Wee Pals Child Care Center
560 DUNNELL DR, OWATONNA, MN 55060Childery Rating: 3/5
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.3 / 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.3 / 5
Why this rating
This daycare earned 3 out of 5 stars overall. Process quality reflects a Parent Aware rating of Level 2 (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 2 (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
- 107
- 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 Staff Qualifications & Background Checks (11), Building & Premises Safety (9), and Food Safety & Allergic Reactions (5). Of 59 total findings, 7 were critical.
See All 4 Inspection Visits
Dec 12, 20255 Findings1 Critical4 Important
- FacilityStat. 142B.54 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 19
Equipment and furniture were not in good repair.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 20
Carpet or rugs were not in good repair and/or did not meet safety requirements.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.10 subd. 21(b)(1) 142B.65 subd. 1
Staff orientation training did not include all required items.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.65 subd. 3
Child development and learning training did not contain all required items.
Jul 30, 202523 Findings3 Critical20 Important
- Reporting RequirementsMinn. R. 9503.0130 subp. 1
The program did not comply with the reporting requirements for abuse and neglect.
- Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.04 subd. 1(b) and (h)
The program did not submit a background study request to DHS when required.
- FacilityStat. 142B.54 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children.
- 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. 1
Staff-to-child ratios were not maintained.
- Program Plan/Interest AreasMinn. R. 9503.0045 subp. 2
Children did not have daily access to all interest areas.
- Behavior GuidanceMinn. R. 9503.0055 subp. 2
The program's policy for children's persistent unacceptable behavior did not contain all required items.
- Behavior GuidanceMinn. R. 9503.0055 subp. 4
The program's behavior guidance policies and procedures were not complete.
- Behavior GuidanceMinn. R. 9503.0055 subp. 5 9503.0115 item G
The separation log was not complete.
- Children with Special NeedsMinn. R. 9503.0065 subp. 3
The program did not have an Individual Child Care Program Plan for a child with special needs and/or staff did not follow the plan.
- Children with Special NeedsMinn. R. 9503.0065 subp. 3
The Individual Child Care Program Plan for a child with special needs was not coordinated with information from other professionals working with the child.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 19
Equipment and furniture were not in good repair.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 20
Carpet or rugs were not in good repair and/or did not meet safety requirements.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 9
The program's space was not clean.
- Food and WaterMinn. R. 9503.0145 subp. 2
Snack did not comply with the nutritional requirements of the USDA.
- Food and WaterMinn. R. 9503.0145 subp. 4
A sufficient number of meals and snacks were not provided to children according to their time in care.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0155 subp. 11
Electrical outlets were not tamper-proof or shielded.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. Stat. 142B.45 subd. 2(a)
The program did not have documentation of crib brand names and model numbers.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. Stat. 142B.45 subd. 4
The program did not complete monthly crib safety inspections.
- Staff TrainingMinn. Stat. 142B.66 subd. 1(b)
The program did not comply with Individual Child Care Program Plan requirements.
- Staff TrainingStat. 142B.65 subd. 4 R. 9503.0120 subp. D
The program did not comply with first aid training requirements.
Dec 17, 202417 Findings2 Critical15 Important
- Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.04 subd. 1(b) and (h)
The program did not submit a background study for an individual when required, however the program submitted a study before DHS discovered the error.
- FacilityStat. 245A.66 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children.
- Program Plan/Interest AreasMinn. R. 9503.0045 subp. 2
Children did not have daily access to all interest areas.
- Health PracticesMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 13
Children's hands were not washed with soap and water.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 19
Equipment and furniture were not in good repair.
- Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item D
Products to control diaper rash were not properly labeled.
- Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item E
The program did not comply with medication storage requirements.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 9
The program's space was not clean.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0155 subp. 11
Electrical outlets were not tamper-proof or shielded.
- 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.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. Stat. 245A.146 subd. 3
Cribs were not checked annually against the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website's listing of unsafe cribs.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. Stat. 245A.146 subd. 4
The program did not complete monthly crib safety inspections.
- 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.
- 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.
Dec 12, 202314 Findings1 Critical13 Important
- FacilityStat. 245A.66 subd. 2(e) R. 9503.0140 subp. 17
Hazardous objects were accessible to children.
- Staff QualificationsMinn. R. 9503.0032 subp. 2 9503.0120 item B
Documentation was not available to show that a teacher met qualifications.
- Children's RecordsMinn. R. 9503.0125 item G 9503.0140 subp. 3
Children's files did not contain physical exam documentation.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 12
Diaper changing procedures were not posted in the diaper changing area.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 20
Carpet or rugs were not in good repair and/or did not meet safety requirements.
- Medication/First AidMinn. R. 9503.0140 subp. 7 item C
The program did not follow medication administration documentation procedures.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. R. 9503.0145 subp. 7 item D
Each infant's bottle was not labeled with the child's first and last name.
- FacilityMinn. R. 9503.0155 subp. 11
Electrical outlets were not tamper-proof or shielded.
- 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.
- Infant and Toddler CareMinn. Stat. 245A.1435(a)
An infant under six months was allowed to sleep on their stomach without the required documentation from parents.
- Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.13 subd. 2
An individual required to have a background study was allowed to have contact with children before receiving a DHS notice allowing contact.
- Background StudiesMinn. Stat. 245C.18
The program did not remove an individual with a background study disqualification.
- 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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