An Algoma child-care facility was forced to close after it was cited for more than 40 violations during an inspection Sept. 16.

Helping Hands Day Care, 1505 Flora Ave., had its license revoked Sept. 30, two weeks after the inspection that yielded citations for more than 40 infractions, according to Stephanie Hayden, a communications specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. It was the fifth inspection this year and the 12th in less than two years that caused the center to receive some type of enforcement action from the department, she said.

"It is the department's determination that the center repeatedly demonstrated an inability to meet the minimum requirements for child care licensure based on the well-documented history of non-compliance, including repeat non- compliance with licensing rules," Hayden said.

Violations from the most recent inspection, which Hayden said was unannounced and was in response to a complaint received, ranged from improper staff-to-child ratios to failure to use seat belts and car safety seats. Other citations were issued for unsanitary kitchen equipment, eating utensils, toilet rooms and fixtures, furnishings and eating surfaces; improper storage of medications and poisonous or toxic materials; incomplete staff record files and overall poor condition of the premises.

Hayden said the license is revoked forever, although owner Debbie Schmidt could apply for a new license to operate after a two-year waiting period. Schmidt did not return calls for comment for this story.

Carol Stuebs, coordinator for Kewaunee County's Families First program, said she hopes parents of the approximate-ly 40 children affected by the closure now will take as much time as needed to find quality replacement child care.

In addition to the six other licensed group day cares in the county, parents have many options available to them, ranging from certified private day care to relatives or friends or a babysitting exchange, Stuebs said. Now also may be the time for parents to reconsider work arrangements, especially if they have two or more children in day care and the expense may not be justified, she said.

"The important thing is to keep a level head in a kind of crisis situation," Stuebs said. "We want to encourage good, quality day care in what may be a desperate situation. We want people to make sure they're putting their children in a loving and caring environment."

FYI …

To view the full list of non-compliances for Helping Hands Day Care, go to http://publicapps.dhfs.state.wi.us. The Web site also provides information on all other licensed day cares in the state.