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Armstrong Early Learning Center
950 E Van Buren St, Columbia City IN 46725 · License #166002 · Licensed Center
Contact
- Director
- Susan Koontz
- Phone
- (260) 244-9622
- Website
- Add via profile claim
- Address
- 950 E Van Buren St, Columbia City IN 46725 · Directions
Hours
Not published by the state. Owners can add hours via profile claim.
Care & schedule
When they operate
Ages served
- 2-Star quality rating
- Accepts CCDF child care assistance
- Licensed for 101 children
How this facility compares
Violations per inspection, 3-yrInspection history & violations
Source: Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning- Violation
470 IAC 3-4.7-94(j) · Caregivers shall use the diapering surface exclusively for diaper changing
Three toy cars and an uncovered pacifier sitting on transition room changing table pad , not sanitary.
Corrected by Jan 29, 2026
- Violation
470 IAC 3-4.7-98 · Staff hygiene
Food handlers in classrooms not wearing hair restraints or smocks/aprons.
Corrected by Feb 10, 2026
- Violation
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
Transition room cots stored in a way that children's blankets were touching other cots, not separate.
Corrected by Jan 29, 2026
- Violation
470 IAC 3-4.7-106(g) · All outside doors and windows shall be screened with sixteen (16) gauge mesh screen when open
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.
Corrected by Sep 22, 2025
- Violation
470 IAC 3-4.7-99(b) · Caregivers shall not care for children in areas that are being remodeled, repaired, or painted
Program remained open during program's indoor gym being polyurethaned, within licensed area. A polyurethane hybrid was used, which can off-gas VOC's.
Corrected by Sep 22, 2025
- Violation
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
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.
Corrected by Sep 22, 2025
- Violation
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
Caregiver in Toddler 1 did not wash her hands after changing diaper, used hand sanitizer.
Corrected by Mar 18, 2025
- Violation
470 IAC 3-4.7-100 · Poisons, chemicals, and hazardous items
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.
Corrected by Mar 19, 2025
- Violation
470 IAC 3-4.7-63(j) · All indoor gross motor equipment shall meet the Consumer Product Safety Commissions guidelines for safety surfaces
Indoor gross motor equipment in Toddler 1 and Toddler 2 needs to meet guidelines for fall zone/safety surface underneath.
Corrected by Mar 19, 2025
- Violation
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
There is not a thermometer in the infant classroom refrigerator.
Corrected by Mar 19, 2025
- Violation
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
Infant sleeping in infant room in crib with raised mattress, must be 26" from top of mattrress to top of rail.
Corrected by Mar 27, 2025
- Violation
470 IAC 3-4.7-99(g) · The center must firmly secure and keep all carpeting clean.
Throw rugs throughout program need to be secured, trip hazards.
Corrected by Mar 19, 2025
- Violation
At time of inspection there was not a staff member with food service training present, and lunch was being served.
Corrected by Mar 28, 2025
- Violation
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
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.
Corrected by Nov 19, 2024
- Critical Health and Safety
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
Program self reported that a vape was accessible in a toddler room. Was removed immediately upon being discovered, staff member it belonged to terminated.
Corrected by Nov 20, 2024
- Violation
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
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.
Corrected by Jan 8, 2024
- Violation
470 IAC 3-4.7-116 · Kitchen and food preparation areas
There is currently not a Food Handler on staff.
Corrected by Feb 5, 2024
- Violation
470 IAC 3-4.7-128(c) · Staff shall not store furnishings or equipment in cribs
Three cribs in infant room filled with storage materials.
Corrected by Jan 4, 2024
- Violation
470 IAC 3-4.7-101 · Electrical safety
Box fan in Transition room sitting on low shelf, not covered.
Corrected by Jan 4, 2024
- Violation
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
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.
Corrected by Jan 8, 2024
Questions to ask on your tour
Generated from this facility's specific inspection record
- 1The Jan 28, 2026 inspection noted: “Three toy cars and an uncovered pacifier sitting on transition room changing table pad , not sanitary.” — what has changed since then?
- 2The Jan 28, 2026 inspection noted: “Food handlers in classrooms not wearing hair restraints or smocks/aprons.” — what has changed since then?
- 3The Jan 28, 2026 inspection noted: “Transition room cots stored in a way that children's blankets were touching other cots, not separate.” — what has changed since then?
Data synced from Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning · Source records · Report an error