Hearth Record

Cherry Creek Montessori Academy

A child care center in Aurora, Colorado 80016

6780 S. Liverpool Street Units A and B, Aurora, Colorado 80016.

Colorado’s own record, on coloradoshines.com

Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. Colorado’s own record is on coloradoshines.com.

The short answer

Record last released by Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) on Nov 2, 2026.

The last 24 months 37 citations in 5 months of the last 46. Last cited May 2026. Every month

Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.

What these words mean5
Inspection (survey)
A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
Deficiency, citation, violation
What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
Quality rating
Many states rate child care in a quality rating system that goes past the licensing rules, such as Texas Rising Star or Kentucky All STARS. Taking part is often voluntary, so a program with no rating hasn’t been rated low. Source: Each state’s quality rating system.
Licence status
Whether the state’s licence lets the place operate now, in the state’s own words: licensed, on probation (allowed to keep operating on conditions, after problems), provisional, pending or expired. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
Capacity
The most people the licence or certification lets the place care for at once: residents, children, beds or apartments, as the state counts them. It isn’t how many are there now. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.

What did inspectors find?

CDEC’s file lists 7 inspections, investigations and complaints from Jan 1, 2023 to Oct 27, 2026, the latest on May 29, 2026 (Complaints).

37 citations in all, 12 of them from complaints and Stage II investigations.

Where Colorado posts its reports: Colorado Shines.

Source:

Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Data request 2026-967, delivered Oct 28, 2026 and each month since: licensing inspections, complaints and Stage II investigations from Jan 1, 2023. Released Oct 28, 2026. CDEC sends the previous month’s records in the first week of each month; a person saves each file and loads it.

When those citations happened

37 citations in 5 months of the last 46. Last cited May 2026. The last 4 years, to Nov 5, 2026.

37 citations by month over the last 4 years. Each cell is one month.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2023 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2024 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2025 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2026 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOct

Hover or focus a month to read it.

No visit on record Visited, nothing cited A stronger orange is more serious, on its source’s own levels, read onto four bands: from the least serious it publishes to the most
Source:

Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.

Each citation, in its source’s words

Grouped by visit, newest first, with the level its source gave it.

Source:

Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Data request 2026-967, delivered Oct 28, 2026 and each month since: licensing inspections, complaints and Stage II investigations from Jan 1, 2023. Released Oct 28, 2026. CDEC sends the previous month’s records in the first week of each month; a person saves each file and loads it.

May 29, 2026: complaints (case 273642)5 citations
  • The time a child arrives and leaves the center each day must be recorded. Staff members must complete written attendance verification periodically throughout the day, including during transitions.

    Rule 2.223.A.2. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: General Requirement/Physical Care. Correction due, as CDEC set it: May 29, 2026.

  • In the toddler room, a crib, sleeping cot, or two (2) inch mat must be provided for each child, and there must be a minimum of two (2) feet between each crib or cot. Aisles between cots or cribs must be kept free of all obstructions while cribs are occupied. No child less than the age of two (2) years should use a cot for sleeping without written permission of the parent or guardian.

    Rule 2.223.D.4. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: Toddler Program. Correction due, as CDEC set it: May 29, 2026.

  • A fitted sheet and a blanket, or suitable covering, must be provided for each child to be used only by that child.

    Rule 2.223.D.4.c. From a complaint. Correction due, as CDEC set it: May 29, 2026.

  • Cots or pads must be spaced at least two (2) feet apart on all sides during rest time. Children must have a safe area in which to rest that is easily supervised, out of the path of traffic, and free of hazards.

    Rule 2.223.D.5.a.1. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: General Requirement/Physical Care. Correction due, as CDEC set it: May 29, 2026.

  • Items labeled “keep out of reach of children” must be inaccessible to children.

    Rule 2.229.C. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: Equipment/Materials. Correction due, as CDEC set it: May 29, 2026.

