Kid Care Report: Westside day care reportedly left toddlers alone, DCF says

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Every week Action News Jax investigates local child care centers to show you how they measure up to state guidelines.

In this week’s Kid Care Report, Anchor Letisha Bereola visited two local day cares. One had issues with a new employee and the other had cleaning supplies near babies, according to a Department of Children and Families inspector.

The first stop: Cindy C’s Day Nursery & Child Care in the Crystal Springs area. An inspector tagged the center with a class 2 violation after a staff member left 1, 2 and 3-year-olds alone. According to DCF guidelines, this could pose a threat to the health and safety of a child.

Cindy C’s was also cited for three class 3 violations, which could pose a low risk of harm to children. Those violations were for an employee not completing training requirements.

When Bereola paid a visit to the center to speak with the director, Cynthia Coleman, employees told her the director was not there and told her to give Coleman a call.

Over the phone, Coleman told Bereola the violations involved one new employee who was still learning the ropes and was having a tough time paying for all the classes DCF requires.

Coleman said she’s working with that employee to get her up to speed.

The next stop: Honey Bear’s Daycare Inc. It was tagged with one class 2 violation.

DCF said bleach and Lysol were under a sink in an unlocked cabinet.  The teacher removed the items and put them on a shelf. When Bereola visited the center, no one wanted to talk in person or on the phone about the violations.

Cox Media Group