Little Panther Academy
317 ELI STREET, DAWSON SPRINGS, KY 42408Childery 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 Kentucky ALL STARS rating of Level 5 (out of 5). Structural quality reflects Kentucky's licensing baseline. Kentucky caps infant ratios at 1:5, toddler ratios at 1:6, and preschool ratios at 1:14. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 15 hours of annual training.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- State Quality Rating
- Kentucky ALL STARS Level 5 (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
- Daycare
- Age groups served
- Not Available
- Licensed capacity
- Not Available
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:5 10 Toddlers 1:6 12 Preschool 1:14 28
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 3 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (3), Staff-to-Child Ratios & Group Size (2), and Medication Administration (1). Of 9 total findings, 1 was critical.
See All 3 Inspection Visits
Nov 6, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Inaccessible Items565
922 KAR 2:120. Section 3. General Requirements. (7) The following shall be inaccessible to a child in care: (a) Toxic cleaning supplies, poisons, and insecticides; (b) Matches, cigarettes, lighters, and flammable liquids; and (c) Personal belongings and medications of staff. Findings: General: Based on observation and interview, the following was found: 1) A staff member's red and black backpack was located on a wooden shelf in room 104. 2) A staff member's yellow and pink tumbler and a blue tum
Dec 9, 20242 Findings2 Important
- TB Verification405
922 KAR 2:090. Section 11. Staff Requirements. (1) Child-care center staff: (b) Shall provide, prior to employment and every two (2) years thereafter: 1. A statement from a health professional that the individual is free of active tuberculosis; or 2. A copy of negative tuberculin results. Findings: General: Based on review of documentation and interview, three (3) staff members (DOH: 07/26/22, 08/08/22 and 09/27/22), had TB documentation on file dated 10/11/22, 07/25/22, and 09/01/22, respective
- Training435
922 KAR 2:090. Section 11. Staff Requirements. (16) In accordance with KRS 199.896(15) and (16), a staff person with supervisory authority over a child shall complete the following: (a) Six (6) hours of cabinet-approved orientation completed within the first three (3) months of employment in a child-care program; (b) Nine (9) hours of cabinet-approved early care and education training within the first year of employment in a child care program, including one and one-half (1 ½) hours of cabinet-a
Mar 5, 20246 Findings1 Critical5 Important
- Background Check/submitted/out of State8
922 KAR 2:280. Section 3. Implementation and Enforcement. (1) A child care staff member shall complete the background checks required in accordance with this administrative regulation and be found to have no disqualifying offense prior to becoming a child care staff member. (2) A current or prospective child care staff member shall be subject to background checks in accordance with Sections 4 and 5 of this administrative regulation at intervals pursuant to 45 C.F.R. 98.43(d). 922 KAR 2:280 - Sec
- Enrollment Information1250
922 KAR 2:090. Section 9. Records. (1) A child-care center shall maintain: (b) A written record for each child: 1. Completed and signed by the child’s parent; 2. Retained on file on the first day the child attends the child-care center; and 3. To contain: a. Identifying information about the child, which includes, at a minimum, the child’s name, address, and date of birth; b. Contact information to enable a person in charge to contact the child’s: (i) Parent at the parent’s home or place of empl
- Notification of Changes270
922 KAR 2:090. Section 13. Reports. (4)(a) Written notification of the following shall be: 1. Made to the cabinet, in writing, to allow for approval before implementation: a. Change of ownership; b. Change of location; c. Increase in capacity; d. Change in hours of operation; e. Change of services in the following categories: (i) Infant; (ii) Toddler; (iii) Preschool-age; (iv) School-age; (v) Nontraditional hours; or (vi) Transportation; or f. Addition to or reduction of the square footage of a
- Playpens/Play Yards830
922 KAR 2:120. Section 5. Infant and Toddler Play Requirements. (6) Playpens and play yards shall: (a) Meet federal standards as issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, including 16 C.F.R. 1221; (b) Be manufactured for commercial use; and (c) Not be used for sleeping or napping. Findings: General: Based on observation and interview, a Graco playpen was used for sleeping in Preschool room #3. The playpen's warning label stated there should be no pillow added and to only use the mat that
- Employment Status85
922 KAR 2:280. Section 11. Status of Employment. (1) A child care provider shall maintain the employment or residential status of each child care staff member who has submitted to a fingerprint- based criminal background check by reporting the status using the NBCP Web-based system. Findings: General: Based on review of documentation and observation, a staff member was present at the center, but the Kentucky National Background Check system indicated the person was eligible and separated from em
- Indoor/Outdoor Equipment865
922 KAR 2:120. Section 13. Toys and Furnishings. (2) Indoor and outdoor equipment shall: (a) Be clean, safe, and in good repair; (b) Meet the physical, developmental needs, and interests of children of different age groups; (c) Be free from sharp points or corners, splinters, protruding nails or bolts, loose or rusty parts, hazardous small parts, lead-based paint, poisonous material, and flaking or chalking paint; and (d) Be designed to guard against entrapment or situations that may cause stran
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