While it's no longer in operation, Kids Junction School Zone was one of the more than 200 Georgia day care programs that failed to meet state standards for two years in a row, but continued to operate.
The state's Department of Early Care and Learning since 2007 has been rating day care centers based on the violations they racked up, but "compliance" scores were not made public, Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Not made public until now, that is. The newspaper published a database it acquired from DECAL which shows Kids Junction operated nearly four years and was labeled non-compliant during each of those years.
From 2008 through September of 2011, the Cartersville child care center open during late-night and weekend hours got low or the lowest marks.
In June, ongoing problems at the day care made headlines when Cartersville police arrested a 21-year-old worker they say failed to adequately supervise children, which resulted in severe injuries to an infant. Prior to that 2011 development, Kids Junction received a number of complaints and was named in several police reports.
But it's not the only Bartow County day care classified by the state as non-compliant in one or more of the last four years:
• While compliant in the prior two years, Class Act Preschool and Childcare was not compliant with state standards in 2008 and 2009.
• Just Kids Child Care Center in 2010 received a compliance score of "1," which means it was the least compliant on a scale of 1 to 4. In 2011, Just Kids was back in compliance, as it had been in 2008 and 2009.
• Just Kids Pre-K in Adairsville was marked non-compliant in 2011, after three years of compliance.
• Kids Kingdom Daycare scored a "2," or was less compliant, in 2010, but reached compliance in 2011. While it was not compliant in 2008, it met standards in 2009.
• Kids' Stop Learning Center was non-compliant for two years before it returned to compliance with a "3" in 2010. It also met standards in 2011.
• Returning to compliance with a "3" in 2010, Little Lambs Learning Center on Euharlee Road got a "2" in 2009. In 2011 and 2008, it was classified as in compliance.
Kids Junction School Zone closed as a result of a change in ownership, which was effective Sept. 15, according to DECAL's Sherry Smith. The 82 Center Road facility now operates as Little Lambs Learning Center II, and provides first-, second- and third-shift care for children, in addition to after-school and Saturday programs.
Has the state done enough to regulate child care facilities? Should centers it classified as non-compliant be allowed to continue operating? Should DECAL's classifications be public information? Tell us in the comments.
While AJC reports DECAL Commissioner Bobby Cagle downplayed findings of the newspaper's investigation—that nearly 2,500 day cares across the state fail to meet standards—he later acknowledged the agency should be aiming for less non-compliant child care operations.
It's working on a new scoring system slated to be available to the public in a year or two, according to AJC, but the system is voluntary.
Parents and guardians can access the agency's reports on individual incidents, investigations and inspections.
In This article
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Cartersville Police Department
178 W Main St, Cartersville, GA -
Class ACT Childcare
360 Old Mill Rd, Cartersville, GA -
Just Kids Learning Center
15 Felton Pl, Cartersville, GA
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Kids Kingdom
2057 Joe Frank Harris Pky NW, Cartersville, GA -
Kids' Stop
533 Grassdale Rd, Cartersville, GA
Becka Howell
6:43 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
I just can't get over the fact that these daycares ardent held to a high standard... It's so sad that they don't have repercussions when they fail to pass the standard guidelines... After 4 yrs this place is finally shut down!! It makes me scared to take my kids anywhere
Susan
6:44 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Unbelievable. I am sure that animal hospitals are monitored more than child care facilities.
Tammy Michelle Brookshire
6:47 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
i can't believe that the law and or dfcs does not find the safety of our children a priority if a daycare fails an inspection then i think the state needs to send out letters and or call the parents of every child enrolled in that daycare. my children are my world they are our future and unfortunately thanks to state and government and city offices some will not make it to adult hood due to letting these daycares slide. how many times do they need to get warnings sorry but we see health scores from restaurants on the news, in the paper and on facebook why don't they do this with daycares tell us where they are slacking don't put our children at risk.
Brandi Underwood
6:48 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Four years non-compliant?! Why was this daycare allowed to stay open that long?
Amy Liles
6:52 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
If a child care center is found to be non-compliant that information should be made public immediately, just like health scores on restaurants. If people choose to continue to use that service at least they are aware of the risk. By not publishing the known discrepancies I believe the state then becomes responsible for any accidents or injuries that happen on the premesis.
Julie Kozee
6:57 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
And this is why I stay home with my girls. I worked in a "good" daycare when I was in college and witnessed the lead teacher use her knee to pin a 2 year old on his nap mat. I told the daycare director and was completely ignored. Right then and there I decided there that I'd never put my kids in daycare.
J&J
7:01 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
I agree with you Amy. I can't believe whats going on with the people watching our kids these days. Its heartbreaking.
Keith Casey
7:14 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
It is Sad that it the Kids that suffer they are so innocent and then they get hurt and it takes a long toll on them to be able to trust others.
AllAtwitter
7:31 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Apparently background checks need to be a little more comprehensive.
Lb
8:39 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
I also worked at a local daycare and feel that more explaintion is needed of the scores because I believe that the scores for non compliance could be for a range of things. Like only having 5 3/4 in. Of soft surface in fall areas or some thing as extrem as not watching the kids properly. I obviously feel that some daycares are not doing things properly I have heard horror stories from parents .
Ronny Smith
8:49 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Sadly it will take a real tragedy like the death of a child before someone finally steps in and takes action against this day care center.
Cynthia Jinks
9:57 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
This is very sad. Restaurant scores are posted all the time in the news and required to post scores at the entrance. Why shouldn't daycares be required to do the same thing? This is our children we are talking about and why shouldn't we do whatever it takes to ensure daycares are doing what they are supposed to do !!!
Brandi
1:38 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Daycare centers should not only have to post any and all inspection scores, but also send those reports home with the children staying there. If the state won't do the right thing & shut these places down, parents should be able to make an informed decision on who watches their children.
Tom Edmondson
2:38 am on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Why does it take three years to become compliant? That's just sad.
Where do I pickup my T-Shirt? :)