Joyful Beginnings Academy
W9570 POKER FLATS CT, HORTONVILLE, WI 54944-2707Childery 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.3 / 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 YoungStar rating of 3 Star. Structural quality reflects a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Wisconsin's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Wisconsin caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:4, and preschool ratios at 1:13. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 15 hours of annual training.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- State Quality Rating
- YoungStar 3 Star (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
- Group Child Care Home
- Age groups served
- Not Available
- Licensed capacity
- 125
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 8 Toddlers 1:4 8 Preschool 1:13 26
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 7 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (9), Licensing & Administrative Compliance (3), and Infectious Disease Prevention & Control (2). Of 30 total findings, 2 were critical.
See All 7 Inspection Visits
Jan 26, 20263 Findings3 Important
- Child Abuse & Neglect - Biennial Training251.05(3)(cm)
Based on record review on 1/26/26 according to the Staff Record Checklist Staff Member A failed to have Biennial Child A
- Infant & Toddler - Documenting Changes In Development251.09(1)(c)
Based on record review on 1/26/26 according to the Child Record Checklist Child 1 and Child 2 failed to have updated int
- Infant & Toddler - Audio Monitoring251.09(1)(m)
Based on observation of both infant classrooms each classroom failed to have a working audio monitoring device within th
Sep 10, 20255 Findings5 Important
- Staff Record - Physical Examination251.05(2)(a)3.a.
Based on record review on 9/10/25 according to the Staff Record Checklist Staff Member D failed to have a health report
- Infant & Toddler - Bedding251.09(1)(k)
Based on observation on 9/10/25 the licensing specialist entered the older infant classroom where an infant was asleep o
- Infant & Toddler - Food & Formula Brought From Home251.09(3)(a)2.
Based on observation on 9/10/25 infant bottles within the fridge in the young infant and older infant classrooms, faile
- Infant & Toddler - Correct Food, Breastmilk, Or Formula251.09(3)(a)2m.
The program self reported that on 8/15/25 and on 9/8/25 staff member's fed children the wrong bottle of breast milk. Th
- Infant & Toddler - Bottle Feeding251.09(3)(a)9.
Based on observation of video footage on 9/5/25 an infant was not held when an infant was being fed a bottle. They were
Jan 30, 20253 Findings3 Important
- Department Notices Posted251.04(2)(L)1.b.
Based on observation on 1/30/25 the center failed to have the department notice that was issued on 11/6/24
- Staff Record - Physical Examination251.05(2)(a)3.a.
Based on record review on 1/30/25 according to the Staff Record Checklist Staff Member A failed to have a health report
- Staff Record - Continuing Education251.05(2)(a)7.
Based on record review on 1/30/25 according to the Staff Record Checklist Staff Member A failed to have continuing educa
Jan 15, 20251 Finding1 Critical
- Staff Record - Completed Background Check251.05(2)(a)2.
Based on a desk review and interview a staff member was working for the facility from 12/16/24-1/14/25 without a comple
Oct 14, 202414 Findings1 Critical13 Important
- Infant & Toddler - Sleep Position251.09(2)(bm)
It was observed through video footage on 9/27/24 an Infant slept in a bouncer the entire time during the following nap p
- Monitoring Results Posted251.04(2)(L)1.a.
Based on observation during 10/14/24 visit No monitoring results were posted.
- Staff Record - Physical Examination251.05(2)(a)3.a.
Based on record review on 10/14/24 according to Staff Record Checklist Staff Member C failed to have a Health Report on
- Staff Record - Registry Certificate251.05(2)(a)4.a.
Based on record review on 10/14/24 according to the Staff Record Checklist Staff Member B failed to have a Registry on f
- Staff Record - High School Diploma251.05(2)(a)5.
Based on record review on 10/14/24 according to the Staff Record Checklist Staff Member B failed to have a high school d
- Staff Record - Days & Hours Worked251.05(2)(a)6.
Based on a complaint investigation on 9/27/24 a staff member failed to sign in and out of the Finches classroom for a br
- Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Training251.05(3)(b)
Based on record review on 10/14/24 according to the Staff Record Checklist Staff Member E failed to have SBS/Abusive Hea
- Assistant Child Care Teacher - Supervision251.05(3)(g)1.
Based on a complaint investigation, through record review and video observation on 9/27/24 an assistant qualified child
- Daily Routines251.07(1)(d)
Based on a complaint on 9/27/24 it was observed through video footage within the Finches classroom that infant/toddlers
- Indoor Equipment - Intended Use251.07(3)(a)5.
Based on a complaint and video observation Two bouncers within the Finches classroom were not used according to manufact
- Washing Child's Hands & Face251.07(6)(i)1.
Based on a complaint it was observed through video footage on 9/27/24 a child care worker within the finches classroom
- Adult Handwashing251.07(6)(i)2.
Based on a complaint it was observed through video footage on 9/27/24 the child care worker failed to wash their hands a
- Infant & Toddler - Soft Materials In Cribs251.09(1)(L)
It was observed through video footage a stuffed animal was placed within a crib on 9/27/24 in the humming birds classroo
- Infant & Toddler - Diaper Changing Surface Disinfection251.09(4)(a)3.
Based on a complaint it was observed through video footage on 9/27/24 the child care worker failed to sanitize the diape
Sep 23, 20241 Finding1 Important
- Supervision Of Children251.055(1)(a)
The licensing specialist observed a three-year-old child who was without supervision when the child was given permission
Aug 23, 20243 Findings3 Important
- Report - Prohibited Actions251.04(3)(jm)
The program failed to report prohibited actions by an employee within the required 24 hours. The prohibited actions by t
- Child Guidance - Prohibited Actions251.07(2)(e)
On 8/8/24 A staff member used inappropriate child guidance when the staff member aggressively pushed a 6 month old child
- Infant & Toddler - Care During Feeding251.09(3)(a)11.
On 8/8/24 A child care worker failed to hold an infant who wasn't able to hold a bottle themselves. The child was fed on
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