Kindercare Learning Center

AAC R9-5-209.2. A licensee shall: Notify the Department within 24 hours, prior to the next business day, of business closure; and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the facility failed to notify the Department of a closure within 24 hours, prior to the next business day.”

AAC R9-5-401.2. A licensee shall ensure that staff members meet the following qualifications for employment or volunteer service at a facility: 2. A facility director’s designee is 21 years of age or older and provides the licensee with documentation of one of the following: a. At least 12 months of child care experience, a high school or high school equivalency diploma, and: i. Three credit hours or more in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field from an accredited college or university, or ii. At least 30 actual hours of instruction, provided in conferences, seminars, lectures, or workshops in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field;b. At least 12 months of child care experience and: i. An N.A.C., C.D.A., or C.C.P. credential; or ii At least 24 credit hours from an accredited college or university, including at least six credit hours in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; c. At least six months of child care experience and an associate degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; or d. At least three months of child care experience and a bachelor degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field;

“Findings: Based on a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, the file for Staff #1 (DOH 01-19-2026) lacked documentation of at least 3 credit hours or more in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field from an accredited college or university, or at least 30 actual hours of instruction, provided in conferences, seminars, lectures, or workshops in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field to be qualified as the facility director's designee. Staff #1 was the designated staff-in-charge at the time of the inspection when the facility director was not present at the facility.”

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: Per allegation, based on a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, the staff-to-child ratios were not maintained in the following activity areas: *Infant room (01-12-2026 and 01-13-2026)- The ratio was 1:6; with a required ratio of 2:6. *Infant room (01-16-2026)- The ratio was 1:7; with a required ratio of 2:7. *Toddler (1's) room (01-29-2026)- The ratio was 1:7; with a required ratio of 2:7. *Preschool (2's-school-age) room (01-08-2026)- The ratio was 1:11; with a required ratio of 2:11. *Preschool (3's-school-age) room (01-30-2026)- The ratio was 1:14; with a required ratio of 2:14.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. In addition to complying with the requirements in this Chapter, the health, safety, or welfare of an enrolled child is not placed at risk of harm;

“Findings: Per allegation, based on staff statements and the Compliance Officer's observations, the health, safety, and welfare of an enrolled child was placed at risk of harm when an enrolled child was not picked up at the elementary school by the facility's bus. The elementary school that the child was supposed to be picked up at called to notify the staff at the facility that the child had not yet been picked up. Staff stated: *It happened 1 time, months ago. *It was during the Fall festival. *There was a miscommunication with the parent on who was going to pick up that day. *The driver thought that the parent was going to pick up that day. Previously investigated with similar findings: 11-10-2025”

AAC R9-5-401.3. A licensee shall ensure that staff members meet the following qualifications for employment or volunteer service at a facility: 3. A child educator is 18 years of age or older and provides the licensee with documentation of one of the following: a. Six months of child care experience if working with enrolled children five years old and younger, or three months of child care experience if working with school-aged children; and: i. A high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma; or ii. At least 12 credit hours from an accredited college or university, including at least six credit hours in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; b. Associate or bachelor degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; or c. N.A.C., C.D.A., or C.C.P. credential;

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, Staff #1 was acting in the capacity of a Child Educator. The file for Staff #1 lacked documentation of experience to qualify Staff #1 as a Child Educator.”

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, in the infant room, the diaper changing area had a laptop and a laptop charger on the handwashing sink.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. In addition to complying with the requirements in this Chapter, the health, safety, or welfare of an enrolled child is not placed at risk of harm;

“Per Allegation Findings: Based on staff statement and facility documentation, the health, safety, and welfare of an enrolled child was placed at risk when Child #2 was not picked up from school. On 10/30/2025, the facility held their Fall Festival. Staff #3 picked up several children from school at varying times. Child #2 was the last pick up that day at 3:50 PM. Staff #3 indicated that they set an alarm to pick up Child #2 from school and did not hear it. At 3:50 PM, the director asked about Child #2 and Staff #3 said "Oh my gosh I forgot (child)". Staff #3 then went to go pick the child up from school. Findings: Based on staff statement and facility documentation, the health, safety, and welfare of an enrolled child was placed at risk when Child #1 was outside on the playground alone. On 11/06/2025 at 4:30 in the afternoon, the class was lining up to go back into the Twos classroom when Child #1 ran past both staff members on to the large playground. Both Staff #1 and Staff #2 brought the remaining children inside into the facility hallway, next to the Twos Room. Staff #2 then notified another staff member who then notified the Assistant Director that they did not have Child #1 with them. Staff #2 went to the front of the building to look for Child #1 and when they returned, Staff #2 saw Child #1 still outside and brought the child back in to the hallway.”

