KinderCare runs 23 licensed locations in Denver.
Colorado Department of Early Childhood cited something at 5 of the 14 visits below. Across Denver centers it cites something at about 55% of visits. Each state decides what gets written up, so this compares Denver with Denver and never with another state.
Not yet reported: ages served, hours, days / week, schedule, holiday closures.
This provider does not publish pricing.
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.
Probationary visit · November 17, 2025
2.229.C · Correction due November 17, 2025
At the time of visit, observed in the infant room in an unlocked cabinet wipes labeled "keep out of reach" accessible to children. This is a direct violation of stipulation (N) of the probationary license. Stipulation N states "Hazardous items, including items labeled "keep out of reach of children", must be inaccessible to children at all times."
Required correction: Immediately 11/17/2025, items labeled "keep out of reach of children" must be inaccessible to children. Corrected at the time of visit, the staff member locked the cabinet making the wipes inaccessible to children. Submit a written statement of compliance 11/24/2025. Correct by 11/17/2025
Probationary visit · October 23, 2025
2.213.G · Correction due October 23, 2025
At the time of visit, reviewed one staff file, observed the staff member to be lacking an updated department-approved child abuse prevention training. This is a direct violation of Stipulation (L) of the probationary license. Stipulation (L) states, "Staff members must complete any training required for their assigned position prior to being placed in the classroom and/or per timelines as prescribed in rule. This may include, but may not be limited to: training and orientation in facility policies and procedures, standard precautions, CPR and first aid, safe sleep, shaken baby/abusive head trauma prevention and medication administration. Verification of completed training must be available for review at all times."
Required correction: Immediately 10/23/2025, all staff must have an updated department-approved child abuse prevention training. Submit documentation and a written statement of compliance by 10/30/2025. Correct by 10/23/2025
Complaint · August 29, 2025
2.225.D · Correction due August 29, 2025
At the time of visit, confirmed through staff member's statements that food was denied to a child as a disciplinary measure.
Required correction: Immediately 8/29/2025, food must not be denied to a child as a disciplinary measure. Submit a written statement of compliance 9/5/2025. Correct by 08/29/2025 Complaint Allegation : RP states that staff yell at children. - FOUNDED
At the time of visit, confirmed through staff members statements that staff yell infront of and at children.
2.212.E · Correction due August 29, 2025
At the time of visit, observed a staff member on their personal cell phone while supervising children.
Required correction: Immediately 8/29/2025, when caring for children, staff must refrain from the personal use of electronics. Submit a written statement of compliance by 9/5/2025. Correct by 08/29/2025
2.237.B · Correction due August 29, 2025
At the time of visit, observed in the PRE-K classroom to have paint chipping near the front entrance accessible to children.
Required correction: Immediately 8/29/2025, the building must be kept in good repair and maintained in a safe condition. Submit a written statement of compliance by 9/5/2025. Correct by 08/29/2025
2.237.B · Correction due August 29, 2025
At the time of visit, observed in the PRE-K classroom to have paint chipping near the front entrance accessible to children.
Required correction: Immediately 8/29/2025, the building must be kept in good repair and maintained in a safe condition. Submit a written statement of compliance by 9/5/2025. Correct by 08/29/2025
Complaint · August 29, 2025
Founded
The state lists this complaint on the provider’s record and publishes an investigation report for it. Shortlist has not read that report, so this row includes no citation detail.
Complaint · August 4, 2025
Founded
The state lists this complaint on the provider’s record and publishes an investigation report for it. Shortlist has not read that report, so this row includes no citation detail.
Limited Supervisory visit · July 30, 2025
2.229.H · Correction due July 30, 2025
At the time of visit, observed in the DPS 2 room a pair of adult scissors accessible to children.
Required correction: Immediately 7/30/2025, sharp tools and instruments must be stored in areas inaccessible to children. Corrected at the time of visit, the director removed the scissors and placed them in a locked cabinet. Submit a written statement of future compliance by 8/13/2025. Correct by 07/30/2025
2.229.C · Correction due July 30, 2025
At the time of visit, observed in the preschool room in a unlocked cabinet under the sink a tub of disinfecting soap labeled "keep out of reach" accessible to children.
