The Learning Factory Childcare LLC

413 E North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53212 · Milwaukee County

42cited violations

14marked serious

15inspection visits

3enforcement actions

Program

Type: Group center
Licensed capacity: 45
Ages: 4 weeks – 13 years
Hours: 06:00 AM-11:59 PM (Jan-Dec)
Licensee: Dashanaye Smith
Contact: Smith, Dashanaye
Phone: 414-539-3204
YoungStar: 2 Stars
Regulated since: 02/07/2017
DCF IDs: Facility 2003228 · Provider 0000589080/001
Official record: DCF Child Care Finder

Year by year

Year	Violations	Serious	Main categories
2026	4	1	Safety & premises (1), Staff background & training (1), Other (2)
2025	14	3	Illness & medication (1), Supervision & ratios (2), Safety & premises (1), Food & allergies (2), Staff background & training (3), Records & paperwork (2), Other (3)
2024	24	10	Cleanliness & sanitation (1), Illness & medication (1), Discipline & child guidance (1), Safety & premises (9), Staff background & training (8), Records & paperwork (2), Other (2)

Enforcement actions

Sep 10, 2024 — Orders Letter
Jun 25, 2024 — Forfeiture
Jun 10, 2024 — Orders Letter

A warning letter is not an enforcement action under Wisconsin law and carries no appeal rights. Orders and forfeitures are enforcement actions and can be appealed.

Inspection visits

Aug 20, 2026 Licensing visit · 1 rules checked, 1 not met 1 serious
- Staff background & training Serious
  Fingerprints not completed for the following individuals: Individual 001
  
  DCF 251.05(2)(a)2. — Staff Record - Completed Background Check
DCF visit report
Jul 15, 2026 Licensing visit · 310 rules checked, 2 not met
- Safety & premises
  There was a broken child size picnic table and a broken play house observed on the playground.
  
  DCF 251.06(11)(bm)3. — Outdoor Play Equipment - Construction, Condition
- Other
  electric outlets, electrical heating units and hot surfaces, such as pipes, shall be protected by screens or guards so that children cannot touch them. There is still no gate up to make sure the kitchen area is not accessible to children.
  
  DCF 251.06(2)(b) — Electrical Or Hot Surface Protection
DCF visit report
Mar 31, 2026 Licensing visit · 603 rules checked, 1 not met
- Other
  Electric outlets, electrical heating units and hot surfaces, such as pipes, shall be protected by screens or guards so that children cannot touch them. Children have access to the kitchen/oven. Recommended putting a gate in doorway. Electrical outlets were not covered in P.S and toddler classroom.
  
  DCF 251.06(2)(b) — Electrical Or Hot Surface Protection
DCF visit report
Nov 19, 2025 Licensing visit · 126 rules checked, 9 not met 3 serious
- Records & paperwork
  Child under age two last physical exam conducted 11/4/24 rather than within the required six month period
  
  DCF 251.04(6)(a)8.a. — Child Record - Physical Exam - Under 2
- Other Serious
  No child tracking in the two to three year old classroom
  
  DCF 251.055(1)(f) — Child Tracking Procedure
- Supervision & ratios
  One staff person was alone with 12 children. Children ranged from 18 months to 3 years and required two staff
  
  DCF 251.055(2)(c) — Mixed-Age Group - Staff-To-Child Ratio
- Other Serious
  Broken outdoor picnic table with sharp plastic edges accessible to children in care
  
  DCF 251.06(2)(a) — Potential Source Of Harm On Premises
- Safety & premises Serious
  Flaking paint observed on outdoor play equipment and structures accessible to children in care
  
  DCF 251.06(2)(i) — Deteriorating Paint
- Other
  Single service utensils not stored covered as required by rule
  
  DCF 251.06(9)(a)5. — Kitchen - Single-Service Utensils
- Food & allergies
  No plainly visible thermometer observed in the center refrigerator
  
  DCF 251.06(9)(d)1.c. — Food Storage - Cold Storage Thermometers
- Food & allergies
  Plastic container of prepared and sliced fruit not dated as required by rule
  
  DCF 251.06(9)(f)3. — Food - Leftover Prepared Food
- Illness & medication
  No six month review of the medical log book conducted as required by rule
  
  DCF 251.07(6)(dm)4. — Medical Log - Reviewing Injury Records
DCF visit report
Apr 4, 2025 Licensing visit · 1 rules checked, 1 not met
- Records & paperwork
  
  DCF 251.11(4)(b) — Continuation License - Application Materials Submission
DCF visit report
Jan 31, 2025 Licensing visit · 4 rules checked, 2 not met
- Staff background & training
  Staff file reviewed did not include a Registry Certificate on file indicating they were qualified for the position identified in the file
  
  DCF 251.05(2)(a)4.a. — Staff Record - Registry Certificate
- Supervision & ratios
  No qualified lead teach was present and supervising children on second shift
  
  DCF 251.055(1)(b) — Supervision - Teacher Per Group Of Children
DCF visit report · Correction plan (PDF)
Jan 24, 2025 Licensing visit · 2 rules checked, 2 not met
- Staff background & training
  Staff records were not available upon request during the center visit.
  
