The worst violations

The state took an enforcement action against each preschool, day-care center and group home on this list at least once between July 2003 and September 2006. An enforcement action is a fine or other penalty charged by the state in cases where rule violations are made repeatedly, or in cases where violations were especially egregious. In the most serious cases, the state asked the center's owners to agree not to provide child care for several years.

Also listed here are the number of complaints, made by parents and others, that were investigated by the state. For this list, we counted each allegation within a complaint as a separate complaint. Each allegation was categorized by the state as substantiated or unsubstantiated, the latter meaning either the claim was untrue or there was a lack of proof to show it was true or false.

In each case, there are violations — in some cases hundreds — that are not listed here. To read the complete file for any center, visit the Tucson Office of Child Care Licensing, 400 W. Congress St., Suite 100.

Compiled by Becky Pallack and Jane Erikson

1. A Dream Come True Pre-School & Learning Center 1230 E. Broadway, 622-9039 Enforcement: Fined $550 in March 2004 for repeated violations including incomplete staff files and background checks, problems with rosters and lesson plans, and unsupervised kids. Complaints: 3 substantiated, 7 unsubstantiated Other action: Center moved to 1010 E. Broadway in February 2005

2. A Dream Come True Pre-School & Learning Center 6163 S. Midvale Park Road, 294-3738 Enforcement: Fined $750 in June after a staff member with a revoked license drove nine kids in the center's unregistered van and had a minor accident in March. Staff member told children not to tell. No one was injured. Other violations: Staff background checks were incomplete, staffers weren't trained in CPR and first aid. Complaints: 8 substantiated, 4 unsubstantiated

3. Barefoot Days Child Care 8323 E. 22nd St., 722-1412 Enforcement: The state refused to renew the center's license in July 2004 after repeated health and safety violations. Other violations: Kids climbing on the roof, staff using corporal punishment and dirty facilities. Complaints: 19 substantiated, 15 unsubstantiated Other action: Center was re-licensed in January 2005

4. Bright Star Learning Center 1750 E. Prince Road, 325-7005 Enforcement: Fined $300 in November 2005 after a child swallowed bleach. Complaints: 4 substantiated, 9 unsubstantiated

5. Childtime Childcare 7090 N. Thornydale Road, 744-9500 Enforcement: Fined $600 in October 2004 after parents filed a complaint about their 2-year-old breaking his leg while wrestling with another child in December 2003. Other violations: Incomplete staff files and background checks. Complaints: 3 substantiated

6. Creative Kids Preschool 1310 W. Ina Road, 575-6565 Enforcement: Fined $200 in November 2004 after a toddler received second-degree burns on his hand from touching a hot door. Complaints: 2 substantiated, 2 unsubstantiated

7. Diane's Day Care 5121 S. Butts Road, Phone number not available Enforcements: Fined $195 in June 2003 for lapsed insurance for two weeks in March 2003. Fined $500 in August 2004 for lapsed insurance for five days in April 2004. Other violations: Repeated violations of rules including no proof of director and staff training. Complaints: 2 unsubstantiated

8. Grace to the Nations Early Education Center 6180 E. Pima St., 886-0604 Enforcement: Fined $150 in December 2005 after two 4-year-olds wandered alone across campus. Other violations: A staff member used corporal punishment (and was fired), two kids inappropriately touched each other, and unqualified staff members were left alone with kids. Complaints: 3 substantiated, 3 unsubstantiated

9. Hidden Treasures 9433 E. Fifth St., Closed Enforcement: Fined $600 in June 2004 after a 1-year-old was left alone outside the front door in January 2004. Other violations: The provider smoked cigarettes at the home care facility. Kids complained the owner hit them. The owner denied the claims. Complaints: 6 substantiated, 15 unsubstantiated Other action: Closed by owner in June.

10. Holsclaw Family Child Care Center (Lohse Family YMCA) 222 N. Church Ave., 623-9211 Enforcement: Fined $200 in October 2005 after a 2-year-old's leg was broken in a fight with another child. Complaints: 3 substantiated, 3 unsubstantiated

11. Hug-A-Bunch Child Care 850 Sycamore Drive, Oracle, Phone number not available Enforcement: Fined $500 in April after a child fell into a 6-inch-deep pond. Staff member quickly pulled the child out. Center also was over capacity.

