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Childery

Noah's Ark Child Care

223 1ST ST NE, MADELIA, MN 56062Childery Rating: 4/5

Data last updated ·

Quality Indicators

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

Why this rating

This daycare earned 4 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects 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

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
63
Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
AgeMax ratioMax group
Infants1:48
Toddlers1:714
Preschool1:1020

Teacher Credentials

Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
Child Development Associate (CDA)

Inspection History

5 Inspection Visits Since 2023 · 74 Findings
Most recent: Feb 3, 2026
8 Critical66 Important

Across 5 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (15), Infectious Disease Prevention & Control (14), and Emergency Preparedness & Drills (8). Of 74 total findings, 8 were critical.

See All 5 Inspection Visits
  1. Feb 3, 202623 Findings2 Critical21 Important
    • Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.04 subd. 1(b) and (h)

      The program did not submit a background study request to DHS when required.

    • 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.

    • Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0040 subp. 2

      The correct number of qualified staff were not present.

    • Program Plan/Interest AreasMinn. R. 9503.0045 subp. 2

      Children did not have daily access to all interest areas.

    • Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0090 subp. 2 item B

      The program did not document that parent conferences were offered.

    • 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. Correction: Correction Documentation Insufficient

    • Health PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 2

      The yearly health consultant's review was not completed. Correction: Correction Documentation Insufficient

    • Health PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 2

      The monthly health consultant's review of infant policies was not completed. Correction: Correction Documentation Insufficient

    • Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item D

      Products to control diaper rash were not properly labeled.

    • Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.10 subd. 21(b)(1) 142B.65 subd. 1

      Staff orientation training did not include all required items.

    • Reporting RequirementsMinn. Stat. 142B.54 subd. 1, paragraph (2)

      The program did not identify persons responsible for completing internal reviews.

    • Risk Reduction PlanMinn. Stat. 142B.54 subd. 3

      The Risk Reduction Plan was not reviewed each calendar year.

    • Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.65 subd. 3

      Child development and learning training did not contain all required items. Correction: Correction Documentation Insufficient

    • 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.

    • Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 2

      The program did not have a policy for handling and disposing of bodily fluids.

    • 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. Correction: Correction Documentation Insufficient

    • Staff TrainingStat. 142B.65 subd. 5 R. 9503.0120 subp. D

      The program did not comply with CPR training requirements.

  2. Nov 13, 202536 Findings2 Critical34 Important
    • Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.04 subd. 1(b) and (h)

      The program did not submit a background study for an individual when required, however the program submitted a study before DCYF discovered the error.

    • 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.

    • 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. 9503.0040 subp. 2

      The correct number of qualified staff were not present.

    • Program Plan/Interest AreasMinn. R. 9503.0045 subp. 2

      Children did not have daily access to all interest areas.

    • Behavior GuidanceMinn. R. 9503.0055 subp. 5 9503.0115 item G

      The separation log was not complete.

    • 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.

    • Documentation LogsMinn. R. 9503.0110 subp. 3 item I and subp. 4 item C

      The program's documentation of accidents, injuries, incidents, and emergencies did not contain all required items.

    • 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.

    • 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

      Staff did not monitor and assist a child with hand washing.

    • Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 16

      The first aid kit did not contain all required items.

    • FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 19

      Equipment and furniture were not in good repair.

    • Health PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 2

      The yearly health consultant's review was not completed.

    • Health PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 2

      The monthly health consultant's review of infant policies was not completed.

    • Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item D

      Products to control diaper rash were not properly labeled.

    • 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. 2

      Menus did not comply with the nutritional requirements of the USDA.

    • FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0155 subp. 11

      Electrical outlets were not tamper-proof or shielded.

    • 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.

    • Reporting RequirementsMinn. Stat. 142B.54 subd. 1, paragraph (2)

      The program did not identify persons responsible for completing internal reviews.

    • Risk Reduction PlanMinn. Stat. 142B.54 subd. 3

      The Risk Reduction Plan was not reviewed each calendar year.

    • Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.65 subd. 6(a)

      All individuals caring for infants did not receive sudden unexpected infant death training.

    • 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.

    • Children's RecordsMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1(c)

      The Individual Child Care Program Plan for a child with a known allergy was not updated.

    • Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 2

      The program did not have a policy for handling and disposing of bodily fluids.

    • Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 2, paragraph (4)

      The program did not have the required bodily fluid disposal supplies available to staff.

    • Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 3(d)

      The emergency preparedness plan was not updated yearly.

    • Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 3(e)

      The emergency preparedness plan was not included with other program policies and/or given to parents.

    • Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 3(f)

      The relocation site and evacuation route from the emergency preparedness plan was not posted.

    • 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.

  3. Dec 16, 202412 Findings3 Critical9 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.

    • Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0034 subp. 1 9503.0040 subp. 2 item D

      A teacher or assistant teacher did not directly supervise an aide. Correction: Correction Documentation Insufficient

    • Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item D

      Products to control diaper rash were not properly labeled.

    • Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 1 245A.04 subd. 14(b)(1)

      Staff orientation training did not include all required items.

    • Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 2

      Child development and learning training did not contain all required items.

    • Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 7

      All staff did not complete ongoing training requirements.

    • Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 3

      The emergency preparedness plan did not contain all required items.

    • Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 3(d)

      The emergency preparedness plan was not updated annually.

    • 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.

  4. Nov 1, 20242 Findings1 Critical1 Important
    • Reporting RequirementsMinn. R. 9503.0130 subp. 1

      The program did not comply with the reporting requirements for abuse and neglect.

    • Program PracticesStat. 245A.02 subd. 18 R. 9503.0045 subp. 1 item A

      Staff did not supervise the children at all times.

  5. Nov 30, 20231 Finding1 Important
    • Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.13 subd. 2

      An individual required to have a background study was allowed to have contact with children before receiving a DHS notice allowing contact.

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