Dec 9, 2025: supervisory (case 250365)7 citations
  • The Trails child abuse or neglect records request must be made on the state-prescribed form, accompanied by the required fee within the following required time frames: Child care centers (less than 24-hour care), school-age child care facilities, family child care homes, and qualified exempt providers must meet the following: For all individuals whose activities involve the care or supervision of children or who have unsupervised access to children, requests must be submitted and successfully completed prior to caring for children or allowing unsupervised access to children.

    Rule 2.120.C.1.a. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 9, 2025.

  • Criminal background check requests must be successfully completed prior to an individual caring for children or allowing the individual unsupervised access to children in child care centers (less than 24-hour care), school-age child care facilities, family child care homes, and qualified exempt provider homes.

    Rule 2.121.D.4.a. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 9, 2025.

  • All staff must complete a Department-approved standard precautions training prior to working with children. This training must be renewed annually and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

    Rule 2.213.B. CDEC’s category: Personnel. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 9, 2025.

  • Staff working with infants less than twelve (12) months old must complete a Department-approved safe sleep training prior to working with infants less than twelve (12) months old. This training must be renewed annually and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

    Rule 2.213.C. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 9, 2025.

  • Staff working with children less than three (3) years of age must complete a Department-approved prevention of shaken baby/abusive head trauma training prior to working with children less than three (3) years of age. This training must be renewed every two (2) years and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

    Rule 2.213.D. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 9, 2025.

  • Within thirty (30) calendar days of employment, all employees and regular volunteers must be trained using a Department-approved training about child abuse prevention, which includes common symptoms and signs of child abuse, how to report, where to report, and when to report suspected or known child abuse or neglect. This training must be renewed annually.

    Rule 2.213.G. CDEC’s category: Staff Files. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 9, 2025.

  • All diaper change areas must: Have a place inaccessible to children for storing all diaper change supplies and disinfecting solutions and products;

    Rule 2.222.A.1.b. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 9, 2025.

Dec 17, 2024: supervisory (case 216200)5 citations
  • Emergency drills, lockdown and active shooter on premises drills must be held at least quarterly but often enough so that all occupants are familiar with the drill procedure and their conduct during a drill is a matter of established routine. Fire drills must be held monthly and be consistent with local fire department procedures. Tornado drills must be held monthly from March to October. A record of all emergency drills held over the past twelve (12) months must be maintained by the facility or center, including date and time of drill, number of adults and children participating, and the amount of time taken to evacuate.

    Rule 2.138.A. CDEC’s category: General Rules. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 17, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 4, 2025.

  • All staff members must submit to the center a medical statement, signed and dated by a physician or other health care provider, verifying that they are in good mental, physical, and emotional health appropriate for the position for which they have been hired. This statement must be dated no more than six (6) months prior to employment or within thirty (30) calendar days after the first date of employment. Subsequent self-reported health histories must be submitted annually.

    Rule 2.212.G. CDEC’s category: Staff Files. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 17, 2025. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 4, 2025.

  • All staff must complete a Department-approved standard precautions training prior to working with children. This training must be renewed annually and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

    Rule 2.213.B. CDEC’s category: Personnel. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 17, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 4, 2025.

  • Staff working with children less than three (3) years of age must complete a Department-approved prevention of shaken baby/abusive head trauma training prior to working with children less than three (3) years of age. This training must be renewed every two (2) years and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

    Rule 2.213.D. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 17, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 4, 2025.

  • Within thirty (30) calendar days of employment, all employees and regular volunteers must be trained using a Department-approved training about child abuse prevention, which includes common symptoms and signs of child abuse, how to report, where to report, and when to report suspected or known child abuse or neglect. This training must be renewed annually.

    Rule 2.213.G. CDEC’s category: Staff Files. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 17, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 4, 2025.

