Licensed Child Care Center
✓ Licensed
Dawns Early Light Inc
Dunkirk, MD
· Calvert County
3150 West Ward Road,
Dunkirk, MD 20754
Quick Facts
Capacity
85 children
Age Range
6 weeks through 17 months, 18 months through 23 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 5 years to 15 years
Subsidized Program
Participates
State Rating
3
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Contact Information
📞 (301) 855-6300
Licensed Licensed Child Care Center
Active License
License Number
98738
Issued By
Maryland State Department of Education
Accreditation
MSDE
District Office
Region 10 - Southern Maryland Office
Reviews
Parent of daycare worker
2024-06-05 23:55:08
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
I am an employee
I would not recommend anyone work for Dawn. She is extremely abusive to her staff. She has 13 and 14 year old kids working at the daycare under the table. We had two drug addicts working at the daycare who would get high in their cars in the parking lot! She instructs the staff to lie about their name and what room they are assigned should an inspector come in. Just last week the power company came and shut off the power in the middle of the day because she didn’t pay the bills! We had infants’ bottles in the refrigerator uncooled for hours. Anyone who speaks up about anything is fired. It is horrible. I cannot imagine the parents that send their kids to this place have any clue what is going on!
Licensed therapist/parent
2022-10-15 07:47:12
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
I have used this provider for less than 6 months
I’d give 0 stars if I could. If you care about your children do not take them here. The owner of this facility is emotionally and verbally abusive to the staff and children behind closed doors. She has been reported to CPS MULTIPLE times and brags that she is “untouchable”. She fires any staff who has a problem and kicks out any family who confronts her. I have ample proof of this behavior from staff who have reported her. My child went to smart start for 5 years and she she bought it out and kicked us out after 3 days via email while she was on vacation and refused to speak with me directly. Why?? because I confronted her about a few concerns like any normal parent would do…. During this interaction she invalidated my child’s experience and told me none of what he said happened. Which I later found out from other parents and staff was a lie. This doesnt hurt me it hurts my child and all the other children she did this too during the transition…it’s abandonment. Dawn is unable to take accountability for her actions and kicks out anyone who asks her to do so for her harmful actions against our children. As someone who as dedicated my life to saving children.... Dawn is a predator be careful.
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About the Provider
Bright beginnings begin here and never end. At Dawn's Early Light we provide a structured learning environment that stimulates a child's heart and mind. Children have a chance to develop skills in cooperative play, social interaction, leadership and compassion. All of this while having fun! Activities are planned to encourage children to expand their potential without thinking about it, to enhance reasoning skills and to form wholesome observations about the world we live in. Each age group is provided with developmentally appropriate activities and centers.
Hours of Operation
- Monday 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Tuesday 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Wednesday 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Thursday 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Friday 6:00 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.
| Date | Type | Regulations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-04 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.05C(3) | Corrected |
| Findings: The Director, 5 teachers and 4 Aides did not complete their 2024 Basic Health and Safety Update within the allotted time frame. However, the Director ensured that they all have now completed the training and have their training certificates in their employee files. Therefore, this non-compliance is already corrected. | |||
| 2025-09-04 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.12A(3) | Corrected |
| Findings: All Aides shall complete a basic health and safety course within 90 days of their employment at the Center. One Aide should have completed it by 01/30/2025, but completed it on 05/15/2025, albeit late. Therefore, this portion of the non-compliance is now corrected. Another Aide should have completed a basic health and safety course by 11/05/204, but has yet to do so. Please have her complete a basic health and safety course as soon as possible and send a copy of her completed training certificate to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2025-09-04 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.12C | Corrected |
| Findings: All Aides shall complete a 3 hour Aide Orientation course within 6 months of their employment. One Aide should have taken the course no later than 01/30/2025, but has now completed it on 05/15/2025, albeit late. Another Aide should have completed a 3 hour Aide Orientation course no later than 02/05/2025, but has now completed it on 05/22/2025, albeit late. Therefore, this non-compliance is now corrected. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Full | 13A.16.03.02E | Corrected |
