Merit Children's Academy Lakewood

This standard was tasked as a result of an investigation and found to be deficient. It was determined that the Young Toddler B classroom had been out of ratio.

This standard was pulled as part of an investigation and found to be deficient. A child was left alone on the playground for thirty-three minutes.

The standard was assessed during an investigation and found to be deficit. A substitute caregiver from a childcare agency was observed asleep while responsible for supervising children

Three Food Allergy Emergency Plans were missing parent signature.

When I requested an infant's feeding instructions from October of 2025 in December of 2025 I was told by the caregiver and members of management it had been thrown away.

It was determined that the operation did not report an allegation of inappropriate discipline in April of 2025.

Three caregivers were observed in video footage inappropriately handling infants. One caregiver was seen inappropriately maneuvering an infant by one arm. The second was observed picking up and holding infants inappropriately with little support to support their head, neck, or spine. The third was observed inappropriately removing an infant from a restrictive device and pulling their arm behind their back to an unnatural angle to wipe their hand, which likely caused a serious accidental injury.

Two caregivers were not aware of the number of children in their care.

A caregiver grabbed a child by the arm in an inappropriate manner.

A concern regarding inappropriate discipline was not report to licensing.

Two staff files reviewed had expired certification.

Five F.A.R.E forms reviewed did not have parent signature as required.

One staff file reviewed did not complete First aid/ CPR training that included hands-on skill-based training.

At the time of the inspection several children did not have current infant feeding instructions.