Recorded violations per inspection
- This provider
- 1.55
- Local median
- 0.5
Vanguard Kids Academy
465 Carolina Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33905
- License:
- C20LE0301
- Type:
- Child Care Facility
- Status:
- Licensed
- Records checked:
- July 12, 2026
Additional info
- Programs and services:
- School Readiness, VPK, After School, Before School, Drop In, Food Served, Full Day, Half Day, Infant Care, Transportation
- Hours:
- Mon-Sun: 6:00AM to 6:00PM
- Capacity:
- 200
- License expiration:
- November 17, 2026
Typical cost: $997 - $1,343 (Under 1)
Child’s age
$997 - $1,343/mo
Median daily rate: $46.00 - $62.00
Official Florida Division of Early Learning Lee 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 8, 2026
Latest inspection with no recorded violationsJune 8, 2026
Summary
This summary covers 11 available inspections for Vanguard Kids Academy from October 28, 2024 through June 8, 2026.
Six inspections recorded violations, with 17 recorded violations in total.
The most recent higher-concern violation was on April 13, 2026 and involved child guidance.
Two later inspections, from April 23, 2026 through June 8, 2026, showed no recorded violations, but the records do not say whether they were formal follow-ups.
At a glance
- Total inspections
- 11
- Recorded violations
- 17
- Higher-concern violations
- 5
- Repeated topics
- 4
6 in last 12 months
14 in last 12 months
5 in last 12 months
Last 36 months
Local comparison
11 total inspections vs 10 local median in 33905
Compared to 13 local facilities
Inspections with higher-concern violations
- This provider
- 36%
- Local median
- 17%
Inspections with recorded violations
- This provider
- 55%
- Local median
- 33%
Repeated topics
- This provider
- 4
- Local average
- 1
Repeated topics
Topics that appeared in more than one inspection during the last 36 months. They may reveal a pattern worth examining.
Equipment or readiness
Appeared across 2 inspections, with 5 recorded violations.
March 5, 2025March 16, 2026Facility condition
Appeared across 2 inspections, with 3 recorded violations.
October 21, 2025March 16, 2026Staff training
Appeared across 2 inspections, with 2 recorded violations.
June 10, 2025March 16, 2026Transportation
Appeared across 2 inspections, with 2 recorded violations.
October 21, 2025March 16, 2026Inspection 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: Child guidance
- Report finding
- Child care personnel inappropriately interacted with children in care in a manner that was aggressive, demeaning or intimidating in nature. CCF Handbook, Section 8.2, C Enforcement [SR]
- Report comments
- An incident occurred between a teacher and a child in the infant classroom in December 2025, when a teacher aggressively pulled a one- year-old child by the arm to move her from one side of the teacher to the other side. (CPI has video.) Technical assistance was provided to the owner/director to ensure that the teacher does not pull children by their arms. Owner/Director/Staff Responsible Comments The provider has no additional comments. ____________________________________________ Inspected by: Taya Christopher 04/13/2026 ____________________________________________ Received by: Diana Velasquez 04/13/2026
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- RECORD KEEPING - 47 - Access/Child Safety
- Official code
- 47-01
Higher concern: Transportation
- Report finding
- The facility's transportation log did not include [some logs did not have the signature of the seconnd person who checked the van]. CCF Handbook, Section 2.5.2 General Requirements [SR]
- Inspector notes
- During the inspection, the Operator advised the Licensing Specialist that transportation services are offered to the children that are in care. During the inspection the licensing specialist observed that some of the transportation logs were not signed by the second person who checked the van. The licensing specialist took pictures. This requirement was reviewed with the provider during the inspection, thus is marked back into compliance this date. The licensing specialist provided technical assistance from the handbook section 2.5.2. A A. A log must be maintained for all children being transported in a vehicle or on foot away from and/or to the premises of the child care fac ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - 05 - Transportation
- Official code
- 05-04
Medium concern: Facility condition
- Report finding
- Areas of the facility were found to be in need of cleaning. CCF Handbook, Section 3.1, A Physical Environment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- During the inspection the licensing specialist observed areas that were in need of cleaning, The licensing specialist observed that there were baseboards, the fans, the ceiling vents, wall vents, the edges of cabinets, molding areas windows edges, and air conditioning filters that were dirty. The center had items that need to be placed in the dumpster on the outside of the building. The Licensing Specialist took pictures. The Licensing Specialist provided technical assistance from the handbook Section 3.1 3.1 General Health and Safety Requirements A. All childcare facilities must be clean, in good repair, free from health and safety hazards and from evidence of, or presence o ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by April 15, 2026
