Licensed Center
✓ Licensed
Elka Child Educational Center, Inc
Gary, IN
· Lake County
1953 Georgia Street,
Gary, IN 46407
Quick Facts
Capacity
153 children
Age Range
Infant-Twelve
Subsidized Program
Does not participate
PTQ Level
4
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Licensed Licensed Center
Active License
License Issued
Jan 1, 2025
Active Through
Dec 31, 2027
Issued By
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
Accreditation
National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)
District Office
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration - Bureau of Child Care
Reviews
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About the Provider
Elka Child Educational Center, Inc is a Licensed Center in Gary IN, with a maximum capacity of 153 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of Infant-Twelve. It is open Monday, 6:30 AM-5:30 AM; Tuesday - Friday, 6:30 AM-5:30 PM. The provider does not participate in a subsidized child care program.
Additional Information:
PTQ 4; PTQ 4; PTQ 4; PTQ 3;
Hours of Operation
- Monday6:30 AM-5:30 AM
- Tuesday6:30 AM-5:30 PM
- Wednesday6:30 AM-5:30 PM
- Thursday6:30 AM-5:30 PM
- Friday6:30 AM-5:30 PM
- Saturday Closed
- Sunday Closed
Inspection/Report History
Where possible, ChildcareCenter provides inspection reports as a service to families. This information is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed. We encourage families to contact the daycare provider directly with any questions or concerns. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.
| Inspection Type/Date | Action needed to correct issue | Date Resolved |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing 2026-07-10 |
On 6/29/2026 a caregiver pulled a child by her arm while redirecting the child. | 2026-06-30 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55 Inappropriate discipline |
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| Licensing 2025-11-25 |
Upon consultants arrival into the infant room, the caregiver was outside of the classroom in the bathroom, therefore the children were not being directly supervised by the caregiver. | 2025-11-25 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 Child/staff ratios and supervision |
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| Licensing 2025-11-25 |
Upon consultants arrival, there were two school aged children being grouped with children in the fours/fives room. | 2025-11-25 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-49 Child grouping policies |
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| Licensing 2025-11-25 |
In the toddler room bathroom, there were items being stored that cannot be stored in the bathroom: plunger, broom, dustpan, aprons, and toys/supplies in a storage closet. | 2025-11-25 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-113(n) All items in the restroom must be sanitizable |
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| Licensing 2025-11-25 |
In the infant bathroom, there were items labeled "Keep Out of Reach of Children" that were within reach: lysol spray, hand lotion, febreze spray. | 2025-11-25 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items |
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| Licensing 2025-01-07 |
Staff member was not following confidentiality policy. | 2025-01-07 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-32(a)(2) Prior to having direct contact with children or food, the following training or information shall be provided to all staff and volunteers according to the specific responsibilities assigned to that particular staff member or volunteer: The centers policy on confidentiality of childrens records |
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| Licensing 2023-08-09 |
An applicant shall, at no expense to the state, submit:(1) the necessary information, forms, or consents; and(2) the applicant fingerprints;for a national criminal history background check by the FederalBureau of Investigation. | 2023-08-11 |
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Type of correction needed: IC 12-17.2-4-3(d) At time of visit, 1 staff present with children, with expired consent on file with the division. (CC-3.8.2022). |
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| Licensing 2022-10-12 |
Staff orientation | 2022-10-13 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-32 Two staff (SC and SH) are missing orientation papers. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-12 |
Prior to admission, the childs parent shall establish a feeding plan, based on the recommendation of the childs physician, for each infant | 2022-10-14 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-134(b) In the infant room, DW has feeding plans, but it is not signed by a physician. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-12 |
Within thirty (30) days of employment, newly employed staff, volunteers, substitutes, student aides, and any other personnel having direct contact with the children or providing food service shall have the following: Written verification of a physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner that provides evidence that there is no known communicable disease in an infectious state or physical or mental conditions which could affect their ability to perform assigned duties in the child care center | 2022-10-13 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-85(1) One staff (SC) is missing a physical in their file. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-12 |
Records, kept at the child care center, shall document the following for all current staff, substitutes, and volunteers: An annual written evaluation of the employees performance | 2022-10-13 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41(a)(5) Two staff (TP and SC) are missing annual evaluations. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-12 |
A written application for admission of each child, signed by the childs parent, shall be on file at the child care center prior to admission and shall include the following: The childs date of birth, verified by a copy of the childs birth certificate or other legal proof of age | 2022-10-17 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-36(3) One child, (CL), does not have a birth certificate or other legal document on file to verify birth. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-12 |
When natural light is insufficient, it shall be supplemented by artificial light so that the following minimum levels of illumination are maintained: All food storage areas, including refrigerators, shall have a minimum of twenty (20) foot-candles | 2022-10-13 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-106(b)(2) In the twos room, the light in the refrigerator was out. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-12 |