| Findings: Out of the 36 randomly selected children's records, it was found that four children do not have any evidence of having a second blood lead test. Please notify the parents in writing of the need for the second lead test so that they may schedule that with their respective child's physician. Provide written evidence of having notified the respective parents or provide a copy of the blood lead test results to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Full | 13A.16.03.04C | Corrected |
| Findings: During a review of all emergency forms, it was found that a three year old did not have any phone numbers listed for any of the child's emergency contacts. The Center Director was able to find this information listed in Brightwheel, so she added it to the child's emergency form. Therefore, this non-compliance was corrected on-site. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Full | 13A.16.03.04G | Corrected |
| Findings: Out of the 36 randomly selected children's records, it was found that three children do not have the age-appropriate immunizations. Please notify the respective parents so that they may obtain the necessary immunizations or supply the Center with a copy of their already updated immunization records. Please forward a copy of the identified children's age-appropriate immunizations to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. The Center was provided with a copy of the Children's Health Record Review so the Center knows which children need updated immunizations. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Full | 13A.16.03.05E | Corrected |
| Findings: During the inspection, an Aide was substituting for another Aide in the Infant Room (The Little Patriots), but the substitute log was not completed. While in the Licensing Specialist was still in the room, the substitute completed the form. Therefore, this non-compliance was corrected on site. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Full | 13A.16.03.06A(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: During a review of staff files, it was found that one staff member is no longer employed, but OCC had not been notified. The Center Director deleted her via 1203 during the inspection. Therefore, this non-compliance was corrected on-site. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Full | 13A.16.06.04A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: During a review of staff files, it was found that a newly hired Aide does not have a medical evaluation in her employee file at the Center. Please obtain a copy of the staff's medical evaluation and submit it to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Full | 13A.16.06.12A(3) | Open |
| Findings: During a review of staff files, no evidence was found to indicate that two Aides completed their required Basic Health and Safety training course within 90 days of their employment. Please have each of them complete MSDE's Basic Health and Safety course and submit their training certificates to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Full | 13A.16.09.01A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: During the inspection, there was no evidence of a written schedule of daily activities posted in the Adventure Room. When this was brought to the attention of the Director, she posted an activity schedule in the room. Therefore, this non-compliance was corrected on-site. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Full | 13A.16.10.04A | Corrected |
| Findings: During the inspection of the Little Patriots room, a drawer was found to be unsecured and contains potentially hazardous items such as push pins, scissors and paperclips. It has a latch on it, but the latch was not working properly in order to secure the items. While on-site. the latch was replaced and the drawer and its contents are now secure. Therefore, this non-compliance was corrected on-site. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Full | 13A.16.12.04A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: During the inspection, open packages of food were found in the pantry. These food items had been opened and then taped closed. The goldfish container was only closed, but not sealed. When this was brought to the attention of the Center Director, she moved all of the previously opened items into a sealed plastic container. The food items remain in their original container so there was no reason to individually label the outside of the plastic containers. This non-compliance was corrected on-site. | |||
| 2024-09-26 | Full | 13A.16.12.04F(4) | Corrected |
| Findings: The freezer located between the Pioneer Room and the Explorers Room had a temperature reading of 6 degrees F. While the Licensing Specialist was still on-site, the Director turned down the temperature in the freezer. It later read below 0 degrees F. Therefore, this non-compliance was corrected on-site. | |||
| 2023-09-13 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.05B | Corrected |
| Findings: Staffing patterns are posted in each classroom and are dated 07/27/2023. However, they are inaccurate. They include staff who are no longer employed at the Center and contain staff in the wrong room assignments. Please send updated and accurate staffing patterns for each classroom to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2023-09-13 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.06A(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: During the inspection, four employees were found to no longer be employed at the Center. While the Licensing Specialist was still at the Center, the Director completed a 1203 to delete those employees and changing seven other employees to substitutes. Therefore, this non-compliance was corrected on-site. | |||
