Recorded violations per inspection
- This provider
- 1
- Local median
- 1.71
First United Methodist Preschool
230 N 5th St, Lake Wales, FL 33853
- License:
- C10PO0238
- Type:
- Child Care Facility
- Status:
- Licensed
- Records checked:
- July 12, 2026
Additional info
- Programs and services:
- VPK, After School, Before School, Full Day, Half Day
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 7:15AM to 5:30PM; Sat-Sun: Closed
- Capacity:
- 150
- License expiration:
- April 30, 2027
Typical cost: $1,127 - $1,157 (Under 1)
Child’s age
$1,127 - $1,157/mo
Median daily rate: $52.00 - $53.40
Official Florida Division of Early Learning Polk 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 13, 2026
Latest inspection with no recorded violationsApril 13, 2026
Summary
This summary covers 20 available inspections for First United Methodist Preschool from April 18, 2023 through April 13, 2026.
Nine inspections recorded violations, with 20 recorded violations in total.
The most recent higher-concern violation was on November 17, 2025 and involved background screening, with a due date of December 17, 2025.
That higher-concern topic showed up in three inspections.
Two later inspections, from December 9, 2025 through April 13, 2026, showed no recorded violations, but the records do not say whether they were formal follow-ups.
At a glance
- Total inspections
- 20
- Recorded violations
- 20
- Higher-concern violations
- 5
- Repeated topics
- 4
5 in last 12 months
4 in last 12 months
2 in last 12 months
Last 36 months
Local comparison
20 total inspections vs 16.5 local median in 33853
Compared to 26 local facilities
Inspections with higher-concern violations
- This provider
- 20%
- Local median
- 25%
Inspections with recorded violations
- This provider
- 45%
- Local median
- 50%
Repeated topics
- This provider
- 4
- Local average
- 4.27
Repeated topics
Topics that appeared in more than one inspection during the last 36 months. They may reveal a pattern worth examining.
Staff training
Appeared across 6 inspections, with 6 recorded violations.
August 25, 2023April 18, 2024May 20, 2024August 23, 2024April 11, 2025August 21, 2025Background screening
Appeared across 3 inspections, with 4 recorded violations.
April 11, 2025August 21, 2025November 17, 2025Recordkeeping
Appeared across 2 inspections, with 3 recorded violations.
April 11, 2025August 21, 2025Facility condition
Appeared across 2 inspections, with 2 recorded violations.
December 13, 2024April 11, 2025Inspection history
Available inspection history. Select a violation topic for more info.
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
- Report comments
- At the time of inspection, Licensing Specialist determined that the Provider failed to update the facilitys clearinghouse roster. Technical assistance was provided to update (add/remove) Child Care Personnel to the Employee/Contractor Roster in the Clearinghouse within 5 days. Technical assistance was provided to ensure that all Child Care Personnel signed updated Attestation of Good Moral Character (July 2024). •
- Correction status
- Due by December 17, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 45 - Background Screening Documents
- Official code
- 45-09
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- Documentation of in-service training was not recorded on CF-FSP Form 5268, Child Care In-service Training Record. CCF Handbook, Section 4.2.7, B
- Correction / follow-up note
- At the time of inspection, Licensing Specialist determined that the Child Care Personnel listed on the supplemental did not have documented proof of in-service hours on CF-FSP Form 5268, Child Care In-Service Training Record. Technical assistance was provided to ensure that in-service training is documented on CF-FSP Form 5268, Child Care In-Service Training Record.
- Correction status
- Due by September 20, 2025
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-08
Low concern: Recordkeeping
- Report finding
- The personnel/ volunteer (ten hours or more per month) record did not include a CF-FSP 5337 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements form signed annually. CCF Handbook, Section 7.4, C
- Report comments
- At the time of inspection, Licensing Specialist determined that the Child Care Personnel listed on the supplemental did not have a current CF-FSP 5337 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements form signed on file. Technical assistance was provided to ensure that the Child Care Personnel must sign CF FSP 5337 Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements annually. Licensing Specialist reviewed all Child Care Personnel files, totaling 16. •
- Correction status
- Due by September 20, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 44 - Personnel Records
- Official code
- 44-04
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
- Report comments
- At the time of inspection, Licensing Specialist determined that the Provider failed to update the facilitys clearinghouse roster. Technical assistance was provided to update (add/remove) Child Care Personnel to the Employee/Contractor Roster in the Clearinghouse within 5 days. This standard was brought back into compliance when provider updated the Clearinghouse. •
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 45 - Background Screening Documents
- Official code
- 45-09
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Facility condition
- Report finding
- Indoor and outdoor play areas were not inspected daily for basic health and safety and/or any problems were not corrected before the play area is used by children and/or daily inspection logs were not maintained for 12 months. CCF Handbook, Section 3.1, A
- Correction / follow-up note
- At the time of the inspection, the facility did not have a daily indoor and outdoor checklist. A sample daily checklist was reviewed and emailed to the provider on today's date for use going forward. The provider was reminded that indoor and outdoor play areas must be inspected daily for basic health and safety and documented on a daily inspection log and any problems must be corrected before the play area is used by children.
