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Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool

602 Auburn Dr, Rapid City, SD 577015.0· 2 reviews
licensed capacity
20
open each week
5 days
weekly, posted tuition
$200
Call (605) 786-4133WebsiteDirections

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Licensed by the stateInspection record

About

About Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool

Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool is a licensed child care center in Rapid City, South Dakota. It is licensed by the state, for up to 20 children.

It is open Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. It describes a Faith-based approach, with drop-in / hourly care, infant care and preschool. It lists weekly tuition from $200 to $230.

South Dakota Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing and Accreditation made 6 visits in the last 3 years and cited 17 rules across 5 of them. The visit list, in the state's words, is below.

InfantsFaith-basedPosts tuition
Ask when you call: 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
6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Licensed capacity
20 children

Hours

Hours

MondayToday6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Wednesday6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Thursday6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Friday6:30 AM to 5:30 PM
SaturdayNot listed
SundayNot listed
Hours it lists: “Monday- Friday 6:30 am – 5:30 pm”

Programs

Programs and care

ProgramsDrop-in / hourly care, infant care and preschool
ApproachFaith-based (Christian)
Daily lifeParents pack food; Snacks provided
Licensed capacity20 childrenFrom the state license
A daycare without an item may still offer it; ask.

Cost

Tuition and costs

Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool lists weekly tuition from $200 to $230.

Weekly · program, in its own wordsPrice
Infants$230
Littles and Preschool$200
Drop-in$50 a day
2 posted prices. Rates change, so confirm before you enroll.

State record

Inspection reports for Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool

License

Status
Licensed and operating
License type
Licensed Center
Capacity
20 children
License number
#016597757
See the state's record

Summary

6 visits in the last 3 years · Last visit Mar 24, 2026: 2 rules cited

Rules cited on 5 of 6 visits · 17 rules in all

  • Safety and hazards 7
  • Records and paperwork 5
  • Staff training and qualifications 2
  • Building, equipment and play areas 2
  • Supervision and ratios 1

For comparison: 97% of South Dakota daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 7.

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 6 visits
  1. Mar 24, 2026Inspection2 rules cited
    • Records and paperwork

      67:42:17:42

      “Do children's records include name and DOB of child, parent/s names and contact information, emergency contact information, permission for emergency medical treatment, names of authorized individuals to pick up the child, health information including immunizations, allergies, or special needs, and start and end date of enrollment? 67:42:17:42”
    • Records and paperwork

      67:42:17:15

      “Do employee records contain all required information? 67:42:17:15”
  2. Mar 2, 2026Inspection3 rules cited
    • Safety and hazards

      67:42:17:44

      “Are hazardous cleaning supplies inaccessible to children and stored in their original container, used, and disposed of in accordance with manufacturer's instructions? 67:42:17:44”
    • Safety and hazards

      67:42:17:44

      “Is there a designated area for diaper changing that is easily cleanable and non-absorbent? 67:42:17:44”
    • Safety and hazards

      61:15:05:05; 61:15:06:05

      “Are exits and exit corridors maintained in a safe manner? 61:15:05:05; 61:15:06:05 NOTE: Exits can't pass through storeroom, bathroom, kitchen; corridor & aisle widths maintained at 36 inches or more; exits cannot be obstructed.”
  3. Mar 19, 2025Inspection5 rules cited
    • Supervision and ratios

      67:42:17:20

      “For child care programs - Are children supervised at all times, including during outdoor play, by seeing or hearing? 67:42:17:20”
    • Staff training and qualifications

      67:42:17:09

      “Is the individual responsible for planning and implementing the program at least 18 years of age and is the required education or work experience maintained? 67:42:17:09”
    • Records and paperwork

      67:42:17:15

      “Do employee records contain all required information? 67:42:17:15”
    • Records and paperwork

      67:42:17:42

      “authorized individuals to pick up the child, health information including immunizations, allergies, or special needs, and start and end date of enrollment? 67:42:17:42”
    • Safety and hazards

      67:42:17:43

      “Does the provider have documentation showing two fire evacuation drills, two shelter-in-place drills, and two lockdown drills conducted in the past calendar year? 67:42:17:43 Do children's records include name and DOB of child, parent/s names and contact information, emergency contact information, permission for emergency medical treatment, names of”
  4. Mar 4, 2025InspectionNo rules cited
  5. Sep 23, 2024Inspection5 rules cited
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      67:42:17:32

      “Are all walls, ceilings, floors, and equipment easily cleanable, kept clean and in good repair? 67:42:17:32”
    • Building, equipment and play areas

      67:42:17:32

      “Is the heating and cooling system maintained and inspected annually by a certified technician? 67:42:17:32”
    • Safety and hazards

      67:42:17:44

      “Is there a designated area for diaper changing that is easily cleanable and non-absorbent? 67:42:17:44”
    • Safety and hazards

      61:15:01:01

      “Is there a carbon monoxide detector installed according to the manufacturer's directions if there is a furnace or appliances utilizing fossil fuels such as propane, natural, gas, etc.? 61:15:01:01”
    • Safety and hazards

      61:15:05:05; 61:15:06:05

      “Are exits and exit corridors maintained in a safe manner? 61:15:05:05; 61:15:06:05 NOTE: Exits can't pass through storeroom, bathroom, kitchen; corridor & aisle widths maintained at 36 inches or more; exits cannot be obstructed.”
  6. Sep 9, 2024Inspection2 rules cited
    • Records and paperwork

      67:42:17:42

      “Does each child's record contain all required information? 67:42:17:42”
    • Staff training and qualifications

      67:42:17:09

      “Is the individual responsible for planning and implementing the program at least 18 years of age and is the required education or work experience maintained? 67:42:17:09”

Copied from South Dakota Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing and Accreditation on October 2, 2026; the state's records start around Oct 2022. Rule wording, severity and dates are the state's.

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FAQ

Questions about Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool

Is Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool licensed?

Yes. South Dakota Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing and Accreditation lists it as licensed and operating.

When was Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool last inspected?

South Dakota Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing and Accreditation lists the most recent visit on March 24, 2026, with 2 rules cited. It lists 6 visits in the last 3 years.

Has Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool had rules cited by the state?

Yes. Inspectors cited 17 rules across 5 of 6 visits in the last 3 years. For comparison: 97% of South Dakota daycares had at least one rule cited in the last 3 years; the typical daycare had 7. 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 Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool care for?

20, the licensed capacity on the state record.

What are Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool's hours?

Monday to Friday, 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Holiday hours can differ.

How much does Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool cost?

Weekly tuition from $200 to $230, as it lists it.

What is Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool's phone number?

(605) 786-4133.

Where is Star Mountain Daycare and Preschool?

602 Auburn Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701. The nearest other daycare we list is Sammi Van Wyk, 1.3 miles away.

Sources: South Dakota Department of Social Services, Office of Licensing and Accreditation (license and visits).