Serenity's Learning Academy Preschool and Childcare

AAC R9-3-504.B. B. A certificate holder shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Tests the battery for each smoke detector required under subsection (A)(2) each month, 2. Makes a record of each test performed, 3. Replaces a smoke detector battery that is no longer charged, and 4. Maintains the record of the test on the premises for 12 months after the date of the test.

“Findings: Based on documentation and the Compliance Officer's (CO's) observation, the group home lacked documentation of monthly battery checks of each smoke detector. Previously cited: 03/10/2023”

AAC R9-3-505.D.1. D. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 1. A stairway that leads to a floor or room outside of the areas of the child care group home approved for providing child care services is separated from the areas of the child care group home approved for providing child care services by either a door or gate that is kept closed during hours of operation;

“Findings: Based on the CO's observation, the stairway that leads to the second floor outside of the licensed areas lacked a gate.”

AAC R9-3-504.F.1. F. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 1. An unannounced fire and emergency evacuation drill are: a. At least once each month; and b. Each fire drill and emergency evacuation drill at a different time of day than the fire and emergency evacuation drill conducted in the previous month;

“Findings: Based on documentation and the CO's observation, the group home lacked documentation of completed monthly fire drills. Previously cited: 3/14/2025 and 03/10/2023”

AAC R9-3-505.D.5. D. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 5. Except as provided in R9-3-503(C)(4) and subsection (D)(6)(d), the following are stored in a labeled container separate from food storage areas and are inaccessible to an enrolled child: a. Materials and chemicals labeled as a toxic substance, and b. Substances that have a child warning label and may be a hazard to a child;

“Findings: Per allegation, based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the following materials with a child warning label were accessible to the enrolled children: *A flavored lip mask on a counter in the general activity area. *Multiple packs of diapering wipes behind the open shower curtain in the bathtub.”

AAC R9-3-304.A.1. A. A certificate holder shall not permit an enrolled child to receive child care services at a child care group home until the child care group home receives: 1. An immunization record for the enrolled child with the information required in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7, stating that the enrolled child has received all current, age-appropriate immunizations required under 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7, that is: a. Provided by a physician, physician assistant, registered nurse practitioner, or another individual authorized by state law to administer immunizations; or b. Generated from the Arizona State Immunization Information System, which is the Department’s child immunization reporting system established in A.R.S. § 36-135; or

“Findings: Based on a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, the home lacked documentation of immunization records for 1 of 6 enrolled children present. Previously cited: 08-26-2025”

AAC R9-3-505.D.9. D. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 9. An enrolled child does not have access to the following on the premises: a. Lawn mowers, ladders, toilet brushes, plungers, and other equipment that may be a hazard to a child; b. An air conditioner, evaporative cooler, heat pump, or furnace; c. A hot tub or spa; d. A pond or fountain; e. An irrigation ditch, abandoned mine, or well; or f. A trampoline.

“Findings: Per allegation, based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the following was accessible to the enrolled children: *A red garden wrench in the outdoor activity area in the grass. *A mop and a rake on the north side of the outdoor activity area. *A leaf blower on a shelf in the outdoor activity area. *A broom and a dustpan in the kitchen. Previously cited: 03-10-2023 and 03-04-2025”

AAC R9-3-403.A.2.c. A. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 2. When putting an enrolled infant to sleep, a staff member: c. Does not use a positioning device that restricts movement, unless the enrolled infant’s physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse practitioner has instructed otherwise in writing; and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, an infant was asleep in a bouncer. The bouncer was in a corner on top of an activity table.”

AAC R9-3-402.A. A. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 1. Each enrolled child who naps or sleeps at the child care group home is furnished with a bed, cot, mat, or crib that accommodates the enrolled child’s height and weight; 2. The bed, cot, mat, or crib is not used by another individual while in use by the enrolled child; 3. The cot, mat, or bed’s mattress is covered with a clean sheet that is laundered when soiled, at least once every seven calendar days, and before use by a different enrolled child; 4. The crib mattress is covered with a clean fitted-sheet designed for the crib mattress size that is laundered when soiled, at least once every 24 hours, and before use by a different enrolled child; and 5. A clean blanket or sheet is provided to each enrolled child.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the sheet on the one crib available was loose and not fitted, as required.”

