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Lens Learning Center
20165 Capital Avenue NE Unit 2 3 4 5, Battle Creek MI 49017 · License #DC130398380 · Center
Contact
- Phone
- (269) 289-2281
- Website
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- Address
- 20165 Capital Avenue NE Unit 2 3 4 5, Battle Creek MI 49017 · Directions
Hours
Care & schedule
When they operate
Ages served
- Licensed for 43 children
How this facility compares
Violations per inspection, 3-yrInspection history & violations
Source: Michigan MiLEAP, Child Care Licensing Bureau- Violation
R 400.8254(6) · R 400.8254(6) Diapering; toileting (6) Diapers and training plants must be checked f requently and changed when wet or soiled.
Licensee, Nita Hinton, Teacher 1, and Teacher 2 stated they are changing Child A's diaper regularly. The facility does not document diaper changes for Child A because he is over 2.5 years.
- Violation
Based on interviews with the licensee designee, teachers, and parents of children in care, there is not enough information to determine that any teacher used a prohibited form of discipline.
- Violation
Based on interviews with the licensee designee, teachers, and parents of children in care, there is not enough information to determine that any teacher used a prohibited form of discipline.
- Violation
R 400.8125(1) · R 400.8125(1) Staff; volunteer; requirements. All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.
Appropriate care and supervision was provided to children.
- Violation
Based on interviews and reviewing attendance records, appropriate staffing was maintained in the program.
- Violation
There is insufficient information to support that child care staff members used inappropriate physical discipline with Child A.
- Violation
On 3/29/2023 I had phone contact with program director Nita Hinton. She reported the incident occurring on the same date between Child A and Child B in the preschool classroom. Child Care Staff Member (CCSM)1 and CCSM2 were working in the classroom at the time of the incident. CCSMI is the mother of Child B. Ms. Hinton stated that Child A and Child B were in the book nook area of the classroom. CCSM1 had her back turned for a period of time and when she looked back to the book nook area., Child A Child B . CCSM did not observe Child . but aDDeared to be Child B. Ms. Hinton indicated that she was not present at the center at the time of the incident, but was notified by the child care staff members. CCSM 1 talked to the children about appropriate behaviors and that it was not okay A and Child B did not say anything to indicate what occurred. It is possible that Child A did not know what he was doing. Child A's Mother was notified, and she was crying and upset. She indicated that there was an allegation in the ast of a Child A. Child A's Mother is also in a father and may be I requested a "wrien incident report. On 3/29/2023 Ms. Hinton provided me with a center created behavior incident report that was completed by CCSM1 and signed by Child As Mother. The incident*reort, "Child A and Child sitting in the book nook area, Child A while Child B was present." The report *er stated that ®res ne `as soon as I seen it, walked over to them. Child A's Se arated the two and explained to both of them that is and that On 3129/2023 Ms. Hinton forwarded an email exchange she completed with Child A's Mother. The email from Child A's Mother included the following "one of your teachers called me today, and there was an incident another child stated "that while and were being attentive to children room, the other four teachers were standing in a circle talking with 3 children around them." She further stated "I`m hoping maybe I can get some further explanation as to why Ms. Hinton responded in part to the email with the following reply was supervised CCSM1 turned around for a few seconds to pick up toys asthat's her job to ensure room is safe for children to walk around) and when she turned back around literally 30 seconds later . Child A was in the book nook reading and was supervised. As soon as they later, they intervened. No children are ever On 3/30/2023 I received the department incidentiaccident and injury report completed by Ms. Hinton. The report described the incident as follows "Child A and Child B were sitting in the book area; CCSM1 turned head for 30 seconds and cleaned walk area from toys. When she turned back around Child A CCSMI and CCSM2 immediately intervened an separated children and explained On 4/3/2023 I completed an unannounced onsite inspection and interviews with Ms. Hinton and Child Care Staff Member 1 (CCSM1) and Child Care Staff Member 2 (CCSM2). I observed the classroom and book nook area where the reported incident occurred. The book nook is in a corner with a half wall and partial window in front. The book nook is mostly visible and in the open but does have blind spots that could make supervision more difficult. Ms. Hinton stated that though she was not present when the incident occurred, CCSM1 told her that she had her back turned for only 30 seconds when the incident occurred. She feels that the incident is not due to lack of supervision because CCSM1 only had her back turned for 30 seconds and child care staff cannot have their eyes on children at all times. I pointed out that she was not present at the center when the incident occurred and cannot be certain that CCSM1 had her back turned for only 30 seconds. I recommended that they move the book nook area to the most open and visible area of the classroom, and that child care staff are spaced out in the classroom to assure that all areas are being watched at all times. CCSM1 stated that the other child (Child B) involved in the reported incident 1 She stated t
- Violation
