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Baxter Child Development Center
935 Baxter Street SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506 · License #DC410016532 · Center
Contact
- Phone
- (616) 456-8593
- Website
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- Address
- 935 Baxter Street SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506 · Directions
Hours
Care & schedule
When they operate
Ages served
- Licensed for 92 children
How this facility compares
Violations per inspection, 3-yrInspection history & violations
Source: Michigan MiLEAP, Child Care Licensing Bureau- Violation
R 400.8131(4)(b) · R 400.8131(4)(b) Equipment. (4) Play equipment, materials, and furniture, must be all of the following: (b) Safe, clean, and in good repair.
Teachers allowed Child B and Child C to use a sled to go down a slide, which is not safe. Manufacturer research states sleds should be used on grassy, sandy, or snowy slopes.
- Violation
Appropriate care and supervision was not provided to Child A and Child B while in care at the child care facility. Child A and Child B have a two year history of aggression towards each other. New Rule 400.8213(1)(a)
- Violation
Appropriate care and supervision was not provided to Child A when she was left unattended in a classroom by Teacher 1 and Teacher 2.
- Violation
R 400.8125(2) · R 400.8125(2) Staff; volunteer; requirements. All staff and volunteers shall act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children.
Appropriate care and supervision was provided to Child A while in care at the child care facility. CCSM1 is conducive to the welfare of children.
- Violation
R 400.8140(2)(a) · R 400.8140(2)(a) Discipline. Hitting, spanking, shaking, biting, pinching, or inflicting other forms of corporal punishment.
Appropriate discipline was used with Child A by CCSM1 while in care at the child care facility.
- Violation
R 400.8125(2) · R 400.8125(2) Staff; volunteer; requirements. All staff and volunteers shall act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children.
Based on the investigation, LC 1 and CCSM 1 are conducive to the welfare of children.
- 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.
On 10/24/2024 LC 1 and CCSM 1 did not provide appropriate care and supervision when no one observed Child B kicking, hitting, and spraying Child A with bleach spray.
- Violation
LC 1 and CCSM 1 failed to do a visual scan looking for any hazards and ensuring the gym was maintained in a safe condition before allowing children to play freely in the space. The spray bottle containing a bleach solution was left within reach of children.
- Violation
R 400.8140(1) · R 400.8140(1) Discipline. Positive methods of discipline that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation must be used.
CCSM 1 did not provide appropriate discipline of Child A when she continuously engaged with Child A attempting to make her clean up her mess. This resulted in scratch marks on Child A's arm.
- 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.
CCSM 1 did not provide appropriate care and supervision of Child A when she grabbed and scratched Child A's arm.
- Violation
R 400.8125(2) · R 400.8125(2) Staff; volunteer; requirements. All staff and volunteers shall act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children.
As a result of the interaction that was observed between CCSM 1 and Child A on the video from the classroom, CCSM 1 is not conducive to the welfare of children. Based on findings, investigation, and review - which includes considering the investigation and findings of MDHHS -CCLB determines CCSM 1 is not conducive to the welfare of children and is not eligible to be associated with a child care organization.
- Violation
On 9/28/2022 I contacted Child A's Mother. She indicated her son was moved up to the 3-year-old room recently. The center policy is daily sheets 2 end when a child transitions to the 3-year-old room. She requested daily updates continue for her son because of his specific needs. The child care center staff and management all agreed they would continue providing these daily updates. The daily communication updates did not continue on a regular basis even after numerous communications with staff. On 10/07/2022 I completed an unannounced on-site visit. I met with Assistant Director Chess VanWyk. Mr. VanWyk stated staff in the 3-year-old room communicated with Child A's Mother about continued daily updates through their phone and email application system. He was under the assumption that the updates were happening, but the staff member in the room would know more about those specifics. He indicated Program Director Aarie Wade was out at a conference and was not available today. On 10/18/2022 I completed an unannounced on-site visit. I met with Program Director Aarie Wade. Ms. Wade stated staff members Rebecca Likely and Hazadiah Whitley in the 3-year-old classroom were asked to continue to provide daily updates to Child A's Mother. She said there was a staff member who had left, and these daily updates were not provided on a regular basis. She had spoken to Child A's Mother and agreed to continue these updates. Ms. Wade stated with staff turnover, they were not consistent in providing the daily updates. I interviewed child care staff member Rebecca Likely. Ms. Likely stated she had met with Child A's Mother, and she requested to continue to receive daily updates to the application and email system. Ms. Likely stated there was turnover in staff and some people who were responsible for doing the updates did not do them. She knows that she did not update the system daily. I contacted previous child care staff member Hazadiah Whitley on 10/18/2022 and 11/15/2022. As of the completion on this investigation, I did not receive a return call from her.
