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Child care center 

Developing Minds Academy

9659 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 852584.9· 74 reviews
licensed capacity
125
open each week
5 days
a week, county median
$270

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Developing Minds Academy

Developing Minds Academy is a licensed child care center in Scottsdale, Arizona. It is licensed by the state, for up to 125 children.

It is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. It describes a Play-based and STEM / STEAM approach, with infant care, part-time care, pre-k and preschool. It says it provides meals.

Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing made 5 visits in the last 3 years and cited 44 rules across 5 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

InfantsPreschool / pre-KMeals providedSTEM / STEAM
Ask when you call: rates, current openings, staff-to-child ratio and whether it accepts child care subsidies.
Type
Child care center
Ages
Ask the daycare
Hours today
Closed today
Licensed capacity
125 children

Hours

Hours

Monday7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Wednesday7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Friday7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayTodayNot listed
Hours it lists: “Mon-Fri 7:00 am-6:00 pm; Sat-Sun Closed”

Programs

Programs and care

ProgramsInfant care, part-time care, pre-k, preschool and toddler care
ApproachPlay-based, STEM / STEAM
EnrichmentMeditation and yoga
StaffProfessional caregivers trained in infant development
Daily lifeMeals provided; Snacks provided
Licensed capacity125 childrenFrom the state license
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

Developing Minds Academy 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 Developing Minds Academy

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Licensed Child Care Center
Capacity
125 children
License number
#CDC-17974
See the state's record

Summary

5 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Aug 7, 2026: 6 rules cited

Rules cited on 5 of 5 visits · 44 rules in all

  • Records and paperwork 11
  • Building, equipment and play areas 10
  • Health, medication and illness 7
  • Background checks 4
  • Safety and hazards 4
  • Supervision and ratios 3
  • Food and nutrition 2
  • Discipline and child guidance 1
  • Transportation 1
  • Staff training and qualifications 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.

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See all 5 visits
  1. Aug 7, 2026Inspection6 rules cited
    • Supervision and ratios

      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 the Compliance Officer and the Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the following attendance rosters did not accurately reflect the number of children in the room: 3s Room: There were 3 children present and 6 marked on the roster; and 1/2s Room: There were 9 children present and 3 marked on the roster.”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      AAC R9-5-603.B. B. 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 and the Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, on the Playground, there were large chunks of peeling paint on the lower section of the fence.”
    • 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 and the Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, on the Playground, two large black tires lacked 3" - 4" of the required 6" of resilient surfacing (sand) in the fall zones.”
    • Background checks

      AAC R9-5-203.A. A. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member completes, signs, dates, and submits to the licensee, before the staff member’s starting date of employment or volunteer service: 1. The form required in A.R.S. § 36-883.02(C); and 2. If required by A.R.S. § 8-804, the form in A.R.S. § 8-804(I).

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, the file for Staff #1 (DOE 8.3.2026) lacked a Central Registry Affidavit.”
    • Supervision and ratios

      AAC R9-5-301.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that a facility director: 1. Designates, in writing, an individual who meets the requirements of R9-5-401(2) to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility; 2. Supervises or assigns a child educator to supervise each staff member who does not meet the qualifications of R9-5-401(3); 3. Prepares a dated attendance record for each day and ensures that each staff member documents on the attendance record the time of each arrival and departure of the staff member; and 4. Maintains on the facility premises, the dated attendance record required in subsection (B)(3) for 12 months after the date on the attendance record.