On 3/14/2023 I completed phone contact with Child A's Mother. She reported that the child care facility has not been completing daily sheets on a regular or consistent basis. She stated that child care staff usually only complete the daily sheet if a parent insists or requests. She has overheard staff saying that there is no reason to complete the sheets because most of the parents do not review them. On 3/16/2023 I completed an unannounced onsite inspection and interviews with program director Nita Hinton and Child Care Staff Member 1 (CCSM1) and CCSM2. Ms. Hinton was not present upon my arrival, but showed up to the center approximately 10 minutes later. CCSM1 was working in the toddler classroom and reported that they do maintain daily record sheets, but she had none for me to review. She stated that sometimes they do not get the sheets done until the end of the day or during nap time. I explained that the daily sheets need to be completed as the events occur with accurate information. CCSM2 was working in the infant classroom. She indicated that daily sheets are completed, however she acknowledged that she did not have them completed yet for all of the children present today. I noted that there were six infants present and only two sheets were started. The two sheets that were started had only the children's names and no other information. I explained to CCSM2 that the forms should be completed as the events occur with accurate information. Ms. Hinton stated that the child care staff members are supposed to be completing the daily sheets throughout the day for infants and toddlers. She believed that this activity was being done as required. I explained that there were missing daily sheets for children present today and/or events such as, breakfast, naps, and toilet/diaper changes that had already occurred that day had not yet been documented. I explained that these events should be documented immediately for accuracy. She expressed understanding. On 4/3/2023 I completed a follow up onsite inspection at the child care facility. I observed that daily sheets had been initiated for the infants and toddlers present with their first and last names, however information had not yet been inputted on the 3 several of the sheets even though the children had been in care for several hours. I also completed an interview with CCSM3 during this inspection. She stated that to her knowledge daily sheets are always completed. She does not usually work in the infant or toddler classroom, so she was not certain. On 4/26/2023 I completed phone contact with Child B's Mother. Child B's Mother expressed concerns with lack of communication. She reported that on more than one occasion Child B's daily sheet would only be partially completed. She further stated that she does not believe that the daily sheets are always accurate. On certain days the center would write that Child B had eaten all of the food offered that day, but then Child B would be very hungry. She reported that Child B is a very picky eater so it would be surprising any time Child B finished all the food offered at a meal. On 4/26/2023 I completed phone contact with Child C's Mother. Child C's Mother denied any concerns with the child care center. She stated that the child care usually gives her a daily sheet and always tells her if Child C did not eat much that day. She reported that Child C is a picky eater, so she likes to know if she needs to supplement for any meal that day. She reported that the staff always document when he has been diapered or toileted and if he slept that day. On 4/26/2023 I completed phone contact with Child E's Mother. Child E's Mother stated that she usually always gets a completed daily sheet. She has never felt that the daily sheets were not accurately completed. Child E's Mother denied any concerns. I attempted phone contact with Child D's Mother, but no return call was received.
- Violation
During phone contact with Child A's Mother, she reported that the child care often fails to post the menus for parents to view and/or does not follow the menu. She reported that the child care staff just make whatever food is available and not what is on the menu for the day. She denied that substitutions or changes are made to the calendar when different food is made. During the initial onsite inspection, menus were not posted at the child care. Ms. Hinton indicated that she would get the menu posted and will send me a copy of the menu for the month. Ms. Hinton, CCSM1 and CCSM2 indicated that typically menus are posted in a place visible to child care parents. They stated that the menu is always followed and if there are any changes, they are noted on the menu. During the follow up onsite inspection, menus were posted at the child care in a place visible to parents. During phone contact with Child B's Mother, she stated that she does not believe that the child care posts a menu on a regular basis. She has observed a menu posted in the past but does not believe that there has been one lately. She does not believe that the child care documents when substitutions or changes are made to the menu. During phone contact with Child C's Mother, she reported that usually there is a menu posted or provided to parents. She stated that Child C is a picky eater, so she always asks about the menu in case she needs to send additional food or a substitution that day. She is not sure if the child care documents any changes on the menu. During phone contact with Child E's Mother, she was uncertain if the child care posted a menu regularly or not. She stated that Child E eats everything and is always eating food, so she does not really have to worry. She is not sure if substitutions are noted. I attempted phone contact with Child D's Mother, but no return calls were received. 5
- Violation