Staff shall not stack tables or chairs in the class room/area while children are awake | 2022-10-12 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-111(c) In the 3's room, chairs were stacked on top of the table in the dramatic play area. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-12 |
Each child shall have an individual cot, bed, or crib equipped with bedding and maintained in sanitary and safe condition | 2022-10-13 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-153(a) 3 sheets in the infant room are torn on the corner. These are not safe to use. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-12 |
Within thirty (30) days of a childs enrollment, the childs health record shall contain the following: Physical examination verification form with physicians or nurse practitioners signature dated no earlier than twelve (12) months prior to enrollment date | 2022-10-17 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-38(1) One child (AD) does not have a physical on file that is signed by a physician . |
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| Licensing 2022-10-12 |
Effectiveness of hair restraint | 2022-10-12 |
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Type of correction needed: 410 IAC 7-24-138 In toddler room, staff were serving breakfast but were not wearing hair restraints |
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| Licensing 2022-10-12 |
During the first two (2) weeks of employment, all staff shall receive documented training in recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect. The director shall update this training annually | 2022-10-17 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-13(b) One staff does not have evidence of annual child abuse and neglect detection training in their file. |
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| Licensing 2022-06-14 |
Inappropriate discipline | 2022-06-14 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55 Caregiver pulled child out of his chair by his arm. |
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| Licensing 2022-03-24 |
The center must store diapers off the floor, protected from contamination, and inaccessible to children | 2022-03-24 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-94(c) In the toddler classroom, there are diapers stored in an open container on the diaper table shelf. They are not protected from contamination and they are accessible to children. |
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| Licensing 2022-03-24 |
Child/staff ratios and supervision | 2022-03-25 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 In the school age classroom there are 16 children with 1 caregiver. The ratio for children 5 years old and older is 15:1. |
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| Licensing 2022-02-22 |
The center shall assure that a cover is provided as follows for each child: Childrens faces and heads shall be free from covering | 2022-02-22 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-53(c)(4) In the 3's room, a child was laying down at naptime and had their face and head covered with a blanket. |
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| Licensing 2022-02-22 |
All items in the restroom must be sanitizable | 2022-02-22 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-113(n) There is a plunger in the 3's restroom. |
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| Licensing 2021-12-07 |
Subject to section 3.3 of this chapter, the applicant must, at no expense to the state, do the following: Require an employee or volunteer of the applicant who may be present on the premises of the child care center during operating hours of the child care center to submit fingerprints for a national criminal history background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. | 2021-12-07 |
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Type of correction needed: IC 12-17.2-4-3(e)(1) Two caregivers are training/on-boarding in the 3's classroom and have not had a national criminal history check completed. National Criminal History checks must be completed prior to working with children. There were 8 children in the room and one qualified caregiver. |
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| Licensing 2021-12-07 |
Parents may supply filled bottles as follows: The bottle shall be labeled with the childs name and date prepared | 2021-12-07 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-135(k)(3) Bottles in the infant refrigerator are not labeled with names and dates. |
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| Licensing 2021-12-07 |
The center must store diapers off the floor, protected from contamination, and inaccessible to children | 2021-12-07 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-94(c) Diapers in the infant room are on a low shelf in an opened package, not protected from contamination. |
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| Licensing 2021-12-07 |
Records, kept at the child care center, shall document the following for all current staff, substitutes, and volunteers: A statewide limited criminal history check completed by the Indiana state police | 2021-12-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41(a)(3) Two caregivers are training/on-boarding in the 3s room without consent forms submitted to the division allowing for a statewide criminal history check. Consent forms must be submitted and caregiver status must be qualified before working with children. There were 8 children in the room and one qualified caregiver. |
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| Licensing 2021-11-08 |
A licensee shall ensure that a child in the licensees care is continually supervised by a caregiver | 2021-11-09 |
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Type of correction needed: IC 12-17.2-4-17.5 The two caregivers in the one's classroom have not submitted current consent forms with the division allowing their background checks to be done determining their qualification status; therefore the children in that room are not supervised by a qualified caregiver. |
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| Licensing 2021-11-08 |