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.

“Per Allegation Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers’ observations, Staff #1 (DOE 6/09/2025) was acting in the capacity of a child educator while they were alone and unsupervised with enrolled children. The file for Staff #1 lacked documentation to qualify Staff #1 as a Child Educator.”

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

“Per Allegation Findings: Based on facility documentation and staff statement, the staff-to-child ratio in the outdoor activity area was 0:1 when Child #1 was outside alone and was found outside the glass doors leading to the playground. Staff stated the following: *Child #1 is a runner. *We were coming in from the back door, and I was helping a younger child when "Child #1 went past me and I assumed went inside". *Once we knew Child #1 was not (on the playground), we got all the kids inside. Written documentation stated the following: *"I saw (child) run to the door but didn't see (them) run to the playground, but (staff) was at the end of the line with the rest of the kids. So I thought (child) ran inside so when I went inside I asked if (child) was up front. By the time I made it back down the hallway, (staff) was just closing the hallway door and I saw (child) in view outside and thats when I went and got (child)."”

AAC R9-5-501.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Supervises each enrolled child at all times;

“Per Allegation Findings: Based on staff statement and facility documentation, enrolled children were not supervised at all times when a child was outside on a playground alone. Staff stated the following: *Staff #2 ran to the front to look for Child #1. *We got all the kids inside and Staff #2 noticed Child #1 at the door to the playground and went to let them back in. Written documentation stated the following: *"We pulled the children inside, and (staff) ran to the front to search for (child). (Child) was not there. As I lead the children to the toddler classroom, which took about one minute or a few seconds over, (staff) spotted (child) at the backdoor of the building. (Child) was brought inside."”

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

“Per Allegation Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, the 1/2's classroom was found on the playground in a staff-to-children ratio of 2:16 with 1-year-old children present rather than the required staff-to-children ratio of 3:16.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.3. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 3. For enrolled infants and children five-years or younger, drinking water is available to meet the needs of each enrolled child;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, drinking water was not available for the 3/4's children that were on the playground due to the water bottles being left inside the classroom when the children were outside.”

AAC R9-5-503.F.1. F. A licensee shall ensure that in an activity area with a diaper changing area: 1. The containers required in subsections (A)(3) and (4) are inaccessible, and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, in the Twos Room, the soiled clothing container was on the floor next to the diaper changing area and accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-502.A.8.b. A. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall: 8. Provide a crib for each infant that: b. Has a commercially waterproofed mattress; and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, in the Infant Room, six of nine mattresses reviewed were ripped and no longer waterproofed.”

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 Officers' observations, in the Infant Room, the following personal items were not labeled with the enrolled child's first and last name: *Four diapering wipes; *One container of Vaseline and; *One Desitin Diaper Rash Paste.”

AAC R9-5-301.I. I. At least once a month, and at different times of the day, a licensee shall ensure that an unannounced fire and emergency evacuation drill is conducted and each staff member and enrolled child at the facility participates in the fire and emergency evacuation drill. 1. If child care services for a child with special needs are provided at a facility, the licensee shall provide for the enrolled child’s participation in each fire and emergency evacuation drill according to the enrolled child’s individualized plan as specified in R9-5-507(A)(1). 2. A licensee shall document each fire and emergency evacuation drill and maintain the documentation on facility premises for 12 months after the date of the fire and emergency evacuation drill.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the facility lacked documentation of fire and emergency evacuation drills.”

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 observations, the Preschool Room lacked a posted licensed capacity for the activity area.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, the medication for Child #1 was expired on 6/20/2025 and not returned to the enrolled child's parent or disposed of.”

AAC R9-5-514. D. D. A licensee shall post, near an activity area or a room's designated exit, a building evacuation plan that details the designated exits from the activity area or room and the facility.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, in the Twos and Preschool Rooms, the building evacuation plan was not posted at any exits from the rooms.”

