Merit Children's Academy Lakewood

Medium-high risk There must be enough caregivers for the number and ages of children in the group (the state's child-to-caregiver ratio).

State rule 746.1601 (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Child/ Caregiver Ratio - 13 or More Children"

Inspector's note: 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.

Corrected Aug 6, 2026, verified by the state Aug 6, 2026. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

High risk Caregivers must supervise every child at all times: close enough to step in, and always aware of what each child is doing.

State rule 746.1205(a)(4) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Supervision ensures each child's safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child's on going activity"

Inspector's note: 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.

Corrected May 28, 2026, verified by the state Jun 5, 2026. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

High risk Caregivers must supervise every child at all times: close enough to step in, and always aware of what each child is doing.

State rule 746.1205(a)(4) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Supervision ensures each child's safety, well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child's on going activity"

Inspector's note: 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

Corrected Jun 2, 2026, verified by the state Jun 5, 2026. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk A child with a diagnosed food allergy must have an emergency plan signed by the parent and a health-care professional.

State rule 746.3819 (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care Professional"

Inspector's note: Three Food Allergy Emergency Plans were missing parent signature.

Corrected May 5, 2026, verified by the state May 18, 2026.

High risk The operation must report to the state any situation that places children at risk.

State rule 746.305(a)(6) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Report Situation Placing Children at Risk"

Inspector's note: It was determined that the operation did not report an allegation of inappropriate discipline in April of 2025.

Corrected Jan 13, 2026, verified by the state Jan 15, 2026. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-low risk Required Records Storage

State rule 746.803(a) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Required Records Storage"

Inspector's note: 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.

Corrected Jan 13, 2026, verified by the state Jan 15, 2026.

High risk Employees and caregivers must show competence, good judgment and self-control.

State rule 746.1201(1) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Responsibilities of Employees and Caregivers -Demonstrate Competency, Good Judgment, Self-control"

Inspector's note: 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.

Corrected Dec 18, 2025, verified by the state Dec 19, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

High risk Each caregiver must know how many children they are responsible for.

State rule 746.1205(a)(2) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Responsibilities of Caregivers - Know number of children responsible for"

Inspector's note: Two caregivers were not aware of the number of children in their care.

Corrected May 20, 2025, verified by the state May 30, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

High risk The state prohibits certain punishments of children, such as hitting, grabbing, shaming, withholding food or rest, or locking a child in a room.

State rule 746.2805(3) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Prohibited Punishments - Grabbing and Pulling"

Inspector's note: A caregiver grabbed a child by the arm in an inappropriate manner.

Corrected Dec 9, 2024, verified by the state Dec 16, 2024. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

High risk The operation must report to the state any situation that places children at risk.

State rule 746.305(a)(6) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Report Situation Placing Children at Risk"

Inspector's note: A concern regarding inappropriate discipline was not report to licensing.

Corrected Dec 9, 2024, verified by the state Dec 9, 2024. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).