Licensed Center
✓ Licensed
Kids First Academy
Highland, IN
· Lake County
2450 Lincoln Street,
Highland, IN 46322
Quick Facts
Capacity
101 children
Age Range
Infant-Twelve
Subsidized Program
Does not participate
PTQ Level
3
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Contact Information
📞 (219) 923-5437
Licensed Licensed Center
Active License
License Number
1100245
License Issued
Feb 1, 2026
Active Through
Dec 31, 2027
Issued By
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
District Office
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration - Bureau of Child Care
Reviews
Rose
2022-02-12 21:48:12
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆
I am an employee
I used to work for this facility, but have since left. While I was working there the teachers (most of them) beautifully treated the children like their own. It's management that's the issue. Despite coming in with my certifications and years of experience, I, as well as many others, were still making minimum wage. After working there a few years many of us still had not seen a raise at all. Management was bad for playing favoritism. A teacher can watch 5 kids depending on the classroom, so with 2 teachers there is 10 children in a class. Occasionally the coworker would leave to *gossip* with the owner, leaving one teacher with 10 1 year old's for over an hour. There was a classroom with an extra kid occasionally because the owner would allow her unregistered grand niece to come in about twice a week, putting us over ratio no matter what. After leaving, I worked for a different company, and needed to pick up a child from Kids First. The teachers had lost the child, and neither of them knew where he had been for about the last half hour. After complaining to my company, Kids First tried to get me fired from there for "slandering their name." The teachers are great, and truly try their best with what they have, but I wouldn't send my kid here due to the train wreck of management.
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About the Provider
we provide your children with a kids first approach to early childhood development & education. We are licensed for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old. Our hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and we are open Monday - Friday. We are a family owned & operated state licensed facility. We provide nutritious meals and snacks as well as a structured program with all age groups.
Additional Information:
Number Of Infants Licensed: 8; Number Of Toddler Licensed: 10; PTQ Level 2;
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 2024-11-22 |
One staff member missing TB test results. | 2024-11-26 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-85(2) 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: Mantoux tuberculin skin test, with results recorded in millimeters, and repeated annually |
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| Licensing 2024-11-22 |
Two staff members missing drug test results. | 2024-12-03 |
|
Type of correction needed: IC 12-17.2-4-3.5(a)(1) A child care center shall, at no expense to the state, maintain and make available to the division upon request a copy of drug testing results for an individual who: is employed |
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| Licensing 2024-11-22 |
Two staff members missing current Universal Precautions training. | 2024-11-28 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-32(a)(7)(a) 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: Training in universal precautions. A person trained annually in universal precautions shall repeat this training annually for all child care staff and include the following topics: Blood borne diseases and their transmission, work practice controls, and the use of personal protective equipment as required by the OSHA and ISDH |
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| Licensing 2023-11-03 |
At the time of visit, in the transition classroom, there was cleaning products and rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide in the lower cabinet, accessible to the children. | 2023-11-03 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items |
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| Licensing 2022-10-26 |
Centers shall comply with the following: Keep cold foods under forty-one (41) degrees Fahrenheit | 2022-10-26 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-81(b)(2) The infant room refrigerator thermometer was 58 degrees at time of visit. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-26 |
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 | 2022-10-26 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-63(c)(2) In the transition room, there was not paint or paper at the easel at the time of visit. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-26 |
When to wash hands | 2022-10-27 |
|
Type of correction needed: 410 IAC 7-24-129 In the transition room, a child had snot on his fingers, he was given a tissue by staff but was not guided to the sink to wash hands. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-26 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2022-10-26 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 In the transition room, the Dab-O-Link dobbers state keep out of reach of children. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-26 |
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 | 2022-11-02 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41(a)(7) 1 staff (KA) does not have evidence of an annual TB test on file. |
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| Licensing 2022-10-26 |
The center shall cover electrical outlets or otherwise make them shockproof in all areas accessible by children | 2022-10-26 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-101(b) The pre-k classroom is missing outlet covers. |
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| Licensing 2021-10-14 |
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. | 2021-10-19 |
|
Type of correction needed: IC 12-17.2-4-3(e)(1) Six caregivers have not submitted consent forms to the division which allowing for a National Criminal History background check. |
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| Licensing 2021-10-14 |
Kitchen and food preparation areas | 2021-10-15 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-116 In classroom refrigerators (Rooms A, C, and F) opened gallons of milk were not dated with the date opened. In room C, pitchers of liquid were in the refrigerator and were not labeled with item name or date. |
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| Licensing 2021-10-14 |
Bathrooms | 2021-10-14 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-113 In the boys bathroom in room E, there is a metal file cabinet with teaching materials in it. Items unrelated to toileting can not be stored in the restrooms. |
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| Licensing 2021-10-14 |
Rest periods | 2021-10-15 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-53 Cots in the one's and two's classroom were not were not spaced 2 feet apart. In the one's classroom, cots were touching. |
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| Licensing 2021-10-14 |
Child/staff ratios and supervision | 2021-10-19 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-48 The two caregivers in the toddler classroom (room A) have not submitted consent forms and therefore are not qualified caregivers; therefore the room is not properly supervised. The caregiver in the two's classroom (room C) has not submitted a consent form to the division and therefore is not a qualified caregiver; therefore the classroom is not being supervised. |
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| Licensing 2021-10-14 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2021-10-14 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 In room E, shaving cream was found in an unlocked cabinet and accessible to children. Shaving cream states, "keep out of reach of children" |
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| Licensing 2021-10-14 |