12. Jacobs City YMCA 1010 W. Lind St., 888-7716 Enforcement: Fined $300 in June after a child ran away from the center and a parent found the child on the street. Other violations: Staff ate goldfish in front of kids. Complaints: 1 substantiated

13. Kiddie Korner Pre-School 242 W. Lester St., 622-5080 Enforcement: Fined $300 in September for placing kids in timeout for not napping, and physically forcing a child to stay on a mat during nap time. Also, the director used a fly swatter to get kids' attention. Complaints: 1 substantiated, 2 unsubstantiated

14. Kids 4 Life Inc. 1001 N. Wilmot Road, Closed Enforcements: Fined $1,630 in November 2003 and $3,100 in April 2005. State denied license renewal in October because of center's 271 violations from January 2003 to March of this year, including kids walking alone to a liquor store to buy candy. Complaints: 22 substantiated, 34 unsubstantiated Other action: Center under new ownership as Little Faces Day Care.

15. Kids Forever Broadway 1403 E. Broadway, Closed Enforcement: Fined $200 in October 2005 after an 18-month-old was left alone on the playground in August 2005. Staff said it was only a few minutes. Complaints: 2 substantiated, 1 unsubstantiated Other action: Center under new ownership as Tuty's Day Care & Preschool.

16. Kids Sunshine Daycare 3755 S. Camino Seco, 751-7499 Enforcement: Fined $500 in July because the provider didn't live in the home care facility as required by the state. Other violations: Not enough staffing. Staff incorrectly disposed of lancets used for blood-sugar testing.

17. Kids Valley 7710 E. David Drive, 325-7685 Enforcement: Fined $260 in April for lapsed insurance for 26 days early this year.

18. Kids World Preschool East 4761 E. Fifth St., 323-2546 Enforcement: Fined $300 in April 2005 for violations including parents not signing out, seat belts in van not working. The state refused to renew license this year because of 114 violations from June 2004 through July 2005, and the center closed. Complaints: 26 substantiated, 32 unsubstantiated. Other action: Center opened under new ownership in September.

19. KinderCare Learning Centers (formerly Pima Country Day School) 3107 E. Pima St., 323-8375 Enforcement: Fined $650 in March 2004 after a preschooler walked out of the center and was found on North Country Club Road, stopping traffic in both directions. Other violations: Kids were released to an unauthorized person. Complaints: 2 substantiated, 1 unsubstantiated

20. KinderCare Learning Centers 7770 E. Wrightstown Road, 886-6316 Enforcement: Fined $300 in May 2005 after a 15-month-old had unexplained bruises and scratches. Other violations: Staff background checks were incomplete. A child was inappropriately touching other kids. A child broke her elbow on the playground. Complaints: 3 substantiated, 5 unsubstantiated

21. La Casita 3426 N. Stone Ave., 696-0689 Enforcement: Fined $300 in August 2004 after a 3-year-old girl walked away from the center and was found by a neighbor who called 911. Complaints: 1 substantiated

22. La Casita Day Care 1902 S. Jefferson Ave., 747-3841 Enforcement: Fined $200 in October 2005 after a 3-year-old boy ran away from the center to his grandmother's house six blocks away. Complaints: 5 substantiated, 8 unsubstantiated

23. La Petite Academy 8885 E. Golf Links Road, 722-0857 Enforcement: Fined $3,500 in August for failing to check a diabetic boy's blood-sugar level on 30 of 38 days he attended, and for failing to call the boy's doctor when his level spiked. Complaints: 6 substantiated, 7 unsubstantiated

24. Learning Bee Preschool & Day Care Center 3975 E. 22nd St., 319-2273 Enforcement: Fined $200 in October 2005 after a 3-year-old boy jumped a 42-inch wall and ran from the center. Other violations: The center didn't quickly report suspected child abuse in October 2003. Complaints: 5 substantiated

25. Lexy's Playhouse 8382 N. Sunset Ranch Loop, Closed Enforcement: Fined $100 in January 2005 after the center didn't quickly report suspicion of child abuse in October 2004. Complaints: 1 substantiated Other action: State closed center in September 2005 after owners moved.

26. Lil Rascals Day Care 7671 S. Coleville St., 578-9524 Enforcement: Fined $60 in April for lapsed insurance for 12 days in January. Complaints: 3 substantiated

27. Linda Liles Group Home 7652 N. Soledad Ave., Closed Enforcement: Fined $200 in October 2003 after operating without a license for 14 years. Other action: Owner took steps to get a license but was denied because she doesn't have a GED.

28. Little Angels Academy 5202 S. Bloomfield Drive, Closed Enforcement: Fined $950 in July 2003 for lapsed insurance for 25 days in 2002 and 11 days in 2003. Other action: Closed by owner in March 2005.