  DCF 251.05(2)(a) — Staff Record - Maintenance & Availability
- Staff background & training
  Records of which staff were in included in the staff to child ratio in which room were not being maintained and accessible in the center as required by rule.
  
  DCF 251.05(2)(a)6. — Staff Record - Days & Hours Worked
DCF visit report · Correction plan (PDF)
Nov 26, 2024 Licensing visit · 2 rules checked, 2 not met
- Staff background & training
  Requested staff records not available for review during the center visit
  
  DCF 251.05(2)(a) — Staff Record - Maintenance & Availability
- Safety & premises
  Crib mattresses observed as damaged and not properly maintained in a safe, washable manner as required by rule.
  
  DCF 251.07(4)(c) — Naps Or Rest Periods - Sleeping Surfaces - Children Under 1
DCF visit report · Correction plan (PDF)
Nov 14, 2024 Licensing visit · 89 rules checked, 14 not met 5 serious
- Records & paperwork
  Last physical exam conducted in August of 2023
  
  DCF 251.04(6)(a)8.a. — Child Record - Physical Exam - Under 2
- Records & paperwork Serious
  Attendance records lacked a time of departure for a child in care on the day before the visit. The center had 8 children on the attendance and 9 in the building.
  
  DCF 251.04(6)(b) — Current, Accurate Daily Attendance Record
- Discipline & child guidance Serious
  Child observed with multiple unexplained injuries to their head and face documented in the medical log without a report
  
  DCF 251.04(8)(a) — Mandated Reporting - Child Abuse & Neglect
- Staff background & training
  Staff file reviewed did not include a Registry certificate indicating they were qualified for their current position
  
  DCF 251.05(2)(a)4.a. — Staff Record - Registry Certificate
- Staff background & training
  No documentation of staff completing CAN training in two year period
  
  DCF 251.05(3)(cm) — Child Abuse & Neglect - Biennial Training
- Other Serious
  No child tracking in the infant room
  
  DCF 251.055(1)(f) — Child Tracking Procedure
- Safety & premises Serious
  Toxic plants observed growing into the outdoor play area and accessible to children in care
  
  DCF 251.06(2)(a) — Potential Source Of Harm On Premises
- Safety & premises Serious
  Flaking paint observed on the exterior stairway into the outdoor play area accessible,to children in care
  
  DCF 251.06(2)(i) — Deteriorating Paint
- Safety & premises
  No,documentation of drills conducted
  
  DCF 251.06(3)(b)2. — Emergencies - Practice Written Plans
- Safety & premises
  Smoke detection system sounding alert indicating it was not in proper working order
  
  DCF 251.06(4)(j)2. — Fire Alarms & Smoke Detectors - Maintenance
- Safety & premises
  No documentation of drills or testing
  
  DCF 251.06(4)(jm)1. — Fire Alarms & Smoke Detectors - Drills
- Safety & premises
  No documentation of drills or testing
  
  DCF 251.06(4)(jm)2. — Fire Alarms & Smoke Detectors - Testing
- Illness & medication
  Last review of the medical log book documented in January of 2024
  
  DCF 251.07(6)(dm)4. — Medical Log - Reviewing Injury Records
- Cleanliness & sanitation
  Diaper pad torn and incapable of being properly disinfected
  
  DCF 251.09(4)(a)3. — Infant & Toddler - Diaper Changing Surface Disinfection
DCF visit report
Sep 5, 2024 Licensing visit · 1 rules checked, 1 not met 1 serious

The DCF Finder's main page now lists this visit as "No Violations found". Its own visit report below still cites these rules. DCF's list drops violations after about two years.
- Staff background & training Serious
  Fingerprints Not Completed For The Following Individuals: Individual 001
  
  DCF 251.05(2)(a)2. — Staff Record - Completed Background Check
DCF visit report
Aug 20, 2024 Licensing visit · 1 rules checked, 1 not met 1 serious

