Merit Children's Academy Lakewood

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

• Critical 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. Risk level: Medium High. Corrected by 2026-08-06.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

• Critical 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. Risk level: High. Corrected by 2026-05-28.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

• Critical 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 Risk level: High. Corrected by 2026-06-02.

• Critical Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care Professional
  Inspector's note: Three Food Allergy Emergency Plans were missing parent signature. Risk level: Medium High. Corrected by 2026-05-05.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

• Non-critical 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. Risk level: Medium Low. Corrected by 2026-01-13.
• Critical 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. Risk level: High. Corrected by 2026-01-13.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

• Critical 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. Risk level: High. Corrected by 2025-12-18.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

• Critical 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. Risk level: High. Corrected by 2025-05-20.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

• Critical Report Situation Placing Children at Risk
  Inspector's note: A concern regarding inappropriate discipline was not report to licensing. Risk level: High. Corrected by 2024-12-09.
• Critical Prohibited Punishments - Grabbing and Pulling
  Inspector's note: A caregiver grabbed a child by the arm in an inappropriate manner. Risk level: High. Corrected by 2024-12-09.

• Critical CPR Training and Recertification Adhere to Guidelines-skill based
  Inspector's note: One staff file reviewed did not complete First aid/ CPR training that included hands-on skill-based training. Risk level: Medium High. Corrected by 2024-08-23.
• Critical Each Caregiver and the Director Must Have Current Training in pediatric first aid with rescue breathing and choking.
  Inspector's note: Two staff files reviewed had expired certification. Risk level: Medium High. Corrected by 2024-08-23.
• Critical Food Allergy Emergency Plan Signed by Parents and Health Care Professional
  Inspector's note: Five F.A.R.E forms reviewed did not have parent signature as required. Risk level: Medium High. Corrected by 2024-08-09.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.

No infractions recorded at this inspection.