Recorded violations per inspection
- This provider
- 0.36
- Local median
- 0.31
HAPPYLAND DAY SCHOOL
451 Tarpon Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
- License:
- C17BO0038
- Type:
- Child Care Facility
- Status:
- Licensed
- Records checked:
- July 11, 2026
Additional info
- Programs and services:
- VPK, Food Served, Full Day, Half Day
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri: 8:00AM to 5:30PM; Sat-Sun: Closed
- Capacity:
- 150
- License expiration:
- March 31, 2027
Typical cost: $1,235 - $1,387 (Under 1)
Child’s age
$1,235 - $1,387/mo
Median daily rate: $57.00 - $64.00
Official Florida Division of Early Learning Broward 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 inspectionJune 10, 2026
Latest inspection with no recorded violationsJune 10, 2026
Summary
This summary covers 14 available inspections for HAPPYLAND DAY SCHOOL from February 27, 2023 through June 10, 2026.
Three inspections recorded violations, with five recorded violations in total.
The most recent higher-concern violation was on May 14, 2026 and involved child guidance, with a due date of May 28, 2026.
A later inspection showed no recorded violations, but the records do not say whether it was a formal follow-up.
At a glance
- Total inspections
- 14
- Recorded violations
- 5
- Higher-concern violations
- 3
- Repeated topics
- 0
5 in last 12 months
3 in last 12 months
2 in last 12 months
Last 36 months
Local comparison
14 total inspections vs 12 local median in Fort Lauderdale
Compared to 77 local facilities
Inspections with higher-concern violations
- This provider
- 21%
- Local median
- 9%
Inspections with recorded violations
- This provider
- 21%
- Local median
- 19%
Repeated topics
- This provider
- 0
- Local average
- 0.75
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
Higher concern: Child guidance
- Report finding
- 2.8(A-B), and (F)(1-9), Handbook: The child care 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. The child care facility operators, employees, and volunteers must comply with written disciplinary and expulsion policies. The following discipline techniques shall be prohibited in the child care facility: the use of corporal punishment/including, but not limited to: hitting, spanking, shaking, slapping, twisting, pulling, squeezing, or biting; demanding excessive physical exercise, excessive rest, or strenuous or bizarre postures; compelling a child to eat or have in his/her mouth soap, food, spices, or foreign substances; exposing a child to extremes temperature; rough or harsh handling of children, including but not limited to: lifting or jerking by one or both arms; pushing; forcing or restricting movement; lifting or moving by grasping clothing; covering a childs head; isolating a child in an adjacent room, hallway, closet, darkened area, play area, or any other area where the child cannot be seen or supervised; binding, tying or restrict movement, or taping the mouth; using or withholding food or beverages as a punishment; toilet learning/training methods that punish, demean, or humiliate a child; any form of emotional abuse, including rejecting, terrorizing, extended ignoring, isolating, or corrupting a child; any abuse or maltreatment of a child; abusive, profane, or sarcastic language or verbal abuse, threats, or derogatory remarks in front of the child or about the child or childs family; placing a child in a crib/portable crib for a time-out or for disciplinary reasons. A method of discipline was used that was inappropriate in that [see below].
- Report comments
- Complaint alleges that a child in the classroom was being bad, and Ms. V.C. took her belt off of her pants and told the child that she was going to hit him with it. Then she took a chair, threw it in the middle of the room and then strapped the child to the chair with her belt. The child was crying. FINDINGS: A complaint inspection was conducted on 5/15/2026 and statements from the teacher, assistant teacher and assistant director was received. Per the teacher, On Tuesday, May 12th, 2026, at around noon the class had lunch in the classroom. The teacher had a class of ten, two- year-olds sitting at the table. L.B. was very restless and would not sit still in his chair. He kept ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by May 28, 2026
More details
- Report section
- CHILD DISCIPLINE - 09 - Child Discipline Group: Sec. 7-34, Ordinance, DCF Handbook, and Sec.
- Official code
- 09-02
No recorded violations in this report
No recorded violations in this report
Higher concern: Background screening
- Report finding
- 5.1(I)(1), Handbook: An individual may be hired if all components are complete with an eligible screening and documented in the employees file. The personnel record for the individual indicated the person had been arrested for and are awaiting final disposition of, have been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to any offense noted in Section 435.04, Florida Statute, which disqualifies the person from employment and the owner/operator failed to take appropriate action.
