The Sunshine House of Colorado State University
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.4 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 4 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects a Colorado Shines rating of Level 4. Structural quality reflects Colorado's licensing baseline. Colorado caps infant ratios at 1:5, toddler ratios at 1:5, and preschool ratios at 1:12. Lead teachers must hold a High School Diploma. Teachers must complete 15 hours of annual training.
Quality Recognitions & Accreditations
- State Quality Rating
- Colorado Shines 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
- Licensed capacity
- 138
- Teacher-child ratios & group sizesState Minimum Displayed
Age Max ratio Max group Infants 1:5 10 Toddlers 1:5 10
Teacher Credentials
- Lead teacher credentialState Minimum Displayed
- High School Diploma
Inspection History
Across 15 inspections since 2023, the issues cited most often were Building & Premises Safety (9), Hazardous Materials Handling (2), and Infectious Disease Prevention & Control (1). Of 16 total findings, 1 was critical.
See All 15 Inspection Visits
Jun 2, 20261 Finding1 Important
- Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Materials, and Furnishings Must Be Sturdy, Safe, and Free of Hazards.2.230.B
a puppet marked ages 2+ in the toddler B classroom with children under the age of 2 and a ripped diaper pad in Explorer A
Apr 7, 20261 Finding1 Important
- Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Materials, and Furnishings Must Be Sturdy, Safe, and Free of Hazards.2.230.B
weed fabric to be exposed on the PRS playground posing a tripping hazard.
Mar 10, 20261 Finding1 Important
- Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Materials, and Furnishings Must Be Sturdy, Safe, and Free of Hazards.2.230.B
2 green bowls on the toddler playground to be broken, weed fabric to be coming up on the PRS playground causing a tripping hazard and observed the resilient material to not be covering the metal rings at the bottom of the slides on the PRS playground posing a possible safety hazard.
Feb 9, 20261 Finding1 Critical
- Criminal Background Check Requests Must Be Successfully Completed Prior to an Individual Caring for Children or Allowing the Individual Unsupervised Access to Children in Child…2.121.D.4.a
Reviewed 27 staff files and observed 1 staff to not have documentation of FBI Clearance letter.
Dec 18, 20252 Findings2 Important
- Children Must Not Be Subjected to Physical or Emotional Harm, Humiliation, or Threats.2.225.B
Identified that a staff member picked a child up by their arm and leg and sat them down harshly leaving behind marks.
- Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Materials, and Furnishings Must Be Sturdy, Safe, and Free of Hazards.2.230.B
a strider bike without handlebar covers on the preschool playground.
✓ Corrected at visit
Nov 20, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Toys, Toy Parts, Furnishings, Equipment, and Any Materials Accessible to Children Under Than Three (3) Years of Age Must Not Be a Choke Hazard or Able to Be Inhaled. Any Area Of…2.229.L
2 small chalk pieces that could pose a choking hazard on the PRS playground
✓ Corrected at visit
Mar 19, 20251 Finding1 Important
- Items Labeled “Keep Out of Reach of Children” Must Be Inaccessible to Children.2.229.C
an emergency backpack with emergency meds on a low hook in the PREK room accessible to children.
✓ Corrected at visit
May 28, 20241 Finding1 Important
- Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Materials, and Furnishings Must Be Sturdy, Safe, and Free of Hazards.2.230.B
the weed fabric in the sandbox and around the play structure on the PRE-K and Flex playground to be exposed posing a tripping hazard.
Apr 25, 20241 Finding1 Important
- Items Labeled “Keep Out of Reach of Children” Must Be Inaccessible to Children.2.229.C
a container of hand sanitizer in a toy bucket on the PRE K playground accessible to children.
✓ Corrected at visit
Feb 28, 20241 Finding1 Important
- The Individual Health Care Plan Must Be Updated at Least Every Twelve (12) Months From the Date of the Initial Plan and as Changes Occur. The Plan Must Include All Information…2.218.C.5
Observed an expired health care plan for a child with emergency medications.
Jan 5, 20241 Finding1 Important
- Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Materials, and Furnishings Must Be Sturdy, Safe, and Free of Hazards.2.230.B
a trike without handle bar covers, weed fabric exposed in the sand box and sharp metal edges in the sand box all on the PRK playground.
Oct 19, 20231 Finding1 Important
- Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Materials, and Furnishings Must Be Sturdy, Safe, and Free of Hazards.7.702.72.B
in toddler B classroom a sensory bottle with chokable items to not have a secured lid posing a choking hazard and on the toddler playground a cracked yellow lid posing a hazard to children.
✓ Corrected at visit
Sep 21, 20231 Finding1 Important
- Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Materials, and Furnishings Must Be Sturdy, Safe, and Free of Hazards.7.702.72.B
electrical cords under the table in the cozy corner in the PRS room loose and posing a strangulation hazard.
✓ Corrected at visit
Aug 30, 20231 Finding1 Important
- Indoor and Outdoor Equipment, Materials, and Furnishings Must Be Sturdy, Safe, and Free of Hazards.7.702.72.B
a purple ball in Toddler B marked ages 3+ accessible to children under the age of 3.
✓ Corrected at visit
Jul 6, 20231 Finding1 Important
- Evacuation Equipment Must Not Block Exit Routes. Nothing May Be Stored in or Under Any Evacuation Equipment.7.702.71.K
play equipment was being stored in one of the evacuation cribs in Infant A classroom.
✓ Corrected at visit