AAC R9-3-401.B.2. B. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 2. The areas of the child care group home approved for providing child care services are maintained free from hazards;

“Findings: Per allegation, based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the following hazards were accessible to the enrolled children: *The baseboard in the bathroom contained raw, exposed, and splintery wood. *A broken slide with a sharp crack that lifted and moved in the outdoor activity area. *A cracked Connect-4 play equipment with sharp and cracked plastic in the outdoor activity area. *Raw and splintery wood on the base of the shed in the outdoor activity area. *A gap next to the shed with a path to tall and bent sun shades. *Steel metal equipment on the North side of the outdoor activity area. *A seat on a red tricycle was facing the wrong direction and was loose. *A cracked black trash can with pointy edges and sharp exposed plastic. *The door on the playhouse below the slide structure was on the ground and was no longer attached to the structure.”

AAC R9-3-301.D.2. D. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 2. At least one adult staff member, in addition to the provider or the staff member specified in subsection (D)(1), is on the premises when six or more enrolled children are at the child care group home.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the certificate holder lacked an additional staff member when six enrolled children were present at the time of the inspection. Previously cited: 03-04-2025”

AAC R9-3-303.B. B. Except as required in A.R.S. § 36-309, before a child is enrolled at a child care group home, a certificate holder shall require the individual enrolling the child to complete a Department-provided Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card containing: 1. The child’s name, home address, city, state, zip code, sex, and date of birth; 2. The date of the child’s enrollment; 3. The name, home address, city, state, zip code, and contact telephone number of each parent of the child; 4. The name and contact telephone number of at least two individuals authorized by the child’s parent to collect the child from the child care group home or to be contacted if the child’s parent cannot be contacted; 5. The name and contact telephone number of the child’s physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse practitioner; 6. Written authorization for emergency medical care of the child; 7. The name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child; 8. A written description provided by a child’s parent of the nutritional and dietary needs of the child; 9. A written description provided by the child’s parent noting the child’s susceptibility to illness, physical conditions of which a staff member should be aware, and any individual requirements for health maintenance; and 10. The dated signature of the individual completing the Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card.

“Findings: Based on a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, the home lacked documentation of an Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card for 1 of 6 enrolled children present.”

AAC R9-3-504.A.5. A. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 5. Each electrical outlet in an area of the child care group home approved for providing child care services is covered with a safety plug cover or insert when not in use;

“Findings: Per allegation, based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the following outlets were uncovered: *1 uncovered outlet in the general activity area under the hanging books. *1 uncovered outlet on the playground next to the water can station. *1 uncovered outlet next to the entrance on the west wall.”

AAC R9-3-304.A.1. A. A certificate holder shall not permit an enrolled child to receive child care services at a child care group home until the child care group home receives: 1. An immunization record for the enrolled child with the information required in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7, stating that the enrolled child has received all current, age-appropriate immunizations required under 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7, that is: a. Provided by a physician, physician assistant, registered nurse practitioner, or another individual authorized by state law to administer immunizations; or b. Generated from the Arizona State Immunization Information System, which is the Department’s child immunization reporting system established in A.R.S. § 36-135; or

“Findings: Based on documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observations, Child #1 lacked an immunization record.”

AAC R9-3-506.2. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 2. All equipment, materials, and toys used by or accessible to enrolled children are cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to maintain them in a clean and disinfected condition and, for items used by infants or one- or two-year-old children, at least once every 24 hours;

“Findings: Based on the CO's observation, in the outdoor activity area, there was bird feces on the pink slide climber located on the South side.”

AAC R9-3-505.D.1. D. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 1. A stairway that leads to a floor or room outside of the areas of the child care group home approved for providing child care services is separated from the areas of the child care group home approved for providing child care services by either a door or gate that is kept closed during hours of operation;

“Findings: Based on the CO's observation, the stairway that leads to the unlicensed space was not separated by a gate.”

AAC R9-3-504.F.1. F. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 1. An unannounced fire and emergency evacuation drill are: a. At least once each month; and b. Each fire drill and emergency evacuation drill at a different time of day than the fire and emergency evacuation drill conducted in the previous month;

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the CO's observation, the Licensee lacked documentation of any fire drills that have been conducted.”

AAC R9-3-504.C.2. C. A certificate holder shall: 2. Ensure that each rechargeable fire extinguisher in the child care group home’s residence: 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.

“Findings: Based on documentation and the CO's observation, the rechargeable extinguishers lacked documentation that the extinguisher was serviced in the last 12 months. The attached tag was dated 2023.”

AAC R9-3-407.A.17. A. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 17. A freezer at the child care group home maintains a temperature of 0° F or below, as shown by a thermometer kept in the freezer at all times;

“Findings: Based on the CO’s observation, the freezer temperature was 4° F. rather than 0°F. or below as required.”

AAC R9-3-407.A.16. A. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 16. A refrigerator at the child care group home maintains a temperature of 41° F or below, as shown by a thermometer kept in the refrigerator at all times;

“Findings: Based on the CO’s observation, the refrigerator temperature was 44° F. rather than 41°F. or below as required.”