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 Compliance Officers' observations, in the Preschool toilet room, the caulking around the end toilet was torn and removed from the base of the toilet.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.4. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains: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, in the Toddler B Room, the soiled clothing container lacked a waterproof liner and a tight fitting lid.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.4. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:4. Except as provided in subsection (D), prepares and posts in each indoor activity area, a current schedule of children’s age-appropriate activities, including the times the following are provided: a. Meals and snacks; b. Naps; c. Indoor activities; d. Outdoor or large muscle development activities; e. Quiet and active activities; f. Teacher-directed activities; g. Self-directed activities; h. Activities for individuals, groups of five or fewer children, and groups of six or more children; and i. Activities that develop small muscles;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the Preschool Room lacked a posted schedule of activities.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, the One's, Two's, and Pre-K Rooms lacked a dated lesson plan. Additionally, the Preschool Room lacked a posted Lesson Plan.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.6. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 6. Except for a room used only for an enrolled school-age child, each unused electrical outlet is covered with a safety plug cover or insert;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the following indoor activity areas had unused electrical outlets without safety plug covers or inserts: Preschool Room: The outlet near exterior exit door. Toddler Room: The outlet above the countertop used for teacher supplies. Infant Room: The outlet near the diaper changing area.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that:1. In addition to complying with the requirements in this Chapter, the health, safety, or welfare of an enrolled child is not placed at risk of harm;

“Findings: Based on staff statements, there was an unknown male individual who entered classrooms and interacted with enrolled children. Staff stated the following: *The director's husband or boyfriend is always hanging around. (None of the staff members knew his name.) *When he is outside, he comes up to the window and stares into it which scares the children. *He went into the Infant room, took the child from a staff member's hands, and gently tossed the child up in the air to try and calm the infant down. "It was very intimidating. He then took the infant's bottle from my hand and attempted to feed the crying infant." *On Friday, he went into the Toddler's room and patted a child to sleep.”

AAC R9-5-301.E. E. A licensee shall, with the exception of individuals listed in subsection (D)(2), ensure that a staff member supervises any individual that is not a staff member who is on facility premises where enrolled children are present.

“Findings: Based on staff statements, the Licensee failed to supervise any individual who is not a staff member present on facility premises where enrolled children are present. Staff stated the following: *The Director's husband is at the facility on a regular basis. *(He) hangs out in the staff break room and uses a computer or is on the phone. *(He) is at the facility at least 3 - 4 days a week. *(He) is not here when the Director's boss is at the facility. *(He) came into the kitchen and put stuff together in rooms.”

AAC R9-5-301.A. A licensee shall: 1. Designate a facility director who acts on behalf of the licensee and is responsible for the daily on-site operation of a facility; 2. Submit the name of the designated facility director in writing to the Department before a license is issued; 3. Except as provided in subsection (A)(4), within 10 calendar days before changing a facility director, submit written notice of the change including the new designated facility director’s name and starting date; 4. If the licensee is not aware of a change in the facility director 10 calendar days before the effective date of the change, submit written notice of the change to the Department including the new designated facility director’s name and starting date within 72 hours after becoming aware of the change.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations and staff statement, the Licensee failed to notify the Department within 10 days of a change of the facility director. Staff stated they have been the director since the end of April 2025.”

AAC R9-5-402.A. A. A licensee shall maintain a file for each staff member containing:1. The staff member’s name, date of birth, home address, and telephone number; 2. The staff member’s starting date of employment or volunteer service; 3. The staff member’s ending date of employment or volunteer service, if applicable; 4. The name and telephone number of an individual to be notified in case of an emergency; 5. The staff member’s written statement attesting to current immunity against measles, rubella, diphtheria, mumps, and pertussis; 6. The form required in A.R.S. § 36-883.02(C); 7. Documents required by R9-5-203; 8. Documents required by R9-5-301; 9. Documents required by R9-5-401, if applicable; 10. If applicable: a. The form required in A.R.S. § 8-804(I), b. Documentation of the submission required in A.R.S. § 8-804 and the information received as a result of the submission, and c. Documentation of training provided by a licensee as required by R9-5-403, if applicable; 11. A copy of any current license or certification required by A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 7.1, Article 1. or this Chapter; and 12. Documentation of the requirements in A.R.S. § 36-883.02(D).