Dec 17, 2024: complaints (case 249253)7 citations
  • Violation of any provision of the Child Care Licensing Act or intentional false statements or reports made to the Department or to any agency lawfully delegated by the Department to make an investigation or inspection may result in fines assessed of not more than $250 a day the first day, $500 for the second day, and $1,000 a day for the third and subsequent days, to a maximum of $10,000:

    Rule 2.113.A. From a complaint. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 17, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 23, 2024.

  • Staff to Child Ratios by ages of children and number of staff- 6 weeks to 18 months (infants):1 staff member to 5 infants; 12 months to 36 months: 1 staff member to 5 toddlers; 24 months to 36 months: 1 staff member to 7 toddlers; 2-1/2 years to 3 years:1 staff member to 8 children; 3 years to 4 years: 1 staff member to 10 children; 4 years to 5 years: 1 staff member to 12 children; 5 years and older: 1 staff member to 15 children; Mixed-age group 2-1/2 yrs to 6 yrs: 1 staff member to 10 children.

    Rule 2.217.A.14. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: General Requirement/Physical Care. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 17, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 23, 2024.

  • Maximum Group Size for Children by Ages of children and maximum group size: 6 weeks to 18 months:10 infants,12 months to 36 months:10 toddlers, 24 months to 36 months: 14 toddlers, 2-1/2 years to 3 years: 16 children, 3 years to 4 years: 20 children, 4 years to 5 years: 24 children, 5 years and older: 30 children, Mixed age group 2-1/2 to 6 years of age: 20 children.

    Rule 2.217.A.15. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: General Requirement/Physical Care. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 17, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 23, 2024.

  • The licensed room capacity must not be exceeded at any time.

    Rule 2.217.A.15.d. From a complaint. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 17, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 23, 2024.

  • The center must accept and care only for children of the ages for which it has been licensed. At no time shall the number of children in attendance exceed the number for which the center has been licensed.

    Rule 2.218.A. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: General Requirement/Physical Care. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 17, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 23, 2024.

  • The time a child arrives and leaves the center each day must be recorded. Staff members must complete written attendance verification periodically throughout the day, including during transitions.

    Rule 2.223.A.2. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: General Requirement/Physical Care. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 17, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 23, 2024.

  • Rooms licensed for specific ages of children cannot be used for other ages of children without the prior written approval of the licensing authority.

    Rule 2.233.A.3. From a complaint. CDEC’s category: Building Requirements. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Dec 17, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Dec 23, 2024.

Jan 25, 2024: supervisory (case 197652)2 citations
  • All staff members must submit to the center a medical statement, signed and dated by a physician or other health care provider, verifying that they are in good mental, physical, and emotional health appropriate for the position for which they have been hired. This statement must be dated no more than six (6) months prior to employment or within thirty (30) calendar days after the first date of employment. Subsequent self-reported health histories must be submitted annually.

    Rule 2.212.G. CDEC’s category: Staff Files. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 25, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 4, 2025.

  • Buildings must be kept in good repair and maintained in a safe condition.

    Rule 2.237.B. CDEC’s category: Building Requirements. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Jan 25, 2024. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 4, 2025.

Mar 17, 2023: supervisory (case 177553)11 citations
  • Emergency drills, lockdown and active shooter on premises drills must be held at least quarterly, but often enough so that all occupants are familiar with the drill procedure and their conduct during a drill is a matter of established routine. Fire drills must be held monthly and be consistent with local fire department procedures. Tornado drills must be held monthly from March to October. A record of all emergency drills held over the past twelve (12) months must be maintained by the facility or center, including date and time of drill, number of adults and children participating, and the amount of time taken to evacuate.

    Rule 7.701.100.F.2.. CDEC’s category: General Rules. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Mar 17, 2023. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 18, 2023.

  • The following background check requests must be submitted and successfully completed for each state an individual has resided in, in the past five years, prior to an individual caring for children or allowing the individual unsupervised access to children in child care centers (less than 24-hour care), school-aged child care facilities, family child care homes, and qualified exempt provider homes: a. State criminal history check b. State sex offender registry check c. State abuse and neglect registry check

    Rule 7.701.33.J.1.a.b.c. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Mar 17, 2023. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 18, 2023.

