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Highsmith Early Childhood Learning Center Inc
1741 E Gary Rd, Lakeland FL 33801 · License #C10PO0770 · Child Care Facility
Contact
- Phone
- (863) 687-8721
- Website
- Add via profile claim
- Address
- 1741 E Gary Rd, Lakeland FL 33801 · Directions
Hours
Care & schedule
When they operate
Ages served
Ages not published.
- Accepts School Readiness subsidy
- Licensed for 137 children
How this facility compares
Violations per inspection, 3-yrInspection history & violations
Source: Florida DCF, Office of Child Care Regulation- Class 3
12-02 · Facility Environment
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed some areas of the facility not in good repair. In the middle mixed classroom with two and three year old children in the childrens restroom, the drywall was cracked from the door handle hitting the wall. Also, near the back exit door in that same classroom on the left side bottom corner under the fire extinguisher the specialist observed paint peeling and chipped. As well as to the right side of the classroom closest to the one year old classroom by the carpet on the lower part of the wall paint was also observed chipping. In the childrens restroom in the four and five year old classroom the boys restroom in the left side stall near the back of the toilet along the bottom of the wall paint was observed cracked and peeling. Also, in the girls restroom on the wall near the handwashing sink there were small holes in the wall. The specialist advised the provider that holes in the wall need to be patched and also reminded the staff that if they remove anything from the wall and notice a hole to immediately patch them and repaint to ensure compliance for this standard. Lastly, the specialist observed the floor tiles in the food preparation area near the entrance door frame until the sink that were cracked. TA was provided to ensure that the facility is in good repair by the due date
- Class 2
20-06 · Crib Requirements
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed while conducting ratio infants in the infant classroom placed in cribs with thick loose blankets. As well as an infant propped on a boppy pillow inside the crib as well. The provider immediately removed the blankets once Licensing walking in the classroom. The specialist asked the staff to remove the boppy pillow from the crib at time of inspection and reminded staff that the items like pillow and blankets are potential suffocation hazards. The staff stated she understood. TA was provided to ensure that additional items are not added to the crib that may cause suffocation hazards
Corrected by Jun 20, 2025
- Class 2
23-12 · Fire Drills
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist and provider conducted a fire drill the provider failed to possess current copies of the childrens emergency contacts at time of the drill. The provider and specialist conducted a second fire drill at time of inspection and the provider did have emergency contacts available during the drill. TA was provider to ensure that the provider possess both attendance rosters and emergency contacts for all enrolled children at time of drills as well as actual emergencies. At the time of the inspection, Licensing counselor observed the providers last fire drill was conducted on ___6/2/2025__________. The provider conducted a lockdown drill on ___5/2/2025__________ and a weather drill conducted on __2/3/2025_______. The fire extinguishers were last tagged on _June___ 2025. A fire drill was conducted today in the presence of a DCF Licensing counselor utilizing the facilitys approved fire system, pull station. Fire drill was conducted utilizing the providers alternate route as well as during naptime
Corrected by Jun 20, 2025
- Class 3
28-02 · Bottles, Breastmilk, Formula and Infant Food
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed a few childrens water bottles provided from home that were not labeled. The specialist advise the provider that bottles and cups provided from home must be labeled with the childrens first and last names. The staff immediately labeled the childrens bottles at time of inspection. TA was provided to ensure that the cups and bottles provided from home are labeled appropriately at all times
Corrected by Jun 20, 2025
- Class 3
30-07 · Diapering
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed the diaper changing station in the one year old classroom with other items stored unrelated to diapering. The specialist observed empty sippy cups as well as extra blankets on the station. The provider removed the items at time of inspection. TA was provided to ensure that the items unrelated to diapering are not stored on the diapering station area
Corrected by Jun 20, 2025
- Class 3
33-06 · Training Requirements
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist determined that the child care personnel listed on the supplemental did not complete required 5 hour Literacy within 12 months of working in the industry. Staff started in the industry on 6/20/2023. The staff started at the facility on 5/26/2025. TA was provided to ensure that the staff completes the training by the due date
- Class 3
46-07 · Daily Attendance
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed the infant classroom attendance and observed 3 infants but only 2 infants were accounted for. Also, in the school aged classroom the specialist observed 13 children but only 10 children were accounted for. The staff immediately signed the children in at time of inspection. TA was provided to ensure that the attendance roster follows the children at all times
