Recorded violations per inspection
- This provider
- 0.86
- Local median
- 0.86
South City Head Start
2813 S Meridian St, Tallahassee, FL 32301
- License:
- C02LE0400
- Type:
- Child Care Facility
- Status:
- Licensed
- Records checked:
- July 13, 2026
Additional info
- Programs and services:
- Head Start, School Readiness, VPK, Food Served, Full Day
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 7:30AM to 5:00PM; Sat-Sun: Closed
- Capacity:
- 215
- License expiration:
- June 1, 2027
Typical cost: $1,001 - $1,343 (Under 1)
Child’s age
$1,001 - $1,343/mo
Median daily rate: $46.19 - $62.00
Official Florida Division of Early Learning Leon County data.
Not this provider’s price.
Inspection snapshot
Recent higher-concern violation
At least one higher-concern violation appears in the last 12 months.
Next: Read reports, examine repeated topics below, look at the broader history, and ask what changed afterward.
Latest inspectionApril 27, 2026
Latest inspection with no recorded violationsApril 27, 2026
Summary
This summary covers 14 available inspections for South City Head Start from January 31, 2023 through April 27, 2026.
Six inspections recorded violations, with 12 recorded violations in total.
The most recent higher-concern violation was on April 27, 2026 and involved background screening, with a due date of May 27, 2026.
That higher-concern topic showed up in two inspections.
The available reports do not include a later inspection with no recorded violations after that violation.
At a glance
- Total inspections
- 14
- Recorded violations
- 12
- Higher-concern violations
- 3
- Repeated topics
- 2
5 in last 12 months
9 in last 12 months
1 in last 12 months
Last 36 months
Local comparison
14 total inspections vs 15 local median in 32301
Compared to 33 local facilities
Inspections with higher-concern violations
- This provider
- 21%
- Local median
- 14%
Inspections with recorded violations
- This provider
- 43%
- Local median
- 40%
Repeated topics
- This provider
- 2
- Local average
- 2.03
Repeated topics
Topics that appeared in more than one inspection during the last 36 months. They may reveal a pattern worth examining.
Health or food records
Appeared across 2 inspections, with 4 recorded violations.
September 18, 2025January 13, 2026Facility condition
Appeared across 2 inspections, with 2 recorded violations.
May 2, 2025April 27, 2026Inspection history
Available inspection history. Select a violation topic for more info.
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Facility condition
- Report finding
- All rooms did not have sufficient lighting equivalent to 20 foot candles at three feet from the floor. CCF Handbook, Section 3.3.1, A (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Physical Environment [SR]
- Report comments
- Please be advised that the light bulbs in the bathroom vestibule are currently blown and need to be replaced. the facility has 30 days to correct this issue. 3.3.1 Lighting A. All areas of the facility must have lighting that provides adequate illumination and comfort for facility activities, a minimum of 20 foot-candles of lighting is required. Lighting must be sufficient to allow for adequate supervision and safe entering and exiting of the room.