The feeding plan for each infant shall include and list the following: The specified kind and amount of food or formula to be offered | 2021-11-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-134(c)(1) Three infants that were present at the time of inspection either do not have a feeding plan on file or do not have a feeding plan filled out correctly. One infant does not have one filled out, one infant has one filled out only by the parent, and one infant has a written note by the mom and an emailed letter from the doctor; however, the doctor's letter does not state what kind or amount of food/forumula/breast milk to offer. |
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| Licensing 2021-11-08 |
If a days supply of bottles is prepared at one (1) time, each bottle shall be covered and labeled with the childs name, date, and time poured | 2021-11-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-135(g) In the infant refrigerator, 3 bottles were prepared and in a gallon size baggie with the child's first name on the baggie. The bottles were not labeled with any of the information needed. There was a 2nd gallon size baggie with a bottle in it. Again, the baggie was labeled with child's first name, but the bottle itself was not labeled with any information. |
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| Licensing 2021-11-08 |
Staff shall not associate disciplinary action with food or use food as a reward | 2021-11-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55(c) One caregiver was rewarding children in another class at the end of the day with food from the candy shop as a reward for good behavior. |
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| Licensing 2021-11-08 |
Records, kept at the child care center, shall document the following for all current staff, substitutes, and volunteers: A statewide limited criminal history check completed by the Indiana state police | 2021-11-11 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41(a)(3) Three caregivers do not have consent forms on file wtih the division. Two caregivers have expired consent forms and one has not yet filed her consent form. |
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| Licensing 2021-11-08 |
Infant Food Preparation and Storage | 2021-11-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-135 Ready-made formula/frozen breast milk is not kept on site for each of the infants. |
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| Licensing 2021-11-08 |
Child/staff ratios and supervision | 2021-11-09 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 In the One's classroom, there were 2 caregivers and 2 children; however, neither of the caregivers have a current consent form on file with the division therefore they can not count in ratio. This makes the ratio 2:0. |
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| Licensing 2021-11-08 |
There shall be a soft sanitizable pad on the table with a clean strip of waterproof, disposable paper to cover the entire pad. Caregivers shall place a new, waterproof, paper strip on the pad after each diaper change | 2021-11-11 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-94(n) In the one's and two's classrooms, the diaper pads have tears in them making them not sanitizable. |
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| Licensing 2021-11-08 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2021-11-11 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 In the infant room, under the sink the following items are being stored: Deft detergent and cleaning solutions. These items state "keep out of reach of children". If being stored in that cabinet, the cabinet must be locked. Turning the lock piece vertically is a deterent, it is not locked. In the One's classroom, there was a purse located on the floor in the corner of the room. |
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| Licensing 2021-11-08 |
Subject to section 3.3 of this chapter, the applicant must, at no expense to the state, do the following: Require an employee or volunteer of the applicant who may be present on the premises of the child care center during operating hours of the child care center to submit fingerprints for a national criminal history background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. | 2021-11-09 |
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Type of correction needed: IC 12-17.2-4-3(e)(1) One caregiver in the infant room does not have a consent form on file with the division allowing for a national criminal history check. |
||
| Complaints 2021-10-20 |
Staff shall not associate disciplinary action with food or use food as a reward | 2022-02-07 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-55(c) One teacher using food as reward/punishment |
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| Licensing 2021-07-02 |
All canned formula must be unopened, commercially prepared, and ready-to-feed strength | 2021-07-06 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-135(b) The center is preparing bottles with bottle formula and not using ready-to-feed strength. |
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| Licensing 2021-07-02 |
The feeding plan for each infant shall include and list the following: The specified kind and amount of food or formula to be offered | 2021-07-06 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-134(c)(1) No Feeding plans available for the enrolled infants. |
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| Licensing 2021-07-02 |
Subject to section 3.3 of this chapter, the applicant must, at no expense to the state, do the following: Require an employee or volunteer of the applicant who may be present on the premises of the child care center during operating hours of the child care center to submit fingerprints for a national criminal history background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. | 2021-07-06 |
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Type of correction needed: IC 12-17.2-4-3(e)(1) Today there are 5 staff/volunteers present with children that do not have completed background checks on file with the division. Some of them have submitted consent form in the past week and some have not submitted consents form yet to have their checks completed.Three staff who are employed but not present today have submitted their consent forms in the past week to have their background checks completed but the checks are not completed as of today. |
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| Licensing 2021-07-02 |
Child/staff ratios and supervision | 2021-07-06 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 In the toddler classroom there are 9 children present with three caregivers. Two of these caregivers do not have completed background checks on file with the Division and therefore can not be counted in ratio. |
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| Licensing 2021-07-02 |