Corrected by Jun 20, 2025
- Class 2
06-01 · Driver's License, Physician Certification
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist determined that the driver listed on the supplemental did not have an annual medical physical which grants medical approval to drive. The last physical medical physical on file that specialist observed was dated on 8/8/2023. The provider reviewed transportation logs from August until current and the driver listed on the supplemental transported children in care every day since the physical was expired as of 8/8/2023. The provider advised that the driver recently completed a medical physical. The provider did not initially have the form on file but was able to get it faxed over to her for Licensing to review. The physical was completed for the driver on 1/20/2025. However, the physician mistakenly documented the form for the statement which grants authorization to drive. The specialist advised the staff to take the form back to the physician to correct the form and initial next to authorization in order to be in compliance for this standard. TA was provided to ensure that drivers complete an annual medical physical granting authorization to transport children in care
- Class 3
12-02 · Facility Environment
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed the two and three year old classroom on the corner of the wall near house keeping with the edge of the wall chipped with paint chipping on the lower part of the wall as well a near the middle of the wall there was an indent crack in the wall. Also, in the four and five year old classroom on the wall near the rug used for circle time there was paint chipping. The provider advised that learning poster are posted with tape and it tears off the paint and walls material. In the one and two year old classroom the window sill was also observed with paint chipping as well as the door leading towards the office in the same classroom on the lower part of the door was observed with paint chipping and needing to be repainted. TA was provided to ensure that the provider repairs the areas of the facility by the due date
- Class 2
12-07 · Facility Environment
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed an unscreened individual walk from the children restrooms located in the VPK classroom into the large gray closed classroom and out of the facility. The provider advised that the individual works on the church side and used the restroom because the church has no restrooms. Specialist advised the provider that unscreened individuals can not be on the premises in contact with children in care; this causes a moderate harm if individuals from the church access the facility during operation hours on a regular basis to use the restroom. TA was provided to ensure that no unscreened individuals are present at the facility accessible to children in care without a eligible background screening
- Class 3
17-01 · Outdoor Play Area/Fencing
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed the stationary outdoor equipment with paint chipping and needing to be repainted. The outdoor equipment on the older childrens playground to include blue slide with red stairs, the blue and yellow metal car and the yellow, blue and red 4 way seesaw. TA was provided to ensure that the equipment is repainted to eliminate paint chipping by the due date
- Class 3
24-18 · Food Preparation Area
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed in the milk cooler in the lunch room individual chocolate milk that expired as of 2/23/2025. Also, in the infant room there was infant yogurt in the mini refrigerator that was expired as of 1/31/25. The provider discarded of all the expired food items at time of inspection. TA was provided to ensure that the provider follows the recommendation set by the manufacturer for expiration dates
Corrected by Feb 25, 2025
- Class 3
30-14 · Diapering
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed diapering procedures were not posted in the two and three year old classroom near the diapering station. Also in the same classroom the specialist observed the staff change a toddlers diaper but did not wash their hands or the childs hands. As well as in the two and three year old classroom the provider observed the staff change a toddlers diaper but did not wash their hands or the childs hands. The specialist reminded both staff to review the diapering procedures and ensure that they wash their hands after every diapering and also wash the childs hands. Both staff washed their hands and the childs at time of inspection as well as diapering procedures were posted near the diapering area at time of inspection. TA was provided to ensure that diapering procedures are posted near diapering stations and also ensure staff is following the procedures
Corrected by Feb 25, 2025
- Class 3
31-03 · Indoor Equipment
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed in the infant classroom baby rocking chairs and bouncers that were heavily stained in need of cleaning as well as some with the cotton material on the seat torn. In the four and five year old classroom the provider observed a blue leather chair that had cracks and tears in the seat as well as the top of the chair had material missing causing a hole where the foam cushion was exposed. TA was provided to ensure that toys and furnishings are sanitary and safe for children in care