- Correction status
- Due by May 10, 2025
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 12 - Facility Environment
- Official code
- 12-19
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- Inspections were not conducted and documented monthly of all supports, above and below the ground, all connectors, and moving parts. CCF Handbook, Section 3.12, B
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the inspection, the licensing specialist reviewed the facility's physical environment log and observed the facility failed to complete an inspection during the months of June 2024 through July 2024, September 2024 through December 2024 and February 2025 - current. The only documented inspections were completed in 4/28/24, 5/22/24, 8/30/24 & 1/6/25. Technical assistance was given to the provider that these checks must be completed monthly, documented on the physical environment log, retained for 12 months and available for review by licensing.
- Correction status
- Due by May 10, 2025
More details
- Report section
- SANITATION AND EQUIPMENT - 32 - Outdoor Equipment
- Official code
- 32-04
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- The facility did not have documentation to show child care personnel had begun the introductory training within 90 days of employment in the child care industry. CCF Handbook, Section 4.1
- Report comments
- At the time of the inspection, the licensing specialist reviewed all staff files and determined that the staff listed on the supplemental did not start the required DCF 40-hour training within 90 days of employment in the industry. The staff started DCF training late and was beyond the 90-day period. Technical assistance was given to the provider as a reminder that staff have 90-days from their employment/industry start date to begin DCF training.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-03
Medium concern: Health or food records
- Report finding
- The facility does not have documentation for all child care personnel on required annual refresher education of the facilitys exposure plan. CCF Handbook, Section 6
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the inspection, the licensing specialist reviewed all staff files and observed the staff listed on the supplemental did not have documentation of training on the facilitys exposure plan. Technical assistance was given to the provider to review with the staff and document the training prior to the due date. Lastly, the provider was reminded that a refresher education of the facilitys exposure plan must be conducted with all staff annually.
- Correction status
- Due by May 10, 2025
More details
- Report section
- HEALTH REQUIREMENTS - 35 - Communicable Disease Control
- Official code
- 35-12
Low concern: Recordkeeping
- Report finding
- Child care personnel did not have an employment application on file. CCF Handbook, Section 7.4, A
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the inspection, the licensing specialist reviewed all 17 staff files and observed the staff listed on the supplemental did not have an employment application in their file. Technical assistance was given to the provider to have the staff complete prior to the due date.
- Correction status
- Due by May 10, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 44 - Personnel Records
- Official code
- 44-02
Low concern: Recordkeeping
- Report finding
- The child care personnel record did not include a signed statement regarding any work in a center that had been subject to negative licensing action or the subject of disciplinary action while employed. s.402.3055(1)(b), F.S. and Section 7.4, A
- Report comments
- At the time of the inspection, the licensing specialist reviewed all staff files and determined the staff listed on the supplemental did not have a Supplement to the Child Care Facility form in their file. Technical assistance was given to the provider to have the staff sign prior to the due date.
- Correction status
- Due by May 10, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 44 - Personnel Records
- Official code
- 44-03
Higher concern: Background screening
- Report finding
- Background screening was not completed: [ after a 90-day break in service.] CCF Handbook, Section 5.2
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the inspection, the licensing specialist reviewed all staff files & observed the staff listed on the supplemental had a 90-day break in service and was not rescreened prior to employment. Technical assistance was given to the provider to initiate a resubmission through the Clearinghouse prior to the due date. Additional technical assistance specific to this standard is notated on the supplemental.
- Correction status
- Due by April 21, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 45 - Background Screening Documents
- Official code
- 45-07
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
- At the time of the inspection, the licensing specialist reviewed the facility's employee/staff roster through the Clearinghouse and observed there were several staff who were no longer employed who were not removed from the roster. Technical assistance was given to the provider to update the roster prior to the due date. Additionally, the provider was reminded that the facility now has 5 days to add or remove staff from the roster in the Clearinghouse.
- Correction status
- Due by May 10, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 45 - Background Screening Documents
- Official code
- 45-09
Medium concern: Facility condition
- Report finding
- Areas of the facility were found to be in need of cleaning. CCF Handbook, Section 3.1, A
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the inspection the specialist observed that the large vent in each classroom and the bathrooms were in need of dusting. The vents were completely covered in dust. The provider has until the due date to have someone clean the vents to return into compliance.