“Findings: Based on facility documentation, the Compliance Officers' (CO) observations and staff statement, Staff #1's file lacked the following required documentation: *The staff member’s name, date of birth, home address, and telephone number; *The staff member’s starting date of employment; *The name and telephone number of an individual to be notified in case of an emergency; *The staff member's written statement of Immunity against measles, rubella, diphtheria, mumps, and pertussis; *A Criminal History Affidavit; *Central Registry submission and results; *A front and back copy of a valid fingerprint clearance card; *10-day new staff orientation training; and *2 of the required 2 good faith references. Staff stated they were unable to locate the file.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.2. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:2. Does not smoke or use tobacco: a. On facility premises, except in designated areas separated from the children; or b. On a field trip or when transporting an enrolled child;

“Findings: Per allegation and based on staff statements, there was an unknown male individual observed smoking outside of the facility near the building. Staff stated the following: *(He) smokes outside of the school on the sidewalk and walks back and forth from the garbage can. *A parent saw a (male) individual smoking outside and let a staff member know that (he) was smoking where children could see. *A maintenance man was smoking by the dumpsters around 5:45 pm.”

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 Compliance Officer #1’s observations, the following hazards were found in the outdoor activity area: PRESCHOOL PRE K PLAYGROUND: 1) The rubberized protective covering for the stairs to the red slide was torn and cracked exposing rust on west side and 1 small stair on the east side. TODD 2 PLAYGROUND: 1) The wood border along the fence near the ground was splintering.”

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 Compliance Officer #2’s observations and a review of facility documentation, the medication for a child had expired in 11/2023 and had not been disposed of or returned to the enrolled child’s parent.”

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 Compliance Officer #1’s observations, the caulking around the base of the 2 toilets in the bathroom in the Pre K Room had a brownish/yellowish substance near the floor.”

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 Compliance Officer #1’s observations, the following was found: 1) The Infant Room diaper changing counter had 14 small gouges in the surface; 2) The Toddler A Room diaper changing counter had 8 small gouges in the surface.”

AAC R9-5-502.A.5.b. A. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall:5. Develop, document, and implement tummy time policies and procedures that: b. Ensure a staff member who is supervising a non-crawling infant while the infant is flat on their stomach and on the floor: i. Is within reach of the infant; ii. Does not perform any other duties while supervising the infant; iii. Does not allow the use of pillows, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, or other soft products in the same floor space as the infant; and iv. Does not allow any product specified in subsection (A)(5)(b)(iii) to be within reach of the infant;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #2's observations, upon entering the Infant Room, a non-crawling infant was on their stomach in a ball pit with no balls. The 2 staff in the room were across the room attending to other children. There were 2 soft stuffed puppets in the ball pit. One of the soft puppets was near the child’s (Child #1) face. The staff stated that Child #1 can roll over on their own and had just rolled over from their back.”

AAC R9-5-512.F. F. A licensee shall ensure that:1. Each toilet room in a facility contains, within easy reach of enrolled children: a. Mounted toilet tissue; and b. Except as provided in subsection (G): i. A sink with running water; ii. Soap contained in a dispenser; and iii. Disposable, single-use paper towels in a mounted dispenser, or a mechanical air hand dryer; 2. Staff members wash their hands with soap and running water after toileting; 3. An enrolled child’s hands are washed with soap and running water after toileting; 4. Except for a cup or receptacle used only for water, food waste is stored in a covered container and the container is clean and lined with a plastic bag; 5. Food waste and other refuse is removed from the facility building at least once every 24 hours or more often as necessary to maintain a clean condition and avoid odors; 6. A staff member or an enrolled child does not draw water for human consumption from a toilet room handwashing sink; 7. Toys, materials, and equipment are maintained in a clean condition; 8. Plumbing fixtures are maintained in a clean and working condition; and 9. Chipped or cracked sinks and toilets are replaced or repaired.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1’s observations, the following was found: 1) The bathroom in the Todd A Room lacked disposable, single-use paper towels in a mounted dispenser; 2) The top cover of the toilet in the bathroom in the Todd A Room was cracked .”