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Child care center 

Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center

1187 Circulo Mercado, Rio Rico, AZ 856483.0· 4 reviews
licensed capacity
51
open each week
5 days
a week, county median
$215

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center

Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center is a licensed child care center in Rio Rico, Arizona. It is licensed by the state, for up to 51 children.

It is open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Arizona Department of Health Services, Bureau of Child Care Licensing made 3 visits in the last 3 years and cited 11 rules across 3 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

Montessori
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
Ask the daycare
Hours today
7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Licensed capacity
51 children

Hours

Hours

MondayToday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Thursday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
Friday7:00 AM to 5:30 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayNot listed

Programs

Programs and care

Licensed capacity51 childrenFrom the state license

Cost

Tuition and costs

Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center has not listed its tuition. For comparison, full-time infant care at a child care center in Santa Cruz County has a median price of $215 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.
Santa Cruz County medians, full time, per week

Infant

Center$215
Home daycare$175

Toddler

Center$155
Home daycare$175

Preschool

Center$155
Home daycare$175

School age

Center$166
Home daycare$163

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 Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Licensed Child Care Center
Capacity
51 children
License number
#0020166CDCSC75654407
See the state's record

Summary

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

Rules cited on 3 of 3 visits · 11 rules in all

  • Safety and hazards 4
  • Records and paperwork 3
  • Building, equipment and play areas 2
  • Discipline and child guidance 1
  • Supervision and ratios 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 4 visits
  1. Jul 7, 2026Inspection5 rules cited
    • 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 review of required postings the Primary Compliance Officer noted that the lesson plan posted in the Small Classroom was not dated as required.”
    • 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: The Primary Compliance Officer noted that the exhaust fan in the restroom (located on the right) was not operable, as the switch had been taped over.”
    • 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: While inspecting the Threes Classroom the Primary Compliance Officer noted that the roster documented eight children in the room, but at that time 10 children were present in the classroom, as Child 1 and Child 2 had not been added to the roster.”
    • 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 review of required licensing reports the Primary Compliance Officer noted that a current fire inspection report was not available for review. The most recent report available expired 06/19/2026.”
    • 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 inspection of the Outdoor Activity area the Primary Compliance Officer observed the following: -A wooden playhouse that has splintering wood, and exposed screws with sharp ends that are accessible to children. -A table that has a broken wooden top surface, with the Formica top layer separating from the base layer.”
  2. Jul 31, 2025Inspection2 rules cited
    • 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 review of required postings the Compliance Officer noted that the written accident and emergency plan had not been updated when changes occurred. The three staff members that were listed had CPR/1st Aid dates expiration that had already passed.”
    • 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 review of sign in and sign out documents the Compliance Officer noted the following: -Child 1 was not signed out on July 28 or July 30, 2025. -Child 2 was signed out with only the time noted on July 02, 2025, a signature was not documented. -Child 3 was not signed into the facility on July 03, 2025. -Child 4 was not signed out on July 11, and Child 5 was not signed out on July 03, 2025.”
  3. Aug 13, 2024Inspection4 rules cited
    • Safety and hazards

      AAC R9-5-605.B.16. B. A licensee shall ensure that:16. The fire extinguisher required in subsection (A): a. Is serviced at least once every 12 months; and b. Has a tag attached to the fire extinguisher that specifies the date of the last servicing and the identification of the person who serviced the fire extinguisher; and

      “Findings: Compliance Officer 1 noted that the tags on the fire extinguishers expired 08/08/2024.”
    • 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: Compliance Officer 1 noted that the child roster was not maintained as required in the Threes/Four Classroom on 08/13/24 (Nine children were present in the classroom).”
    • Safety and hazards

      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: Compliance Officer 1 observed a power strip with uncovered outlets on a counter top in the Threes/Four Classroom.”
    • 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 review of sign in/out records Compliance Officer 2 noted the following: -Child 1 was not signed out on 08/01/24 -Child 2 was not signed out on 08/02/24 -Child 3 was signed out on 08/07 and 08/08/24 with only the times noted, no signature was documented -Child 4 was not signed out on 08/12/24”
  4. Oct 4, 2023Inspection5 rules cited
    • 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: Compliance Officer 1 reviewed the postings in Classroom 1 and observed that the lesson plan was not posted.”
    • Food and nutrition

      AAC R9-5-509.C.18. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 18. A staff member: a. Prepares a weekly menu at least one week in advance, b. Includes on the menu the specific foods to be served on each day, c. Dates each menu, d. Posts each menu at least one day before the first meal on the menu will be served, and e. Writes food substitutions on a posted menu no later than the morning of the day of meal service;

      “FINDINGS: Compliance Officer 1 reviewed the postings in the main posting area and observed that the menu was dated September 2023.”
    • 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: Compliance Officer 1 reviewed the class rosters and observed that the children who left for the day were not marked off of the roster.”
    • Discipline and child guidance

      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: Compliance Officer 1 reviewed the postings in Classroom 1 and observed that the schedule was not posted.”
    • Food and nutrition

      AAC R9-5-509.C.14. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 14. Each staff member is informed of a modified diet prescribed for an enrolled child by the child’s parent or health care provider, and the modified diet is posted in the kitchen and in the child’s activity area;

      “FINDINGS: Compliance Officer 1 reviewed the postings in Classroom 1 and observed that the Modified diet for Child 1 was not posted in the classrooms.”

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 Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center

Is Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center licensed?

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

When was Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center last inspected?

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

Has Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 11 rules across 3 of 3 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 Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center care for?

51, the licensed capacity on the state record.

What are Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center's hours?

Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center cost?

It has not listed its tuition. Call (520) 281-5191 to ask.

What is Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center's phone number?

(520) 281-5191.

Where is Rainforest Montessori preschool & Day care center?

1187 Circulo Mercado, Rio Rico, AZ 85648. The nearest other daycare we list is Little Star Child Daycare, 1.4 miles away.

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