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 12 - Facility Environment
- Official code
- 12-01
Medium concern: Facility condition
- Report finding
- An area(s) of the facility was observed to not be in good repair. CCF Handbook, Section 3.1, A Physical Environment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- During the inspection the licensing specialist observed there were areas in need of repair. The licensing specialist observed many areas of the wall that had holes and dents, areas near windows were the plaster was missing, unpainted wood boards on walls, a hole with masking tape hanging, The licensing specialist took pictures. The Licensing Specialist provided technical assistance from the handbook 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 ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by April 15, 2026
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 12 - Facility Environment
- Official code
- 12-02
Higher concern: Hazardous access
- Report finding
- The facilitys storage of harmful items including cleaning supplies, flammable products, and poisonous, toxic and hazardous materials allowed access by children in care. CCF Handbook, Section 3.2, B Physical Environment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the inspection, The Licensing Specialist observed Clorox, Lysol, Window cleaner, comet and bug spray were stored on a low cabinet that the child safety lock had broken. The Licensing Specialist (LS) took pictures. The staff moved the cleaners from that cabinet into another one which had functioning child lock during the inspection. The (LS) provided technical assistance from the handbook, section 3.2, B All potentially harmful items, including cleaning supplies, flammable products, poisonous, toxic, and hazardous materials, must be labeled and used according to manufacturers recommendation. These items, as well as knives, sharp tools, and other potentially dang ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 13 - Toxic Substances, Hazardous Materials and Weapons
- Official code
- 13-02
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- The facilitys outdoor play area contained litter, nails, glass or other hazards that posed a low potential for harm to children. CCF Handbook, Section 3.5, A Physical Environment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- During the inspection, the licensing specialist observed trash on the playground. The licensing specialist took pictures. The licensing specialist provided technical assistance from the handbook 3.5.A A. The outdoor play area must be clean and free from litter, nails, glass and other hazards.
- Correction status
- Due by April 15, 2026
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 17 - Outdoor Play Area/Fencing
- Official code
- 17-01
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- The base of the fence in the outdoor play area was not at ground level and could allow inside or outside access by children or animals. CCF Handbook, Section 3.5, F Physical Environment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- During the inspection the licensing specialist observed the fence was not at ground level on the playground in the back corner near the double gate. The licensing specialist took pictures. The licensing specialist provided technical assistance Section 3.5. F F. The outdoor play area must have adequate fencing or walls a minimum of 4 feet in height. Fencing, including gates, must be continuous and must not have gaps or opening larger than 3 inches that would allow children to exit the outdoor play area. The base of the fence must remain at ground level and be free from erosion or buildup to prevent inside and outside access by children or animals. These areas must have at leas ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by April 15, 2026
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 17 - Outdoor Play Area/Fencing
- Official code
- 17-07
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- Documentation was not maintained for 12 months showing that routine inspections were conducted monthly of all supports, above and below the ground, connectors, and moving parts. CCF Handbook, Section 3.12, B Sanitation and Equipment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- At the time of the inspection, the Licensing Specialist observed that there was no physical environment log maintained for the faculty available for the (LS) to review. This requirement was reviewed with the director during the inspection, thus is marked back into compliance this date. The Licensing Specialist provided technical assistance from the handbook section 3.12 Outdoor Equipment B. All playground equipment must be securely anchored, unless portable or stationary by design, in good repair, maintained in safe and sanitary condition, and placed to ensure safe use by the children. Maintenance must include inspections conducted every month of all supports above and below ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- SANITATION AND EQUIPMENT - 32 - Outdoor Equipment
- Official code
- 32-05
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- The ground cover or other protective surface under the [under the smaller blue climbing and slide structure, plus the baby seat swings. ] was not maintained. CCF Handbook, Section 3.12, D Sanitation and Equipment [SR]
- Correction / follow-up note
