Little Willow Child Care Center
8121 COUNTY HIGHWAY 61, WILLOW RIVER, MN 55795Childery Rating: 1/5
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.1 / 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.1 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 1 out of 5 star overall. Heads-up: this facility's license is currently under sanction or carries an open enforcement action. Structural quality reflects a license currently under sanction (probation or restriction). 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. 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
- Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 31
- 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 2 inspections since 2025, the issues cited most often were Children's Records & Files (5), Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (3), and Food Safety & Allergic Reactions (2). Of 17 total findings, 1 was critical.
See All 2 Inspection Visits
Dec 9, 202514 Findings1 Critical13 Important
- FacilityStat. 142B.54 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children.
- Documentation LogsMinn. R. 9503.0110 subp. 3 item D and E and subp. 4 item B
The program did not have documentation of fire and/or tornado drills.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125
Children's files did not contain all required items.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125 item G 9503.0140 subp. 3
Children's files did not contain physical exam documentation.
- Health PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 2
The monthly health consultant's review of infant policies was not completed.
- Food and WaterMinn. R. 9503.0145 subp. 2
Snack did not comply with the nutritional requirements of the USDA.
- Reporting RequirementsMinn. Stat. 142B.61 subd. 1
The program did not use the DCYF mandated reporting policy and/or did not make the policy available to parents.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.65 subd. 9
All staff did not complete ongoing training requirements.
- Children's RecordsMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1(a)
The program did not have information about a child's known allergy.
- Children's RecordsMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1(a)
The Individual Child Care Program Plan for a child with a known allergy did not contain all required items.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1(b)
The program did not comply with Individual Child Care Program Plan requirements.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1(d)
Food allergy information was not available to staff. Correction: Corrected on site
- 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.
May 28, 20253 Findings3 Important
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0032 subp. 2 9503.0120 item B
Documentation was not available to show that a teacher met qualifications.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. Stat. 245A.146 subd. 4
The program did not complete monthly crib safety inspections.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 1 245A.04 subd. 14(b)(1)
Staff orientation training did not include all required items.
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