care services: 1. To the Department: a. Before the facility receives a license, and b. Every 12 months after the date of the license as required by A.R.S. § 36-883.01; and 2. To a parent when the parent requests a copy of the written statement of child care services.

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, the statement of services lacked a statement that a parent has access to the areas on facility premises where the parent's enrolled child is receiving child care services.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      AAC R9-5-512.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that toilet bowls, lavatory fixtures, and floors in toilet rooms and kitchens are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain them in a clean and sanitized condition or at least once every 24 hours.

      “Findings: Based on the the Compliance Officer's observations, in the Playground toilet room, there was cracked/chipped laminate on the counter to the right of the sink.”
  3. Oct 18, 2023Inspection7 rules cited
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      AAC R9-5-603.C. C. Except as provided in subsection (D), a licensee shall ensure that an outdoor activity area: 1. Is enclosed by a fence: a. A minimum of 4 feet high; b. Secured to the ground; and c. With either vertical or horizontal open spaces on the fence or gate that do not exceed 4.0 inches; 2. Is maintained free from hazards, such as exposed concrete footings and broken toys; and 3. Has gates that are kept closed while an enrolled child is in the outdoor activity area

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's and the Assistant Director's observations, numerous sharp screwheads protruded from the floor of the porch of the playhouse that is located in the toddler playground area.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      AAC R9-5-516.G. G. A licensee shall return all unused prescription and nonprescription medications to a parent when the medication prescription date has expired or the medication is no longer being administered to the enrolled child or dispose of the medication if unable to locate the enrolled child's parent after the child's disenrollment

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's and the Assistant Director's observations, a child’s medication had expired in 8/2022.”
    • Safety and hazards

      AAC R9-5-514. C. C. A licensee shall: 1. Prepare and date a written fire and emergency plan that contains: a. The location of the first aid kit; b. The names of staff members who have the first aid training required by R9-5-403(E); c. The names of staff members who have the CPR training required by R9-5-403(E); d. The directions for: i. Initiating verbal notification of an enrolled child’s parent by telephone or other equally expeditious means within 30 minutes of a fire or emergency; and ii. Providing written notification to the enrolled child’s parent within 24 hours; and e. The facility’s street address and the emergency telephone numbers for the local fire department, police department, ambulance service, and poison control center; 2. Maintain the plan required in subsection (C)(1) in a location on facility premises that has an operable telephone service or two-way voice communication system that connects the facility with an individual who has direct access to an in-and-out operable telephone service; 3. Post the plan required in subsection (C)(1) in any indoor activity area that does not have an operable telephone service or two-way voice communication system that connects the indoor activity area with an individual who has direct access to an in-and-out operable telephone services; and 4. Update the plan in subsection (C)(1) every 12 months after the date of initial preparation of the plan or when any information changes.

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's and the Assistant Director's observations, the Emergency plan that was posted in the rooms was dated 11/2021 and had not been updated in the last 12 months.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      AAC R9-5-514. A. A. A licensee shall ensure that there is a first aid kit on facility premises that contains first aid supplies in a quantity sufficient to meet the needs of the enrolled children including the following: 1. Sterile bandages including: a. Adhesive bandages of assorted sizes, b. Sterile gauze pads, and c. Sterile gauze rolls; 2. Antiseptic solution or sealed antiseptic wipes; 3. A pair of scissors; 4. Adhesive tape; 5. Single-use, non-porous gloves; and 6. Reclosable plastic bags of at least one-gallon size.

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's and the Assistant Director's observations, the first aid kit lacked the second required roll of gauze.”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      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 the Compliance Officer's and the Assistant Director's observations, the sand measured the following depths in the fall zones in the outdoor activity area: *1 of the required 6 inches under the stairs; *3 of the required 6 inches under the wooden ramp; and *4 of the required 6 inches at the base of the slide and under the hanging bars.”
    • Discipline and child guidance

      AAC R9-5-501.C.5. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 5. Except as provided in subsection (D), prepares and posts a dated lesson plan in each indoor activity area for each calendar week, which is maintained on facility premises for 12 months after the lesson plan date and provides opportunities for each child to: a. Gain a positive self-concept; b. Develop and practice social skills; c. Think, reason, question, and experiment; d. Acquire language skills; e. Develop physical coordination skills; f. Participate in structured large muscle physical activity; g. Develop habits that meet health, safety, and nutritional needs; h. Express creativity; i. Learn to respect cultural diversity of children and staff; j. Learn self-help skills; and k. Develop a sense of responsibility and independence;

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's and the Assistant Director's observations, the media room lacked a posted lesson plan.”
    • Safety and hazards

      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 and the Assistant Director's observations, an unmounted tower fan was on the floor in the media room and was accessible to the children who were present.”

Copied from Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing on October 2, 2026; the state's records start around Sep 2023. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

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FAQ

Questions about Desert Dawn Private School

Is Desert Dawn Private School licensed?

Yes. Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing lists it as licensed and operating.

When was Desert Dawn Private School last inspected?

Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing lists the most recent visit on October 7, 2025, with 3 rules cited. It lists 2 visits in the last 3 years.

Has Desert Dawn Private School had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 9 rules across 2 of 2 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.

How many children can Desert Dawn Private School care for?

99, the licensed capacity on the state record.

What are Desert Dawn Private School's hours?

Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Desert Dawn Private School cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (602) 493-5340 to ask.

What is Desert Dawn Private School's phone number?

(602) 493-5340.

Where is Desert Dawn Private School?

15815 North 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85032. The nearest other daycare we list is Aldea Montessori School, 0.1 miles away.

Sources: Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing (license and visits) · U.S. Department of Labor, 2022 (county prices).