| 2023-09-13 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.04A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: During a review of staff files, it was found that Aide, HP, has not had a medical evaluation completed. She was hired on 09/06/23 and has started working at the Center. HP reports that she has a medical evaluation scheduled for 09/19/2023. Volunteer, CJ, who was added to the Center via 1203 on 08/11/2023 has not had a medical evaluation. It is reported that one is scheduled, but the date is currently unknown to the Center. Please forward proof to OCC of both HP and CJ having a medical evaluation completed on the OCC form for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2023-09-13 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.04A(4) | Corrected |
| Findings: Teacher, TM, has not had a medical evaluation performed for child care since 09/12/2016 according to Center records. Medical evaluations shall be updated every five years from the previous medical evaluation. Please have TM have a medical evaluation completed on OCC's form as soon as possible and forward proof of having done so to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2023-09-13 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.12C | Corrected |
| Findings: During a review of staff files, it was found that Aide CS-Y was due to have completed Aide Orientation by 03/07/2023. CS-Y has yet to complete the three hour course, Aide Orientation. Please have CS-Y complete Aide Orientation as soon as possible and forward her completed certificate to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2023-09-13 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.09.04F | Corrected |
| Findings: During the inspection, Licensing Specialist observed a thick blanket covering a sleeping child in the baby room who is 17 months old and an11 month old baby sleeping with his head on a boppy in his crib. Another crib had a fleece blanket in it, but no child. This Licensing Specialist spoke to the Lead Teacher and to the Aide about these items and the dangers of them up to and including possible suffocation and death. The teacher removed the boppy from under the sleeping child's head and removed the fleece blanket from the empty crib. After the Owner also spoke with her about the dangers, the thick blanket was also removed from the child in the crib. Please write a letter of correction stating how the Center will become in compliance with this regulation in the future. | |||
| 2023-09-13 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.10.04F | Corrected |
| Findings: During the inspection, two outlets were found to be not in use and not capped. One in the Explorers room (two year olds) and in the Trailblazers room (18-24 month olds). While on-site, the Director and other staff members capped all of the outlets. Therefore, this non-compliance was corrected on-site. | |||
| 2023-09-13 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.12.04E | Corrected |
| Findings: Food which seemed to be cereal was found to be in clear nonabsorbent containers on top of the refrigerator in the hallway. However, there was no label on the containers as to the contents. Please clearly label each container of food. It is suggested to use the label from the original box that lists the type of food and its ingredients for the purpose of preventing or identifying any allergies. Please send a picture of the labeled containers of food to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2022-09-27 | Full | 13A.16.03.03D | Corrected |
| Findings: Of the random sample of records reviewed, eight children do not have the contract fees page which also states that they have received the handbook. No pet policy was observed in the handbook for the Center. Please have parents sign the fees page and add a pet policy to the handbook. Provide proof of having done so to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2022-09-27 | Full | 13A.16.03.04D(1-2) | Corrected |
| Findings: A random sample of children's records were reviewed. One child does not have Part I of the Health Inventory and another child does not have a parent signature on Part I of the Health Inventory. Please notify the parents and submit the needed documents with signatures for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2022-09-27 | Full | 13A.16.03.04D(3) | Corrected |
| Findings: A random sample of children's records were reviewed. One child does not have Part II of the Health Inventory. Please have the parent obtain a Health Inventory Part II that is signed by their respective physician and submit this to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2022-09-27 | Full | 13A.16.03.04E | Corrected |
| Findings: A random sample of children's records were reviewed. Twelve children are missing blood lead testing. These tests are to be done at 12 months of age and again at 24 months of age. The Center has been given a list of blood lead test needed for specific children. Please notify their respective parents so that they may schedule the blood lead test with their physician. Please provide proof of having notified the parents by email or provide the results of the blood lead tests for the correction of this non-compliance The results of the tests should be kept in their files. | |||
| 2022-09-27 | Full | 13A.16.03.04G | Corrected |
