Hillel Academy

Center · Denver · 450 S Hudson St

What kind of place is this?

Size 52 children licensed In the middle half for Denver centers, where the middle half licenses 40–113. Measured across 1,156 Denver centers, 2026-08-17.
Established 1953
Approach faith-based, play-based

In the program’s own words

“Hillel Academy has been educating Jewish children in Colorado since 1953, instilling generations with a love of Torah, a passion for learning, and a commitment to personal growth.” hillelacademyofdenver.com, July 2026
“Students are constantly learning in a happy and relaxed atmosphere, whether singing, dancing, or exploring in hands-on learning centers.” hillelacademyofdenver.com, July 2026

Who will be with our child?

Will it fit our family?

Not yet reported: ages served, hours, days / week, schedule, holiday closures.

What will it cost us?

Preschool $658/mo
Application fee $350

What Shortlist has verified

State quality rating Colorado Shines Level 5
License status Active

State record — Colorado Department of Early Childhood

Last visit
March 18, 2026
On file
3 visits since June 2024 — all of them cited findings
Fixed?
The latest correction deadline was March 18, 2026. Colorado Department of Early Childhood does not publish whether it was made.
Most serious
Colorado Department of Early Childhood does not publish a severity level for a citation, so there is no most-serious to name.

Colorado’s Department of Early Childhood lists each program’s complaints on its Colorado Shines page, with the department’s verdict on each and a report behind it, going back about three years. Older complaints are released only on request. The department does not rank complaints by severity in either place.

Mar 2026 Supervisory visit 12 findings

Supervisory visit · March 18, 2026

2.229.C · Correction due March 18, 2026

In Room 117, observed baby wipes and Arm and Hammer baking soda in the children's bathroom. In Room 116, observed Expo white board cleaning spray next to the white board. These items were accessible to children and pose a potential safety hazard.

Required correction: Keep all items labeled "keep out of reach of children" inaccessible to children at all times. **Corrected at time of visit, staff member removed the items on 3/18/2026.** Submit a plan for ongoing compliance by 4/18/2026. Correct by 03/18/2026

On the playground observed the following: exposed sharp edges of chainlink fence, exposed large bolts in the exterior Little Tikes playground border of the woodchips, exposed screws at the base of 3 sides of the gazebo on the

2.229.G · Correction due March 18, 2026

In Room 117, observed a gallon size loose bag in a child's cubby. In Room 116, observed an empty grocery bag in an unsecured cabinet. These items were accessible to children and pose a potential safety hazard.

Required correction: Keep all loose bags inaccessible to children at all times. **Corrected at time of visit, staff member removed the plastic bags on 3/18/2026.** Submit a plan for ongoing compliance by 4/18/2026. Correct by 03/18/2026

2.229.H · Correction due March 18, 2026

In Room 116, observed sharp teacher scissors on the art shelf, accessible to children and posing a potential safety hazard.

Required correction: Keep all sharp tools and instruments inaccessible to children at all times. **Corrected at time of visit, staff member removed the scissors on 3/18/2026.** No response is required. Correct by 03/18/2026

2.230.C.1.c · Correction due March 18, 2026

On the playground, observed enough resilient surface to retain a depth of at least six (6) inches, however, the resilient surface was not maintained at the bottom of the slides, posing a potential safety hazard.

Required correction: Loose fill resilient surface must be raked regularly to retain its resiliency and to retain a depth of at least six (6) inches. Correct immediately and respond with verification of compliance by 4/18/2026. Correct by 03/18/2026

2.237.H · Correction due March 18, 2026

In Room 117, observed an outlet under the white board lacking a protective cover. In Room 116, observed 3 outlets under the white board lacking a protective cover. These outlets were accessible to children and posing a potential safety hazard.

Required correction: All electrical outlets that are accessible to children must have protective covers. **Corrected at time of visit, staff member covered the outlets on 3/18/2026.** Submit a plan for ongoing compliance by 4/18/2026. Correct by 03/18/2026

2.220.C · Correction due March 18, 2026

Reviewed one medication and observed medication to not be in the original labeled container.

Required correction: All medications must be kept in the original labeled bottle or container. Correct immediately and respond with plan for ongoing compliance by 4/18/2026. Correct by 03/18/2026

2.213.B · Correction due March 18, 2026

Reviewed 5 staff files. Observed SM5's file to be lacking documentation of a current Department-approved Standard Precautions training.