- Violation
On 9/28/2022 I contacted Child A's Mother. She indicated Child A had a scratch on his face when she picked him up on 5/4/2022. A picture of the scratch was taken. Child A's Mother spoke with staff at the child care center and staff did not know what happened. On 10/7/2022 I completed an unannounced visit to the child care center. I met with Assistant Director Chess VanWyk. Mr. VanWyk was able to look into the incident reporting system and did not find any incidents that were entered in for 5/4/2022. There were notes about Child A's Mother contacting to ask about the injury, but there were no updates on the injury happening at the child care center. On 10/18/2022 I completed an unannounced on-site visit to the child care center. I spoke with Program Director Aarie Wade. Ms. Wade stated there was no incident report created for Child A on 5/4/2022. She was contacted by Child A's Mother regarding the child's injury, but when she spoke with staff Rebecca Likely and Hazadiah Whitley at the center, staff denied seeing any injury. Ms. Wade stated staff will input injuries into their daily recording program and she feels her staff are good at keeping track of injury reporting. Because of the amount of time that has passed since the injury, she is going off what was entered in the system and her conversations with staff that she can recall. On 10/18/2022 I interviewed child care staff member Rebecca Likely. Ms. Likely stated she did not write up an incident report for 5/4/2022. She said if there was an injury that happened to Child A, it would have been entered. Because of the amount of time that has passed since the alleged injury had occurred, she did not know specifics about the exact day. She knows that she is consistent when reporting injuries that happen at the center.
- Violation
There is insufficient evidence to support Child A was scratched at the child care center or that the incident was caused by another child. Staff provided appropriate supervision on 1012212021.
- Violation
On 1111712021 Child As Mother stated that during school on 1110312021, Child A was touched while playing house. Child A's Mother stated Child A told her it happened. She stated when asking staff at the center what happened, staff stated children do play pretend house and dress up, but there were no incidents where children were touching each other. Child A's Mother stated she was very upset that the school was allowing children to participate in these activities. On 11/17/2021 Program Director Aarie Wade stated children in the Preschool classroom do participate in dramatic play. Ms. Wade stated this includes pretending to have a family, playing with brooms and other things to have fun with. There was no incident on 11/03/2021 where any children were touched during dramatic play. Ms. Wade stated she tried to explain what dramatic play was, but e was no a l+ er oecause sne was so u Child care staff member Wynter Gardner stated children in the Preschool room engage in dramatic play as part of their curriculum. During dramatic play, Child A, Child B, Child C and Child D like to pretend to play house and pretend they are a family. On 11/03/2021 the children were pretending to play house and they started to say everyone was being naughty and if they were being naughty, they needed to be spanked. Ms. Gardner stated when the children started talking about spanking, she told them to stop and remember to play nice and not talk about hitting. The children did not touch each other in any way. Ms. Gardner stated as soon as she told the children to stop, they started to do something else. She stated Child A's Mother was upset because Child A allegedly stated she was touched during play. Ms. Wynter stated she tried to explain to Child A's Mother what happened, but she was so upset she did not want to listen. Child A's Mother just accused the children of sexually molesting each other in class. Ms. Wynter stated at no point in the classroom at any time did anyone touch anyone on the buttocks sexually in nature. On 1210712021 child care staff member Janel Sanders stated she was not working in the classroom with Child A on 11/03/2021. She stated the dramatic play area is not an actual "house", but the children like to pretend. Although she was not in the room that day, she knows the children do not touch each other in a sexual manner. Child B's Mother, Child C's Mother and Child D's Mother were contacted. They did not have any concerns about inappropriate touching behaviors with their children at all. [1 ..............................................................................................................
