First Horizon Christian Academy
12518 S US HIGHWAY 441, LAKE CITY, FL 32025Childery Rating: 4/5
Data last updated ·
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.Not Available
- 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.4 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 4 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects a 33% violation rate across 12 visits in the last 3 years (most recently inspected February 2026) and a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Florida's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Florida caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:6, and preschool ratios at 1:20. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 10 hours of annual training. No objective process measures (e.g., state quality rating or national accreditation) are available for this daycare. The overall rating reflects structural features only.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- 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
- Not Available
- Licensed capacity
- 40
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 Not Regulated Toddlers 1:6 Not Regulated Preschool 1:20 Not Regulated
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 5 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (5), Children's Records & Files (3), and Building & Premises Safety (1). None of the 9 findings were critical.
See All 5 Inspection Visits
May 28, 20262 Findings2 Important
- Training Requirements CCF Handbook, Section 4 CCF Handbook, Section 4 (Form DEL-SR-6200A)33-06
The facility did not have documentation to show completion of a Department approved five-hour early literacy and language development course for child care personnel within 12 months of date of employment in child care industry and/or the early literacy course documentation was not uploaded in the Florida Pathways/Registry. CCF Handbook, Section 4.2.2 and 4.5, C (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) The new employee listed on the Supplemental Sheet started working in the child care industry 8/23/23 and has not completed the Early Literacy Training requirement. The director said she will obtain documentation of completion of the training and not accept their word for it - to prevent this from occurring in the future. Technical support was provided. 4.2.2 Early Literacy Training Pursuant to Section 402.305(2)(e)5., F.S., all child care personnel must complete a single course of training in early literacy and language development of children ages birth through five years that is a minimum of five clock hours or .5 CEUs. Early literacy training must be completed within 12 months of date of employment in the child care industry. Proof of completion may be documented on a certificate of course completion, classroom transcript, or diploma. Child care personnel must complete one of the following: A. One of the Departments online literacy courses available on the Departments website. B. One of the Departments approved literacy courses. A list of these courses can be obtained from the Departments website. (No additional courses will be approved by the Department.) C. One college level early literacy course (for credit or non-credit) if taken within the last five years. Due Date 6/19/2026
- Student Health and Records CCF Handbook, Section 7.2 CCF Handbook, Section 7.2 (Form42-01
Child(ren) did not have a Student Health Examination/DH (Form 3040), or an equivalent health statement on file within 30 days of enrollment. CCF Handbook, Section 7.2, C (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Record Keeping [SR] LS reviewed all 29 preschool childrens records. The child listed on the Supplemental Sheet enrolled on 2/16/26 and still does not have a Student Health Exam/Physical form in her file. The director said she will double check the Student Health Exam/Physical expiration list for accuracy to prevent this from occurring in the future. Technical support was provided. 7.2 Student Health Records The child care facility is responsible for obtaining for each child in care a current, complete and properly executed Student Health Examination form DH 3040, which is incorporated by reference in 65C-22.001(7)(q), F.A.C. and may be obtained from the local county health department, the parent or legal guardian, or a signed statement by authorized professionals that indicate the results of the components of the Student Health Examination form are included in the health examination. C. If the custodial parents or legal guardians fail to provide the documentation required above within 30 days of enrollment, the facility shall not allow the child to remain in the program. Due Date 6/19/2026
May 28, 20253 Findings3 Important
- Training Requirements CCF Handbook, Section 4 CCF Handbook, Section 4 (Form DEL-SR-6200A)33-03
The facility did not have documentation to show child care personnel had begun the introductory training within 90 days of employment in the child care industry. CCF Handbook, Section 4.1 (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) The CCP listed on the Supplemental Sheet started working on 1/27/25 and has not started the DCF Introductory Training. Technical support was provided. 4.1 Beginning Training Child care personnel including volunteers who work 10 hours or more per month must begin training within 90 days of employment in the child care industry and successfully complete Departments training within 12 months from the date training begins. Training taken prior to employment in the child care industry does not constitute begin training. The begin training timeframes begin at the time of employment in the child care industry. Training completion may not exceed 15 months from the date of employment in the child care industry in any licensed Florida child care facility. This may be accomplished by classroom attendance in a Department-approved training course, acquiring an educational exemption from a Department-approved training course, beginning a Department-approved online child care training course, or by receiving results from a Department-approved competency examination. The child care program is responsible for obtaining training documentation from child care personnel.
