Shepherd Christian Early Learning Center

Center · Centennial · 7691 S University Blvd

What kind of place is this?

Size 142 children licensed Larger than the middle half of Denver centers, where the middle half licenses 40–113. Measured across 1,156 Denver centers, 2026-08-17.

Will it fit our family?

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

What will it cost us?

This provider does not publish pricing.

What Shortlist has verified

State quality rating Colorado Shines Level 3
License status Active

State record — Colorado Department of Early Childhood

Last visit
January 28, 2026
On file
3 visits since April 2024 — all of them cited findings · 1 complaint investigation
Fixed?
The latest correction deadline was January 28, 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.

Jan 2026 Supervisory visit 1 finding

Supervisory visit · January 28, 2026

2.230.C.6 · Correction due January 28, 2026

At the time of the visit, on the preschool playground, two of the three yellow slides had come apart from the platform, posing a strangulation hazard.

Required correction: Immediately, ( 1/28/2026), all pieces of playground equipment must be designed to guard against strangulation. Submit documentation and a written statement of compliance by 2/4/2026. Correct by 01/28/2026

State records file

Feb 2025 Supervisory visit 11 findings

Supervisory visit · February 24, 2025

2.229.G · Correction due February 24, 2025

In the Cows classroom, loose plastic bags were in an unlocked cabinet under the sink, accessible to children.

Required correction: Immediately, all loose plastic bags must be inaccessible to children. Corrected at the time of visit, the teacher locked the cabinet. Submit a written statement of future compliance by 3/26/2025. Correct by 02/24/2025

2.212.G

Reviewed 11 staff files. Observed Sabrina L., hired 3/2023, and Amber K., hired 8/2024 lacking a health statement signed by a physician.

2.229.C · Correction due February 24, 2025

In the Base Camp classroom, cleaning supplies labeled "keep out of reach of children" were in an unlocked cabinet under the sink, accessible to children.

Required correction: Immediately, all items labeled "keep out of reach of children" must be inaccessible to children. Corrected at the time of visit, the director locked the cabinet. Submit a written statement of future compliance by 3/26/2025. Correct by 02/24/2025

2.222.A.1.b · Correction due February 24, 2025

In the boys and girls bathroom, wipes and gloves were on a low shelf, accessible to children. In the Busy Bugs classroom, wipes were on the counter, accessible to children.

Required correction: Immediately, all diaper supplies must have a place inaccessible to storing. Corrected at the time of visit, the director removed the diaper supplies. Submit a written statement of future compliance by 3/26/2025. Correct by 02/24/2025

2.213.G

Reviewed 11 staff files. Observed Sabrina L., hired 3/2023 and Marcie C., hired 6/4/2021 , lacking a current Department-approved training about child abuse prevention.

2.230.B · Correction due February 24, 2025

In the Busy Bugs classroom, the laminate mat under the table was curled on the corner and the circle time rug was bunched up, causing a potential hazard. On the green wall, paint was peeling, causing a potential hazard.

Required correction: Immediately, indoor furnishings must be free of hazards. Submit a written statement of compliance by 3/26/2025. Correct by 02/24/2025

2.120.I · Correction due February 24, 2025

Reviewed 11 staff files. Observed Jen W., and Julie R. with an expired clearance letter of TRAILS.

Required correction: All individuals requiring a background check must review Navigating the Background Check Investigation Unit's (BIU) Webpage powerpoint. Submit verification that staff members Jen W and Julie R have reviewed the powerpoint within 24 hours. Submit documentation of TRAILS clearance letter for Jen W and Julie R with a written response to Specialist by 3/26/2025. Correct by 02/24/2025

2.121.D.4.a

Reviewed 11 staff files. Observed Amber K., hired 8/2024, lacking documentation of an FBI or CBI clearance letter. Amber was not observed working alone with children at the time of visit. Observed Chelsea G., hired 1/5/2015, lacking documentation of a CBI clearance letter. Chelsea was not observed working alone with children.

2.121.D.5 · Correction due February 24, 2025

Reviewed 11 staff files. Observed Jen W., and Julie R. with an expired FBI and CBI clearance letter.

Required correction: All individuals requiring a background check must review Navigating the Background Check Investigation Unit's (BIU) Webpage powerpoint. Submit verification that staff members Jen W and Julie R have reviewed the powerpoint within 24 hours. Submit documentation of FBI and CBI clearance letter for Jen W and Julie R with a written response to Specialist by 3/26/2025. Correct by 02/24/2025

2.120.C.2 · Correction due February 24, 2025

Reviewed 11 staff files. Observed Amber K., hired 8/2024, lacking documentation of TRAILS submission letter. Amber was not observed working alone with children at the time of visit.

Required correction: All individuals requiring a background check must review Navigating the Background Check Investigation Unit's (BIU) Webpage powerpoint. Submit verification that staff member Amber K. has reviewed the powerpoint within 24 hours. Submit documentation of TRAILS clearance letter for Amber K. with a written response to Specialist by 3/26/2025. Correct by 02/24/2025

2.217.C.8 · Correction due February 24, 2025

Reviewed the CCHC file and observed Annie H., lacking current documentation of an immunization course.

Required correction: Immediately, the CCHC must complete the immunization course annually. Submit documentation and a written statement of compliance by 3/26/2025. Correct by 02/24/2025

State records file

Apr 2024 Supervisory visit 10 findings

Supervisory visit · April 30, 2024

2.209.B.4 · Correction due May 30, 2024

Reviewed 6 child files. Observed 2 children missing current health statements.