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation, the Compliance Officer's observation, and staff statement, Staff #2 and Staff #3 lacked a dated attendance record since 6.29.2026. Staff stated they hadn't been recording their times.”
    • Records and paperwork

      AAC R9-5-303.A. A. A licensee shall post in a place that can be conspicuously viewed by individuals entering or leaving the facility or activity area, the: 1. Facility’s license; 2. Name of the facility director; 3. Name of the individual designated to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility, as prescribed by R9-5-301(B)(1); 4. Schedule of child care services fees and policy for refunding fees as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-882(P); 5. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack menus for each calendar week at the beginning of the calendar week; 6. Notice of the presence of any communicable disease or infestation listed in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 2, Table 2.2, from the date of discovery through the incubation period of the communicable disease or infestation; 7. Notice of the Department’s intent to deny, revoke, or suspend as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-888 at the expiration of time in the notice for the licensee to respond; 8. Notice of an intermediate sanction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-891.01 within 10 calendar days after the licensee received notice of the intermediate sanction; 9. Notice of a legal injunction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-886.01 when the licensee receives the legal injunction; and 10. Notice of the availability of facility inspection reports for public viewing at the facility premises.

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer and the Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the main posting area lacked the current facility's license. (The posted license expired 7.31.2025.)”
  2. Jun 24, 2026Inspection19 rules cited
    • 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 Officers’ observations, in the 2’s Room, there were two broken blue chairs with sharp edges. In the MPR, there was a fire extinguisher on a white shelf that tipped over when the Compliance Officer was reviewing the tag. In the Girls’ and Boys’ front and hallway toilet rooms, one of the toilet paper dispenser covers was missing, exposing sharp edges. **Previously cited: 7/28/23”
    • Discipline and child guidance

      AAC R9-5-501.B.6. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 6. For enrolled children five-years or younger, and except as provided in subsection (C), prepares, posts, and implements 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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officers’ observations, in the Toddler 1s Room and the 3s-School Age Room, the lesson plan only listed one activity per day. In the 2s Room, the lesson plan lacked a date. The lesson plan date indicated “Summer.””
    • Health, medication and illness

      AAC R9-5-503.A.3.4. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains: 3. At least one waterproof, sanitizable container with a waterproof liner and a tight fitting lid for soiled diapers; and 4. At least one waterproof, sanitizable container with a waterproof liner and a tight fitting lid for soiled clothing.

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers’ observations and staff statement, in the Toddler 1s Room, there were soiled diapers in an open container. Staff stated that the room had not been used yet this summer. **Previously cited: 7/28/23”
    • Food and nutrition

      AAC R9-5-509.A. A. A licensee that prepares food for enrolled children on facility premises shall, if required by 9 A.A.C. 8, Article 1, and the local ordinances of the local health department where the facility is located, obtain a food establishment permit issued under 9 A.A.C. 8, Article 1, and: 1. Submit to the Department a written notice of the facility’s food establishment permit before the Department issues a license to the facility, 2. Maintain the facility’s current food establishment permit on the facility’s premises, and 3 Provide a written notice of the facility’s current food establishment permit to the Department upon request.

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers’ observations, the facility lacked documentation of a current food permit.”
    • Food and nutrition

      AAC R9-5-509.C.21. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 21. A refrigerator at the child care facility maintains a temperature of 41° F or below and a freezer maintains a temperature of 0° F or below, as shown by a thermometer kept in the refrigerator and in the freezer at all times;

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers’ observations, in the kitchen, the temperature of the refrigerator measured 54 degrees Fahrenheit. In Room 2A (2s), there was no thermometer present in the freezer nor the refrigerator.”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      AAC R9-5-512.B. B. A licensee shall maintain facility premises and furnishings: 1. In a clean condition, and 2. Free from odor.

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers’ observations, in the outdoor activity area, there was bird feces all along the North sidewalk of the building, accessible to enrolled children. **Previously cited: 7/28/23”
    • Health, medication and illness

      AAC R9-5-516.B.1. B. If prescription or nonprescription medications are administered, a licensee shall ensure that: 1. A facility director, or a staff member designated in writing by the facility director, is responsible for the administration of all medications in the facility, including storing, supervising an enrolled child’s ingestion of a medication, and documenting all medications administered to an enrolled child;

