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Childery

Nicole Smith

COLUMBIA ROAD, COLUMBIA, MD 21044Childery Rating: 4/5

Data last updated ·

Quality Indicators

See Methodology →
  • Overall Quality
    4 / 5
  • Process Quality
    3 / 5
  • Structural Quality
    5 / 5

Why this rating

This daycare earned 4 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects a Maryland EXCELS rating of Level 3 (out of 5). Structural quality reflects a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Maryland's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Maryland caps infant ratios at 1:3, toddler ratios at 1:3, and preschool ratios at 1:10. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 12 hours of annual training.

Quality Recognitions & Accreditations

State Quality Rating
Maryland EXCELS Level 3 (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
Family Child Care Home
Age groups served
Toddlers, Preschool, School-Age
Licensed capacity
8
Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
AgeMax ratioMax group
Toddlers1:39
Preschool1:1020

Teacher Credentials

Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
High School Diploma

Inspection History

3 Inspection Visits Since 2024 · 14 Findings
Most recent: Mar 20, 2026⤓ Download Inspection History Report (PDF)
14 Important

Across 3 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Children's Records & Files (8), Parent Communication & Policies (2), and Emergency Preparedness & Drills (2). None of the 14 findings were critical.

See All 3 Inspection Visits
  1. Mar 20, 20265 Findings5 Important
    • LS Did Not Observe a Health Assessment for Each Child13A.15.03.02A

      LS did not observe a health assessment for each child. Provider must immediately submit evidence of a health assessment signed and dated by a physician or an appointment to obtain one.

    • LS Did Not Observe Evidence of the Appropriate Lead Testing for Each Child Enrolled13A.15.03.02B

      LS did not observe evidence of the appropriate lead testing for each child enrolled. provider must immediately submit evidence of lead testing or an appointment to obtain a lead test.

    • LS Did Not Observe Evidence That Each Child's Parent Received or Was Advised How to Obtain the Parent Guide to Regulated Child Care.13A.15.03.03E
    • LS Did Not Observe All of the Required Information on Each Child's Form. Provider Must Immediately Submit Evidence of Corrected Forms.13A.15.03.04A(1)
    • LS Did Not Observe Evidence That the Written Emergency and Disaster Plan Has Been Updated.13A.15.10.01A(4)
  2. Mar 18, 20252 Findings2 Important
    • LS Did Not Observe the Annual Update for One Child Enrolled in Care. Provider Must Immediately Submit Evidence of Corrected Form.13A.15.03.04A(3)
    • LS Observed Several Personal Care Items in the Daycare Bathroom Accessible to the Children. Provider Corrected Onsite.13A.15.10.02
  3. Mar 21, 20247 Findings7 Important
    • LS Observed Multiple Children Files That Did Not Include the Required Admittance Documents13A.15.03.02A

      LS observed multiple children files that did not include the required admittance documents. Children may not be admitted for care without the required documents and may not be allowed to remain in care until all documents have been received by the Provider. Provider must ensure that paperwork is col

    • LS Did Not Observe Evidence That Each Child Enrolled Has Received the Appropriate Lead Test13A.15.03.02B

      LS did not observe evidence that each child enrolled has received the appropriate lead test. Provider must immediately submit evidence of lead testing or an appointment with a health care provider to obtain one.

    • To Be Retained in Care13A.15.03.02D(2)

      To be retained in care, children who are enrolled without evidence of a medical evaluation, immunizations, and a lead test must have evidence of an appointment to receive them. Provider must submit this evidence immediately and before the day care is closed for spring break on May 25, 2024.

    • LS Did Not Observe Evidence That Each Child's Parent Has Received or Been Advised as to How to Obtain the Parent's…13A.15.03.03E

      LS did not observe evidence that each child's parent has received or been advised as to how to obtain the Parent's Guide to Regulated Child Care. Provider may document this information in the contract and/or handbook or provide each parent with a copy of the form and submit a copy of the signed and

    • LS Did Not Observe All of the Required Information on Each Child's Form13A.15.03.04A(1)

      LS did not observe all of the required information on each child's form. Provider must immediately have all required information completed by a parent or guardian and submit correction via email.

    • LS Did Not Observe Evidence That Each Child's Parent Was Provided a Copy of the Screen Time Policy13A.15.09.01B(6)

      LS did not observe evidence that each child's parent was provided a copy of the screen time policy. Provider must immediately provide each child's parent a copy of the COMAR screen time policy and submit evidence to the office that this has been corrected.

    • LS Did Not Observe Evidence of a Fire Drill and Evacuation Record for Emergency and Disaster Situations That Was…13A.15.10.01A(3)

      LS did not observe evidence of a fire drill and evacuation record for emergency and disaster situations that was practiced at least once per month for 2023 for fire evacuation and at least twice per year for 2023 for emergency and disaster situations. Provider must submit evidence to the office im

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