The Gardner School of Minnetonka
6040 CLEARWATER DR, MINNETONKA, MN 55343-9467Childery Rating: 2/5
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.2 / 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.3 / 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.1 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 2 out of 5 stars overall. Heads-up: this facility's license is currently under sanction or carries an open enforcement action. Process quality reflects NAEYC accreditation. Structural quality reflects a 100% violation rate and a license currently under sanction (probation or restriction). 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
- Not Available
- Licensed capacity
- Not Available
- 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 6 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (13), Children's Records & Files (8), and Staff-to-Child Ratios & Group Size (6). Of 54 total findings, 2 were critical.
See All 6 Inspection Visits
Dec 8, 202511 Findings11 Important
- 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. 9503.0032 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.
- Program PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0040 subp. 2
The correct number of qualified staff were not present.
- Nap and RestMinn. R. 9503.0050 subp. 4
The program did not meet napping area and equipment requirements.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125 item G 9503.0140 subp. 4
Children's files did not contain updated physical exam documentation when required.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.65 subd. 9
All staff did not complete ongoing training requirements.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1(d)
Food allergy information was not available to staff.
- 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.
Oct 6, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Program PracticesStat. 142B.01 subd. 27 R. 9503.0045 subp. 1 item A
Staff did not supervise the children at all times.
Aug 20, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Program PracticesStat. 142B.01 subd. 27 R. 9503.0045 subp. 1 item A
Staff did not supervise the children at all times.
Dec 17, 202415 Findings1 Critical14 Important
- FacilityStat. 245A.66 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children. Correction: Corrected on site
- 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.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125 item G 9503.0140 subp. 5
Children's files did not contain immunization documentation.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. Stat. 245A.1435(a)
The program did not place all infants to sleep on their backs or have the required documentation for an alternate position.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 7
All staff did not complete ongoing training requirements.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1
The program did not have a policy to prevent and respond to allergies.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1(b)
The program did not comply with Individual Child Care Program Plan requirements.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1(d)
Food allergy information was not available to staff.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 2
The program did not have a policy for handling and disposing of bodily fluids.
- Emergency PreparednessMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 3
The emergency preparedness plan did not contain all required items.
- Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.04 subd. 7
The program did not follow background study requirements for a legal name change.
- 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.
May 30, 20246 Findings6 Important
- 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.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 1 245A.04 subd. 14(b)(1)
Staff orientation training 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.
Jun 27, 202320 Findings1 Critical19 Important
- Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.04 subd. 1(b) and (g)
The program did not submit a background study request to DHS when required. Correction: See Licensing Action
- 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.
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0034 subp. 1
Documentation was not available to show that an aide met qualifications.
- Personnel RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0115 item B 9503.0120
The program did not have a file for each staff person.
- 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.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125 item G 9503.0140 subp. 5
Children's files did not contain immunization documentation.
- Health PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 13
Children's hands were not washed with soap and water.
- 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. 5(a)
All individuals caring for infants did not receive sudden unexpected infant death training.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 5a(a)
All individuals caring for children under school age did not receive abusive head trauma training.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.40 subd. 7
All staff did not complete ongoing training requirements.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1(b)
The program did not comply with Individual Child Care Program Plan requirements.
- Children's RecordsMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1(c)
The Individual Child Care Program Plan for a child with a known allergy was not updated.
- Health PracticesMinn. Stat. 245A.41 subd. 1(d)
Food allergy information was not available to staff.
- 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 each calendar year.
- 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.