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers’ observations, the facility lacked a staff member designated in writing who is responsible for the administration of medication. **Previously cited: 7/28/23”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      AAC R9-5-603.B. B. 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 Officers’ observations, the following hazards were present in the outdoor activity area: *A 2” x 1.5” hole with sharp plastic on the back side of a play sink set; *Sharp metal edges on 2 rolls of metal wire; *Chunks of peeling paint on a low retainer wall in multiple areas; *3 large and heavy pieces of a metal swing set that presented as a tripping hazard; *A 3’ splintered wooden post on the ground; and *2 soccer nets with large, gaping holes in the netting that was loose and were not attached to the structure. **Previously cited: 7/28/23 and 6/24/25”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      AAC R9-5-605.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. All designated exits, corridors, and passageways that provide escape from the building are unobstructed and unlocked during hours of operation;

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers’ observations, in the Toddler 1s Room, the designated exit to the exterior of the building was stuck, and the door could not be opened more than a few inches.”
    • Background checks

      AAC R9-5-203.C. C. Except as provided in A.R.S. § 41-1758.03, a licensee shall ensure that each staff member, before starting date of employment or volunteer service, submits to the licensee a copy of the staff member’s valid fingerprint clearance card, front and back, issued under A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 12, Article 3.1.

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observations of 6 staff files, the files for Staff #1 (DOE 12/11/2025) and Staff #2 (DOE 6/26/25) lacked copies of the front and back of their fingerprint clearance cards.”
    • Background checks

      AAC R9-5-203.G. G. As required by A.R.S. § 8-804, before an individual’s starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee shall comply with the submission requirements in A.R.S. § 8-804(C) for the individual.

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observations of 6 staff files, Staff #3 (DOE 4/2/2021) and Staff #4’s (DOE 8/21/2017) files lacked CBC submittal requirements.”
    • Records and paperwork

      AAC R9-5-302. 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. Guidelines for positive discipline reflective of age-appropriate methods for children that include clear, appropriate, consistent expectations; 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; 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; and 19. Policies and procedures for suspension and expulsion of children to include clear, appropriate, consistent expectations, including suspension and expulsion prevention strategies.

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers’ observations, the facility’s written statement of child care services lacked the following: *Child admission and release requirements; *A description of the facility’s child care services classifications; *The facility’s address; and *Accident and emergency procedures.”
    • Records and paperwork

      AAC R9-5-303.A. A. A licensee shall post in a place that can be conspicuously viewed by individuals entering or leaving the facility or activity area, the: 1. Facility’s license; 2. Name of the facility director; 3. Name of the individual designated to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility, as prescribed by R9-5-301(B)(1); 4. Schedule of child care services fees and policy for refunding fees as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-882(P); 5. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack menus for each calendar week at the beginning of the calendar week; 6. Notice of the presence of any communicable disease or infestation listed in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 2, Table 2.2, from the date of discovery through the incubation period of the communicable disease or infestation; 7. Notice of the Department’s intent to deny, revoke, or suspend as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-888 at the expiration of time in the notice for the licensee to respond; 8. Notice of an intermediate sanction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-891.01 within 10 calendar days after the licensee received notice of the intermediate sanction; 9. Notice of a legal injunction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-886.01 when the licensee receives the legal injunction; and 10. Notice of the availability of facility inspection reports for public viewing at the facility premises.

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers’ observations, the facility lacked a posted current license. The posted license expired on 7/31/2025. **Previously cited: 7/11/24 and 6/24/25”
    • Records and paperwork

      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 an Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record that is no more than a two-page written notice, and is signed by the enrolled child’s parent containing: 1. The child’s name, home address, sex, and date of birth; 2. The date of the child’s enrollment; 3. The name, home address, email address, and 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 the nutritional and dietary needs of the child including, if applicable, the request in R9-5-509(C)(14); 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 the Compliance Officers’ observations, 3 out of 20 children’s Emergency, Information, and Immunization Records lacked the following documentation: *Child #1, Child #2, and Child #3: The contact telephone number of the child’s health care provider. **Previously cited: 7/28/23”
    • Records and paperwork

      AAC R9-5-306.A. A. A licensee shall: 1. Maintain a dated attendance form containing an enrolled child’s name with the time of each admission and release, and the parent or staff member's signature or other unique identifier. 2. If an electronic signature is used to admit or release the enrolled child, 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; 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. Maintain the attendance form on facility premises for 12 months after the date of attendance.

