Recorded violations per inspection
- This provider
- 0.31
- Local median
- 0.33
Tri-County Early Head Start Center
265 S 18th St, Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
- License:
- C01WA0019
- Type:
- Child Care Facility
- Status:
- Licensed
- Records checked:
- July 14, 2026
Additional info
- Programs and services:
- Head Start, Food Served, Full Day, Infant Care
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:00AM to 2:00PM; Sat-Sun: Closed
- Capacity:
- 35
- License expiration:
- December 31, 2026
Typical cost: $1,105 (Under 1)
Child’s age
$1,105/mo
Median daily rate: $51.00 (non-Gold Seal only)
Official Florida Division of Early Learning Walton County data.
Not this provider’s price.
Inspection snapshot
Questions worth asking
The available records raise questions worth asking before enrolling.
Next: Review the inspection history below and ask the provider what the records mean and what changed afterward.
Latest inspectionApril 2, 2026
Latest inspection with no recorded violationsApril 2, 2026
Summary
This summary covers 13 available inspections for Tri-County Early Head Start Center from January 10, 2023 through April 2, 2026.
Three inspections recorded violations, with four recorded violations in total.
The most recent recorded violation was on March 26, 2025 and involved health or food records, with a due date of April 25, 2025.
DaycareFacts did not classify any of these violations at the Higher concern level.
Four later inspections, from April 30, 2025 through April 2, 2026, showed no recorded violations, but the records do not say whether they were formal follow-ups.
At a glance
- Total inspections
- 13
- Recorded violations
- 4
- Higher-concern violations
- 0
- Repeated topics
- 0
3 in last 12 months
0 in last 12 months
0 in last 12 months
Last 36 months
Local comparison
13 total inspections vs 14 local median in 32435
Compared to 10 local facilities
Inspections with higher-concern violations
- This provider
- 0%
- Local median
- 6%
Inspections with recorded violations
- This provider
- 23%
- Local median
- 25%
Repeated topics
- This provider
- 0
- Local average
- 1.1
Repeated topics
Topics that appeared in more than one inspection during the last 36 months. They may reveal a pattern worth examining.
No repeated topics found
The available reports do not show the same violation topic appearing in more than one inspection during the last 36 months. Review the inspection history below for any one-time violations or report details.
Inspection history
Available inspection history. Select a violation topic for more info.
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Health or food records
- Report finding
- Child(ren) did not have a Florida Certification of Immunization (DH Form 680) or a Religious Exemption from Immunization (DH Form 681), on file within 30 days of enrollment. CCF Handbook, Section 7.1, B
- Report comments
- One new child did not have a Florida Certificate of Immunization on file even though the 30-day grace period was over. Provider will get a Florida Certificate of Immunization from the child's parent and email a copy of the certificate to the licensing office on or before 4/25/2025. The child in question cannot attend the program until the certificate has been submitted.
- Correction status
- Due by April 25, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 41 - Immunization Records
- Official code
- 41-01
Medium concern: Health or food records
- Report finding
- The Florida Certificate of immunization was not acceptable in that: [ The form was not current (expired)]. CCF Handbook, Section 7.1
- Report comments
- Two children had expired Florida Certificates of Immunization on file. These children cannot attend until a current certificate is on file with the facility. Provider will acquire current Florida Certificates of Immunization for the children in question and email a copy of the certificates to the licensing office on or before 4/25/2025.
- Correction status
- Due by April 25, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 41 - Immunization Records
- Official code
- 41-02
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Low concern: Recordkeeping
- Report finding
- Personnel records or copies of records were not being maintained at the facility and available for review by the licensing authority. CCF Handbook, Section 7.4
- Inspector notes
- Two employee files were not on-site for counselor to monitored at time of inspection. One employee is a float among multiple head start locations. Counselor discussed with director that files must be on-site with employees ANYTIME they are on-site working. Other employee is a permanent transfer from another location. Director should gather this employee's file and either email to counselor no later than 9/8/23. 7 employee files were monitored.
- Correction status
- Due by September 8, 2023
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 44 - Personnel Records
- Official code
- 44-01
Medium concern: Health or food records
- Report finding
- Open packages of perishable or leftover foods were not [ labeled with date]. CCF Handbook, Section 3.9.2, D
- Report comments
- Items stored in the freezer were not labeled with the date that they were open. Cook labeled these items while counselor was on-site.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- FOOD AND NUTRITION - 24 - Food Preparation Area
- Official code
- 24-21
No recorded violations in this report
Questions to ask
Suggested questions for parents based on recorded violations in inspection reports. If there are not enough source-backed violations, you will see general questions for daycare.
Finding-specific
How do you manage the process for tracking and updating children's immunization records to ensure they remain current?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records show that an inspection in March 2025 identified children with expired immunization forms on file. This question helps clarify the current system for monitoring these documents to ensure all requirements are met.
- Context
- A later inspection on 4/2/2026 was clean.
Related violations
Finding-specific
What is your procedure for ensuring that all required enrollment documentation is complete and on file within the designated timeframe for new students?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- An official inspection report from March 2025 noted a finding regarding missing immunization documentation for a new child. Asking about this process helps parents understand how the center tracks enrollment paperwork.
- Context
- A later inspection on 4/2/2026 was clean.
Related violations
Finding-specific
Could you describe how your staff handles food storage and labeling to ensure everything is properly tracked?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Available inspection records from 2023 indicate a finding where some items in the freezer were not labeled with opening dates. This question allows the director to explain the current food safety and labeling practices.
- Context
- The issue was corrected at the time of the inspection.
Related violations
Finding-specific
How do you ensure that all necessary personnel records are kept on-site and available for review?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records from an August 2023 inspection show that some personnel files were not available on-site for review. This question helps parents understand how the center maintains staff documentation.
Related violations
General question
What is your typical approach for communicating with families regarding their child's daily routine and developmental progress?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Regular communication helps parents feel connected to their child's experience and ensures that home and center routines are aligned. Understanding this practice provides insight into how the center supports family engagement.