During phone contact with Child A's Mother, she reported that the child care does not follow the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) nutritional guidelines to assure that all children are given adequate meals. She reported that the child care staff will only offer and give children the food they request or want to eat and not what they are required to provide. During the initial onsite inspection, Ms. Hinton denied that the children are not being provided with adequate food or that they are not following CACFP nutritional guidelines. She reported that the child care children eat very well and she always assures that they have plenty of food. All child care children are offered all the food from the menu that day and not just certain items. I pointed out that the food program requires that the food be provided to the children and not just offered. The children are not required to eat all the food, but it must be provided to them. She expressed understanding. On the day before the onsite inspection, children were provided with spaghetti with meat sauce, mixed fruit and a vegetable for lunch. On this date they were given a chef salad and fruit for lunch. CCSM1 and CCSM2 both reported that the child care children are offered and provided all of the food that is on the menu. They denied only offering or providing some of the food to a child. They also indicated that the lunch yesterday consisted of spaghetti with meat sauce, vegetables and mixed fruit and today was a chef salad and fruit. During the follow up onsite inspection, child care children were laying down for a nap and lunch service had been completed. I reviewed with CCSM1 and CCSM2 what food had been offered to the children today. They both described that the children were provided with all of the food posted on the menu. They indicated that not all the children will eat everything provided to them but may only eat some items. During phone contact with Child B's Mother, she reported that it does seem like the child care center is not offering or providing the children with adequate food. She stated that Child B is a picky eater, but he has been at other child care centers in the past and always seemed to get enough food. She stated that since starting at this facility he frequently comes home very hungry. Child C's Mother denied any issues or concerns with the food provided at the child care facility. She reported that Child C is a picky eater, but usually finds something Child C can eat. Further, she indicated that the child care will offer a substitution or she will send something if Child C would or does not eat something planned for that day. Child E's Mother denied any concerns with the food provided at the child care facility. She stated that Child E eats everything and usually gets additional snacks offered to him during the day because he is always hungry and always eating. She is always notified of what he has eaten that day in addition to anything on the menu. I attempted phone contact with Child D's Mother but no return calls were received.
- Violation
On 2/9/2023 I completed an unannounced onsite inspection and interviews with program director Nita Hinton and child care staff member 1 (CCSM1), child care staff member 2 (CCSM2) and child care staff member 3 (CCSM3). Ms. Hinton was out of the building for the first 15-20 minutes of my onsite inspection. During that time, I separately interviewed CCSM1, CCSM2 and CCSM3 while they were working in their individual classrooms. The child care facility is located in a strip mall type building off of M-66 highway. The child care is located in the strip mall building up a driveway from the highway on a raised hill. There is another building located at street level down the driveway and down the hill from the child care facility strip mall. The lower-level building is a storage facility and it has its own parking lot. The upper-level strip mall has several units. The child care is made up of four units all adjoined by interior doors. Each unit is a child care classroom, and each classroom has an exterior door leading directly to the strip mall parking lot. There is also a hair salon in the unit next to the child care facility. CCSM1 reported that she is aware of the reported allegations. She stated that Child A's Mother is a former child care staff member and was also working at the time of the reported incident. On the day of the reported incident, CCSM1 was working in the infant room. CCSM2 and Child A's Mother were working in the two-year-old classroom. Child A was also present in the two-year-old classroom on the same 3 date. CCSM1 stated that she has no idea if Child A did or did not get out of the building as reported. CCSM2 reported that she is aware of the reported allegations. She was working in the two year old classroom with Child A's Mother and Child A on the day of the reported incident. She stated that she "doesn't know anything" about Child A getting out of the building that day. She stated that she is "not sure" what happened and that "he may have gone into the next room or to the door to go outside" but she does not believe he exited the building. I questioned how she could be certain that Child A did not exit the building, if she is not sure what happened at all. CCSM2 responded that she believes he left the two-year-old classroom and went to the adjoining preschool classroom and stood next to that exit door. She also indicated that she is not sure what occurred. CCSM2 was unable to state if Child A's Mother was finished working for the day or if she had just stepped out of the classroom for a moment. She acknowledged that Child A was still under the responsibility of the child care when he at minimum left the two year old classroom without supervision. She stated that when he left the room, she thought he was probably just following his mother. CCSM2 believes that Child A's Mother is the one making these allegations. She feels that Child A's Mother is upset with her and other child care staff members because they made an earlier complaint to Ms. Hinton about her body odor. CCSM3 stated that she is aware of the reported allegations but does not have any idea if the incident occurred or not. She stated that on the day of the incident, she was working in the infant room and has no idea what happened outside her classroom. Ms. Hinton arrived at the child care facility and confirmed she is aware of the reported allegations. She stated that Child A's Mother messaged her after she left work on the day of the incident. Child A's Mother told her that Child A was in the two- year-old classroom with CCSM2 and three other children when she left the room to make some copies before checking out of work for the day. Child A's Mother reported that during her time out of the room, Child A was able to leave the classroom and go to an exit door. Ms. Hinton states that Child A's Mother often takes Child A with her on her breaks or anytime she leaves the classroom. Child A's Mother was getting ready to leave for the day, so she believes
- Violation
Ms. Hinton did not verbally report to the department that Child A was left unsupervised outside of the room and/or building.