Required correction: Immediately 7/30/2025, items labeled "keep out of reach" must be inaccessible to children at all times. Corrected at the time of visit, the director locked the cabinet making it inaccessible to children. Submit a written statement of future compliance by 8/13/2025. Correct by 07/30/2025
At the time of visit, observed in the Infant A classroom to be lacking a completed attendance verification for one child.
2.237.B · Correction due July 30, 2025
At the time of visit, observed in the preschool and Pre-k classroom to have paint chipping throughout the classroom.
Required correction: Immediately 7/30/2025, building must be kept in good repair and maintained in a safe condition. Submit documentation and a written statement of compliance by 8/13/2025. Correct by 07/30/2025
Limited Supervisory visit · July 15, 2025
2.216.G.3 · Correction due July 15, 2025
At the time of visit, observed a staff aide to be supervising 10 children alone using the restroom. Confirmed through staff member review, this staff member qualifies as a staff aide.
Required correction: Immediately 7/15/2025, staff aides can only supervise no more than two preschool age children while toileting. Submit a written statement of compliance by 7/22/2025. Correct by 07/15/2025
Complaint · January 22, 2025
Unfounded
The state lists this complaint on the provider’s record and publishes an investigation report for it. Shortlist has not read that report, so this row includes no citation detail.
Supervisory visit · August 19, 2024
2.213.F · Correction due September 19, 2024
Reviewed 12 staff members' records, two records (Bayley S and Sage S.) are lacking documentations of the First Aid and CPR training or the First Aid and CPR module.
Required correction: Review all staff members records, all records must have documentation of the First Aid and CPR training or the First Aid and CPR module. Submit documentation and a written statement of compliance by Correct by 09/19/2024
2.213.A
Reviewed 12 staff members' records, one record (Alice A.) is lacking documentation of the Pre-service building and physical premises training.
2.213.H · Correction due September 19, 2024
Reviewed 12 staff members' records, one record (Irma S.) is lacking documentation of the Department approved training of Introduction to the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs. Ms. Irma was hired on 4/8/2024.
Required correction: Review all staff members' records, all records must have documentation of the Department approved training of Introduction to the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs. Submit documentation and a written statement of compliance by Correct by 09/19/2024
2.213.I
Reviewed 12 staff members' records, one record (Irma S.) is lacking documentation of the Department approved Recognizing the Impact of Bias on Early Childhood Professionals training. Ms. Irma was hired on 4/8/2024.
Required correction: Review all staff members' records, all records must have documentation of the Department approved
2.216.A.1 · Correction due September 19, 2024
At the time of the visit observed Ms. Kimie and Ms. Irma to be the assigned qualified staff members in the Two's classroom. Observed Ms. Samira to be the assigned qualified staff member in the Infant 2 classroom. Ms. Kimie's file, Ms. Irma's file and Ms. Samira's file are lacking documentation of Early Childhood Teacher qualifications.
Required correction: Immediately (8/19/2024) there must be at least one qualified Early Childhood Teacher assigned for each group of children at all times. **Corrected at the time of the visit, Ms. Jade was assigned for the PreK classroom, Ms. Evelyn was assigned to the Two's classroom, Infant 1 classroom and Infant 2 classroom were combined in Infant 1 classroom, and Ms. Alicia and Ms. Kimie were assigned to the Infant 1 classroom. Submit a written statement of future compliance and a staffing pattern by Correct by 09/19/2024
2.120.C.1.a
At the time of the visit observed Ms. Alice to be one of the assigned staff members in the PreK classroom. Ms. Alice's file is lacking documentation of Trails background clearance letter.
Required correction: Immediately (8/19/2024) all staff must submit a Trails background check prior to working with children. Ms. Alice must review Navigation the Background Check Investigation Unit (BIU) Webpage Power Point on the CDEC website.
2.121.A.1.a · Correction due August 19, 2024
At the time of the visit observed Ms. Alice to be one of the assigned staff members in the PreK classroom. Ms. Alice's file is lacking documentation of CBI and FBI background clearance letters.