AAC R9-3-401.B.2. B. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 2. The areas of the child care group home approved for providing child care services are maintained free from hazards;

“Findings: Based on the CO’s observation, the following hazards were observed in the outdoor activity area: *There was exposed splintery wood on the step stool located on the patio. *There was cracked plastic inside the sensory table located under the pergola. *There was a broken seat and missing handlebar covers located on the red trike. *There was sharp wire located on the green fencing. *There was an uncoiled hose located on North side. *There was a long screwdriver located in the grass on the North side.”

AAC R9-3-302.C. C. A certificate holder shall ensure that each staff member completes a total of 12 or more actual hours of training every 12 months after becoming a staff member in two or more of the following: 1. Child growth and development, which may include sudden infant death prevention; 2. Developmentally appropriate activities; 3. Nutrition and developmentally appropriate eating habits; 4. Responding to accidents and emergencies, including CPR and first aid for infants and children; 5. Recognizing signs of illness and infestation; 6. Detecting, preventing, and reporting child abuse or neglect; 7. Guiding and disciplining children; and 8. Availability of community services and resources, including those available to children with special needs.

“Findings: Based on documentation and the CO's observation, Staff #1 (DOE 4/01/202) and Staff #2 (DOE 4/01/2020) lacked documentation of 12 of the required 12 hours of annual training.”

AAC R9-3-301.G. G. A certificate holder shall ensure that a staff member posts in a place that can be conspicuously viewed by individuals entering or leaving the child care group home: 1. The child care group home certificate; 2. The name of the provider; 3. The name of the staff member designated to act on behalf of the certificate holder when the provider is not present at the child care group home; 4. The hours of operation for the child care group home; 5. The weekly activity schedule required in R9-3-401(B)(4)(b); 6. The amount of time in minutes enrolled children may watch television, videos, or DVDs at the child care group home; and 7. The weekly menu, required in R9-3-406(F), before the first meal or snack of the week.

“Findings: Based on documentation and the CO's observation, the posting area lacked a copy of the weekly menu and the current license (posted license expired 4/30/2024).”

AAC R9-3-301.D.2. D. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 2. At least one adult staff member, in addition to the provider or the staff member specified in subsection (D)(1), is on the premises when six or more enrolled children are at the child care group home.

“Findings: Based on the CO’s observation, there were six enrolled children present with the Licensee and no addition staff member.”

AAC R9-3-301.A.3.a. A. A certificate holder shall: 3. Ensure that each resident 12 years of age or older and each staff member submits, on or before the starting date of residency, employment, or volunteer services, one of the following as evidence of freedom from infectious active tuberculosis: a. 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 residency, employment, or volunteer service, that includes the date and the type of tuberculosis screening test; or b. If the resident or staff member has had a positive Mantoux skin test or other tuberculosis screening test, a written statement that the resident or staff member is free from infectious active tuberculosis that is signed and dated by a physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse practitioner within six months before the starting date of residency, employment, or volunteer service; and

“Findings: Based on documentation and the Compliance Officer's (CO's) observation, Resident #1 lacked documentation of a TB screening at the time the TB test became required (TB became required 6/22/2024, TB read 03/03/2025).”

AAC R9-3-505.D.9. D. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 9. An enrolled child does not have access to the following on the premises: a. Lawn mowers, ladders, toilet brushes, plungers, and other equipment that may be a hazard to a child; b. An air conditioner, evaporative cooler, heat pump, or furnace; c. A hot tub or spa; d. A pond or fountain; e. An irrigation ditch, abandoned mine, or well; or f. A trampoline.

“Findings: Based on the CO's observation, in the outdoor activity area, there was a lawn blower located under the pergola accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-3-401.B.2. B. A certificate holder shall ensure that: 2. The areas of the child care group home approved for providing child care services are maintained free from hazards;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s (CO’s) observation, in the outdoor activity area, there was a 4 inch crack with exposed sharp plastic located on the inside of cube near the Southeast corner.”

AAC R9-3-401.C.5. C. A certificate holder shall ensure that a staff member: 5. Stores diapering products in a location that is inaccessible to enrolled children but accessible for diaper changing;

“Findings: Based on the CO’s observation, there were diapering products located on a low shelf accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-3-401.C.4. A certificate holder shall ensure that a staff member: 4. Except as specified in subsection (C)(5), labels the personal items of an enrolled child with an identifier that is specific to the enrolled child and stores the personal items separately from the personal items of other enrolled children and residents;

“Findings: Based on the CO’s observation, there were two diaper creams (Aquaphor and Desitin) that lacked an identifier specific to the enrolled child.”