- At the time of the inspection, the Licensing Specialist observed the fall zone under the smaller blue climbing structure and side plus the baby seat swings did not measure 6 inches. The Licensing Specialist took pictures. The Licensing Specialist provided technical assistance from the handbook 3.12. 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. 1. If the ground cover in place is loose ground cover (such as, but not limited to ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by April 15, 2026
More details
- Report section
- SANITATION AND EQUIPMENT - 32 - Outdoor Equipment
- Official code
- 32-07
Medium concern: Staff training
- Report finding
- The facility was required to have at least [1] credentialed child care personnel and had [0] credentialed child care personnel CCF Handbook, Section 4.6.1, B
- Inspector notes
- At time of the inspection, the Licensing Specialist observed the training transcripts did not show any staff with a staff credential. The standard was given as additional time as allowed for a credential issue. The Licensing Specialist provided technical assistance from the handbook section 4.6.1.B 4.6.1 Calculating Number of Credentialed Personnel Necessary B. For every 20 children, a child care facility must have one child care personnel who meets the staff credential requirement. Based on this formula, child care facilities with 20-39 children must have one credentialed child care personnel, facilities with 40-59 children must have two credentialed child care personnel, an ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by June 15, 2026
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 34 - Credentialed Staff
- Official code
- 34-01
Higher concern: Transportation
- Report finding
- The facility's transportation log did not include [the date on all logs]. CCF Handbook, Section 2.5.2 (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) General Requirements [SR]
- Inspector notes
- During the inspection the licensing specialist observed that some of the transportation logs were not dated. The licensing specialist took pictures. This requirement was reviewed with the provider during the inspection, thus is marked back into compliance this date. The licensing specialist provided technical assistance from the handbook section 2.5.2. A A. A log must be maintained for all children being transported in a vehicle or on foot away from and/or to the premises of the child care facility. The log must be retained on file at the facility for a minimum of 12 months and available for review by the licensing authority. The log must include: 1. Each childs name, 2. The ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- GENERAL REQUIREMENTS - 05 - Transportation
- Official code
- 05-04
Medium concern: Health or food records
- Report finding
- Child care personnel working in the food preparation area did not wear proper head covering. CCF Handbook, Section 3.9.1, B (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Food and Nutrition [SR]
- Inspector notes
- During the inspection, the licensing specialist observed staff working in the kitchen did not have a head covering. The staff covered their head once this was mentioned bringing the center back into compliance. The licensing specialist took pictures. The licensing specialist provided technical assistance from the handbook section 3.9.1 B. Child care personnel, while working in the food preparation area, must wear proper head covering, such as a hair net or hat. To prevent contact with readyto-eat foods, child care personnel must use clean disposable gloves, utensils, or similar items in the food preparation area.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- FOOD AND NUTRITION - 24 - Food Preparation Area
- Official code
- 24-13
Medium concern: Facility condition
- Report finding
- Items unrelated to diaper changing were stored in the diaper changing area or placed on the diaper changing table/surface. CCF Handbook, Section 3.10.2, G (Section 2.1 Health and Safety, Page 3) Sanitation and Equipment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- During the inspection, the licensing specialist observed a plastic bib on the diapering station in the room with age 2 and 3 children. The staff removed the bib and the bib was placed in the kitchen to be cleaned bringing the center back into compliance. The licensing specialist took pictures. The licensing specialist provided technical assistance from the handbook section 3.10.2. G. Items unrelated to diaper changing shall not be stored in the diaper changing area nor shall they be placed on the diaper changing table.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- SANITATION AND EQUIPMENT - 30 - Diapering
- Official code
- 30-07
Higher concern: Sleep safety
- Report finding
- Child/ren were placed in a crib, playpen, play yard or other sleeping and napping bedding with items that could pose a strangulation or suffocation risk. CCF Handbook, Section 3.6.4, A Physical Environment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- July 28, 2025, the GOC1 observed in the infant classroom an infant sleeping with two stuffed animals in a crib. The stuffed animals were removed and technical assistance was provided to the teacher so that she will not place any items in the crib with the infants that could pose a strangulation or suffocation risk. Picture taken.