- Immunization Records CCF Handbook, Section 7.1 CCF Handbook, Section 7.1 (Form41-02
The Florida Certificate of immunization was not acceptable in that: [ The form was not current (expired)]. CCF Handbook, Section 7.1 (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Record Keeping [SR] LS reviewed all 29 preschool children's records. The child listed on the Supplemental Sheet had an expired Immunization Record. It expired 5/1/25. Technical support was provided. 7.1 Immunization Records The child care facility is responsible for obtaining for each child in care a current, complete and properly executed Florida Certification of Immunization form Part A-1, B, or C, DH 680, which is incorporated by reference in 65C-22.001(7)(o), F.A.C., or the Religious Exemption from Immunization form, DH 681, which is incorporated by reference in 65C- 22.001(7)(p), F.A.C., from the custodial parent or legal guardian. DH Form 680 and DH Form 681 may be obtained from the local county health department. Specific immunization requirements are included and detailed in the most current edition of the Immunization Guidelines-Florida Schools, Child Care Facilities and Family Day Care Homes as promulgated by the Florida Department of Health. B. If the custodial parents or legal guardians fail to provide the documentation required above within 30 days of enrollment, the facility shall not allow the child to remain in the program. The parent/guardian of a child who has not received the age-appropriate immunizations prior to enrollment and who does not have documented medical or religious exemptions from routine childhood immunizations must provide documentation of a scheduled appointment or arrangement to receive immunizations. Providers must include a general statement in parent handb…
- Student Health and Records CCF Handbook, Section 7.2 CCF Handbook, Section 7.2 (Form42-02
The Student Health Examination or equivalent health statement was not acceptable in that: [ It was not current (over two years old)]. CCF Handbook, Section 7.2 (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Record Keeping [SR] LS reviewed all 29 preschool children's records. The child listed on the Supplemental Sheet had an expired Student Health Exam/Physical form. It expired 4/28/25. Technical support was provided. 7.2 Student Health Records The child care facility is responsible for obtaining for each child in care a current, complete and properly executed Student Health Examination form DH 3040, which is incorporated by reference in 65C-22.001(7)(q), F.A.C. and may be obtained from the local county health department, the parent or legal guardian, or a signed statement by authorized professionals that indicate the results of the components of the Student Health Examination form are included in the health examination. A. The Student Health Examination shall be completed by a person given statutory authority to perform health examinations. B. The Student Health Examination or the signed statement is valid for two years from the date the physical was performed. An up-to-date version must be on file for as long as the child is enrolled at the facility. C. If the custodial parents or legal guardians fail to provide the documentation required above within 30 days of enrollment, the facility shall not allow the child to remain in the program.
Feb 14, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Training Requirements CCF Handbook, Section 433-06
The facility did not have documentation to show completion of a Department approved five-hour early literacy and language development course for child care personnel within 12 months of date of employment in child care industry and/or the early literacy course documentation was not uploaded in the Florida Pathways/Registry. CCF Handbook, Section 4.2.2 and 4.5, C The employee listed on the Supplemental Sheet started working on 1/8/24 and has not completed the Literacy training requirement.
Jun 5, 20242 Findings2 Important
- Training Requirements CCF Handbook, Section 4 CCF Handbook, Section 4 (Form OEL-SR-6202,33-09
The facility did not have documented proof that all child care personnel were trained and knowledgeable within 30 days of date of hire in [ safe sleep practices and shaken baby syndrome]. CCF Handbook, Section 4.2.3 and 4.2.5 The staff listed on the Supplemental Sheet started working in the Child Care Industry on 8/14/23 (started here on 3/20/24) and has not completed the Safe Sleep training. Technical support was provided. 4.2.3 Safe Sleep/ Shaken Baby Syndrome Training All child care personnel who work in a facility that offers care to infants must have training regarding guidance on safe sleep practices, preventing shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma; recognition of signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma; strategies for coping with crying, fussing, or distraught child and the development and vulnerabilities of the brain in infancy in early childhood within 30 days of hire at the facility. For child care personnel to satisfy this requirement the training must be accomplished through one of following methods: Department's Health Safety and Nutrition course, Safe Sleep course, or the Early Learning Floridas Safe Sleep Practices. Documentation of training must be maintained on the Department's training transcript in the child care personnel record.
- Training Requirements CCF Handbook, Section 4 CCF Handbook, Section 4 (Form OEL-SR-6202,33-13
Program personnel did not complete training requirements prior to unsupervised contact with or care of children, or if supervised, within 90 days of beginning employment or service with the program. (Section 18.1) Training [SR] The staff listed on the Supplemental Sheet started working in the Child Care Industry on 8/14/23 and has not completed the School Readiness training. Technical support was provided. 18 Training Requirements 18.1 Pre-service Timeframe All pre-service training requirements listed below must be completed by all program personnel, volunteers and substitutes, each as defined in this handbook, within 90 days of initial employment with any provider participating in the school readiness program. This timeframe does not start over if personnel change employment to another school readiness provider within this 90 days. Personnel who have not completed all pre-service training requirements may not be allowed any unsupervised contact with or care of children in a school readiness program.
Mar 4, 20241 Finding1 Important
- Outdoor Play Area/Fencing CCF Handbook, Section 3.517-01
The facilitys outdoor play area contained litter, nails, glass or other hazards that posed a low potential for harm to children. CCF Handbook, Section 3.5, A Physical Environment [SR] An ant bed was on the playground by the door as the children entered the playground. Staff treated the ant bed during this inspection and kept the children away from the ant bed. Technical support was provided. 3.5 Outdoor Play Area A. The outdoor play area must be clean and free from litter, nails, glass and other hazards
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