Southwest Head Start @ Montecito
Data last updated · May 2026
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.4 / 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.5 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 4 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects a Quality First rating of Level 4 (out of 5). Structural quality reflects a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes Arizona's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. Arizona caps infant ratios at 1:5, toddler ratios at 1:6, and preschool ratios at 1:15. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 18 hours of annual training.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- State Quality Rating
- Quality First Level 4 (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
- Child Care Center
- Age groups served
- Infants, Toddlers, Preschool
- Licensed capacity
- 36
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:5 Not Regulated Toddlers 1:6 Not Regulated Preschool 1:15 Not Regulated
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 5 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Licensing & Administrative Compliance (5). None of the 5 findings were critical.
See All 5 Inspection Visits
Jul 22, 20251 Finding1 Important
- The Following Deficiencies Were Observed at the Time of the Compliance Inspection Conducted on 7/22/2025 and Are…Compliance (Annual)
The following deficiencies were observed at the time of the Compliance Inspection conducted on 7/22/2025 and are subject to changes pending programmatic review. Please submit the Plan of Corrections via the LMS portal within 10 days of receipt of the Statement of Deficiencies. The Compliance Officer provided a paper copy of the Notice of Inspection Rights to the provider at the time of inspection. The Empower Self Assessment was emailed to the provider. The Emergency Disaster Contact For
Aug 6, 20241 Finding1 Important
- The Following Deficiencies Were Observed at the Time of the Compliance Inspection Conducted on 08/06/2024 and Are…Compliance (Annual)
The following deficiencies were observed at the time of the Compliance Inspection conducted on 08/06/2024 and are subject to changes pending programmatic review. Please submit the Plan of Corrections via the LMS portal within 10 days of receipt of the Statement of Deficiencies. The Emergency Disaster Contact form was completed at the time of the inspection. The Empower Self-Evaluation was emailed to the director for completion. The fingerprint clearance cards for 5 of 5 staff member
Jun 4, 20241 Finding1 Important
- The Purpose of the Inspection Was to Investigate Complaint #85120 on June 4, 2024Complaint
The purpose of the inspection was to investigate complaint #85120 on June 4, 2024. There were no deficiencies observed. A complete inspection was not conducted. Compliance Officer: Stacy Marchelli The ratios observed were: Infants: 1:4 1-3's: 3:8, 2:8 Two staff members were interviewed during this investigation. The documentation observed was the children's daily sheets (including the diapering changing logs). Upon completion of the complaint investigation, it was determi
Aug 17, 20231 Finding1 Important
- The Following Deficiencies Were Observed During the Compliance Inspection Conducted on August 17Compliance (Annual)
The following deficiencies were observed during the compliance inspection conducted on August 17, 2023, and are subject to changes pending programmatic review. Compliance Officer: Stacy Marchelli A complete inspection was conducted at this time. Two (2) fingerprint clearance cards were verified through the DPS website during the inspection. Please complete the Plan of Corrections on the Licensing portal within ten (10) days of receiving this Statement of Deficiencies. *Please veri
Aug 8, 20231 Finding1 Important
- There Were No Deficiencies at the Time of the Modification Inspection Conducted on 08/08/2023Modification
There were no deficiencies at the time of the Modification Inspection conducted on 08/08/2023, and is subject to change pending programmatic review. Note: A full inspection was not conducted at this time. Compliance Officer #1: Andrea Rach