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Home › DE › Bear › Brightpath Songsmith Bear
1 SONGSMITH DR, Bear DE 19701 · License #1512146 · Center · Licensed Child Care Center
When they operate
Ages served
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24U · Staff Qualifications
Ensure Administrator has specialized training in Infant/Toddler and School age. Staff #13 needs15 hours of School Age training, apply, and receive School age Specialized Training.
Corrected Corrected by Jun 26, 2026
Marked corrected in the state record.
30U · Personnel Files
Ensure staff files are complete. PD Plan signed and filled out- Staff #1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. Annual review and signed safe sleep -Staff #1, 5, 6, 12, and 13. Annual review and signed Abuse and Neglect- Staff #1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 12. Orientation- Staff #2, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15. 7-hour OCCL health and safety training -Staff #2, 7, 8, 11, 13, and 15. Application, resume or data sheet -Staff #2 and #13. Job Description- Staff #2, 8, 9, 11, and 13. References and service letter Staff #2, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 need 4 reference with proof of 2 attempts for service letter or 2 references with a completed service letter, Declaration and Drug and alcohol statement Staff #8, 13, and 15. Adult abuse- Staff #2, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 and 15. Adult health appraisal with TB- Staff # #2, 7, 8, 9, 11, 13 and 15. Release of employment- Staff #7, 13 and 15. CPR first aid Staff #2, 5, 9 and 12. Medication training Staff #2, 5, 7 and 13.
Corrected Corrected by Jun 10, 2026
Category: background checks. Marked corrected in the state record.
40U · Child Files
Ensure child files are complete. Updated Health Appraisal Child #4, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 14. Immunizations Child #9, 13, 14. Development Plans- Child 2 16.
Corrected Corrected by Jun 12, 2026
On June 1, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding failing to use appropriate behavior supports. An investigation was completed June 4, 2026. Based on interviews conducted, this complaint is substantiated for failing to use appropriate behavior supports. Administrator #1 and Staff #1 both stated the previous administrator had documented that Staff #2 had received a written warning in June 2025, for interacting negatively with a toddler. Administrator #1 tried to guide Staff #2 to have better interactions with the children, however, Staff #2 was terminated from employment on May 11, 2026, for unrelated reasons.
Disposition: Substantiated
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding lack of supervision. An investigation began on January 20, 2026, and concluded on January 28, 2026. Based on interviews conducted and video footage reviewed, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision. Staff interviewed stated they saw Child #1 pick up the toy and walk away from the table with the toy over their head, around their neck. Staff immediately responded when Child #1 fell. A concern noted during the investigation was the limited engagement between the staff members and children in the large motor activity room. Both staff were monitoring the room but not seen interacting with the children during the two minute and one second video. Staff #2 was seen standing in the doorway and Staff #4 was standing in the middle right side of the room.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern
On October 10, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding lack of supervision. An investigation began on October 12, 2023, and concluded on October 13, 2023. Based on the results of this investigation, this complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision because all staff interviewed stated Child #1 was on playground alone.
Disposition: Substantiated
On September 8, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding child file requirements, not providing truthful information to parents, not having security procedures that ensure access to children is limited to authorized people, failing to follow a procedure for accepting and handling complaints from the parent, failing to follow policy for handling situations in which an unapproved person attempts to pick up a child, failing to follow a policy for reporting to parent critical incidents involving the child, and failing to follow suspension policy. Based on a review of the child's file, there is no evidence to substantiate incomplete child file requirements. The child's file included all required items, a comprehensive psychological evaluation, a signed Safeguard document, and incident reports. Based on interviews conducted and documents received, there is no evidence to substantiate not providing truthful information to parents. The center had a change in administrators. Conversations between the previous administrator and the parent are unknown because they were not available for an interview. The Safeguard plan was created with the previous administrator, then updated with the current administrator. A meeting to discuss this plan with the parent, administrator and regional director was scheduled and canceled by the parent several times and had not been conducted as of September 12, 2025. However, Administrator #1 did review the plan in person with Parent #1 on September 10, 2025. The current administrator stated they were truthful with the parent. The parent and Administrator provided a message chain discussing proposed meetings. Based on interviews conducted and observations at the visit, there is no evidence to substantiate the lack of security procedures that ensure access to children is limited to authorized people. The center has a lobby and a second locked door. The intruder entered the door to the lobby and did not gain acce ss to the children. Based on interviews conducted and documents collected, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint regarding the following and the handling of the complaint procedures. The past administrator involved the regional director in discussions of concerns. The regional director and the current administrator were trying to arrange a parent meeting. Based on interviews conducted, there is no evidence to substantiate the failure to follow policy in handling situations where an unapproved person attempts to pick up a child. The child was not at the center when the unapproved person attempted to pick up the child. A staff member removed the person from the building, called the parent, and informed a police officer of the incident. Based on interviews conducted, there is no evidence to substantiate the failure to follow the policy for reporting critical incidents involving the child to parents and the failure to follow the suspension policy. The administrator stated they spoke to the parent about the unauthorized person attempting to pick up the child, the unsafe behaviors, shared the original Safeguard plan, the updated Safeguard plan, and seven incident reports.