  • The admission record must include: A dated, written authorization for emergency medical care signed and updated annually by the parent(s)/guardian(s). The authorization must be notarized if required by the local hospital, clinic, or emergency health care facility.

    Rule 7.702.34.A.7. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Mar 17, 2023. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 18, 2023.

  • The center must maintain and update annually and upon changes, a record on each child that includes: A copy of the child?s health statement completed by a health care provider.

    Rule 7.702.34.B.4. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Mar 17, 2023. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 18, 2023.

  • Within ninety (90) calendar days of employment, all staff required to register with the Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (listed in Section 7.702.33, d) must complete the Department-approved training course: Introduction to the Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education Programs. This course is required once and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

    Rule 7.702.42.H. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Mar 17, 2023. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 18, 2023.

  • Within ninety (90) calendar days of employment, all staff required to register with the Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (listed in Section 7.702.33, d) must complete the Department-approved Recognizing the Impact of Bias on Early Childhood Professionals training or other Department-approved training on implicit bias. This course is required once and will be counted towards ongoing professional development.

    Rule 7.702.42.I. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Mar 17, 2023. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 18, 2023.

  • At the time of admission, the parent(s)/guardian(s) must provide for each child entering the center: Documentation of school-required immunization status or Certificate of Medical or Nonmedical Exemption, is required by the Colorado Board of Health. Up-to-date school-required immunizations must be documented as specified on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Certificate of Immunization or on an “approved alternate” Certificate of Immunization. Colorado law requires proof of immunization status or exemption be provided prior to or on the first day of admission.

    Rule 7.702.51.A.2.a. CDEC’s category: Child Records. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Mar 17, 2023. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 18, 2023.

  • If a medication is out of date or left over, the parent(s)/guardian(s) is responsible for picking up the medication. If the parent(s)/guardian(s) do not respond, the center must dispose of the medications as required by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

    Rule 7.702.51.B.10. CDEC’s category: Health/Medication. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Mar 17, 2023. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 18, 2023.

  • All diaper change areas must: Have a place inaccessible to children for storing all diaper change supplies and disinfecting solutions and products.

    Rule 7.702.61.A.1.b. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Mar 17, 2023. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 18, 2023.

  • All outdoor play areas used for children?s activities must be checked daily and kept safe and free from hazardous materials or debris by removal of debris, dilapidated structures, and broken or worn play equipment. The staff must identify hazardous, high-risk areas; those areas must be made inaccessible to children to reduce the possibility of injuries and accidents.

    Rule 7.702.72.C.8. CDEC’s category: Outdoor Requirements. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Mar 17, 2023. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 18, 2023.

  • Buildings must be kept in good repair and maintained in a safe condition.

    Rule 7.702.91.B. CDEC’s category: Building Requirements. Correction due, as CDEC set it: Mar 17, 2023. Cleared, as CDEC recorded it: Apr 18, 2023.

All 7 visits on record
Visits on record
DateVisitWhat the record says
May 29, 2026Complaints (case 273642)Outcome, in CDEC’s words: Unfounded; 5 citations; no clearance date in CDEC’s file.
Dec 9, 2025Supervisory (case 250365)7 citations; no clearance date in CDEC’s file.
Dec 18, 2024Follow-up (case 250364)No citations; cleared Dec 18, 2024.
Dec 17, 2024Supervisory (case 216200)5 citations; cleared Apr 4, 2025.
Dec 17, 2024Complaints (case 249253)Outcome, in CDEC’s words: Founded; 7 citations; cleared Dec 23, 2024.
Jan 25, 2024Supervisory (case 197652)2 citations; cleared Apr 4, 2025.
Mar 17, 2023Supervisory (case 177553)11 citations; cleared Apr 18, 2023.

Is it licensed?