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers’ observations, 3 out of 15 children’s attendance records lacked the following documentation: *Child #4: A time out and accompanying unique identifier for 6/3/2026 and 6/17/2026; *Child #5: A time out and accompanying unique identifier for 6/10/2026; and *Child #6: A time in and accompanying unique identifier for 6/10/2026. **Previously cited: 7/28/23 and 7/11/24”
    • Transportation

      AAC R9-5-308.A. A. A licensee shall secure and maintain the following minimum insurance coverage: 1. General facility liability insurance of at least $300,000; and 2. Motor vehicle insurance coverage, required by A.R.S. Title 28, Chapter 9, Article 4, for each motor vehicle provided by a licensee to transport enrolled children.

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers’ observations, the facility had an “illness release and waiver of claims” addendum in their policy, waiving them of liability.”
    • Safety and hazards

      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 Officers’ observations, the facility lacked documentation of a current fire inspection report. **Previously cited: 7/11/24”
    • Staff training and qualifications

      AAC R9-5-403.A. A. Within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee shall provide, and each staff member who provides child care services shall complete, training for new staff members that includes all of the following: 1. Facility philosophy and goals; 2. Names and ages of and developmental expectations for enrolled children for whom the staff member will provide child care services; 3. Health needs, nutritional requirements, any known allergies, and information about adaptive devices of enrolled children for whom the staff member will provide child care services; 4. Lesson plans; 5. Child guidance and methods of positive discipline, including separation; 6. Hand washing techniques; 7. Diapering techniques and toileting, if assigned to diaper changing duties; 8. Food preparation, service, sanitation, and storage, if assigned to food preparation; 9. If a staff member is assigned to feeding infants, the preparation, handling, and storage of infant formula and breast milk; 10. Recognition of signs of illness and infestation; 11. Child abuse or neglect detection, prevention, and reporting; 12. Accident and emergency procedures; 13. Staff responsibilities as required by A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 7.1, Article 1 and this Chapter; 14. Sun safety policies and procedures; 15. Safety in outdoor activity areas; 16. Transportation procedures, if applicable; 17. Field trip procedures, if applicable; 18. Infant tummy time, if applicable; 19. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and use of safe sleeping practices, if applicable; and 20. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome, pediatric abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment.

      “Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers’ observations, Staff #1 (DOE 12/11/2025) and Staff #2’s (DOE 6/26/2025) files lacked documentation of 10-day new staff training.”
    • 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 Officers’ observations, the following fall zones lacked sufficient resilient surfacing as required: *3” of the required 6” of sand in the fall zones of the East large tire and the South large tire. **Previously cited: 7/11/24 and 6/24/25”
  3. Jun 24, 2025Inspection7 rules cited
    • Records and paperwork

      AAC R9-5-303.A. A. A licensee shall post in a place that can be conspicuously viewed by individuals entering or leaving the facility or activity area, the:1. Facility’s license; 2. Name of the facility director; 3. Name of the individual designated to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility, as prescribed by R9-5-301(B)(1); 4. Schedule of child care services fees and policy for refunding fees as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-882(P); 5. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack menus for each calendar week at the beginning of the calendar week; 6. Notice of the presence of any communicable disease or infestation listed in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 2, Table 2, from the date of discovery through the incubation period of the communicable disease or infestation; 7. Notice of the Department’s intent to deny, revoke, or suspend as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-888 at the expiration of time in the notice for the licensee to respond; 8. Notice of an intermediate sanction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-891.01 within 10 calendar days after the licensee received notice of the intermediate sanction; 9. Notice of a legal injunction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-886.01 when the licensee receives the legal injunction; and 10. Notice of the availability of facility inspection reports for public viewing at the facility premises.