| Findings: A random sample of children's records were reviewed. Of those records, one child is missing an immunization record. Other children need their immunizations updated according to the Age-Appropriate Vaccination Requirements for children enrolled in Child Care Programs. The Center has been provided with a list of the children and the immunizations they are missing. Please submit the proper immunizations according to their age to OCC for the correction of this non-compliance. | |||
| 2022-09-27 | Full | 13A.16.03.04J | Corrected |
| Findings: Out of the files reviewed, one child is missing individual needs information. After the parent completes and signs Part I of the Health Inventory, this non-compliance will be corrected. | |||
| 2021-09-08 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.05B | Corrected |
| Findings: The posted staffing patterns are from 7/1/2021, however the last staffing patterns rec'd from the director were from October 2020. Director gave Lic. Spec. a copy of the July 2021 staffing patterns on site. Discussed that the posted staffing patterns don't reflect what was observed today. The director agreed that she needed to update the staffing patterns and post more current staffing patterns. Please forward the new updated corrected staffing patterns to the OCC, as soon as possible but within 30 days. | |||
| 2021-09-08 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.06A(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: The director reported on site today that 2 staff-AF and DD are no longer employed at the center. The director submitted a 1203 form on site deleting AF as of 8/8/21 and DD as of 8/20/21. Staff changes are to be reported within 5 days. The staff change is now reported which does correct the non-compliance but the changes weren't reported within the 5 days. Please report all staff changes timely in the future. | |||
| 2021-09-08 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.08.02B | Corrected |
| Findings: Upon arrival this morning Lic. Spec. observed an aide-BB alone with an infant in the infant room. The infant room staffing was corrected on site when PH moved to cover this room. TR was observed to be in charge of the 2 yr. old room,-Navigator room. TR is an aide, and is missing ADA to be qualified. The director reports that TR will immediately enroll in an ADA class to become qualified. Today, the director covered in the 2's room to have a qualified staff in the room for a few hours. The director reports that she didn't realize that an infant was starting earlier than 8 am and that she will revise the staffing to accommodate the infant room staffing. Please forward written corrective action within 30 days to indicate how all the classrooms will be properly staffed all day. | |||
| 2021-09-08 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.08.03D(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: Observed a group size of 4 children with one staff but there were 3 children under the age of 2 in the Trail Blazer room and one 2 year old in the group. This group composition requires 2 staff. This was corrected when the 2 year old was moved to another room. While this was corrected today, it is unclear how this room will remain in compliance in the future. Please forward written corrective action within 30 days. | |||
| 2021-09-08 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.08.03D(2)(a) | Corrected |
| Findings: Lic. Spec. observed a group of 21 children in a preschool Pioneer classroom. There were 2 staff in the room. This room was out of compliance with the group size for over an hour this morning. When an aide became available then children were moved from the Pioneer room to the Explorer room. While this was corrected today, it is unclear how this room will remain in compliance in the future. Please forward written corrective action within 30 days. | |||
| 2020-09-30 | Full | ||
| Findings: No Noncompliances Found | |||
| 2020-09-30 | Full | 13A.16.03.05B | Corrected |
| Findings: The posted staffing pattern in the infant room doesn't list LH, and she was present but recently started. Please post the most current staffing pattern in each room and forward the most current staffing pattern as soon as possible, within 30 days. The last staffing pattern rec'd was dated 9/16/20 and doesn't reflect the current staff. | |||
| 2020-09-30 | Full | 13A.16.03.06A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: There are numerous staff that were hired and not all of the documentation was reported or rec'd timely at the OCC. AM was hired as of Sept 8 and her release was rec'd 9/21. The 1203 form adding DD, RP and TC was rec'd on 9/13 but the their releases were rec'd 9/21 and no start date was listed on the 1203 form. The OCC is to receive the completed 1203 form and the release (as well as the CBC's) before the staff starts work. These are examples of staff not reported timely. The OCC also rec'd a 1203 on 9/13 adding DF as of 9/8 and to date no release or cbc was rec'd for him. The center has since deleted DF and RP. Please forward required documentation timely, and forward written corrective action within 30 days. | |||
| 2020-09-30 | Full | 13A.16.06.12A(3) | Corrected |
| Findings: The training for TW was due by October 2019 and was completed late, by May 2020. She needs at least 1 more hour of training by October 2020 for this training year. TR completed over 6 hours of training late, by March 2020 but it was due by October 2019. . Please be sure that staff are completing the required continued training timely. | |||
| 2020-09-30 | Full | 13A.16.08.02B | Corrected |