The DCF Finder's main page now lists this visit as "No Violations found". Its own visit report below still cites these rules. DCF's list drops violations after about two years.
- Staff background & training Serious
  Fingerprints Not Completed For The Following Individuals: Individual 001
  
  DCF 251.05(2)(a)2. — Staff Record - Completed Background Check
DCF visit report
Jul 24, 2024 Licensing visit · 3 rules checked, 3 not met

The DCF Finder's main page now lists this visit as "No Violations found". Its own visit report below still cites these rules. DCF's list drops violations after about two years.
- Other
  Child Sleeping On Matt Without Required Sheet
  
  DCF 251.07(4)(d) — Naps Or Rest Periods - Individual Bedding
- Safety & premises
  Baby Sleeping In Crib With Pillow
  
  DCF 251.09(1)(L) — Infant & Toddler - Soft Materials In Cribs
- Safety & premises
  One Year Old Sleeping I Crib With Blanket U Tucked And Covering Their Face
  
  DCF 251.09(1)(k) — Infant & Toddler - Bedding
DCF visit report
Jun 25, 2024 Licensing visit · 1 rules checked, 1 not met 1 serious

The DCF Finder's main page now lists this visit as "No Violations found". Its own visit report below still cites these rules. DCF's list drops violations after about two years.
- Staff background & training Serious
  Fingerprints Not Completed For The Following Individuals: Individual 002
  
  DCF 251.05(2)(a)2. — Staff Record - Completed Background Check
DCF visit report
Jun 5, 2024 Licensing visit · 1 rules checked, 1 not met 1 serious

The DCF Finder's main page now lists this visit as "No Violations found". Its own visit report below still cites these rules. DCF's list drops violations after about two years.
- Staff background & training Serious
  Fingerprints Not Completed For The Following Individuals: Individual 001, Individual 002
  
  DCF 251.05(2)(a)2. — Staff Record - Completed Background Check
DCF visit report
May 20, 2024 Licensing visit · 1 rules checked, 1 not met 1 serious

The DCF Finder's main page now lists this visit as "No Violations found". Its own visit report below still cites these rules. DCF's list drops violations after about two years.
- Staff background & training Serious
  Fingerprints Not Completed For The Following Individuals: Individual 001, Individual 002
  
  DCF 251.05(2)(a)2. — Staff Record - Completed Background Check
DCF visit report

Get the full file

DCF publishes about 3 years of monitoring. Older history, complaint files and self-reported incidents require a public records request. Wisconsin's public records law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39) gives anyone the right to ask. You don't have to say why. Electronic copies are generally free.

Email the request Printable letter (fax or mail)

Send to: DCF Records Custodian · DCFRecordsRequest@wisconsin.gov · fax (608) 422-7161 · 201 W. Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703
Copy: DCF Southeastern Regional Licensing Office · DCFPlicBRLSERO@wisconsin.gov · 262-446-7800

Show the letter text

Letter text

Dear Records Custodian,

Under Wisconsin's public records law, Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39, I request copies of the following records for the child care program The Learning Factory Childcare Llc, 413 E North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53212-3319 (DCF facility number 2003228; provider number 0000589080, location 001; applicant/licensee number 7100353479), for January 1, 2019 to the present:

1. Every licensing or certification monitoring, renewal and follow-up visit report, including noncompliance statements, compliance statements and rule-monitoring summaries.
2. Every complaint investigation: intake summaries, investigation reports, and the finding for each allegation.
3. Every warning letter, order, forfeiture or other enforcement action, with related correspondence.
4. Every plan of correction the program submitted, and the department's response.
5. Every incident the program reported to the department (for example under DCF 251.04(3) or 250.04(3)): injuries requiring medical care, prohibited actions, suspected abuse or neglect, communicable disease, and children whose whereabouts were unknown.

I understand that child and reporter identities, and material made confidential by Wis. Stat. § 48.981, may be redacted; please release the remainder and cite the basis for anything withheld. Please provide the records electronically (PDF by email). If the estimated cost exceeds $5.00, please send me an estimate before proceeding. Please confirm receipt of this request.

Thank you,

[Your name]
[Email] · [Phone]

If something is happening now, file a child care complaint with DCF. For suspected abuse, contact your county child protective services or law enforcement.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, via the Child Care Finder and the licensed and certified directories. History last read Oct 1, 2026. Violation text is DCF's own wording. The categories are ours, added to help you scan.

Program

Violations by category

Year by year

Enforcement actions

Inspection visits

Get the full file