Required correction: Obtain a Department-approved Standard Precautions training prior to working with children and renew annually for all staff. Correct immediately and respond with documentation of training to Specialist by 4/18/2026. Correct by 03/18/2026

Reviewed 5 staff files. Observed SM5's file to be lacking documentation of a current Department-approved Introduction to First Aid and CPR module.

2.213.G · Correction due March 18, 2026

Reviewed 5 staff files. Observed SM5's file to be lacking current documentation of a Department-approved training about Child Abuse Prevention.

Required correction: Obtain a Department-approved Child Abuse Prevention training prior to working with children and renew annually for all staff. Correct immediately and respond with documentation of training to Specialist by 4/18/2026. Correct by 03/18/2026

2.217.C.8

Reviewed the CCHC's file and observed outdated introductory course from 2017. CCHC has not completed the updated CCHC introductory course through PDIS.

Required correction: All Department-approved Child Care Health Consultants must complete the Department-approved child care health consultant introductory training course. Correct immediately and submit documentation of training to Specialist by

2.217.C.9 · Correction due March 18, 2026

Reviewed the CCHC's file and observed it to be lacking current documentation of a Department-approved CDPHE immunization course in PDIS.

Required correction: Obtain a Department-approved CDPHE immunization course from the CCHC and update annually. Correct immediately and submit documentation of training to Specialist by 4/18/2026. Correct by 03/18/2026

State records file

May 2025 Supervisory visit 12 findings

Supervisory visit · May 1, 2025

2.230.C.1.a · Correction due May 1, 2025

On the playground, observed 1 1/2-3 inches of resilient surface under the straight red slide.

Required correction: Keep all areas with climbing equipment 18 inches or higher with resilient surfacing of at least 6 inches in the use zone. Correct immediately and respond by 6/1/25. Correct by 05/01/2025

2.218.C.5.a

Reviewed 1 child's healthcare plan. Observed CH1 to have an individual health care plan lacking the parent/guardian's signature.

2.223.A.2 · Correction due May 1, 2025

In Room 116, staff member stated there were 14 children in attendance after counting the children, however, 13 children were in attendance.

Required correction: All staff must be aware of how many children are in attendance at all times and must have a system in place to periodically verifiy attendance throughout the day. Correct and submit plan of ongoing compliance by 6/1/25. Correct by 05/01/2025

2.229.C · Correction due May 1, 2025

In Room 116, observed baby wipes on the science shelf and in Room 117, observed hand sanitizer on the block shelf, accessible to children. Both items are labeled "keep out of reach of children" and pose a potential safety hazard.

Required correction: Keep all items labeled "keep out of reach of children" inaccessible to children at all times. **Corrected at time of visit, assistant teacher Devorah placed the items in a cabinet inaccessible to children on 5/1/25.** No response is required. Correct by 05/01/2025

2.229.H

In Room 117, observed teacher scissors on the teacher desk, accessible to children and posing a potential safety hazard.

2.230.B · Correction due May 1, 2025

In Room 116, observed an iPhone cord plugged in along the east wall and in Room 117, observed an iPhone cord and pencil sharpener cord on the block shelf, accessible to children. These items were longer than 18 inches and pose a potential strangulation hazard. On the playground, observed a stake/nail 4 inches long exposed in the plastic border next to the gate entrance and exposed metal on the top step of the climbing structure entrance to the monkey bars. These items pose a potential safety hazard.

Required correction: Keep all hazardous items inaccessible to children at all times. Correct immediately and respond with verification of compliance by 6/1/25. Correct by 05/01/2025

2.220.D · Correction due May 1, 2025

Reviewed medication and observed 1 bottle of over-the-counter medication to be lacking CH1's first and last name.

Required correction: Ensure over-the-counter medication is labeled with child's first and last name. Correct immediately and respond with verification of compliance by 6/1/25. Correct by 05/01/2025

2.230.C.6

On the playground, observed a gap on the straight red slide between the platform and slide large enough (approximately 5/8 of an inch) to pose a potential strangulation hazard.

Required correction: Keep all playground equipment free from entrapment and strangulation hazards at all times. Correct

2.220.J · Correction due May 1, 2025

Identified CH1's medication to be expired on 5/2024.

