1st Academy Preschool & Childcare
Data last updated · May 2026
Quality Indicators
See Methodology →- Overall QualityCombines daily care quality (interactions, learning, environment) with structural features like staff-to-child ratios and teacher qualifications.4 / 5
- Process QualityThe quality of daily care — caregiver-child interactions, learning activities, and the emotional climate. Drawn from the state QRIS rating, accreditations, and Head Start CLASS observations.4 / 5
- Structural QualityMeasurable features like staff-to-child ratios, group sizes, license status, and teacher qualifications. Provider-level data when available; otherwise the state regulatory baseline.5 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 4 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects a Quality First rating of Level 4 (out of 5). Structural quality reflects a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Arizona's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Arizona caps infant ratios at 1:5, toddler ratios at 1:6, and preschool ratios at 1:15. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 18 hours of annual training.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- State Quality Rating
- Quality First Level 4 (Max 5) Learn more →
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)Not Accredited
- National Accreditation Commission (NAC)Not Accredited
- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)Not Accredited
- National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)Not Accredited
Facility Info
- Facility type
- Child Care Center
- Age groups served
- Infants, Toddlers, Preschool
- Licensed capacity
- 168
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:5 Not Regulated Toddlers 1:6 Not Regulated Preschool 1:15 Not Regulated
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 8 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Licensing & Administrative Compliance (5), Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (2), and Staff-to-Child Ratios & Group Size (1). None of the 8 findings were critical.
See All 8 Inspection Visits
Feb 23, 20261 Finding1 Important
- The Following Deficiencies Were Observed at the Compliance Inspection Conducted on 2/23/2026Compliance (Annual)
The following deficiencies were observed at the Compliance Inspection conducted on 2/23/2026, and are subject to changes pending programmatic review. Please submit the Plan of corrections via the LMS portal within 10 days of receipt of the Statement of Deficiencies. A copy of the Notice of Inspection Rights was provided at the time of the inspection. The Emergency Disaster Contact form was given to the Provider to complete and email to the Compliance Officer. BCCL staff emailed the Em
May 23, 20251 Finding1 Important
- The Following Deficiencies Were Observed at the Time of Complaint #00130885 Investigation Conducted on 5/23/25 and Are…Complaint
The following deficiencies were observed at the time of Complaint #00130885 investigation conducted on 5/23/25 and are subject to changes pending programmatic review. A telephone call was made to the Complainant on 5/15/25. The Written Document of Corrections is due within 10 days A complete inspection of the facility was not conducted. The following classroom ratios were observed: Infants: 1:4 Ones/Twos: 1:9 Threes/Fours: 1:11 School-agers: 1:11 Four staff members were inter
Feb 28, 20251 Finding1 Important
- The Following Deficiencies Were Observed at the Time of the Compliance Inspection Conducted on 02/28/2025 and Are…Compliance (Annual)
The following deficiencies were observed at the time of the Compliance Inspection conducted on 02/28/2025 and are subject to changes pending programmatic review. A paper copy of the Notice of Inspection Rights was provided at the time of the inspection. Please submit your Plan of Corrections via the LMS portal within 10 days of receipt of the Statement of Deficiencies. The Emergency Disaster Contact form was completed at the time of the inspection. The DES Group Size Contract form was c
Oct 7, 20241 Finding1 Important
- The Purpose of the Inspection Was to Conduct Complaint Investigations #00089736 and #00091065 on 10/7/2024Complaint
The purpose of the inspection was to conduct complaint investigations #00089736 and #00091065 on 10/7/2024. The plan of correction will not be accepted at this time. A full inspection was not conducted at this time. Ratios observed were: Infants:2:8 1-year-old children: 2:10 2-year-old children: 1:8 2-year-old/3-year-old children: 1:11 4-year-old children: 1:8 School-age: 1:10 There were 3 children interviewed during the investigation. There were 5 staff interviewed during this
Jul 2, 20241 Finding1 Important
- There Were No Deficiencies Observed at the Time of Complaint #00086180 Investigation Conducted on 7/2/2024, Subject To…Complaint
There were no deficiencies observed at the time of Complaint #00086180 investigation conducted on 7/2/2024, subject to change pending programmatic review. A full inspection was not conducted at this time. Ratios observed were: Infants- 2:7 1's- 1:6 2's- 1:8 3's/4'S- 1:13 School Age- 1:18 There were 3 staff interviewed during this investigation. There was 1 staff file
Mar 12, 20241 Finding1 Important
- The Following Deficiencies Were Observed at the Time of the Compliance Inspection Conducted on March 12, 2024, and Are…Compliance (Annual)
The following deficiencies were observed at the time of the Compliance inspection conducted on March 12, 2024, and are subject to changes pending programmatic review. Compliance Officer #1: Fred Geyser Compliance Officer #2: Celeste Angulo 5 of the 5 fingerprint clearance cards were verified through the DPS website during the inspection. Please submit the Plan of Corrections via the LMS portal within 10 days of receipt of the Statement of Deficiencies. A link to the Empower Survey
Sep 26, 20231 Finding1 Important
- The Purpose of the Inspection Was to Conduct Complaint #00064119 Investigation on 9/26/2023Complaint
The purpose of the inspection was to conduct Complaint #00064119 investigation on 9/26/2023. Please submit the Plan of Corrections via the LMS portal within 10 days of receipt of the Statement of Deficiencies. A full inspection was not conducted at this time. Ratios observed were: Infants 2:7 1-Year Olds: 1:6, 2:10 2/3-Year Olds 1:7 4-Year-Olds 2:16 There were 5 staff interviewed during this investigation. There was 1 staff file reviewed during this investigation. There was
Jul 7, 20231 Finding1 Important
- There Were No Deficiencies Observed at the Time of the Modification Inspection Conducted on 7/7/2023, Subject to Change…Modification
There were no deficiencies observed at the time of the Modification inspection conducted on 7/7/2023, subject to change pending programmatic review. Compliance Officer # 1: Fred Geyser