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Childery

The Children's Ark Inc.

112 W 16TH AVE, CHAMBERLAIN, SD 57325Childery Rating: 3/5

Data last updated ·

Quality Indicators

See Methodology →
  • Overall Quality
    3 / 5
  • Process Quality
    Not Available
  • Structural Quality
    3 / 5

Why this rating

This daycare earned 3 out of 5 stars overall. Structural quality reflects a 64% violation rate across 5 visits in the last 3 years (most recently inspected March 2026) and a license in good standing. The structural rating also includes South Dakota's licensing baseline — what every licensed daycare in the state must meet. South Dakota caps infant ratios at 1:5, toddler ratios at 1:5, and preschool ratios at 1:10. Lead-teacher education isn't regulated. Teachers must complete 10 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
Not Available
Licensed capacity
Not Available
Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
AgeMax ratioMax group
Infants1:520
Toddlers1:520
Preschool1:1020

Teacher Credentials

Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
Not Regulated

Inspection History

7 Inspection Visits Since 2024 · 25 Findings
Most recent: Feb 23, 2026⤓ Download Inspection History Report (PDF)
25 Important

Across 7 inspections since 2024, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (8), Emergency Preparedness & Drills (6), and Children's Records & Files (3). None of the 25 findings were critical.

See All 7 Inspection Visits
  1. Feb 23, 20263 Findings3 Important
    • 67:42:17:15 Achildcareprovidershallmaintainarecordforeachemployeethatincludes: (1) Theemployee'snameanddateofbirth; (2) Thedatesonwhichtheem…67:42:17:15

      Atthetimeoftheinspection,therewasmissinginformationintheemployeerecords.

    • 67:42:17:42 Aprovidershallmaintainarecordforeachchildthatincludes: (1) Thechild'snameanddateofbirth; (2) Theparentorguardian'snameandtelepho…67:42:17:42

      Atthetimeoftheinspection,therewerechildrecordsmissingrequiredinformation.

    • 67:42:17:43 Aprovidershallhave: (1) Awrittenemergencypreparednessandresponseplanforemergenciesresultingfromanaturaldisasteroraman- Causedeve…67:42:17:43

      Atthetimeoftheinspection,theprogramdidnothavethedrillsconductedin2025available.

  2. Feb 20, 20264 Findings4 Important
    • Doemployeerecordscontainallrequiredinformation?67:42:17:1567:42:17:15
    • Dochildren'srecordsincludenameandDOBofchild,parent/snamesandcontact Information,emergencycontactinformation,permissionfo…67:42:17:42

      Dochildren'srecordsincludenameandDOBofchild,parent/snamesandcontact information,emergencycontactinformation,permissionforemergencymedicaltre…

    • Doestheproviderhavedocumentationshowingtwofireevacuationdrills,twoshelter-in- Placedrills,andtwolockdowndrillsconductedi…67:42:17:43

      Doestheproviderhavedocumentationshowingtwofireevacuationdrills,twoshelter-in- placedrills,andtwolockdowndrillsconductedinthepastcalendaryear…

    • Iftransportationisprovided,doestheprogramhaveproofofliabilityinsuranceforthe vehicle(s)usedtotransportchildren?67:42:17:…67:42:17:45

      Iftransportationisprovided,doestheprogramhaveproofofliabilityinsuranceforthe vehicle(s)usedtotransportchildren?67:42:17:45 N/A Comments Addi…

  3. Jul 9, 20253 Findings3 Important
    • 67:42:17:32 Allwalls,ceilings,floors,andequipmentmustbeeasilycleanable,keptclean,andingoodrepair. Heatingandcooling Systemsmustmaintainatemp…67:42:17:32

      TheSouthwestwallandceilingintheSouth classroomneedstoberepairedfromaroofleak.

    • 67:42:17:33 Aprovidershallmeetthefollowingrequirementsregardingbathrooms: (1) Bathroomfacilitiesmustbeeasilyaccessiblebychildrenandproviders…67:42:17:33

      Thefacilityhaseliminatedabathroomoffthe Westclassroomtouseforstorage,leavingthreesinksandtoiletstobeusedbychildren. Thelicensecapacityofthe facilityiscurrentlyat 60children. Ifcurrentlicensecapacityistobemaintained,another bathroomwithasinkandtoiletmustbeprovided.