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 | 2021-10-19 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41(a)(3) Six caregivers have not submitted consent forms to the division allowing for a statewide criminal history check to be done. |
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| Licensing 2020-10-07 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2020-10-08 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 Janitor's Closet by the staff restroom is open with bleach and chemicals accessible.Staff bag and purse accessible in Room D and Room EStaff restroom door open with spray cleaner and aerosol can accessible |
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| Licensing 2020-10-07 |
Bathrooms | 2020-10-12 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-113 Ventilation fan covers in some of the restrooms are dusty.Bathrooms being used for storage of items that are not sanitizable in Room D and Room ETwo stained ceilig tiles in Room Room D bathroom |
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| Licensing 2019-11-08 |
In-service staff training | 2019-11-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-35 Caregiver in infant room not trained in safe sleep |
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| Licensing 2019-11-08 |
Infant physical care | 2019-11-11 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-123 Cloth not being used when holding infant and feeding infant. |
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| Licensing 2019-11-08 |
Confidentiality of records | 2019-11-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-44 Allergies posted in the 1's room. |
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| Licensing 2019-11-08 |
Infant Food Preparation and Storage | 2019-11-11 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-135 Powdered forumal being used without doctors note and medical reason.. |
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| Licensing 2019-11-08 |
Building maintenance | 2019-12-13 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-99 1's Room:Wall under the months of the year in need of repair.Wall by birthday chart in need of repair. 3/4's room:Wall by music posting in need of repair. Screen broken. |
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| Licensing 2019-11-08 |
Bathrooms | 2019-11-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-113 Plunger being stored in the restroom of the 1's room. No soap at sink in the 1's room. |
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| Licensing 2019-11-08 |
Educational equipment and materials | 2019-11-08 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-63 Sensory table being used for storage in the 2's room. |
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| Licensing 2019-11-08 |
Diapering | 2019-11-11 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-94 Diapers being stored in reach of children in the 1's, 2's and 2.5/3's room. |
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| Licensing 2019-11-08 |
Kitchen and food preparation areas | 2019-11-18 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-116 Refrigerator in the 1's and 2's room in need of cleaning. . |
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| Licensing 2019-11-08 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2019-11-20 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 1's Room:Staff purse, soap and cleaners in reach of children. Infant Room:Diaper creams in reach of children 2's room:Soap, disinfectant spray, windex, staff purse and cleaners in reach of children. Bins on shelf tippable and a hazard. 2.5/3's:diaper creams in reach of children 4/5's room: Nail polish in reach of children. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Building maintenance | 2018-10-21 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-99 Ceiling tiles in the restroom in the 1's room in need of repair or replacing. Restroom ceiling tiles in the 2/5's room in neeed of repair or replacing. Counter top ledge in 3/4's coming off. Ceiling tiles in the 4/5's room in need of repair or replacing. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Kitchen and food preparation areas | 2018-10-19 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-116 1' s room refrigerator:lunch meat not labeled with date open. Infant room:Cheerios, chex mix, goldfish and crackers not labeled with date open. In the 2.5/3's room:milk not labeled with date open. In Pre-K room:Salami not dated with date open. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Childrens admission records | 2018-10-22 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-36 One child missing evidence of child development information. One child missing name, address, and telephone number for person responsible who may be called in an emergency and for the person authroized to remove child from premises. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Educational equipment and materials | 2018-10-18 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-63 1's room:sensory table being used for storage. 2's room:No evidence of unit blocks in classroom. Sensory table being used for storage |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Meal components | 2018-10-18 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-78 Coffee, pop and arizona ice tea on counter in the 2's room. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Garbage and refuse | 2018-10-18 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-109 2.5/3's room: No lid on garbage can that food is being thrown away . |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Infant/Toddler Sleeping | 2018-10-18 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-141 Infant using a sleep wedge in crib that does not fit the crib. Safe sleep waiver not up to date or approved. Safe sleep waiver was from February 2018. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Staff, substitutes, and volunteer records | 2018-11-06 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-41 One caregiver missig evidence of physical. 4 caregivers missing evidence of up to date training hours. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Bathrooms | 2018-11-02 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-113 Paper towel not being dispensed in a sanitary manner in the 2's room. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Diapering | 2018-10-18 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-94 1's room:diapers in reach of children.2's room:diapering pad and table dirty. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Infant/Toddler Equipment; General | 2018-10-22 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-131 Climbers not sanitzable in the 1's room |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Posted items | 2018-10-19 |
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Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-19 Signed first aid directives not in the 2's room. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Infant Food Preparation and Storage | 2018-10-22 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-135 Two infants using powered formula with no note from doctor that states a medical reason. One infants formula being mixed with a thickener. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items | 2018-11-02 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-100 1's room:Spray disinfectant, windex, bang cleaner, spic and span, lysol, soap and bleach in reach of children. Infant room:Scentsy warmer in classroom. 2's room:Keep out of reach soap, butt paste, in reach of children,Hall closet:Borax, bleach, laundry detergant and floor cleaner in reach of children. 2.5/3's room:All smiles hand cream that says keep out of reach of children in reach of children. Staff purse and cleaners in reach of children. Pre-K room/HallwayBleach, raid, floor cleaner, bang cleaner, sunscreen, staff purse and soap in reach of children. |
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| Licensing 2018-10-18 |
Medication | 2018-10-18 |
|
Type of correction needed: 470 IAC 3-4.7-88 Nystatin for two children in the 2's room out of date and in reach of children. |
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