29. Little Paradise 935 W. Calle Antonia, 807-1358 Enforcements: Fined $100 in April 2005 for not having enough staffing. Fined $200 in May for being over capacity. Complaints: 1 unsubstantiated

30. Marina's Day Care 5118 E. Second St., Closed Enforcement: Fined $300 in April 2005 for repeat violations including dirty home, lack of age-appropriate toys, unsanitary diaper-changing. State closed center in May because of 224 violations in 11 inspections from January 2005 to March 2006. Complaints: 22 substantiated, 29 unsubstantiated

31. Mary-Joyce Private School and Day Care 8185 E. 22nd St., 885-7711 Enforcement: Fined $1,250 and put on six months' probation in November 2005 for repeated violations including incomplete background checks and unqualified staff. Other violations: Upset kids were shut in a bathroom. A child burned his hand on a hot door. Complaints: 23 substantiated, 22 unsubstantiated

32. Mini-Skool Early Learning Centers Inc. 31 E. Limberlost Drive, 888-8150 Enforcements: Fined $300 in August 2004 for taking photos of kids and publishing them with the kids' names on the Internet, "defaming the character of the parents and children." Staff used napping and eating in discipline. A staff member slept during the kids' nap time. Staff washed dishes in the diaper-changing sink. Fined $550 in October 2005 after a child suffered first- and second-degree sunburns from swimming in July 2005 and a toddler was left alone on the playground for a couple of minutes in June 2005. Staff background checks were incomplete. Complaints: 20 substantiated, 10 unsubstantiated

33. Mini-Skool Early Learning Centers Inc. 430 N. Main Ave., 884-1211 Enforcement: Fined $200 in April 2005 after an infant suffered second-degree burns on his hand from touching a hot door in March 2005. Complaints: 1 substantiated, 3 unsubstantiated

34. Miss Anna's Complete Child Care 4050 E. Grant Road, 325-8671 Enforcements: Fined $1,100 in April 2004 for unqualified staffers, not enough staffing, lifting a toddler by the arm and making kids lie on bare mats as punishment. Fined $1,400 in October 2004 for unqualified staff members, incomplete background checks, overflowing toilet, unsupervised kids, dishes in diaper-changing sink and food on diaper-changing table. Fined $2,300 in May 2005 for unqualified staff; unsupervised kids; two 4-year-olds left alone on playground; punishing a 3-year-old by leaving him alone outside wearing only shorts and sandals on a cold night; punishing 3-year-old for swearing by putting chili in his mouth; punishing child by making him lie on the floor while staff person swept dirt in his face; 5-year-old girl got out and was found on Grant Road at night; staff member screamed "shut up" to a 3-year-old; kids forced to lie down at night face-down with arms at sides. Complaints: 22 substantiated, 24 unsubstantiated

35. Miss Anna's Complete Child Care 5540 E. Hampton St., Closed Enforcement: Fined $300 in May after a 2-year-old got out and was found near North Craycroft Road by a passer-by, who returned the child to the center. Other violations: A 2-year-old had a broken leg. Staff said she fell off a step, but ER doctor disagreed. Toys were dirty and staff did not wash hands after diaper-changing. Complaints: 4 substantiated Other action: The owner closed the center in May.

36. Ms. Cecilia's Speedway Child Care and Learning Center 1001 N. Main Ave., 624-6550 Enforcements: Fined $1,100 in January 2004 for incomplete staff background checks, unsupervised kids. Fined $600 in May 2004 for unqualified staff members and not enough staffing. Fined $2,200 in May 2005 for 22 days of lapsed insurance. Complaints: 12 substantiated, 11 unsubstantiated

37. Mulcahy City YMCA 5085 S. Nogales Highway, 294-1449 Enforcement: Fined $600 in August 2004 after two kids walked away from the center unnoticed. Other violations: A staff member punished children by shutting them in a dark bathroom, sometimes slamming the door on their fingers. A child was served food marked on the child's food-allergy list. Staff could not explain a child's bruises. Complaints: 8 substantiated, 5 unsubstantiated

38. Nixon Family Day Care (formerly Cindy Nixon) 6757 N. Spring Wagon Drive, 682-7221 Enforcement: Fined $1,400 in August 2005 for operating without a license. Other action: The group home now is licensed.