- Violation
On 11117/2021 Child A's Mother stated on 11/11/2021 Child A was in the classroom and the children were using scissors to cut paper. During the activity, Child A's hair was cut. Staff provided Child A's Mother with a plastic bag with her braid in it. Child A's Mother stated she has no idea how children in the class can be running around cutting other students' hair. Staff were not paying attention and it appeared to be on purposed. On 11 /17/2021 Program Director Aarie Wade stated on 11/11/2021 children in the Preschool classroom were working with scissors and cutting longer pieces of yarn. Students were working with scissors so they could learn the appropriate ways to utilize them. While the students were using the scissors, they began to put pieces of yam on their heads pretending they had hair. When staff saw the children doing this, they told the children to stop and place their yarn and papers on the table. During this interaction, Child A's hair was accidentally cut by another student. The student thought they were cutting the yarn, but they cut Child A's braid. This was not done intentionally and was an accident. Child A's braid was placed into a bag and Child A's Mother was called. Ms. Wade stated this happened while staff members were all working with the students and was not done on purpose. Child care staff member Wynter Gardner stated on 11/1112021 children were using scissors to cut yam. The children do this so they can learn life skills and how to operate common items. While she was interacting with the children, Child A was with some students who were placing the yam on their heads. When she saw this, she immediately told them to stop and please place the yarn on the table. During this, Child A's braid was accidentally cut. Ms. Wynter stated this was not done on purpose and it was an accident. The braid was placed in a plastic bag and Child A's Mother was called. Ms. Wynter stated this was an accident and she was sitting with the children when this happened. She stated it happened very quick. On 1210712021 child care staff member Janel Sanders stated on 11/1112021 the students in the classroom were using scissors to cut yarn. While the children were doing this, Child A and a group of other students placed yarn on their heads and pretended it was a wig. As soon as the children did this, the children were told to stop and please place the yarn on the table. During this quick exchange, Child A's braid was accidentally cut by another student. This incident happened on accident, and it was not intentional. Staff were sitting at the table and working directly with the children when this incident occurred. Child A's Mother was contacted, and the braid was placed in a plastic bag. Ms. Sanders understood that Child A's Mother would be upset but stated everyone was at the table working together and it was just an accident. I viewed the scissors utilized in the classroom. The scissors were the plastic child safety type. There was one pair that had more metal on the edges than the other sets. Ms. Wade removed that pair immediately. Child B's Mother, Child C's Mother and Child D's Mother were contacted. There were no concerns regarding scissor cutting or incidents involving the scissors.
- Violation
Child A's Mother was provided an incident report utilizing the child care center's app. Kaymbu. Staff sent the incident report at 4:15pm on 10/22/2021.
- Violation
On 02/04/2021, I spoke with complainant source. She stated that she is concerned that Shakira Jones is not qualified to be the lead caregiver. She was concerned because when she spoke with Ms. Jones, Ms. Jones told her that she had just finished high school. Ms. Jones had only been working at the center for a couple of months when on 01/29/2021 she received an email stating that Ms. Jones would be the new lead in the "Travelers" classroom. On 02/04/2021, I conducted an unannounced on-site inspection. I spoke with program director Aarie Wade regarding the complaint. She stated that Ms. Jones was not the lead in the "Travelers" classroom. She stated that the lead caregiver left on 01/15/21. She then had Ms. Jones in the room only as a substitute lead caregiver until she hired a new lead. She stated they have since found a new substitute lead for the classroom who will be starting on 02/05/21. She stated the new substitute lead is already employed at the center as a child care staff member in another classroom. She stated the Myka Irvine will be the new substitute lead. Ms. Wade also provided me a copy of an email sent to the parents indicating that Ms. Jones was the substitute lead until they hire a new permanent lead. Ms. Wade sent via email a copy of Ms. Irvine's resume and transcript. After reviewing the transcript sent determined that Ms. Irvine does not qualify as lead caregiver because she only has 3 semester credit hours of child development, early child education or child-related field; however, because she is currently the substitute lead caregiver, she has 90 days to serve as the substitute lead before needing to be qualified as a lead. Ms. Irvine must become qualified to be lead under rule R400.8122(5)(g) by 05/05/2021 and she has 2 years from the date of hire in this position to obtain an additional 6 semester hours, 9 CEUS, or a combination to equal 90 clock hours, or 90 hours from MiRegistry. On 02/26/2021, Shakira Jones stated that she was not hired as the lead caregiver in the classroom; she was only standing in as the substitute lead until they hired a new lead. She stated that she was the substitute lead for only about a week before a different substitute lead caregiver was placed in the classroom. NOTE: R400.8122(8) states "A substitute for a lead caregiver shall be appointed for a lead caregiver who has left employment or has a temporary absence that exceeds 30 consecutive workdays until return or replacement. A substitute lead caregiver has 90 days to meet the qualifications of a lead caregiver." 3