In any group that has an infant or toddler, the maximum age range between the oldest and youngest child in the group shall be thirteen (13) months | 2021-07-06 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-50(a) There is 20 months difference in age between the youngest and oldest child in the 2s room which is greater than the 13 month age range allowed. The oldest child is 37 months and the youngest child 17 months. |
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| Complaints 2021-06-02 |
2022-02-22 | |
| Type of correction needed: 4 employees without background checks | ||
| Licensing 2020-12-29 |
Records, kept at the child care center, shall document the following for all current staff, substitutes, and volunteers: Verification that staff is free of tuberculosis within thirty (30) days of employment and annually thereafter | 2021-01-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41(a)(7) 1 staff missing TB test results |
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| Licensing 2020-12-29 |
Within thirty (30) days of employment, newly employed staff, volunteers, substitutes, student aides, and any other personnel having direct contact with the children or providing food service shall have the following: Written verification of a physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner that provides evidence that there is no known communicable disease in an infectious state or physical or mental conditions which could affect their ability to perform assigned duties in the child care center | 2020-12-31 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-85(1) 1 staff missing physical record |
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| Licensing 2020-10-08 |
Toddler Feeding | 2020-10-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-140 (140f) toddler safety belts are to be used when occupying highchairs for feedling. One toddler was in the highchair without the safety belt being used. |
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| Licensing 2020-10-08 |
The center shall control toilet and bathroom odors by ventilation and sanitation. If a screened window is not present, there shall be mechanical exhaust vents. Existing centers shall have ventilation added if sanitation measures fail to control odors | 2020-10-19 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-113(p) No mechanical air vent present in Rm 1b |
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| Licensing 2020-10-08 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2020-10-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 The mechanical closet was unlocked and hazardous items were accessible; panel equipment, toilet plungers and rodent trap |
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| Licensing 2020-10-08 |
Electrical safety | 2020-10-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-101 Outlet safety plugs were not present on the multiple outlet power in Rm 4a and Rm 4b |
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| Licensing 2020-10-08 |
Kitchen and food preparation areas | 2020-10-09 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-116 There was a broken metal stem thermometer in milk cooler with an inaccurate reading. Thermometers in two freezer units were not in position where daily monitoring of accurate temperatures can be checked |
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| Licensing 2020-10-08 |
The childs hands shall be washed after diaper changing with a clean, damp, soapy cloth, then rinsed with a second clean cloth in the same order, or, the childs hands shall be held under warm, running water, soaped, and dried with a disposable towel | 2020-10-09 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-94(u) Staff put child down to play and child touched a ball and was playing with toys before having hands washed. |
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| Licensing 2020-10-08 |
Food temperature measuring devices | 2020-10-09 |
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Type of correction needed: 410 IAC 7-24-257 Kitchen staff did not have a metal stem thermometer available to check for proper food temperatures. |
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| Licensing 2019-10-21 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2019-10-23 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 2's room:Purse on floor in closet in reach of children.Infant Room:Dreft and glass cleaner under sink in unlocked cabinet. |
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| Health/Food/Safety/Sanitation 2019-07-12 |
Dishwashing | 2019-07-12 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.5-5(e) Infant room missing daily schedule and completed lesson plans. |
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| Health/Food/Safety/Sanitation 2019-07-12 |
Hygiene | 2019-07-12 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.5-5(g) Infant room freezer missing thermometer at time of consultants visit |
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| Licensing 2018-10-04 |
Child grouping policies | 2018-10-05 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-49 23 children to 1 caregiver with 3's, 4's and 5's present. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-04 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2018-10-04 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 School age room has unlocked cabinet with disinfectant spray, WD-40, and shaving cream accessible to children. Plunger by toilet in girl's bathoom off of 4's room. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-04 |
Staff orientation | 2018-11-05 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-32 1 Staff missing current Universal precuations training, current First Aid training, current CPR training.Staff missing Health and safety modules 1-4, and In-service training hours. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-04 |
Written program plans | 2018-10-04 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-60 Leesson plans out of date in 3/4/5's room. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-04 |
Reporting child abuse or neglect | 2018-11-05 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-13 Staff missing current annual training on Child Abuse and Neglect. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-04 |
Building maintenance | 2018-11-02 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-99 3/4/5's room boys bathroom drain not secured in floor. 4's room girls bathroom tiles below sink damaged. |
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If you are a provider and believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.
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