39. Open Arms Christian Child Care 9095 N. Bald Eagle Ave., 744-8505 Enforcements: Fined $200 in April after an infant fell from a diaper table. Fined $400 in August after a second infant fell from a diaper table and staff conspired to keep it secret. Complaints: 15 substantiated, 6 unsubstantiated

40. Pima Community College — Downtown Campus Child Development Center 1255 N. Stone Ave., 206-7136 Enforcement: Fined $300 in April 2005 after a 3-year-old wandered away and was found by police in the college cafeteria. Complaints: 2 substantiated

41. River of Life Christian Day Care 6902 E. Golf Links Road, Closed Enforcement: Fined $1,200 in May 2004 for unsupervised kids and for staff members not washing after diapering. Complaints: 11 substantiated, 8 unsubstantiated Other action: Closed by owner in February 2005

42. Santana's 3729 N. Fourth Ave. , 293-1071 Enforcement: Fined $260 in October 2004 for 26 days of lapsed insurance. Other violations: A staff member assaulted the director in January 2005. A staff member and a minor were kissing and fondling each other in front of children in February 2004. Complaints: 6 substantiated, 8 unsubstantiated

43. Satori 3801 N. First Ave., 887-4003 Enforcement: Fined $450 in April 2005 after making food without a required kitchen permit and serving homemade food, and not taking steps to prevent spread of vomiting and diarrhea from sick kids to other kids and their families. Complaints: 4 substantiated, 3 unsubstantiated

44. Schumaker Elementary School — Explorer & Community School Program (TUSD) 501 N. Maguire Ave., 731-5264 Enforcement: Fined $1,125 in May for operating without a license in January. Other action: Now licensed.

45. Southside Day Care Center 900 E. 31st St., 798-1931 Enforcement: Fined $645 in August for lapsed insurance for 129 days. Other violation: Caring for 1-year-olds without proper license. Complaints: 3 substantiated, 5 unsubstantiated

46. Sportscamp 8140 E. Golf Links Road, Closed Enforcement: Fined $14,200 in November 2004 for operating for seven years without a license. Other action: Closed by state in August 2004.

47. Spunkies Learning Center 2121 E. Highland Drive, 777-8378 Enforcement: Fined $400 in September for changing phone numbers without notifying the state and not answering the door for state inspectors. An inspector had to call police to enter the center. Kids were told to stay quiet when an inspector knocked.

48. Stepping Stones Academy 5235 N. Sabino Canyon Road, Suite 155, 615-8119 Enforcement: State required director to attend a discipline class and a stress-management class. Director can't be left alone with kids until the classes are completed. The action was part of a settlement after a complaint about the director holding kids down on mats when they didn't want to nap. Other violations: Director impeded a state inspection by not allowing staff members to be interviewed. The center enrolled diapered kids without the proper license. Complaints: 17 substantiated, 13 unsubstantiated

49. The Carousel 5830 N. Fountains Ave., Closed Enforcements: Fined $600 in March 2004 after an infant boy was found limp and gasping for air under a blanket. His eyes were rolled back in his head. Staff failed to call 911. Fined $400 in October 2004 after a 3-year-old girl was left outside in August 2004. Fined $300 in January 2005 after a parent found a 1-year-old alone on the playground. Complaints: 10 substantiated Other action: Closed by owner in December 2005

50. Tina C. Lau Group Home 1621 N. Old Pueblo Drive, Phone number not available Enforcement: Fined $1,645 in October 2003 after being uninsured for 329 days. Complaints: 1 substantiated, 6 unsubstantiated

51. Treasure Chest Early Learning Center 150 S. Westmoreland Ave., Closed Enforcement: State refused to renew license in January 2005 following repeated violations. The center appealed but was cited for 187 additional violations last year. The facility was infested with cockroaches. Staff did not have required permits to handle food. An infant was sleeping in a crib with a dirty sheet with vomit on it. Staff members were unqualified, and background checks were incomplete. Complaints: 11 substantiated, 10 unsubstantiated Other action: Closed by court order in September.

52. Tucson Academy of Leadership & Arts 210 E. Broadway. Closed Enforcement: Fined $700 in October 2004 because staff files and immunization records were incomplete and staff members were unqualified. Other violations: Director could not document qualifications. Other action: Preschool closed by owner in December 2004.

53. Tucson Nursery Schools & Child Care Centers 2385 S. Plumer Ave., 792-0114 Enforcement: Fined $500 in September 2005 for giving a child nearly five times the correct dose of Tylenol, twice in six hours. Other violations: Kids forced to lie face-down, arms at sides. Complaints: 2 substantiated, 4 unsubstantiated

54. Young World Learning Center 1109 W. Prince Road, Closed Enforcement: Fined $800 in September 2003. The state refused to renew the center's license. Public records related to this action were not available because the state could not find them in archives. Other action: Center under new ownership as New Discoveries Preschool.

55. Youth Enrichment Services (YES) 6901 N. Camino de la Tierra, 742-0438 Enforcement: Fined $300 in October 2005 after kids inappropriately touched each other. Complaints: 1 substantiated