Licensed Center
✓ Licensed
Armstrong Early Learning Center
Columbia City, IN
· Whitley County
950 E Van Buren St,
Columbia City, IN 46725
Quick Facts
Capacity
101 children
Age Range
Infant-Five
Subsidized Program
Does not participate
PTQ Level
2
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Licensed Licensed Center
Active License
License Issued
Apr 1, 2026
Active Through
Mar 31, 2029
Issued By
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
District Office
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration - Bureau of Child Care
Reviews
AMom
2021-07-09 04:08:50
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
I have used this provider for more than 6 months
I have only experienced one class room. I would never recommend this location. There is no curriculum, every teacher doesn’t care about your child or their well being. I have heard this place compared to a nightmare after talking to others who experienced this place as well.
79 out of 149 think this review is helpful
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About the Provider
Armstrong Early Learning Center is a Licensed Center in Columbia City IN, with a maximum capacity of 101 children. This child care center helps with children in the age range of Infant-Five. It is open Monday - Friday, 6:30 AM-6:00 PM. The provider does not participate in a subsidized child care program.
Additional Information:
PTQ Level 1;
Hours of Operation
- Monday6:30 AM-6:00 PM
- Tuesday6:30 AM-6:00 PM
- Wednesday6:30 AM-6:00 PM
- Thursday6:30 AM-6:00 PM
- Friday6:30 AM-6:00 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 2026-01-28 |
Food handlers in classrooms not wearing hair restraints or smocks/aprons. | 2026-02-10 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-98 Staff hygiene |
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| Licensing 2026-01-28 |
Transition room cots stored in a way that children's blankets were touching other cots, not separate. | 2026-01-29 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-111(d) The center shall provide space for each childs personal belongings to keep them separate from other childrens belongings |
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| Licensing 2026-01-28 |
Three toy cars and an uncovered pacifier sitting on transition room changing table pad , not sanitary. | 2026-01-29 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-94(j) Caregivers shall use the diapering surface exclusively for diaper changing |
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| Licensing 2025-09-19 |
On day of main Y's gym floors being sealed, program opened program doors that do not have screens. On day of consultant's visit transition classroom had their back door leading to playground wide open with no screen. | 2025-09-22 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-106(g) All outside doors and windows shall be screened with sixteen (16) gauge mesh screen when open |
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| Licensing 2025-09-19 |
The main YMCA gym floor was being sealed with a polyurethane hybrid. The off-gas odor was very strong in program, program should have conducted an emergency closure. | 2025-09-22 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-10(a)(6) When conditions arise that make the building unsafe, the center must take immediate action to provide for the safety and well-being of children and staff. Unsafe conditions include, but are not limited to, the following: Gas, carbon monoxide, or other noxious gases leak |
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| Licensing 2025-09-19 |
Program remained open during program's indoor gym being polyurethaned, within licensed area. A polyurethane hybrid was used, which can off-gas VOC's. | 2025-09-22 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-99(b) Caregivers shall not care for children in areas that are being remodeled, repaired, or painted |
||
| Licensing 2025-03-18 |
There is not a thermometer in the infant classroom refrigerator. | 2025-03-19 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-116(s) The center shall place an accurate, easily readable thermometer in each compartment of the refrigerator and freezer in position for daily monitoring |
||
| Licensing 2025-03-18 |
At time of inspection there was not a staff member with food service training present, and lunch was being served. | 2025-03-28 |
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Type of correction needed: 410 IAC 7-24 Current BCC approved food service training for at least one staff member responsible for the operation of the kitchen. A person with BCC approved food service training will be present whenever meals or snacks are served. |
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| Licensing 2025-03-18 |
Throw rugs throughout program need to be secured, trip hazards. | 2025-03-19 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-99(g) The center must firmly secure and keep all carpeting clean. |
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| Licensing 2025-03-18 |
Infant sleeping in infant room in crib with raised mattress, must be 26" from top of mattrress to top of rail. | 2025-03-27 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-141(g)(2) Full-sized cribs shall meet the following guidelines: With the mattress support in its lowest position and the crib side in its highest position, the vertical distance from the upper surface of the mattress support to the upper surface of the crib side and end panel shall not be less than twenty-six (26) inches |
||
| Licensing 2025-03-18 |
Hazardous items within reach of children: Teacher purse in transition room hanging on low hook in cubby room,teacher purse in Toddler 1 closet, Toddler 1 had Dish soap and Hempz lotion at low sink, Starch and hand lotion under sink in Toddler 2, First Aid kit with hand sanitizer and ointments within reach, decorative glass wine bottle, glass lamps and shaky table in Transition room. Small pony beads accessible to toddlers in transition room, choking hazard. | 2025-03-19 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items |
||
| Licensing 2025-03-18 |
Indoor gross motor equipment in Toddler 1 and Toddler 2 needs to meet guidelines for fall zone/safety surface underneath. | 2025-03-19 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-63(j) All indoor gross motor equipment shall meet the Consumer Product Safety Commissions guidelines for safety surfaces |
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| Licensing 2025-03-18 |
Caregiver in Toddler 1 did not wash her hands after changing diaper, used hand sanitizer. | 2025-03-18 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-98(e) Caregivers shall wash their hands before and after each child care duty including individual feeding, bathing, wiping noses, diapering, and assisting children using the toilet |
||
| Licensing 2024-11-21 |
Program self reported that a vape was accessible in a toddler room. Was removed immediately upon being discovered, staff member it belonged to terminated. | 2024-11-20 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100(a) Poisons, chemicals, and any item that states fatal if swallowed must be in locked storage and not accessible to children |
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| Licensing 2024-11-21 |