| Findings: Based on our discussion today and upon review of the most recent staffing pattern dated 9/16/2020 there are times throughout the day where there are not qualified staff working with groups of children. There is an aide alone with a group of children in the Adventurer room from 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm. There is not an approved staff in the Trailblazers room (if toddlers are in the group-as per the staffing pattern). There is actually a person listed on the 9/16 staffing pattern in the Trailblazers room that the OCC hasn't been notified about. The director states that this person never started. Please be sure that each room has a qualified staff person with the children at all times. Please rearrange staff to be sure that all children have a qualified staff with them at all times, or reduce the hours that care if offered to ensure qualified staff are with children at all times. Please submit corrective action within 30 days. | |||
| 2020-09-30 | Full | 13A.16.09.02A | Corrected |
| Findings: There is no primary staff person assigned to the infants nor is a primary staff assigned on the infant schedules, in the infant room. or in the toddler room. Discussed the need for completed individual schedules that include the primary staff person assigned for each infant. Please immediately assign and document the primary staff person for each child under age 2 and forward written corrective action within 30 days. | |||
| 2020-09-30 | Full | 13A.16.09.02C | Corrected |
| Findings: There were 4 of the 6 infant individual schedules in the infant room that haven't been updated for over 3 months. Please immediately ask parent to update the schedules and forward the written corrective action regarding the updates within 30 days. | |||
| 2020-09-15 | Complaint | 13A.16.03.06A(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: Upon a review of current staff the director reported that 10 staff listed as working at the center have left employment at the center. All of the staff left more than 10 days ago. The director immediately forwarded a 1203 form deleting the 10 staff. The AP list will be updated asap. This violation was corrected. Please be sure to notify the OCC of any staff changes. | |||
| 2020-09-15 | Complaint | 13A.16.09.04A(3) | Corrected |
| Findings: It was reported that the children didn't have sheets on their cots at nap time. Upon making an unannounced inspection at rest time, Lic. Spec. observed all the resting children with either a sheet on their mat or a sleeping bag on their mat, or an all in one sheet and blanket/pillow combination linen on their mat. The director reports that each mat is labeled and only used by one child and that the mats are cleaned and sanitized regularly. Lic. Spec. did discuss trying to distance the children better at rest time. Lic. Spec. "met" with the director in the school age room and didn't mention the sheet part of the complaint before being taken into the other rooms. By the time Lic. Spec. went into the classrooms it was nap time. Most children were already settled on their mats. However, Lic. Spec could see how they were resting. There was only one child without a linen on his mat. The staff explained that he had an accident the day before and the sheet hadn't been replaced. The staff wasn't aware of extra sheets in the building. The director states that there were extra sheets. Clean linens need to be made available for each child resting on site. Please supply child with linen. | |||
| 2019-08-07 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.06A(1) | Corrected |
| Findings: There were two staff who were hired and the OCC was not notified within 5 days of them being hired. The releases were also not received within 5 days of being hired. The OCC is aware of these two staff now. One of the releases was mailed and the last release for a new staff was received on site today. So this non-compliance is corrected. Please be sure to notify the OCC within 5 days of any new staff being hired. | |||
| 2019-08-07 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.06.12A(4) | Corrected |
| Findings: There are 2 aides that haven't completed their training within their training year. The director is aware of who needs training and by when. There was a third aid who didn't complete their training timely, but this aide has now completed the training, therefore the non-compliance for that staff person has been satisfied. The director is aware of which staff need the training completed. Please forward written corrective action within 30 days. | |||
| 2019-08-07 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.03.06A(2) | Corrected |
| Findings: There were 2 staff who ended their employment and OCC wasn't notified within 5 days. The OCC was notified today of the end dates for the 2 staff who had ended employment in February and March of this year. Please be sure to notify the OCC of within 5 days of any staff who have ended employment. | |||
| 2019-08-07 | Mandatory Review | 13A.16.09.04F | Corrected |
| Findings: There were 4 loose sheets observed on the mattresses of 4 of the infant cribs. Discussed that the sheets need to be snuggly fitting. The staff and director plan to purchase sheets for the cribs that fit better. Please forward written corrective action within 30 days. | |||
| 2018-10-03 | Complaint | 13A.16.03.05B | Corrected |
| Findings: The posted staffing patterns are incorrect. They are dated July. Please immediately forward staffing patterns indicating how each classroom has qualified staff and which meets staff child ratio requirements. | |||
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