- Correction status
- Due by May 27, 2026
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 14 - Lighting, Temperature, and Ventilation
- Official code
- 14-01
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- Child care personnel including volunteers who work 10 hours or more per month did not complete the 40 hour Introductory Child Care Training requirement. CCF Handbook Section 4.2.1 (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3)
- Report comments
- There is a staff member that have not completed the introductory to childcare training. 4.2 Training Requirements 4.2.1 Mandated Introductory Training Child care personnel must successfully complete 40 hours of child care training as evidenced by successful completion of competency examinations offered by the Department or its designated representative with a weighted score of 70 or better. Child care personnel who successfully completed the mandatory 40-hour Introductory Child Care Training prior to January 1, 2004 are not required to fulfill the competency examination requirement. A. Part I Courses (30 Hours) Child care personnel must complete all of the following: Child Ca ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by May 26, 2026
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-01
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- Child care personnel did not complete preservice training requirements prior to unsupervised contact with or care of children or, if supervised, within 90 days of beginning employment or service with the provider. (Section 3.1 and 3.2 Training Requirements, Page 7) [SR]
- Report comments
- There is a staff member that have not begun the SR pre-service training. 3.1 Preservice Child care personnel must successfully complete the preservice training coursework described in this section, as applicable. All child care personnel must complete these preservice training requirements within 90 days of initial employment with any School Readiness provider. This timeframe does not start over if personnel change employment to another School Readiness provider within this initial 90 days. Personnel who have not completed all preservice training requirements are not allowed any unsupervised contact with or care of children in a School Readiness program
- Correction status
- Due by May 26, 2026
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-13
Higher concern: Background screening
- Report finding
- The Child Care Attestation of Good Moral Character was not completed at the time of initial screening or upon change in employers. CCF Handbook, Section 7.4.1, B (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Record Keeping [SR]
- Report comments
- There is a staff member file missing the updated AGMC. (See supplemental) 7.4.1 Background Screening Documents B. CF Form 1649A, Child Care Attestation of Good Moral Character, which is incorporated by reference in 65C-22.001(7)(a), F.A.C., must be completed for all child care personnel at the time of initial screening or upon change in employers. CF Form 1649A may be obtained from the Departments website at www.myflfamilies.com/childcare.
- Correction status
- Due by May 27, 2026
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 45 - Background Screening Documents
- Official code
- 45-06
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- The ground cover or other protective surface under the [slide ] was not maintained. CCF Handbook, Section 3.12, D Sanitation and Equipment [SR]
- Correction / follow-up note
- The fall zones under the slide were not maintained the dirt is visible. 3.12 Outdoor Equipment D. Permanent or stationary playground equipment must have a fall/use zone that extends a minimum of 6 feet in all directions from the perimeter of the equipment. All types of ground cover must be maintained to provide resilience and reduce the incidence of injuries to children in the event of falls.
- Correction status
- Due by February 13, 2026
More details
- Report section
- SANITATION AND EQUIPMENT - 32 - Outdoor Equipment
- Official code
- 32-07
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 Record Keeping [SR]
- Correction / follow-up note
- There is a child in care at the facility with no immunization form in file. (see supplemental) 7.1 Immunization Records B. If the custodial parents or legal guardians fail to provide the documentation required above within 30 days of enrollment, the facility shall not allow the child to remain in the program. The parent/guardian of a child who has not received the age-appropriate immunizations prior to enrollment and who does not have documented medical or religious exemptions from routine childhood immunizations must provide documentation of a scheduled appointment or arrangement to receive immunizations. Providers must include a general statement in parent handbook/policies ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by February 13, 2026
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 Record Keeping [SR]
- Report comments
- There are two children with expired immunization. (See supplemental) 7.1 Immunization Records The child care facility is responsible for obtaining for each child in care a current, complete and properly executed Florida Certification of Immunization form Part A-1, B, or C, DH 680, which is incorporated by reference in 65C-22.001(7)(o), F.A.C., or the Religious Exemption from Immunization form, DH 681, which is incorporated by reference in 65C22.001(7)(p), F.A.C., from the custodial parent or legal guardian. DH Form 680 and DH Form 681 may be obtained from the local county health department. Specific immunization requirements are included and detailed in the most current editi ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by February 13, 2026
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 41 - Immunization Records
- Official code
- 41-02
Medium concern: Health or food records
- Report finding
- Child(ren) did not have a Student Health Examination/DH (Form 3040), or an equivalent health statement on file within 30 days of enrollment. CCF Handbook, Section 7.2, C Record Keeping [SR]
- Correction / follow-up note
