DUVAL COUNTY, Fla. — Every week Action News Jax investigates local child care centers to show you how they measure up to state guidelines. In this week’s Kid Care Report Letisha Bereola shows you two day cares that were tagged with the second most serious violation:
Anchor Letisha Bereola paid a visit to Rhoda Martin Early Learning Center in Jacksonville Beach to speak with the director. Lutheran Services of Florida provide the Head Start program there.
The Department of Children and Families tagged it for a Class 2 violation, which could pose a threat to the healthy and safety of a child.
DCF stated there was no credentialed director from March 28 to April 17.
The center was given a provisional license and was back in compliance on April 17.
Bereola tried to speak with the director about the gap in time, but no one answered the door.
She received a statement from the center’s spokesperson, Terri Durdaller:
“LSF Head Start expects that our center directors keep their professional credentials updated. When we learn of these issues we review our policies, make necessary changes and take action. In this case, the center director was suspended until her credentials were updated and in good standing with the Department of Children and Families."
Young Scholars Childcare in Brentwood was tagged for two Class 2 violations and six class 3 violations, which according the state poses a low risk of harm to kids.
The Class 2 violations resulted from: no transportation log for a trip to Publix, the driver’s physical expired and a broken seat belt.
The Class 3 violations range from a tear in the diaper-changing mat and a toilet in bad condition, according to a DCF inspector.
Bereola stopped by the center and tried to reach out to the director to discuss the inspection report, but no one came to the door. She was able to speak with someone on the phone, but they did not have a comment.
An updated DCF inspection shows the center is now back in compliance.
To search for your day care's latest inspection and to see the most recent clean reports, click here.
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