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October 21, 2026 ISSUED VIA PROVIDER HUB Carol Acosta, Authorized Agent Playschool Child Care 1709 McKnight Road North Maplewood, MN 55109-4849
License Number: 801948 (Child Care Center)
ORDER OF CONDITIONAL LICENSE
Dear Carol Acosta, The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is placing your license to provide child care at Playschool Child Care, 1709 McKnight Road North, Maplewood, MN 55109-4849, on conditional status for two years, beginning November 2, 2026. This means you must meet certain conditions to maintain your license, detailed below. This order is based on your noncompliance with child care center licensing requirements. Details of our findings are also provided below. Our next steps and your options are also detailed. REASON FOR THE CONDITIONAL LICENSE
On August 13, 2026, DCYF licensors conducted a licensing visit at your facility located at 1709 McKnight Rd N, Maplewood, MN 55109-4849. As a result of these licensing visits, the DCYF licensors determined that your program failed to comply with the laws and rules that apply to licensed child care centers, citing twenty-two violations. DCYF has considered the nature, chronicity, and severity of these violations, as well as the health, safety, and rights of children by the program. · Nature and Severity: On August 13, 2026, the DCYF licensors determined that your program failed to comply with the laws and rules that apply to licensed child care centers, citing twenty-two violations. Sixteen of the twenty-two violations are repeat violations for which you were previously cited suggesting an unwillingness and/or inability to comply with licensing rules and statutes. Numerous violations related to the health and safety of children were found, including failure to comply with:
o staff training requirements
o operate within the terms of the license requirements
o USDA requirements
o supervision requirements
o food allergy requirements
o hazards requirements
o children’s file requirements
· Chronicity: Your program received its license on September 4, 1986. Since that time, your program has demonstrated a history of noncompliance with licensing rules and statutes. The information below summarizes this history:
o October 21, 2026 Conditional Order (this order): 22 violations (16 repeat)
o December 9, 2025 Correction Order: 23 violations (19 repeat)
o December 4, 2025 Correction Order: 7 violations (4 repeat)
o November 3, 2025 Correction Order: 17 violations (11 repeat)
o September 12, 2024 Correction Order: 2 violations
o July 26, 2023 Order to Pay a Fine: 1 background study violation
o August 10, 2023 Correction Order: 1 violation
o October 25, 2023 Order to Pay a Fine: 1 background study violation
o August 9, 2022 Correction Order: 3 violations
Due to the serious and chronic nature of these violations, and the conditions in the program, which impact the health and safety of children in your care, your license to provide licensed child care is placed on a conditional status. Licensing Violations
DCYF determined that your program failed to follow licensing rules and statutes, as described below. Program Practices
1. Violation: The program was not operating within the terms of the license.
A child who was 13 years old was attending the program on the day of the review. The program is only licensed to serve children six weeks to twelve years old. (Facility)
Rule Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.10, subdivision 15, paragraph (a)
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated November 3, 2025.
2. Violation: Staff did not supervise school-age children at all times.
On three occasions the DCYF licensors observed more than one unsupervised school-aged child use the restroom at the same time. (Explorer Club 1: School Age classroom)
Rule/Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.01, subdivision 27, paragraphs (c) and (d) and Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0045, subpart 1, item A
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated December 9, 2025.
Health Practices
3. Violation: A child's hands were not washed with soap and water before eating (Gumdrops: Preschool classroom).
Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 13
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated December 9, 2025.
4. Violation: A staff person did not wash their hands with soap and water before handling food or eating. (Gumdrops: Preschool classroom)
Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 14
5. Violation: Food allergy information was not readily available to staff where food is served.
Food allergy information for one child was not readily available where food is served. (Gumdrops: Preschool classroom)
Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.66, subdivision 1, paragraph (d) Food and Water
6. Violation: Meals did not comply with the nutritional requirements of the USDA.
Children brought lunches from home. None of the children were served milk. Through a conversation with a staff person, it was determined that the program does not serve milk. (Gumdrops: Preschool classroom and Jellybeans: Toddler classroom)
Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0145, subpart 4
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in the following orders:
· A Correction Order dated December 9, 2025
· A Correction Order dated November 3, 2025
Medication/First Aid
7. Violation: Written parental permission had not been obtained for administering medicine. A child with an ICCPP requiring Benadryl did not have parental permission to administer the medication.
Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 7, item A
8. Violation: The program did not comply with medication storage requirements. A medicine, insect repellent, sunscreen, or diaper rash product was accessible to children.
· A bottle of sunscreen in a child's backpack was accessible to children.
· A medication storage cabinet mounted on the wall was unlocked and accessible to children. The medication storage contained medications and a sharps container. (Gumdrops: Preschool classroom)
Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 7, item E
Facility
9. Violation: The program did not comply with cleanliness requirements. The indoor space was not clean.
· There was one unflushed toilet in the bathroom stall. There was a plunger and a toilet brush on the floor and accessible to children in one bathroom. There was a toilet brush on the floor accessible to children in a second bathroom. (Gumdrops: Preschool classroom)
· There was one unflushed toilet in the upstairs girls' bathroom. There was one unflushed toilet in the upstairs boys' bathroom. (Facility)
Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 9
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated December 9, 2025.
10. Violation: Equipment and furniture were not in good repair.
· A dramatic play sink was missing the faucet and two handles. (Jellybeans: Toddler classroom)
· An adult chair and a child’s had ripped fabric and was exposing the foam. (Gumdrops: Preschool classroom)
Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 19
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in the following orders:
· A Correction Order dated December 9, 2025
· A Correction Order dated November 3, 2025
· A Correction Order dated September 12, 2024
11. Violation: The DCYF licensor observed that hazardous objects were accessible to children.
· There was a bottle of Dawn dish soap on the sink accessible to children.
· A bag of plastic bags was hanging on the wall in the bathroom and was accessible to children (Gumdrops: Preschool classroom)
· DCYF licensors observed a staff person’s car parked inside the fenced in school-age playground. (Facility)
Rule/Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.54, subdivision 2, paragraph (e) and Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 17
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in the following orders:
· A Correction Order dated December 9, 2025
· A Correction Order dated December 4, 2025
· A Correction Order dated November 3, 2025
12. Violation: Areas used by the children were not in good repair.
· Several spots on the wall above the wainscoting had peeling and crumbling paint and plaster. (Gumdrops: Preschool classroom)
· A door was missing a panel causing the furnace and drywall to be exposed. (Explorer Club 1: School Age classroom)
· The bottom of a metal divider between two stalls in the upstairs bathroom was rusty on both sides. (Facility)
Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 20
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in the following orders:
· A Correction Order dated December 9, 2025
· A Correction Order dated November 3, 2025
13. Violation: The outdoor activity area was adjacent to a hazardous area and was not enclosed.
A walk-through gate from the parking lot to the school-age playground fence was missing. Two drive through gates from the parking lot to the school-age playground were open. The front lawn, which is adjacent to a busy road, was being used for a game and was not enclosed. Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0155, subpart 7, item C
· Violation: Electrical outlets were not tamper-proof or shielded.
· One electrical outlet by the calendar was not tamper-proof or shielded. (Jellybeans: Toddler classroom)
· There were two electrical outlets on a power strip on the counter that were not tamper-proof or shielded. (Gumdrops: Preschool classroom)
Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0155, subpart 11
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated December 9, 2025.
Staff Qualifications
14. Violation: The program did not have documentation on site to show that 1 of 4 (SP1) staff persons met the education requirements of the teacher job classification for which the staff person was employed (SP1).
