Lil' Charmer's Learning Academy
Lil' Charmer's Learning Academy is a licensed child care center in Santa Cruz, CA, licensed for up to 77 children and serving children in more than one age group. It has held its California license since 2026. Since February 2021, state licensing staff have inspected it 0 times and investigated 2 complaints, 1 of them substantiated. The state issued 3 citations, 0 of them Type A (the most serious). 3 citations came in the last 12 months. It has too few inspections so far for a statewide comparison.
Inspection record
Every state visit
What inspectors cited most
Citations, newest first
Based on LPA's observation, interview with staff, and review of records, it was determined that Staff (S2) who is a teacher's aide was alone in the toddler classroom (Star Sprouts) supervising five children (1 napping child and 4 awake children). This poses a potential risk to the health, safety, and personal rights to persons in care.
LPA observed whole milk in the fridge that expired on 05/07/2026. 1 Owner will submit plan by POC 06/10/2026 of they will keep track of expired food and labeling of food for children. Request Denied: Appeal Not Submitted Timely
(c) To be a fully qualified infant care teacher, a teacher shall have the following: (1) Completion, with passing grades, of 12 postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units in early childhood or child development education at an accredited or approved college or university... This requirement was not met as evidence by: During file review for S1, S2 and S3 all were missing completed infant toddler units. LPA observed S1, S2 and S3 in Toddler classroom during the inspection. 1 Owner will submit a plan by POC 06/10/2026 of how they will staff their facility with qualified teachers.
Complaint investigations
1. Licensee allows unqualified staff to provide care and supervision to children.
2. Licensee does not ensure food is served in a safe and healthful manner.
How often are complaints about daycares in California substantiated? See the county-by-county report →
About this center
Common questions
Has Lil' Charmer's Learning Academy had any serious violations?
No Type A citations since 2021. It has 3 Type B citations, listed above.
Have there been complaints about Lil' Charmer's Learning Academy?
California investigated 2 complaints since 2021 and substantiated 1. Allegations are shown only for substantiated complaints.
How much does Lil' Charmer's Learning Academy cost?
California does not publish individual centers’ prices, so ask Lil' Charmer's Learning Academy for its current tuition. For comparison, the median full-time price at licensed centers in Santa Cruz County, which includes Santa Cruz, was $1,678 a month for infants (about $2,120 today), $1,183 a month for preschoolers (about $1,490 today) and $725 a month for school-age children (about $910 today) in the state’s 2021 Regional Market Rate Survey.
Who runs Lil' Charmer's Learning Academy?
The licensee is Lilly Rae Mead, and the administrator listed with the state is Sarah Hinkle.
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Citations are quoted from California Department of Social Services inspection and complaint reports. Type A citations are the state’s most serious category (an immediate risk to children’s health, safety or personal rights); Type B citations are a potential risk. A citation is a finding about one rule, not a judgment about a center overall. Complaint allegations appear here only when the state substantiated them.
To read the full state reports, search facility number 444418491 on the California Care Facility Search. Data refreshed Oct 3, 2026.