KinderCare Learning Center
8453 E POINT DOUGLAS RD S, COTTAGE GROVE, MN 55016-3376Childery 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.5 / 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.3 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 4 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects a Parent Aware rating of Level 4 (out of 4) and NAEYC accreditation. Structural quality reflects a 100% violation rate and a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Minnesota's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Minnesota caps infant ratios at 1:4, toddler ratios at 1:7, and preschool ratios at 1:10. Lead teachers must hold a Child Development Associate (CDA). Teachers must complete 24 hours of annual training.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- State Quality Rating
- Parent Aware Level 4 (Max 4) Learn more →
- Accreditations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)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, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 103
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:4 8 Toddlers 1:7 14 Preschool 1:10 20
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- Child Development Associate (CDA)
Inspection History
Across 8 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (13), Staff-to-Child Ratios & Group Size (9), and Food Safety & Allergic Reactions (5). Of 70 total findings, 6 were critical.
See All 8 Inspection Visits
Feb 17, 202610 Findings1 Critical9 Important
- FacilityStat. 142B.54 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children.
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0032 subp. 2 9503.0120 item B
Documentation was not available to show that a teacher met qualifications.
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0034 subp. 1 9503.0040 subp. 2 item D
A teacher or assistant teacher did not directly supervise an aide.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 15
Children did not have access to personal hygiene products.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 9
The program's space was not clean.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.10 subd. 21(b)(1) 142B.65 subd. 1
Staff orientation training did not include all required items.
- Food and WaterMinn. Stat. 142B.41 subd. 13
The program used water bottles or reusable cups to provide water to children and did not have or follow a policy.
- Risk Reduction PlanMinn. Stat. 142B.54 subd. 2(f)
The Risk Reduction Plan did not include policies and procedures for supervising children when required by DCYF.
- Staff TrainingStat. 142B.65 subd. 4 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with first aid training requirements.
- Staff TrainingStat. 142B.65 subd. 5 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with CPR training requirements.
Oct 29, 202524 Findings1 Critical23 Important
- FacilityStat. 142B.54 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children.
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0033 subp. 2 9503.0120 item B
Documentation was not available to show that an assistant teacher met qualifications.
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0034 subp. 1 9503.0040 subp. 2 item D
A teacher or assistant teacher did not directly supervise an aide.
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0040 subp. 1
Staff-to-child ratios were not maintained.
- Program Plan/Interest AreasMinn. R. 9503.0045 subp. 2
Children did not have daily access to all interest areas.
- Equipment ListMinn. R. 9503.0060
The program did not have sufficient furnishings, equipment, materials, or supplies.
- Personnel RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0115 item B 9503.0120
The program did not have a file for each staff person.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125 item G 9503.0140 subp. 5
Children's files did not contain immunization documentation.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 12
Diaper changing procedures were not posted in the diaper changing area.
- Health PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 13
Children's hands were not washed with soap and water.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 15
Children did not have access to personal hygiene products.
- Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item A
Written parental permission had not been obtained for administering medicine or topical products.
- Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item E
The program did not comply with medication storage requirements.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 9
The program's space was not clean.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.10 subd. 21(b)(1) 142B.65 subd. 1
Staff orientation training did not include all required items.
- PostingsMinn. Stat. 142B.16 subd. 5 142B.18 subd. 6
A licensing action was not posted in a prominent place.
- Food and WaterMinn. Stat. 142B.41 subd. 13
The program used water bottles or reusable cups to provide water to children and did not have or follow a policy.
- Risk Reduction PlanMinn. Stat. 142B.54 subd. 2(f)
The Risk Reduction Plan did not include policies and procedures for supervising children when required by DCYF.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.65 subd. 9
All staff did not complete ongoing training requirements.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1
The program did not have a policy to prevent and respond to allergies.
- Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 3
The emergency preparedness plan did not contain all required items.
- Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 3(d)
The emergency preparedness plan was not updated yearly.
- Staff TrainingStat. 142B.65 subd. 4 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with first aid training requirements.
- Staff TrainingStat. 142B.65 subd. 5 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with CPR training requirements.
Apr 1, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0040 subp. 3 item B, (1)
Infants were mixed with children of other age categories.
Jan 10, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Program Plan/Interest AreasMinn. R. 9503.0045 subp. 1
The program's child care program plan was not complete.
Nov 7, 202425 Findings3 Critical22 Important
- Reporting RequirementsMinn. R. 9503.0130 subp. 1
The program did not comply with the reporting requirements for abuse and neglect.
- Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.04 subd. 1(b) and (h)
The program did not submit a background study request to DHS when required.
- FacilityStat. 245A.66 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children.
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0031 subp. 1 9503.0120 item B
Documentation was not available to show that the director met qualifications.
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0032 subp. 2 9503.0120 item B
Documentation was not available to show that a teacher met qualifications.
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0033 subp. 2 9503.0120 item B
Documentation was not available to show that an assistant teacher met qualifications.
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0034 subp. 1 9503.0040 subp. 2 item D
A teacher or assistant teacher did not directly supervise an aide.
- Documentation LogsMinn. R. 9503.0110 subp. 3 item I
The program's record of accidents, injuries, and incident policy was not complete.
- Health PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 13
Children's hands were not washed with soap and water.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 19
Equipment and furniture were not in good repair.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 20
Areas used by children were not in good repair.
- Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item E
The program did not comply with medication storage requirements.
- Food and WaterMinn. R. 9503.0145 subp. 4
Meals did not comply with the nutritional requirements of the USDA.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0155 subp. 11
Electrical outlets were not tamper-proof or shielded.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.04 subd. 14(b)(1) 245A.40 subd. 1
Staff orientation training did not include all required items.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. Stat. 245A.146 subd. 4
The program did not complete monthly crib safety inspections.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 2
Child development and learning training did not contain all required items.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 5(a)
All individuals caring for infants did not receive sudden unexpected infant death training.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 5a(a)
All individuals caring for children under school age did not receive abusive head trauma training.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 6
Staff who transported children did not complete training on child passenger restraint systems.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 7
All staff did not complete ongoing training requirements.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1(b)
The program did not comply with Individual Child Care Program Plan requirements.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1(d)
Food allergy information was not available to staff.
- Staff TrainingStat. 245A.40 subd. 3 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with first aid training requirements.
- Staff TrainingStat. 245A.40 subd. 4 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with CPR training requirements.
Jan 22, 20242 Findings2 Important
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0040 subp. 1
Staff-to-child ratios were not maintained.
- Behavior GuidanceMinn. R. 9503.0055 subp. 4
The program violated the behavior guidance policy for separating children from the group.
Nov 20, 20236 Findings1 Critical5 Important
- Reporting RequirementsMinn. R. 9503.0130 subp. 1
The program did not comply with the reporting requirements for abuse and neglect.
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0032 subp. 2 9503.0120 item B
Documentation was not available to show that a teacher met qualifications.
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0033 subp. 2 9503.0120 item B
Documentation was not available to show that an assistant teacher met qualifications.
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0034 subp. 1 9503.0040 subp. 2 item D
A teacher or assistant teacher did not directly supervise an aide.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1(d)
Food allergy information was not available to staff.
- Staff TrainingStat. 245A.40 subd. 3 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with first aid training requirements.
Oct 16, 20231 Finding1 Important
- Program PracticesStat. 245A.02 subd. 18 R. 9503.0045 subp. 1 item A
Staff did not supervise the children at all times. Correction: Corrected on site
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