St. Mary's Early Learning Academy
815 6TH AVE SW, PINE CITY, MN 55063-1804Childery 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 Parent Aware rating of Level 4 (out of 4). 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
- State Quality Rating
- Parent Aware Level 4 (Max 4) 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, School-Age
- Licensed capacity
- 94
- 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 4 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Children's Records & Files (8), Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (7), and Emergency Preparedness & Drills (3). Of 31 total findings, 3 were critical.
See All 4 Inspection Visits
Apr 24, 20267 Findings1 Critical6 Important
- FacilityStat. 142B.54 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children.
- 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. 5
Children's files did not contain immunization documentation.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 11
The diaper changing area was not separate from areas where food was stored, prepared, or served.
- PostingsMinn. Stat. 142B.16 subd. 5 142B.18 subd. 6
A licensing action was not posted in a prominent place.
- 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.
- Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 3(e)
The emergency preparedness plan was not included with other program policies and/or given to parents.
May 2, 202514 Findings1 Critical13 Important
- Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.04 subd. 1(b) and (h)
The program did not submit a background study request to DHS when required.
- 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. 9503.0034 subp. 1 9503.0040 subp. 2 item D
A teacher or assistant teacher did not directly supervise an aide.
- Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item E
The program did not comply with medication storage requirements. Correction: Corrected on site
- 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.
- Children's RecordsMinn. Stat. 245A.41 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. 245A.41 subd. 1(b)
The program did not comply with Individual Child Care Program Plan 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.
Apr 30, 20243 Findings3 Important
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125
Children's files did not contain all required items.
- Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item C
The program did not follow medication administration documentation procedures.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1(c)
Staff persons were not informed of changes to an Individual Child Care Program Plan.
Aug 24, 20237 Findings1 Critical6 Important
- Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.04 subd. 1(b) and (g)
The program did not submit a background study for an individual when required, however the program submitted a study before DHS discovered the error.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125
Children's files did not contain all required items.
- Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item E
The program did not comply with medication storage requirements.
- Food and WaterMinn. Stat. 245A.14 subd. 17
The program used water bottles to provide water to children and did not have or follow a policy.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1
The program's policy on preventing and responding to allergies did not include all required items.
- 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.
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