Program self reported that a vape was accessible in a toddler room. Was removed immediately upon being discovered, staff member it belonged to terminated. Smoking is prohibited on program property. | 2024-11-19 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-19(a)(5)(a) The following items shall be prominently posted in a place regularly viewed by parents: Prohibitions against: smoking |
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| Licensing 2024-01-03 |
Box fan in Transition room sitting on low shelf, not covered. | 2024-01-04 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-101 Electrical safety |
||
| Licensing 2024-01-03 |
The children's admission application has a spot for authorized pick up list, but the list is names only. Must have addresses and phone numbers as well. | 2024-01-08 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-36(8) 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 name, address, and telephone number of any person, other than the parent, authorized to remove the child from the premises |
||
| Licensing 2024-01-03 |
Three cribs in infant room filled with storage materials. | 2024-01-04 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-128(c) Staff shall not store furnishings or equipment in cribs |
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| Licensing 2024-01-03 |
In Toddler 1 room there was a tube of Aveeno lotion on counter by children's handwashing sink, accessible. In Toddler 2 there were two containers of Aquaphor on low counter in children's restroom, accessible. | 2024-01-04 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items |
||
| Licensing 2024-01-03 |
The children's admission application has a spot for emergency contacts, but the list is names only. Some have phone numbers listed, but not all. Must have addresses and phone numbers for each contact. | 2024-01-08 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-36(9) 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 name, address, and telephone number of responsible person who may be called to come for the child in case of illness or other emergency if the parent cannot be reached |
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| Licensing 2024-01-03 |
There is not a cleaning schedule posted and used in kitchen. | 2024-01-04 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-19 Posted items |
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| Licensing 2024-01-03 |
There is currently not a Food Handler on staff. | 2024-02-05 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-116 Kitchen and food preparation areas |
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| Licensing 2024-01-03 |
Preschool 1 and Preschool 2 do not have easels out in classroom. | 2024-01-05 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-63(c)(2) The following minimums shall be provided to each group to children two (2) years of age and older: An art easel with paint and paper |
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| Licensing 2023-03-14 |
The center must store cleaning equipment, cleaning agents, aerosol cans, and any other item that states keep out of the reach of children in a place that is inaccessible to children | 2023-03-21 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100(e) Some items labeled keep out of reach of children were accessible:Toddler 1 room: isopropyl alcohol, shaving cream, sunscreen under sink in unlocked cabinet behind deterrantToddler 2: diaper creams in lock box that was not locked in unlocked drawerTransition Room: diaper creams in lock box that was not locked on low window sill by diaper tablePreschool 1: diaper cream on shelf under diaper table in unlocked cabinet.Preschool 3: Sunscreens on bottom shelf by playground door, adult scissors on shelf in reach by child mailboxes |
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| Licensing 2023-03-14 |
Infants and toddlers shall have indoor/outdoor small climbing equipment that they can go in and out of, over, and around | 2023-03-23 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-131(j) Toddler 1 and Toddler 2 did not have climber or small climbing equipment available |
||
| Licensing 2023-03-14 |
All items in the restroom must be sanitizable | 2023-03-22 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-113(n) Toddler 2: Diapers uncovered in restroom, not sanitizeableTransition: Diapers uncovered, restroom being used as storage, many unsanitizable items. |
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| Licensing 2022-01-26 |
Building maintenance | 2022-01-27 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-99 Exit blocked in infant room with rolled towel. |
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| Licensing 2022-01-26 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2022-01-27 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 Hand sanitizer accessible in preschool classroom. |
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| Licensing 2021-01-21 |
Written program plans | 2021-01-21 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-60 Lesson plan was not current in toddler classroom. |
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| Licensing 2021-01-21 |
Child/staff ratios and supervision | 2020-12-17 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 Child left unattended for a period of time in both their classroom and outside playground. |
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| Licensing 2021-01-21 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2021-01-21 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 Hand sanitizer was accessible in preschool room. |
||
| Complaints 2020-12-22 |
2021-02-10 | |
| Type of correction needed: program out of compliance with supervision requirements | ||
| Licensing 2020-03-17 |
Staff, substitutes, and volunteer records | 2020-05-22 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41 Staff with expired TB test, and missing education verification from file. |
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| Licensing 2020-03-17 |
In-service staff training | 2020-05-22 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-35 Consultant unable to verify staff's inservice training hours. |
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| Licensing 2019-03-13 |
Infant/Toddler Sleeping | 2019-05-21 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-141 Infant staff do not have face to face safe sleep training. |
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| Licensing 2019-03-13 |
Written program plans | 2019-03-18 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-60 Classroom lesson plans were not observed. |
||
| Licensing 2019-03-13 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2019-03-15 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 Sunscreen observed in preschool room.Air freshener accessible in preschool bathroom. |
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| Licensing 2019-03-13 |
A licensee that cares for children who are less than twelve (12) months of age shall: ensure that all caregivers of children who are less than twelve (12) months of age follow safe sleeping practices. | 2019-03-20 |
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Type of correction needed: IC 12-17.2-4-4.1(a)(2) Infant observed sleeping in crib with bib on. |
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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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