- Class 3
32-07 · Outdoor Equipment
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed on the older childrens playground stationary outdoor equipment with a resilient surface of mulch that was not maintained to measure to 6 inches in depth and 6 feet in perimeter. The equipment to include the blue merry go round, the red stationary bikes and the red, blue and yellow stationary 4 way seesaw measured to 5 inches in depth. The provider stated that they have mulch stored outside on the playground and when weather permits they planned to add mulch as needed. TA was provided to ensure that the resilient surface near the stationary equipment measures to 6 inches in depth and 6 feet in perimeter by the due date
- Class 3
33-13 · Training Requirements
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist determined that the child care personnel listed on the supplemental did not complete all of the required School Readiness preservice training course prior to directly supervising children in care alone. Staff 1 started at the facility on 5/ 6/2024. Staff 2 started on 7/22/2024. Child care personnel have 90 days from their start date to complete pre service training courses. As of todays date both staff have not taken Child Development in the school readiness program. TS was provided to the provider on two previous inspections to provider on the following dates 6/27/2024 and 2/26/2024 detailing training requirements and courses needed to complete on the supplemental page. TA was provided to ensure that the child care personnel complete the required training course by the due date
- Class 3
35-12 · Communicable Disease Control
At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist determined that the child care personnel listed on the supplemental did not complete annual exposure plan training. The specialist observed in most of the personnel files the last training was completed in 2022. TA was provided to ensure that child care personnel complete the training course by the
- Class 3
09-01 · Planned Activities
The licensing specialist observed several classrooms that did not have times/activities posted for the duration of operation hours. The provider was advised to ensure all classrooms have a schedule posted to reflect the time for the operation hours to maintain compliance of this standard
- Class 3
At the time of the inspection the counselor observed several rooms where the a/c ventilation needed to be cleaned, there were cobwebs on walls and in corners of the classrooms. The play chair in the classroom had old stains that needed to be cleaned. The provider should ensure all these listed are cleaned to maintain compliance of this standard
- Class 3
At the time of the inspection, the counselor observed several chairs, toys, and a small table on the playground that needed to be cleaned (pressure washed). There was recently a large hurricane, however, the toys appear to have imbedded dirt that has occurred over time. Provider has until reinspection to clean the toys
- Class 3
24-18 · Food Preparation Area
At the time of the inspection the counselor observed several brands of dry cereal and the chocolate milk to be at its last day (chocolate milk) and the dry cereals to be expired by 1-3 months. The provider through out the expired cereal during the time of the inspection; bringing them back into compliance
- Class 3
38-01 · Emergency Telephone Numbers
The licensing specialist observed the emergency list of numbers where the cordless phone in the kitchen was missing the health dept. number and the directions to the facility. The provider was advised to ensure these are added to the list to maintain compliance of this standard
- Class 3
41-01 · Immunization Records
At the time of the inspection, the counselor observed two children without dated immunizations. Counselor has until reinspection to have the updated immunization records to be back into compliance
- Class 3
46-01 · Daily Attendance
The licensing specialist observed several classrooms that did not have an attendance record for any child for the month of October. The provider is advised to ensure all classrooms have daily attendance for each classroom to maintain the compliance of this standard
- Class 3
12-02 · Facility Environment
At the time of the inspection, the 2- & 3-year-old classroom still had stained ceiling tiles, the 3- & 4-year-old classroom also had stained ceiling tiles and the back room had several stained ceiling tiles
Questions to ask on your tour
Generated from this facility's specific inspection record
- 1The Jun 20, 2025 inspection noted: “At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist observed some areas of the facility not in good repair. In the middle mixed classroom with two and three yea…” — what has changed since then?
- 2The Feb 25, 2025 inspection noted: “At the time of inspection, the Licensing specialist determined that the driver listed on the supplemental did not have an annual medical physical which grants m…” — what has changed since then?
- 3The Oct 15, 2024 inspection noted: “The licensing specialist observed several classrooms that did not have times/activities posted for the duration of operation hours. The provider was advised to…” — what has changed since then?
Data synced from Florida DCF, Office of Child Care Regulation · Source records · Report an error