Rule Violated: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0032, subpart 2; and part 9503.0120, item B
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in the following orders:
· A Correction Order dated December 9, 2025
· A Correction Order dated December 4, 2025
· A Correction Order dated September 12, 2024
Staff Training
15. Violation: Documentation was not available on site to verify that before starting assigned duties 2 of 5 (SP2 and SP7) individuals (director, staff persons, substitutes, or unsupervised volunteers) received orientation training on:
· the risk of abusive head trauma that was at least one half hour in length as required in Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 7 (SP2);
· allergy prevention and response as required by Minnesota Statutes, 142B.66, subdivision 1 (SP2 and SP7);
· behavior guidance policy standards in Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0055 (SP2 and SP7);
· the child care program plan and center's philosophy (SP2 and SP7);
· emergency preparedness as required by Minnesota Statutes, 142B.66, subdivision 3. (SP2 and SP7);
· handling and disposal of bodily fluids as required by Minnesota Statutes, 142B.66, subdivision 2 (SP2 and SP7);
· handling emergencies and accidents according to Minnesota rules, part 9503.0110 (SP2 and SP7);
· procedures for maintaining health and safety according to Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140 (SP2 and SP7);
· specific job responsibilities (SP2 and SP7);
· program's drug and alcohol policy under section 142B.10, subdivision 1, paragraph (c) (SP2 and SP7);
· reporting responsibilities in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 260E (MOMA) and 9503.0130 (SP2 and SP7);
· program's risk reduction plan as required under section 142B.54, subdivision 2 (SP2 and SP7); and
· sudden unexpected infant death that was at least one half hour in length as required in Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 6 (SP2).
Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 1; and section 142B.10, subdivision 21, paragraph (b), clause (1)
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated December 9, 2025.
16. Violation: The required in-service training had not been completed for 3 of 3 (SP4, SP5 and SP6) individuals (director, staff persons, substitutes, or unsupervised volunteers) for the previous concluded calendar year. In-service training did not include:
· the required number of in-service training hours for the previous concluded calendar year (SP4, SP5 and SP6);
· training on abusive head trauma that was at least one half hour in length as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 7 (SP4, SP5 and SP6);
· training on allergy prevention and response as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.66, subdivision 1 (SP4, SP5 and SP6);
· training on emergency preparedness as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.66, subdivision 3 (SP4, SP5 and SP6);
· training on handling and disposal of bodily fluids as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.66, subdivision 2 (SP4, SP5 and SP6);
· training on handling emergencies and accidents as required by Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0110, subpart 1 (SP4, SP5 and SP6);
· training on health policies as required by Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 1 (SP4, SP5 and SP6);
· training on reporting responsibilities as required by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 260E and Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0130 (SP4, SP5 and SP6);
· training on the risk reduction plan as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.54, subdivision 2 (SP4, SP5 and SP6);
· training on individual child care program plan as required by Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0065, subpart 3 (SP6);
· training on sudden unexpected infant death that was at least one half hour in length as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 6 (SP5 and SP6);
· training on cultural dynamics every two years as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 9, paragraph (f), clause (4) (SP4 and SP6); and
· training on disabilities every two years as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 9, paragraph (f), clause (5) (SP4 and SP6).
Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 9
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated December 9, 2025.
17. Violation: The program did not comply with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training requirements. Documentation was not available on site to show that 4 of 6 (SP1, SP3, SP4 and SP5) individuals (director, staff persons, substitutes, or unsupervised volunteers) had satisfactorily completed the required pediatric CPR training including the treatment of obstructed airways and a hands-on skill assessment:
· within 90 days of the start of work or within the previous two years (SP1);
· within the previous two years (SP4 and SP5); and
· before unsupervised contact with a child (SP1 and SP3).
Rule/Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 5 and Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0120, subpart D
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated December 9, 2025.
18. Violation: The program did not comply with first aid training requirements. Documentation was not available on site to show that 4 of 6 (SP1, SP3, SP4 and SP5) individuals (director, staff persons, substitutes, or unsupervised volunteers) completed pediatric first aid training:
· within 90 days of the start of work or within the previous two years (SP1);
· within the previous two years (SP4 and SP5); and
· before unsupervised direct contact with a child (SP1 and SP3).
Rule/Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 4 and Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0120, subpart D
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated December 9, 2025.
19. Violation: The program did not comply with child development and learning training requirements. Documentation was not available on site to show that 3 of 6 (SP2, SP4 and SP5) individuals (director, staff persons, substitutes, or unsupervised volunteers):
· completed training at least every second calendar year (SP4 and SP5); and
· completed training within 90 days of employment (SP2).
Statute Violated: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.65, subdivision 3
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated December 9, 2025.
Children's Records
20. Violation: 1 of 5 (C1) children's files reviewed did not contain a current immunization record, a signed notarized statement of parental objection to the immunization, or a medical exemption.
Citation: Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0125, item G; and part 9503.0140, subpart 5
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated December 9, 2025.