  • Colorado’s service type: Child Care Center; licensed by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.
  • Licensed for 70 children: 10 toddlers, 60 preschoolers.
  • Colorado’s licence number: 1720300.
Source:

Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Colorado Licensed Child Care Facilities Report. Released Nov 2, 2026. Updated monthly.

What did complaints and investigations find?

  • CDEC’s file lists 2 complaints and Stage II investigations from Jan 1, 2023 to Oct 27, 2026. Outcomes, in CDEC’s words: Founded (1), Unfounded (1).
  • Neither CDEC’s roster nor its file of inspections lists enforcement actions, such as fines or the revocation of a licence.
Source:

Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Data request 2026-967, delivered Oct 28, 2026 and each month since: licensing inspections, complaints and Stage II investigations from Jan 1, 2023. Released Oct 28, 2026. CDEC sends the previous month’s records in the first week of each month; a person saves each file and loads it.

Complaints and Stage II investigations, newest first
ReceivedCase and outcome, in CDEC’s wordsIn CDEC’s file
May 13, 2026Complaints: UnfoundedReceived May 13, 2026; CDEC contacted the provider May 29, 2026; 5 citations; case 273642.
Nov 22, 2024Complaints: FoundedReceived Nov 22, 2024; CDEC contacted the provider Dec 17, 2024; 7 citations; cleared Dec 23, 2024; case 249253.

Who does the caring?

  • Colorado doesn’t publish staffing levels for individual programs in this dataset.

Who owns it?

  • Colorado’s dataset lists its governing body as NA.
Source:

Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Colorado Licensed Child Care Facilities Report. Released Nov 2, 2026. Updated monthly.

How is it rated?

  • Colorado Shines: Level 1 of five, as Colorado rates it.
Source:

Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Colorado Licensed Child Care Facilities Report. Released Nov 2, 2026. Updated monthly.

How does it compare nearby?

  • Programs aren’t compared with each other here: CDEC’s file doesn’t grade its citations by how serious they are.
1 compared
Place
Cherry Creek Montessori Academy This child care providerNot given

What the record doesn’t say

  • Inspections, investigations and complaints are from the file CDEC sent for a data request, from Jan 1, 2023, and the file it sends each month since. CDEC says its file may miss a program licensed during that time that is no longer licensed, and that its records may change as they are updated or finalized.
  • CDEC’s file gives each rule cited, its category, and the days set to correct it and to clear the case, but not what the inspector wrote: Colorado Shines has each monitoring report. CDEC doesn’t grade citations by how serious they are.
  • This page is built from the dataset of licensed child care facilities CDEC publishes monthly on data.colorado.gov, so a program licensed or closed since may be missing or still shown. It leaves out 24-hour licence types and care that is exempt from licensing.
  • Colorado’s roster carries no enforcement actions, hours or staffing levels.

Sources

  • Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Colorado Licensed Child Care Facilities Report (data.colorado.gov, a9rr-k8mu).

    Released Nov 2, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Open Data Commons Public Domain Dedication and License (PDDL). data.colorado.gov’s terms ask for this disclaimer: “The data made available here has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Colorado. THE STATE OF COLORADO MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF COLORADO EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. The data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. It is understood that the information contained in the Web feed is being used at one’s own risk.” Facts are extracted; monitoring reports are not republished.

  • Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Data request 2026-967, delivered Oct 28, 2026 and each month since: licensing inspections, complaints and Stage II investigations from Jan 1, 2023.

    Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 29, 2026. CDEC sends the previous month’s records in the first week of each month; a person saves each file and loads it. No licence stated: CDEC sent this file for a data request that said it would be shown on a free public website. Its disclaimer says the data “is now subject to open records law”. Shown free, never sold.

If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC). Colorado’s own record is on coloradoshines.com. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.

Source:

This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.

From the provider

The public record above comes first. Anything the provider adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.

Replies

None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the provider will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.

Paid listing

None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the provider”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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