- Correction status
- Due by January 13, 2025
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 12 - Facility Environment
- Official code
- 12-01
Higher concern: Hazardous access
- Report finding
- Harmful items including cleaning supplies, flammable products, poisonous, toxic, and hazardous materials were accessible to children in care. CCF Handbook, Section 3.2, B
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the inspection the specialist observed that the cleaning products although on a shelf; are not in a locked cabinet. The cabinet has a curtain instead of a door. TA was given to remove cleaning products and place them in a locked cabinet or on a shelf that is unattainable even with the use of a chair by a child. The provider has until the due date to correct this and return to compliance.
- Correction status
- Due by December 27, 2024
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 13 - Toxic Substances, Hazardous Materials and Weapons
- Official code
- 13-03
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- The facility did not have documentation to show completion of a Department approved five-hour early literacy and language development course for child care personnel within 12 months of date of employment in child care industry and/or the early literacy course documentation was not uploaded in the Florida Pathways/Registry. CCF Handbook, Section 4.2.2 and 4.5, C
- Report comments
- The staff listed in the supplemental started in the industry 8/1/23 and should have completed the required 5-hour literacy by 8/1/24.
- Correction status
- Due by September 22, 2024
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-06
No recorded violations in this report
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
- Report comments
- An email was received from the provider on 5/16/24 stating the staff that is listed in the supplemental had not tested yet but has been scheduled for the DCF 40-hour test on 5/31/24.
- Correction status
- Due by June 19, 2024
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-01
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
- Report comments
- The staff listed in the supplemental started in the industry of 8/1/22 and then was hired 2/28/24 and had not completed the required DCF 40-hour training. TA was provided that the staff should have completed the required DCF 40-hour training before being hired. The training should have been completed by 10/30/23.
- Correction status
- Due by May 18, 2024
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-01
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- The facility did not have documentation to show completion of a Department approved five-hour early literacy and language development course for child care personnel within 12 months of date of employment in child care industry and/or the early literacy course documentation was not uploaded in the Florida Pathways/Registry. CCF Handbook, Section 4.2.2 and 4.5, C
- Report comments
- There are three staff listed in the supplemental that need to complete the required 5-hour literacy. One staff started in the industry on 8/8/22 and should have completed the required 5-hour literacy by 8/8/23 another staff started in the industry 3/13/22 and should have completed the training by 3/13/23 and one staff started in the industry 3/7/22 and should have completed by 3/7/23. TA was provided that the training should have been completed in the first 12 months in the industry.
- Correction status
- Due by September 24, 2023
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-06
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- The facility did not have documentation to show child care personnel had begun the introductory training within 90 days of employment in the child care industry. CCF Handbook, Section 4.1
- Report comments
- The staff listed in supplemental did not do any DCF 40 hour training in the first 90 days of hire.
- Correction status
- Due by May 18, 2023
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-03
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- Child care personnel, including volunteers who work 10 hours or more per month did not complete the required in-service training during the states fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30. CCF Handbook, Section 4.2.7
- Report comments
- The staff listed in the supplemental did not complete the required 10-in-service hours for 21-22. The provider completed the 21-22 in service log and added hours completed after June 30, 2022. Theses hours will not be able to be used for the 22-23 in service hours. Completed at the time of the inspection.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-07
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 does the center manage its staff roster in the state clearinghouse to ensure all information stays current?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records from recent inspections in 2025 show instances where the facility did not maintain a fully updated employee roster in the state clearinghouse. This question helps clarify the current process for keeping staff records accurate.
Related violations
Finding-specific
What steps are taken to ensure that all staff members complete their required training and literacy courses on time?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- An official inspection report indicates that staff training documentation has been a repeated topic of discussion over the past few years. Asking about the current tracking system helps parents understand how the center ensures staff remain qualified.
Related violations
Finding-specific
Could you describe the daily routine for inspecting indoor and outdoor play areas to ensure they are ready for children?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Available inspection records from 2025 note that the facility did not have a daily checklist for indoor and outdoor play areas at that time. This question helps parents learn about the current safety monitoring procedures.
Related violations
Finding-specific
How do you organize and maintain personnel files to ensure all required documentation is present and up to date?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records show that maintaining complete personnel files, such as applications and required forms, has been noted in recent reports. This question allows the provider to explain their current administrative practices.
Related violations
General question
What is the center's approach to keeping parents informed about daily activities and any changes in classroom routines?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Clear communication helps families feel connected to the daily environment and understand how the center manages its operations. This question helps parents gauge how the center keeps them involved in their child's care.