Merit Children's Academy LLC

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: Two children with diagnosed food allergies were missing parent signatures on their Food Allergy Emergency Plans.

Corrected Oct 19, 2026, verified by the state Oct 19, 2026. 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: Based on the video footage reviewed, children were observed being inappropriately physically pulled and lifted by staff.

Corrected Apr 8, 2026, verified by the state Apr 9, 2026. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk There must be enough caregivers when the children in a group differ in age by 18 months or more (the state's child-to-caregiver ratio).

State rule 746.1605(1) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age"

Inspector's note: Based on video surveillance, a 4-year-old was observed being placed in an infant classroom with infants (4?6 months).

Corrected Apr 1, 2026, verified by the state Apr 9, 2026. 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 (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Prohibited Punishments - No Harsh, Cruel or Unusual"

Inspector's note: During the investigation, it was determined that a staff member used harsh and cruel actions by yanking a blanket and striking a child?s back while patting.

Corrected Sep 9, 2025, verified by the state Sep 24, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium risk Children Not Required to Sleep - May Not Force Child to Sleep

State rule 746.2905(1) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Children Not Required to Sleep - May Not Force Child to Sleep"

Inspector's note: This standard was evaluated during the investigation and found to be deficient. Evidence showed that during naptime, a staff member attempted to make a child sleep by pushing the child?s head down onto a mat and covering the child's head with a blanket.

Corrected Sep 9, 2025, verified by the state Sep 24, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium-high risk The center must have an annual sanitation (health) inspection.

State rule 746.3401(a) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Annual Sanitation Inspection"

Inspector's note: Your Health/sanitation inspection expired on 9/14/2023.

Corrected Feb 24, 2025, verified by the state Mar 27, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).

Medium risk Each infant's written feeding instructions must be reviewed and updated every 30 days.

State rule 746.2421(b) (minimum standards for child-care centers): "Written Feeding Instructions - Review and Update Every 30 Days"

Inspector's note: Infant feeding instruction were not updated in three of the five infant classroom.

Corrected Feb 13, 2025, verified by the state Feb 12, 2025. The inspector gave technical assistance (advice on how to comply).