- Violation
Ms. Hinton did not provide a written report to the department that Child A was left unsupervised outside of the room and/or building.
- Violation
On 9/8/2022 I completed an onsite inspection and interviews with program director Nita Hinton, and child care staff members Brooke Malone, Ashanti Waters, Ashley Hinton and Annie Carwell. There were two infant rooms operating during my inspection. Both infant rooms had two staff members and seven infants and were within ratio. Ms. Hinton reported that two days ago she had to terminate a child's contract for biting and bullying other children and the mother of this child was very upset over her child's contract being terminated and she believes this is where the allegations are coming from. Ms. Hinton denied being out of ratio. Ms. Malone, Ms. Waters, Ms. Hinton and Ms. Carwell all denied being out of ratio. I was able to review sign in and out sheets for the infant room for children and child care staff members. The attendance sheets did not indicate the rooms were out of ratio. On 9/8/2022 I spoke to Child A's mother. She has never had concerns regarding the ratio of staff to children. She said there is always two to three child care staff members in Child A's room when she drops off and picks up. I spoke to Child B's mother on 9/14/2022. She has no concerns regarding the ratios at the center. She stated that there are typically five infants and two staff members when she drops off and picks up Child B. I spoke to Child C's mother on 9/15/2022. She has no concerns regarding the amount of child care staff members in Child C's room whenever she drops off and picks up. She does not know the licensing requirements but knows there are typically three staff and eight children in Child C's room when she picks up. On 9/20/2022 I spoke with licensing consultant Beth Gonding regarding the allegations. She indicated that she has not had any concern regarding ratios during her inspections in the past.
- Violation
Upon my unannounced inspection sleeping infants and toddlers were in appropriate sleeping equipment. Nita Hinton denied ever sleeping infants or toddlers in swings and reported that as soon as it is noticed that a child has fallen asleep they are moved. Ms. Malone, Ms. Waters, Ashley Hinton, and Ms. Carwell all reported that they do not allow infants or toddlers to sleep in anything other than cribs. When they notice a child has fallen asleep, they will move them. Child A's mother, Child B's mother and Child C's mother all reported they have never seen children sleeping in swings or anything other than cribs. Ms. Gonding reported that she has not had any concerns for unsafe sleep practices during her onsite inspections.
- Violation
Upon my inspection any children requiring bottle feeding were being fed by child care staff members. Nita Hinton denied the allegation that younger children are being fed by older children and reported she is not even sure how someone would make a child feed another child. Ms. Malone stated that if a child can self-feed a bottle, they do allow them to hold their own bottles. She denied ever having an older child feed a younger child. Ms. Waters reported that she has never seen an older child attempt to feed a younger child a bottle or even by hand. She denied the allegation that this happens. Ashley Hinton stated that when a child can hold their own bottle, she does allow them to feed themselves but does not allow children to feed each other. Ms. Carvell denied the allegation and said that she has never seen any other child care staff member allow children to feed each other. She said that she feeds the infants by holding them if they can't hold their own bottle. Child A's mother, Child B's mother and Child C's mother all reported that they have never seen children feeding other children a bottle or any other foods. Ms. Gonding reported that she has never seen children feeding each other during her onsite inspections.
Questions to ask on your tour
Generated from this facility's specific inspection record
- 1The Mar 5, 2026 inspection noted: “Licensee, Nita Hinton, Teacher 1, and Teacher 2 stated they are changing Child A's diaper regularly. The facility does not document diaper changes for Child A b…” — what has changed since then?
- 2The Sep 23, 2025 inspection noted: “Based on interviews with the licensee designee, teachers, and parents of children in care, there is not enough information to determine that any teacher used a…” — what has changed since then?
- 3The Jun 3, 2025 inspection noted: “Appropriate care and supervision was provided to children.” — what has changed since then?
Data synced from Michigan MiLEAP, Child Care Licensing Bureau · Source records · Report an error