Required correction: The center must update annually a copy of the child's health statement completed by a health care provider. Submit a written statement of compliance by 5/30/2024. Correct by 05/30/2024

In the Lemons classroom, diapers, gloves and diaper cream was under the diaper changing table in an unlocked cabinet, accessible to children. In the Busy Bugs classroom, wipes were on the counter, accessible to children. In the Guppies classroom, in the bathroom, on a chair and on the changing table, diapers, wipes and gloves were

2.229.C · Correction due April 30, 2024

In the Busy Bugs classroom, sanitizing spray was on a shelf, accessible to children. In the Guppies classroom, Expo spray labeled "keep out of reach of children" was in an unlocked drawer, accessible to children. In the Turtles classroom, Magic Erasers were in an unlocked cabinet, accessible to children.

Required correction: Immediately, items labeled "keep out of reach of children" must be inaccessible to children. Corrected at the time of visit, the teachers removed the items and placed them in locked cabinets, making them inaccessible to children. Submit a written statement of future compliance by 5/30/2024. Correct by 04/30/2024

2.229.G · Correction due April 30, 2024

In the boys bathroom in the hallway, loose plastic bags were in an unlocked drawer, accessible to children. In an unlocked shed on the preschool playground, loose plastic bags were on a low shelf, accessible to children. A loose plastic bag was also on the ground on the preschool playground, accessible to children.

Required correction: Immediately, loose plastic bags must be stored in areas inaccessible to children. Submit a written statement of compliance by 5/30/2024. Correct by 04/30/2024

In the Guppies classroom, licensed for children ages 2.5 to 6 years, Expo caps and pompoms were

2.230.B · Correction due April 30, 2024

On the sidewalk in between the toddler and preschool playground, observed torn pool noodles and ripped playing balls. A trashcan lid was cracked, causing a potential safety hazard. In the Turtles classroom, a vacuum cord was on the floor causing a potential strangulation hazard.

Required correction: Immediately, indoor and outdoor equipment and materials must be safe and free of hazards. Submit a written statement of compliance by 5/30/2024. Correct by 04/30/2024

2.230.C.1.a · Correction due April 30, 2024

On the toddler playground, equipment higher than 18" was placed on turf and did not have a resilient surface of 6" or more.

Required correction: Immediately, all climbing equipment eighteen (18) inches or hgher must have a resilient surfacing of at least six (6) inches or higher. Submit a written statement of compliance by 5/30/2024. Correct by 04/30/2024

2.213.H

Reviewed 10 staff files. Observed Sabrina L, hired March 2023, missing documentation of the Department-approved training course: Introduction to the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs.

2.121.D.4.a · Correction due April 30, 2024

Reviewed 10 staff files. Observed Chelsea G. missing current documentation of an FBI clearance letter. Observed Sabrina L. and Ashley N. missing current documentation of a CBI clearance letter. These staff members were not alone with children at the time of visit.

Required correction: All individuals requiring a background check must review Navigating the Background Check Investigation Unit's (BIU) Webpage powerpoint. Submit verification that staff members Chelsea G., Sabrina L. and Ashley N. have reviewed the powerpoint within 24 hours. Submit documentation of FBI clearance letter for Chelsea G. and documentation of CBI clearance letters for Sabrina L. and Ashley N. with a written response to Specialist by 5/30/2024. Correct by 04/30/2024

2.227.B.1.c · Correction due May 30, 2024

In the Ford van used for transportation of children, the first bench seat is torn, exposing the foam cushion underneath the cloth covering.

Required correction: Any vehicle used for transportation of children must be kept in satisfactory condition. Submit a written statement of compliance by 5/30/2024. Correct by 05/30/2024

State records file

Jul 2023 Complaint Founded

Complaint · July 10, 2023

Founded · 7.702.51.C.2 · Health/Medication · Correction due July 18, 2023

The center must apply sunscreen, have the parent(s)/guardian(s) apply sunscreen, or use another form of parent/guardian approved sun protection for children prior to children going outside. Sunscreen must be reapplied as directed by the product label.

Required correction: Staff members must apply or reapply sunscreen prior children going outside. Submit a statement of compliance by 8/1/2023.

Founded · 7.702.63.A.8 · Meals/Snacks/Activities · Correction due July 18, 2023

Children must not be given foods that are contrary to the religious beliefs of their families or that are known to cause an allergic reaction or a health hazard.

Required correction: Staff must be aware of all allergies. Children must not be given any food that they are allergic to whether it is for consumption or art activities. Submit a statement of compliance by 8/1/2023.

Founded · 7.702.51.C.2.a · Correction due July 18, 2023

When the parent(s)/guardian(s) applies sunscreen, the center must have a mechanism for documenting application times to ensure sunscreen is reapplied as directed by the product label. If documentation of application time is not available, the center must ensure that sunscreen is applied thirty (30) minutes before going outdoors. If the child will be outside for more than one hour, sunscreen must be reapplied every two hours.

Required correction: Facility must have documentation on whether sunscreen has been applied prior to attending class, sunscreen must be applied prior to going outside and reapplied every 2 ours after the first application. Submit a statement of compliance by 8/1/2023.

State licensing record

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 Shepherd Christian Early Learning Center’s file specifically, instead of waiting for the next one.

Before you tour

Shepherd Christian Early Learning Center hasn’t published

Cost, 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

Not yet reported: established, teaching approach.

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 Shepherd Christian Early Learning Center? 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.