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the posted facility license had expired on 7/31/2024 and was not the current license.”
    • 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 Officers' observations and staff statement, the outdoor activity area was not enclosed by a 4-foot-high fence. Staff stated that the landlord began construction around the building in February 2025 and that the construction company had removed a section of the fence and the gate on the north-west side of the playground. The following hazards were observed on the playground: *The two wooden planters had rough, sharp splintering wood; and *Two nails were on the ground along the sidewalk path on the south side of the facility.”
    • 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 review of facility medications and the Compliance Officers' observations, a child's medication had expired on 5/13/2025.”
    • Safety and hazards

      AAC R9-5-501.A.19. A. A licensee shall ensure that:19. 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 Officers' observations, a container of Clorox wipes was stored on a shelf accessible to enrolled children in Rooms 106 and Room 111.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      AAC R9-5-503.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains:1. A nonabsorbent, sanitizable diaper changing surface that is: a. Seamless and smooth, and b. Kept clear of items not required for diaper changing;

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the following diaper changing areas were not kept clear of items not related to diaper changing: Room 101: There was a strainer in the diapering sink. Room 105: There was a dish and a clipboard on the diapering counter. Room 108: There was a puzzle, a stack of books, and 3 boxes of tissues on the diapering counter.”
    • Records and paperwork

      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 the Compliance Officers' observations and a review of the roster in Room 108, 8 children were present in the room but the roster indicated the presence of only 6 children.”
    • 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 Officers' observations, the fall zone under the green slide lacked 6" of resilient sand surfacing.”
  4. Jul 11, 2024Inspection11 rules cited
    • Records and paperwork

      AAC R9-5-303.A. A. A licensee shall post in a place that can be conspicuously viewed by individuals entering or leaving the facility or activity area, the:1. Facility’s license; 2. Name of the facility director; 3. Name of the individual designated to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility, as prescribed by R9-5-301(B)(1); 4. Schedule of child care services fees and policy for refunding fees as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-882(P); 5. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack menus for each calendar week at the beginning of the calendar week; 6. Notice of the presence of any communicable disease or infestation listed in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 2, Table 2, from the date of discovery through the incubation period of the communicable disease or infestation; 7. Notice of the Department’s intent to deny, revoke, or suspend as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-888 at the expiration of time in the notice for the licensee to respond; 8. Notice of an intermediate sanction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-891.01 within 10 calendar days after the licensee received notice of the intermediate sanction; 9. Notice of a legal injunction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-886.01 when the licensee receives the legal injunction; and 10. Notice of the availability of facility inspection reports for public viewing at the facility premises.

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of the Parent posting board and on a discussion with the Director, the board lacked the menu for the catered lunches that are an option for the children. The Director acknowledged the board lacked the lunch menu.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      AAC R9-5-301.F. F. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member submits, on or before the starting date of employment or volunteer services, one of the following as evidence of freedom from infectious active tuberculosis: 1. Documentation of a negative Mantoux skin test or other tuberculosis screening test recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, administered within 12 months before the starting date of employment or volunteer service, that includes the date and the type of tuberculosis screening test; or 2. If the staff member has had a positive Mantoux skin test or other tuberculosis screening test, a written statement that the staff member is free from infectious active tuberculosis that is signed and dated by a health care provider within six months before the starting date of employment or volunteer service.