- Violation
On 02/04/2021, 1 spoke with Child A's Mother regarding the complaint. She stated that she when she picked her daughter up on Tuesday, she noticed that she had a bruise on her cheek. The bruise was on her upper right cheek and the scratch was on her lower right cheek. She stated she noticed it as she was putting her daughter in the car, but she didn't have time to go back in to ask about it because she had to 4 get her daughter to her doctor's appointment. She stated she emailed the director that same day, but she did not hear back from her. But then when she picked up her daughter the next day, she spoke with Ms. Jones about the mark, and she told her she was sorry for not informing her but did not see any mark or bruise and she did not know where she or how she got them. After the discussing about the mark and bruise Ms. Jones gave her an "ouch" report regarding a different incident. The "ouch" report stated that her daughter and another child were climbing on a foam climber and she had fallen off backwards. The ouch report did not indicate that there were any injuries from the fall and she did not observe any herself. The climber was in the middle of the floor, but they have since moved it over to the side. On 04/08/2021, I completed a follow-up call with Child A's Mother. After clearing up information provided regarding the initial concerns. Child A's Mother informed me that on 02/05/21 a staff member who is also a friend of hers asked her if she was given an "ouch" report for when her daughter fell down the stairs. She replied "no" she didn't. She stated that after learning that her daughter had fallen down some stairs, she checked her over and found that she had a small bump on the back of her head. I attempted to contact Child Care Staff Member, Angie Hernandez regarding what she witnessed; however, she did not answer. A message was left asking her to return my call. As of the date of this report, Ms. Hernandez has not returned my call. On 02/04/2021, I spoke with program director Aaria Wade. Ms. Wade stated she received an email from Child A's Mother regarding her concerns. She did not speak with Ms. Jones directly about the parent's concerns. Ms. Wade stated she had the center's Early Childhood Coordinator, Ms. Janelle Sanders, speak to Ms. Jones about it. She thought she recalled Ms. Sanders stating that Ms. Jones explained she did not see Child A get hurt but she noticed a slight red spot on her cheek: she did not know how she got it. There was no "ouch" report sent out that day because they were not aware that Child A had any mark or bruise on her face. She suggested that I speak with Ms. Jones and Ms. Sanders about the incident. On 02/26/2021, Shakira Jones stated that she recalls Child A's Mother asking her about a small mark or a bruise on Child A's face, but she told Child A's Mother that she was not aware of Child A getting a mark or a bruise on her face. Ms. Jones recalls that on the previous day she took the children outside to play and when they came back inside Child A's cheeks were red, but she did not think it was anything out of the ordinary. She thought her cheeks were red from being outside in the cold. The following day Child A's Mother told her that as she was putting Child A in the car she noticed a small bruise or mark on her cheek. Ms. Jones stated that she spoke with Child A's Mother about her concerns that were brought up to the director from the previous day and she explained to Child A's Mother that she did not notice any marks or bruises on Child A's face and was not sure where they would have come from. She also provided her with an incident report about her concerns which apologized for her not informing her of the mark/bruise on her daughters face but it 5 was because she did not see a mark or bruise. Ms. Jones stated that Child A's Mother told her that it was not a big deal, she was just asking. Ms. Jones stated that she gave Child A's Mother an "ouch" report that same day she spoke to he
Questions to ask on your tour
Generated from this facility's specific inspection record
- 1The Jun 3, 2026 inspection noted: “Teachers allowed Child B and Child C to use a sled to go down a slide, which is not safe. Manufacturer research states sleds should be used on grassy, sandy, or…” — what has changed since then?
- 2The Jun 2, 2026 inspection noted: “Appropriate care and supervision was not provided to Child A and Child B while in care at the child care facility. Child A and Child B have a two year history o…” — what has changed since then?
- 3The May 1, 2026 inspection noted: “Appropriate care and supervision was not provided to Child A when she was left unattended in a classroom by Teacher 1 and Teacher 2.” — what has changed since then?
Data synced from Michigan MiLEAP, Child Care Licensing Bureau · Source records · Report an error