JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Each week, News4Jax reviews reports for child care inspections filed by the Department of Children and Families.
This week, DCF provided eight inspection reports and three of those facilities had perfect scores.
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The Episcopal Children's Services Early Learning at Exchange South on Phillips Highway near Baymeadows Road met the criteria in all 63 points of DCF's unannounced inspection.
ECS Early Learning Director Pam Ross said she's proud of the hard work that goes into complying completely.
"There is paperwork, yes, children's immunizations, fire safety, playground safety, parents signing in and out, ratios of children. That's very important," Ross said. "It is something that needs to be done. It's our job to go room to room, make sure children are safe (and) teachers are educated with their training certificates. A lot of hands on, a lot of eyes watching."
Visionary Dreamers of Today Learning Center on Cesery Boulevard and Lakewood Presbyterian Church Preschool on University Boulevard also had perfect scores.
The child care facility with the most violations this week was The Goddard School on Spartina Court in the San Pablo area. Billy Register, the facility's owner, said despite the eight violations, they do a great job at his school
"The majority of items in the latest inspection report were corrected on site," Register said. "One item referenced was due to paperwork requested on multiple occasions from the DCF in Tallahassee several weeks ago. These were all minor clerical oversights that had no impact on the safety of our children or the excellent early childhood education program experienced in our classrooms."
Hodges Boulevard Presbyterian Preschool had three violations, and Director Hope Henry said she believes both in the system and the inspections News4Jax is showing.
"I agree with what you're doing because it keeps the centers accountable. … You can't just say some things. You've got to walk the walk too. So they make sure we do what we're supposed to do. And that's why it's important," Henry said. "Since I've been here, we try to dot our Is and cross our Ts, but we're human and things happen. But you know, we strive to be the best."
YMCA Pryme Time at Jessie Ball Dupont on Old Kings Road had two violations related to training for personnel.
Wayman Early Learning Academy Westside on Labelle Street and Tender Loving Care Center on Yellow Bluff Road each had one violation.
To report concerns or complaints about a child care facility, call 904-485-9564.
You can also go to http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-care/parent-resources and then select "Provider Search" to search for any local child care facility.