- Correction status
- Completed at time of inspection
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 20 - Crib Requirements
- Official code
- 20-06
No recorded violations in this report
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]
- Inspector notes
- During the inspection, the Licensing Specialist observed two staff members did not complete School Readiness training within 90 days of hire. The facility was given 14 days to complete the requirement per the School Readiness handbook. The Licensing Specialist provided technical assistance from the School Readiness handbook Section 3.1 and 3.2 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 ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by June 24, 2025
More details
- Report section
- TRAINING - 33 - Training Requirements
- Official code
- 33-13
No recorded violations in this report
Medium concern: Emergency preparedness
- Report finding
- The facility did not have documentation of a fire extinguisher being properly maintained to include being serviced and retagged timely, and/or with a current certificate. CCF Handbook, Section 3.8.2, B Physical Environment [SR]
- Inspector notes
- During the inspection, the Licensing Specialist monitored the Fire Drill Log and observed documentation of the last fire drill having been conducted on 2/17/2025. The last approved fire inspection for this facility was dated 11/13/2024. The fire extinguisher certifications in the facility buildings are valid until 10/2025. The van used to transport children had a fire extinguisher with no tag. The licensing specialist took pictures. The Licensing Specialist provided technical assistance from Section 3.8.2.B. Fire extinguishers with a minimum rating of 2A:10BC must be properly installed, serviced and maintained with current inspection tags at all times.
- Correction status
- Due by April 4, 2025
More details
- Report section
- PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT - 23 - Fire Drills & Emergency Preparedness
- Official code
- 23-05
Medium concern: Equipment or readiness
- Report finding
- The ground cover or other protective surface under the [the swing set] was not maintained. CCF Handbook, Section 3.12, D Sanitation and Equipment [SR]
- Correction / follow-up note
- At the time of the inspection, the Licensing Specialist observed the fall zone under the swing set was not maintained at a depth of 6 inches in all directions for 6 feet. The Licensing Specialist took pictures. The Licensing Specialist provided technical assistance from the handbook 3.12. 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. 1. If the ground cover in place is loose ground cover (such as, but not limited to: mulch, sh ... [truncated]
- Correction status
- Due by April 4, 2025
More details
- Report section
- SANITATION AND EQUIPMENT - 32 - Outdoor Equipment
- Official code
- 32-07
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
Can you share more about the training and support provided to staff regarding positive interaction techniques with children?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records from an April 2026 inspection report mention an instance where a staff member used inappropriate physical handling with a child. Asking about current training helps understand how the facility ensures positive guidance and professional conduct for all staff.
- Context
- The finding was corrected at the time of the inspection.
Related violations
Finding-specific
What is your current process for ensuring that cleaning supplies and other hazardous materials are stored securely and out of reach of children?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- An official inspection report from March 2026 noted that some cleaning supplies were found in an area accessible to children. This question helps parents understand the current safety protocols for securing potentially harmful items.
- Context
- The issue was corrected at the time of the inspection.
Related violations
Finding-specific
How do you monitor and document your transportation logs to ensure all required safety procedures are followed?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Available inspection records from 2025 and 2026 show repeated concerns regarding the completeness of transportation logs. Discussing this helps parents understand the steps taken to maintain accurate and consistent records for children being transported.
- Context
- The issues were corrected at the time of each inspection.
Related violations
Finding-specific
Could you describe your routine for inspecting and maintaining the playground equipment and fall zones?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Public records indicate multiple findings across several inspections regarding the maintenance of playground ground cover and equipment. Asking about the current maintenance schedule helps parents understand how the facility keeps play areas safe.
Related violations
Finding-specific
What is your approach to maintaining a clean and well-repaired environment throughout the facility?
Why ask this
- Why ask this
- Available inspection reports from March 2026 identified areas of the facility that needed cleaning or repairs. This question helps parents understand the ongoing facility maintenance plan and how the center ensures a clean environment for children.
Related violations