    • 67:42:17:37 Centerandschool-ageprogramsoperatingoutsideofaschoolbuildingshallfollowapplicableconstructionandfire Safetyrequirements,asoutlin…67:42:17:37

      TheNorthdoortotheplaygroundwasmarkedas anexit,andanexitforthetoddler/infantroom. Thisdoordoes notopeninthedirectionofegressflow. Thisdooropenstotheinside ofthebuilding. Thelicensedcapacityforthisfacilityis60,andthis doormustopeninthedirectionofegressflow.

  4. May 8, 20254 Findings4 Important
    • In Licensed Programs Caring for 21 or More Children - When Occupant Load Is 50 or More61:15:05:05

      In Licensed Programs caring for 21 or More Children - When occupant load is 50 or more, do exit doors swing in the direction of egress flow?…

    • Is Food, Including Breastmilk and Formula67:42:17:31

      Is food, including breastmilk and formula, properly stored, kept at the proper temperature, and protected from potential contamination? 67:4…

    • Are All Walls, Ceilings, Floors, and Equipment Easily Cleanable, Kept Clean and in Good Repair? 67:42:17:3267:42:17:32
    • Are There at Least 1 Toilet and 1 Hand Sink in the Restrooms for Every 15 Children? 67:42:17:3367:42:17:33
  5. Apr 30, 20256 Findings6 Important
    • 67:42:17:13 Allchildcareproviders,programemployeesagefourteenandolder,andfamilydaycarehouseholdmembersage Eighteenandolder,shallmeetfederalb…67:42:17:13

      Onestaffmemberdoesnothaveabackgroundcheck.

    • 67:42:17:15 Achildcareprovidershallmaintainarecordforeachemployeethatincludes: (1) Theemployee'snameanddateofbirth; (2) Thedatesonwhichtheem…67:42:17:15

      Thedateofemploymentisneededfortwoemployees.

    • 67:42:17:17 Allprovidersshall,withinninetydaysafterthedateofemployment,completeandobtaindocumentationoforientation Traininginthefollowingare…67:42:17:17

      OnestaffmemberneedstocompleteOrientationTraining. 2

    • 67:42:17:18 Allprovidersmustobtainannualtraininginthetopicareasidentifiedin45C.F.R.§98.41,ineffectonSeptember30, 2016,orasidentifiedbythedep…67:42:17:18

      Therewasnoverificationofannualtrainingforfourstaffmembers.

    • 67:42:17:42 Aprovidershallmaintainarecordforeachchildthatincludes: (1) Thechild'snameanddateofbirth; (2) Theparentorguardian'snameandtelepho…67:42:17:42

      TwochildrecordsweremissinganEmergencyContact/AuthorizedIndividualforpick-up.Onechildrecordwasmissinga vaccinationrecord.

    • 67:42:17:43 Aprovidershallhave: (1) Awrittenemergencypreparednessandresponseplanforemergenciesresultingfromanaturaldisasteroraman- Causedeve…67:42:17:43

      Therewasnoproofofcurrentliabilityinsuranceavailableatthetimeoftheinspection.

  6. Apr 3, 20254 Findings4 Important
    • Does the Provider Have Documentation Showing Two Fire Evacuation Drills, Two Shelter-in-place
    • Have Providers and Assistants Completed Orientation Training Within 90 Days After The
    • Do Employee Records Contain All Required Information? 67:42:17:1567:42:17:15
    • Does the Program Have Proof of Current Liability Insurance? 67:42:17:4367:42:17:43
  7. Apr 12, 20241 Finding1 Important
    • 67:42:17:21 - Center and School-age Program Ratio67:42:17:21

      Center and school-age program ratio - The program was found not maintaining staff-child ratio. A center or school-age program must maintain the following ratios: (1) Five children to one staff for children up to three years of age; (2) Ten children to one staff for children three through four years; and (3) Fifteen children to one staff for children five years and over. Children of program employees must be included in determining the children to staff ratio. The Provider has a clear understanding of the ratio requirements, and has implemented a plan to ensure that ratios are maintained at all times. The Office of Licening & Accreditation will conduct a monitoring visit within 30 days to ensure compliance.

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