Required correction: Immediately (8/19/2024) all staff must have their fingerprints taken and processed at a vendor approved by CBI prior to working with children. Ms. Alice must review Navigation the Background Check Investigation Unit (BIU) Webpage Power Point on the CDEC website. Submit verification that Ms. Alice has reviewed the video within 24 hours. ** Sumbit verification written statement within 24 hours. Submit documentation of CBI and FBI background check with a written statement of compliance by 9/19/2024 Correct by 08/19/2024
2.133.A
Reviewed 12 staff members' records, one record (Alice A.) is lacking documentation of the Department approved Emergency and Disaster Preparedness training.
2.217.C.8 · Correction due September 19, 2024
Reviewed the assigned child care health consultant file, the file is lacking documentation of the updated Department approved Immunizations course. The most recent immunizations course was expired on 1/26/2024.
Required correction: All Department approved child care health consultants must complete the Department approved Immunizations course annually. Submit documentation and a written statement of compliance by Correct by 09/19/2024
2.213.B · Correction due August 19, 2024
Reviewed 12 staff members' records, one record (Alice A.) is lacking documentation of the Department approved Standard Precautions training.
Required correction: Immediately (8/19/2024) review all staff members records, all records must have documentation of the Department approved Standard Precautions training. Submit documentation and a written statement of compliance by 9/19/2024 Correct by 08/19/2024
2.213.D
Reviewed 12 staff members' records, one record (Alice A.) is lacking documentation of the Department approved Shaken Baby/ Abusive Head Trauma training.
2.222.A.1.b · Correction due August 19, 2024
Observed several diapers and pack of wipes on the toilet accessible to children in the Two's classroom.
Required correction: Immediately (8/19/2024) diapering supplies must be stored in areas inaccessible to children. ** Corrected at the time of the visit, a staff member removed the items and made them inaccessible to children. Submit a written statement of future compliance by 9/19/2024 Correct by 08/19/2024
2.237.B · Correction due August 19, 2024
Observed a small area of peeling paint on the wall by the sensory table accessible to children in the Two's classroom. Also observed a small area of peeling paint by the cubbies area accessible to children in the PreK classroom.
Required correction: Immediately (8/19/2024) building must be kept in good repair and maintained in a safe condition. Submit a written statement of compliance by 9/19/2024 Correct by 08/19/2024
2.237.D · Correction due August 19, 2024
At the time of the visit observed a staff member's purse in an unlocked cabinet accessible to children in Infant 1 classroom.
Required correction: Immediately (8/19/2024) all hazardous materials must be inaccessible to children at all times. **Corrected at the time of the visit, a staff member removed the item and made it inaccessible to children. Submit a written statement of future compliance by 9/19/2024 Correct by 08/19/2024
2.229.L · Correction due August 19, 2024
Observed broken chalk pieces on the ground accessible to children under the age of 3 years in the Preschool playground. Also, observed broken crayons on the Art shelf accessible to children under the age of 3 years in the PreK classroom. All items can pose a choking hazard for children under the age of 3 years.
Required correction: Immediately (8/19/2024) materials accessible to children under the age 3 years of age must not be a choking hazard. Submit a written statement of compliance by 9/19/2024 Correct by 08/19/2024
2.220.G.2 · Correction due August 19, 2024
Identified through staff members statements that one of the children in the Preschool playground has an ipepen that wasn't carried by the staff member, staff members weren't able to locate the ipepen for 6 minutes.
Required correction: Immediately (8/19/2024) staff assigned to supervise the child must carry the emergency medication when away from the classroom. Submit a written statement of compliance by 9/19/2024 Correct by 08/19/2024
2.212.A · Correction due August 19, 2024
At the time of the visit, staff members weren't able to locate an emergency medication for one of the children enrolled in the PreK classroom. After 6 minutes, a staff member was able to find the medication in the Two's classroom.
Required correction: Immediately (8/19/2024) all staff at the center must demonstrate knowledgeable decision- making, judgment, and concern for the proper care and well being of children. Submit a written statement of compliance by 9/19/2024 Correct by 08/19/2024
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 1, 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.
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 Smoky Hill KinderCare’s file specifically, instead of waiting for the next one.
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.
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.
Not yet reported: established, teaching approach.
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 Smoky Hill KinderCare? 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.