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of staff files, the following was determined regarding the staff's TB tests: *Staff #3 (DOE 5/12/24)- The staff did not complete the TB test until 5/22/24, rather than on or before the staff's employment date; and *Staff #4 (DOE 6/5/24)-The staff did not complete the TB test until 6/20/24, rather than on or before the staff's employment date.”
    • Health, medication and illness

      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 the Compliance Officer's observation, the water temperature at the diaper changing sinks in rooms 107 and 108 measured only 80 degrees F.”
    • Supervision and ratios

      AAC R9-5-404.A. A. A licensee shall ensure that at least the following staff-to-children ratios are maintained at all times when providing child care services to enrolled children: Age Group/Staff: Children - Infants/1:5 or 2:11; 1-year-old children/1:6 or 2:13; 2-year-old children/1:8; 3-year-old children/1:13; 4-year-old children/1:15; 5-year-old children not school-age/1:20; School-age children/1:20

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation and a discussion with staff, a ratio of 2:17 (youngest child in the room was 2 years old) was observed in room106. Staff stated the third teacher had left the room to take a child to the hallway bathroom.”
    • Records and paperwork

      AAC R9-5-303.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that the licensed capacity of each indoor activity area or room is posted in that activity area or room.

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the licensed capacity (9) was incorrectly posted as 12, in the 1 year old room.”
    • Records and paperwork

      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 the Compliance Officer's review of the children's attendance sheets, the following attendance sheets lacked required information: *Child #1 -Not signed in on 7/9/24; *Child #2-Not signed out on 7/9/24; and *Child #3- The log was signed in with the parent’s first name only on 6 days of the month of July 2024. The signature is required to consist of at least a first initial of an individual’s first name and the individual’s last name by each enrolled child’s parent or guardian.”
    • Records and paperwork

      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 the Compliance Officer's observation and a review of the roster in Room 107, 6 children were present in the room but the roster was blank and had not been filled in for the day.”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      AAC R9-5-605.B.10. B. A licensee shall ensure that:10. Toilet rooms are ventilated to the outside of the building, either by a screened window open to the outside air or by an exhaust fan and duct system that is operated when the toilet room is in use;

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the exhaust fan was not working in the girl's hallway bathroom.”
    • Safety and hazards

      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 the Compliance Officer's review of the Scottsdale fire inspection that was completed in November 2023, the fire inspector had cited 4 fire code violations and the inspection was not approved.”
    • 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 observation, the sand at the base of the tunnel slide measured only 3 inches of the required 6 inches and the area was hard and compacted.”
    • Background checks

      AAC R9-5-203.E. E. If a staff member possesses a fingerprint clearance card that was issued before the staff member became a staff member at the facility, a licensee shall:1. Contact the Department of Public Safety before the individual becomes a staff member to determine whether the fingerprint clearance card is valid; and 2. Document this determination, including the name of the staff member, the date of contact with the Department of Public Safety, and whether the fingerprint clearance card is valid.

      “Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of staff files, the following was determined regarding the verification of the staff's fingerprint clearance card validity: *Staff #3 (DOE 5/12/24)- The fingerprint clearance card's validity was not verified with DPS until 5/22/24, rather than before the staff's date of employment; and *Staff #4 (DOE 6/5/24)- The fingerprint clearance card's validity was not verified with DPS until 6/20/24, rather than before the staff's date of employment.”
  5. Dec 4, 2023Complaint investigation1 rule cited
    • Health, medication and illness

      AAC R9-5-503.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains: 1. A nonabsorbent, sanitizable diaper changing surface that is: a. Seamless and smooth, and b. Kept clear of items not required for diaper changing;

      “Findings include: Based on Compliance Officer #2's observations, in the 2A room, there were art materials on the diaper changing surface.”

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 Developing Minds Academy

Is Developing Minds Academy licensed?

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

When was Developing Minds Academy last inspected?

Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing lists the most recent visit on August 7, 2026, with 6 rules cited. It lists 5 visits in the last 3 years.

Has Developing Minds Academy had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 44 rules across 5 of 5 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 Developing Minds Academy care for?

125, the licensed capacity on the state record.

What are Developing Minds Academy's hours?

Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Developing Minds Academy cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (480) 443-0513 to ask.

What is Developing Minds Academy's phone number?

(480) 443-0513.

Where is Developing Minds Academy?

9659 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85258. The nearest other daycare we list is S.U.S.D.#48 - Cochise Elementary School, 0.4 miles away.

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