- There is a child in care at the facility with no physical form in file at the time of inspection. 7.2 Student Health Records The child care facility is responsible for obtaining for each child in care a current, complete and properly executed Student Health Examination form DH 3040, which is incorporated by reference in 65C-22.001(7)(q), F.A.C. and may be obtained from the local county health department, the parent or legal guardian, or a signed statement by authorized professionals that indicate the results of the components of the Student Health Examination form are included in the health examination. C. If the custodial parents or legal guardians fail to provide the docume ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by February 13, 2026
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 42 - Student Health and Records
- Official code
- 42-01
Medium concern: Health or food records
- Report finding
- Milk and/or food sat out longer than 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the meal. CCF Handbook, Section 3.9.5, C Food and Nutrition [SR]
- Inspector notes
- 3.9.5 Food Handling C. Milk and food must not sit out for longer than 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the meal to avoid contamination and spoilage. Food must not be served to children at more than 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Allow time for food to cool before serving to children that does not exceed 15 minutes. At the time of the walk through of inspection I observed the snack in the classroom it consisted of yogurt and graham crackers during nap time this was at 12:00pm the teacher stated snack is served after nap as the children get up around 12:45pm. Yogurt is a perishable dairy food and leaving it unrefrigerated too long can allow harmful bacteria to grow. The kitchen st ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- FOOD AND NUTRITION - 25 - Meals and Snacks
- Official code
- 25-15
Medium concern: Facility condition
- Report finding
- A health deficiency having a low potential for harm to the children in care was observed. CCF Handbook, Section 3.1 (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Physical Environment [SR]
- Correction / follow-up note
- 3.1 General Health and Safety Requirements A. All child care facilities must be clean, in good repair, free from health and safety hazards and from evidence of, or presence of, vermin infestation. Indoor play areas must be inspected daily for basic health and safety and documented on a daily inspection log. Outdoor play areas must be inspected daily for basic health and safety. Any problems must be corrected before the play area is used by children. Documentation of the indoor play area inspection must be maintained for 12 months. There are numerous ant beds on playground. Director closed it at this time pending pest treatment.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 12 - Facility Environment
- Official code
- 12-03
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Higher concern: Child guidance
- Report finding
- Child care personnel did not comply with the facility's written disciplinary and expulsion policies. CCF Handbook, Section 2.8, B General Requirements [SR]
- Correction / follow-up note
- 2.8 Child Discipline A. The childcare facility shall adopt a discipline policy consistent with Section 402.305(12), F.S., including standards that prohibit children from being subjected to discipline, which is severe, humiliating, frightening, or associated with food, rest, or toileting. Spanking or any other form of physical punishment is prohibited. Staff member observed teacher not following facility discipline policy. Corrected at time of inspection. All facility staff will participate in a discipline policy training.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - 11 - Child Discipline
- Official code
- 11-03
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Higher concern: Background screening
- Report finding
- The facility failed to maintain a current Employee/Contractor Roster for all child care personnel in the Clearinghouse. CCF Handbook, Section 5.1, K
- Inspector notes
- FSC observed other personnel not added to the clearing house roster. Other personnel DOH was 11/8/22. HR added the staff to the clearinghouse roster.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 45 - Background Screening Documents
- Official code
- 45-09
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
Could you explain the current process for ensuring all staff members have their required background screening documents completed and on file?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records from an April 2026 inspection indicate that a staff member's attestation of good moral character was not completed at the time of initial screening or upon a change in employer.
- Context
- Correction is due by 5/27/2026.
Related violations
Finding-specific
How do you track and manage staff training timelines to ensure everyone meets their requirements before working with children?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- An official inspection report from April 2026 noted that a staff member had not completed required preservice training before having contact with children.
- Context
- Correction is due by 5/26/2026.
Related violations
Finding-specific
What steps does the center take to ensure that all indoor areas maintain consistent and adequate lighting for the children's safety and activities?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Available inspection records show that lighting levels have been a topic of concern in recent reports, including a finding in April 2026 regarding insufficient illumination in certain rooms.
- Context
- Correction is due by 5/27/2026.
Related violations
Finding-specific
What is your current procedure for reviewing and updating children's health and immunization records to ensure they remain current while enrolled?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records show multiple instances where immunization or health examination forms were missing or expired, as noted in reports from early 2026.
Related violations
General question
How do you handle daily communication with parents regarding their child's routine, such as meal times or any changes in the daily schedule?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Understanding how the center communicates daily routines helps parents feel confident about how their child's needs are being met throughout the day.