Emergency Preparedness
21. Violation: The license holder did not have a written emergency plan that included accommodations for infants and toddlers.
Citation: Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.66, subdivision 3
Repeat Licensing Violation: The license holder was cited for a similar violation in a Correction Order dated December 9, 2025.
Immediate corrective action required
You must immediately correct the violations cited above. Submit your response through the Provider Hub within 30 days from when you received this order explaining how you have corrected the violations. If you fail to demonstrate substantial compliance with child care center requirements or with the terms of your conditional license that are provided below, DCYF may take an additional licensing action, including revocation, against your license. Additionally, DCYF will not approve a request to increase your child care services from the date of this order until the time your conditional license expires. CONDITIONAL LICENSE TERMS
In addition to the child care center licensing rules and statutes, you are required to comply with the following terms: 1. Within 15 days from receipt of this order, you must provide written notification of the conditional status of your license to all parents/legal guardians. Prior to providing the written notification to all parents/legal guardians, you must submit the written notice to your DCYF licensor for approval. The notification must specify the length of time of the conditional status of your license, the reasons your license was made conditional, and must include either a copy of the Order of Conditional License or an offer to provide a copy of the order upon request.
2. On a daily basis while your license is on a conditional status, you must complete daily maintenance, cleanliness, and hazard checks of the facility, equipment, and outdoor play areas, and maintain documentation onsite to show that the checks have been completed. This documentation must be made immediately available to the Commissioner during onsite inspection and otherwise requested.
3. Within 45 days from receipt of this order, you must ensure that all staff persons have successfully completed training as required under Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.66, subdivision 1 paragraphs A and C, and infant safe sleep requirements as required under Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.46. You also must ensure that new hires successfully complete all applicable training. You must maintain documentation of the completed training in each staff person’s personnel record. You also must ensure that new hires successfully complete all applicable training. You must maintain documentation of the completed training in each staff person’s personnel record.
YOUR RIGHT TO REQUEST RECONSIDERATION
You have the right to request reconsideration of this order and the cited violations. Your request must: · Be in writing
· Clearly state that you are requesting reconsideration of the conditional license
· List each citation you are challenging and identify what is inaccurate or incomplete about the information in the order
· Supply information that is accurate or more complete
· State why you believe your license should not be on a conditional status
· Be made before the deadlines provided below
If you choose to request reconsideration of this order, you must use the Provider Hub (https://providerhub.DCYF.mn.gov/) to submit your request. The timeline to request reconsideration began when this order was issued in the Provider Hub. Your request for reconsideration must be submitted in the Provider Hub within 10 calendar days from the date of issue. If you do not meet this deadline, you lose your right to request reconsideration. Conditional license stayed pending reconsideration
If you request reconsideration within the timeframes described above, the terms of the conditional license will not take effect until a decision is issued by DCYF. If the conditional license is affirmed on reconsideration, the terms would take effect on the date of the reconsideration decision and run for two years from that date. You continue to be required to comply with all child care center laws and rules. Posting of this licensing action
You are required to place this Order of Conditional License in a place that is clearly noticeable to the people receiving services and all visitors to the facility for two years, even if you appeal. Legal authority for this licensing action
· This action is taken under Minnesota Statutes, 142B.16, subdivision 1.
· Licensed child care centers are required to follow Minnesota Rules Chapter 9503 to 9503.0170 and Minnesota Statutes, Chapters 142B, Statute 245C, Chapter 260E
· The timeline to request reconsideration of the order is provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.16, subdivision 4. The requirement to post this order in a clearly visible location is required under Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.16, subdivision 5.
· If a license holder files a timely reconsideration request, the terms of the conditional license are stayed pending a decision by DCYF under Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.16, subdivision 4.
· Minnesota Statutes, section 142B.16, subdivision 3 states that DCYF may impose additional licensing actions against a license holder that does not correct the violations cited in a conditional license order.
Questions
If you have any further questions regarding this matter, you may contact Donna Gainor, Supervisor, at 651-431-6030, ext. 4008. Sincerely, 
Kimberly Sommers, Unit Assistant Manager Licensing Division Office of Inspector General
PO Box 64242 • Saint Paul, Minnesota • 55164-0242 • An Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly Employer https://mn.gov/dhs/general-public/licensing/
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