Required correction: Ensure all medication that is out of date is disposed of as required. Correct immediately and respond with verification of compliance by 6/1/25. Correct by 05/01/2025

2.219.B.4 · Correction due June 1, 2025

Reviewed 4 child files. Observed CH2's file to have an expired health statement, expired 11/15/24.

Required correction: Ensure all children files have an updated health statement. Correct and respond with statement of compliance by 6/1/25. Correct by 06/01/2025

2.212.G · Correction due June 1, 2025

Reviewed 5 staff files. Observed Raacheli F.'s file (DOH 7/1/23) with an expired health statement dated 8/2023 and no documentation of a self-reported health history.

Required correction: Obtain a physical statement from the doctor or a self-reported health history for all staff members. Correct and respond with statement of compliance by 6/1/25. Correct by 06/01/2025

2.217.A.14 · Correction due May 1, 2025

Observed SM1 alone with 17 children ages 4 years old, for approximately 20 seconds before a second staff member arrived. The correct ratio for 4-year-olds is 1:12.

Required correction: Ensure all staff members are maintaining the correct staff to child ratios at all times. **Corrected at time of visit, a second staff member arrived and stayed with SM1 to maintain the ratio on 5/1/25.** No response is required. Correct by 05/01/2025

State records file

Jun 2024 Supervisory visit 4 findings

Supervisory visit · June 6, 2024

2.127.A · Correction due June 6, 2024

During walk through, it was observed that the current child care license was not in a prominent and conspicuous location.

Required correction: Ensure the current child care license is in a prominent and conspicuous location easily observable by those entering the child care facility. **Corrected at time of visit, Staff moved child care license to a conspicuous location. No response required.** Correct by 06/06/2024

2.230.C.1.c · Correction due June 6, 2024

During walk through of outdoor environment observed less than 6" of resilient surfacing located under slide and swings on the playground.

Required correction: Ensure all areas under the swings and slides have at least 6 inches of resilient surface and is raked regularly. Correct immediately and respond with a plan for ongoing compliance by 6/13/24. Correct by 06/06/2024

2.230.C.8 · Correction due June 6, 2024

During walk through of outdoor environment observed trash on the ground and a hole in the bottom of the fence about 10 inches wide and 4 inches tall posing potential safety hazards.

Required correction: Ensure the outdoor play areas are free from hazardous materials or debris by the removal of debris and broken fence. Correct immediately and respond with a plan for ongoing compliance by 6/13/24. Correct by 06/06/2024

2.229.C · Correction due June 6, 2024

During walk through observed sanitizer and liquid starch labeled "keep out of reach of children" in the closet by the children's bathrooms and were accessible to children.

Required correction: Ensure all items labeled "keep out of reach of children" are inaccessible to children. **Corrected at time of visit, staff moved items to be inaccessible to children. No response required.** Correct by 06/06/2024

State records file

Where this record comes from

The Department of Early Childhood keeps about three years of complaints on a program’s public page. Anything older is released only on request, as a single file covering the whole state. Shortlist asked for that file under the Colorado Open Records Act and renews it yearly; it is what this page shows for complaints older than the department’s own window.

The file this page is built from arrived on September 13, 2026 and covers complaints the department publishes today, and complaints back to January 2023 obtained by records request. The next request goes in September 2027.

The department publishes a report for each of these visits. Shortlist has not read those reports yet, so this page shows when the state came and not what it found.

Ask for this program’s record now

The department will also review one program’s complete file on request, which is more than either source above contains. Leave your email and Shortlist will ask for Hillel Academy’s file specifically, instead of waiting for the next one.

Before you tour

Hillel Academy hasn’t published

Hours and late pickup, a typical day, sick and biting policies.

Ask which of these findings were serious, and what changed.Colorado Department of Early Childhood publishes a correction deadline, never whether the work was done or how serious it was.

Sources and dates

Where every fact on this page came from, and when Shortlist last checked it against that source. Anything Shortlist could not source is named here rather than left blank.

What kind of place is this

Who will be with our child

Not yet reported: children per teacher.

What will it cost us

Pricing per provider website, checked July 2026.

Licensing and contact

State record

Every state visit and complaint on file, shown in full and never edited. Open a date to read what the state wrote.

Do you run Hillel Academy? Shortlist has no tuition, hours or ratios for it, because the state does not publish that. Add what is missing. It is free and takes about ten minutes.