Sherwood, Ark. (KATV) — Parents were left scrambling after My Child’s First School in Sherwood abruptly closed its doors on Tuesday.
The closure came after a routine inspection by the Arkansas Department of Health in April revealed six violations, including two repeat offenses.
The inspection found that eating surfaces were not clean or safe, and there was damaged food packaging, such as dented cans, which could lead to contamination. Inspectors also noted that food items were not kept at the required temperature of 41 degrees or cooler.
Milk was found stored at 45 degrees and had to be discarded. Additionally, some food items were undated, while others were expired by more than seven days.
The facility was also found to be operating with an expired permit, which is against the law. A former employee expressed surprise on social media that the school had not been shut down sooner, describing it as “disgusting.”
The Arkansas Department of Health’s inspections focus solely on food safety regulations and do not cover other general safety hazards.
Parents, some of whom had already paid for the week, are now unable to retrieve their belongings from the daycare.