- Inspector notes
- The personnel record for the individual indicated the person had been arrested for and are awaiting final disposition of, have been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to any offense noted in Section 435.04, Florida Statute, which disqualifies the person from employment and the owner/operator failed to take appropriate action. A notice of violation will be issued. (See supplemental page)
- Correction status
- Due by October 17, 2025
More details
- Report section
- PERSONNEL - 01 - Background Screening Group: Sec. 7-29, Ordinance, DCF Handbook, and Secs.
- Official code
- 01-08
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- 4.1, Handbook: Child care personnel including volunteers who work 10 hours or more per month must begin training within 90 days of employment in the child care industry. 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.
- Report comments
- 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. Child care personnel completed 45 hr training on 6/14/25 bringing the violation into compliance.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 03 - Personnel Training Group: Sec. 7-30, Ordinance and DCF Handbook
- Official code
- 03-01
No recorded violations in this report
Low concern: Recordkeeping
- Report finding
- 7.4(A), Handbook: Records must be maintained and kept current on all child care personnel. These records shall be on-site, available for review by the licensing authority and must include a complete employment application. Child care personnel did not have an employment application on file.
- Report comments
- At the time of inspection, the child care personnel did not have a complete employment application/file for [6] staff personnel. See supplemental sheet for additional information. RATIOS/DISCIPLINE
- Correction status
- Due by June 16, 2025
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 06 - Personnel Records Group: Sec. 7-33, Ordinance, DCF Handbook, and Sec.
- Official code
- 06-02
Higher concern: Attendance accountability
- Report finding
- Sec. 7-44(f), Ordinance: The childs arrival and departure must be recorded by child care personnel at the time the child enters and departs the child care facility. The attendance sheet/class roster must accompany the child care personnel and the group of children throughout the day should they leave the classroom. In order to account for childrens whereabouts, children who are reassigned to different classrooms throughout the day should be signed in and/or out of the rosters for those respective classrooms each time. The facility failed to maintain an accurate attendance roster for the children in care.
- Report comments
- The facility failed to maintain an accurate attendance roster for the children in care. Counselor Comments FOR GOLD SEAL PROVIDERS: Be advised that if this inspection includes the issuance of a Class I violation, the issuance of three or more Class II violations, andor issuance of a third Class III for a repeated violation within a two (2) year period, the violation may affect the status of your Gold Seal designation pursuant to s. 1002.945, Florida Statutes. ____________________________________________ Inspected by: Tiffany Ward 06/13/2025 ____________________________________________ Received by: Susan Kennedy / Emily Owen 06/13/2025 HAPPYLAND DAY SCHOOL C17BO0038 / 45107 45 ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by June 27, 2025
More details
- Report section
- TRANSPORTATION - 50 - Daily Attendance Group: DCF Handbook
- Official code
- 50-02
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
No recorded violations in this report
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
Could you describe the current training and support provided to staff regarding positive child guidance and classroom management?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records from a May 2026 inspection report note a concern regarding the use of inappropriate discipline techniques in a classroom. Asking about current training helps parents understand how the center ensures staff follow positive, supportive interaction policies.
Related violations
Finding-specific
What is your process for verifying and maintaining up-to-date background screenings for all staff members?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- An official inspection report from October 2025 identified a concern regarding the documentation of staff background screening eligibility. This question allows the director to explain their current oversight procedures for personnel records.
Related violations
Finding-specific
How do you ensure that attendance rosters are accurately tracked and updated throughout the day, especially when children move between classrooms or play areas?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Available inspection records from June 2025 show a finding related to the maintenance of accurate attendance rosters. Asking about this process helps parents understand how the center maintains accountability for children's whereabouts.
Related violations
Finding-specific
What steps does the center take to ensure all new staff members complete their required introductory training within the expected timeframe?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records from an October 2025 inspection noted a concern regarding the documentation of introductory training for staff. This question helps parents understand the center's current administrative practices for tracking staff professional development.
- Context
- The training documentation issue was noted as completed at the time of the inspection.
Related violations
Finding-specific
How do you manage and organize personnel files to ensure all required employment documentation is complete and current for every staff member?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Available inspection records from June 2025 mention a concern regarding the completeness of employment applications in personnel files. Asking this helps parents understand the center's current recordkeeping standards.
Related violations