Generated from this facility's specific inspection record
Data synced from Delaware Office of Child Care Licensing on Jul 10, 2026 · Source records · Report an error
Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.
57U · Equipment
Ensure classrooms has sufficient of material and equipment to support literacy, language, and social-emotional development. Toddler 1 classroom needs more equipment to include books and dramatic play. Send picture to OCCL by June 8, 2026
Corrected Corrected by Jun 8, 2026
Category: physical safety. Marked corrected in the state record.
65U · First Aid Kits
Ensure first aid kit contains all supplies listed. Items needed pen and note pad, Plastic bag, rolled gauze, safety pins, scissors, triangle bandage or sling, and tweezers. Van first aid kits were complete. Add poison control number to van. Send picture to OCCL by June 8, 2026.
Corrected Corrected by Jun 8, 2026
Marked corrected in the state record.
72U · Feeding of Infants
Ensure Infant feeding statements are updated and signed by parent monthly. Send infant feeding statements do all infants enrolled. Send documentation to OCCL by June 8, 2026.
Corrected Corrected by Jun 12, 2026
Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.
27U · Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision
Ensure children are supervised at all times. On April 27, 2026 a child was left unsupervised. During transition a child was left in the classroom unsupervised.
Corrected Corrected by May 11, 2026
Category: ratio. Marked corrected in the state record.
24U · Staff Qualifications
Ensure the Administrator has specialization in school-age when serving school-aged children. Send documentation to OCCL with a school-age specialization credential by June 9, 2025.
Corrected Corrected by Jun 2, 2025
Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.
30U · Personnel Files
Ensure staff files are complete. Items needed for the staff are listed below. PD plan Staff #2, #4, #7, #10, #13, #14, #18. Annual review of Abuse and neglect Staff #2, #3, #4, #7, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18. Orientation Staff #18 OCCL 7-hour health and safety training Staff #2, #3, #6, #7, #11, #12, #13, #15, #16, #17, #18. Application/resume or personal data sheet Staff #7. #15, #18. Job description Staff #2, #3, #6, #7, #11, #12, #15, #16, #18. References (2 with service letter or 4 with two attempts) Staff #2, #3, #6, #7, #11, #12, #15, #16, #18. Declaration and Drug and Alcohol statement Staff #2, #3, #6, #7, #15, #16. Adult abuse Staff #2, #3, #6, #7, #11, #12, #16, #17, #18. Health Appraisal Staff #2, #3, #7, #11, #12#18 Release of employment Staff #3, #6, #7, #8, #15 Service letters (receipt or two attempts documented) Staff #2, #3, #6, #7, #8, #12, #15, #16, #17, #18.
Corrected Corrected by Jun 4, 2025
Category: background checks. Marked corrected in the state record.
40U · Child Files
Ensure child files are complete. Child #10 and #12 need blood lead screening results Child #17 & #18 need the Parents' Right to Know signed. Send documentation to OCCL by June 9, 2025.
Corrected Corrected by May 12, 2025
Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.
45U · Hazardous Materials
Ensure radon testing is completed every five years. Send the updated report to OCCL by June 9, 2025.
Corrected Corrected by Jun 11, 2025
Category: physical safety. Marked corrected in the state record.
20U · Positive Behavior Management
Roughly handling a child or physical punishment inflicted on a child s body, including, but limited to, the following: shacking, grabbing, striking, hair pulling, biting, pinching, plucking, slapping, hitting, kicking, or spanking. When aware of the concern, the center immediately sent the staff member home, and later terminated their employment.
Corrected Corrected by Oct 16, 2024
Marked corrected in the state record.
30U · Personnel Files
Ensure staff files are complete. Below are the items needed. Send documentation to OCCL by June 13, 2024 Two hours of Health & Safety training - Staff # 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 Signed PD plan - Staff #2, 12, 14 Orientation - Staff #3, 12, 13 15 7-hour health and safety training #2,3,6,7, 12,15,16 Job Descriptions - Staff #2, 3, 6, 12, 14, 15, 18 References - Staff #2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18 Annual sleep safe Staff #2, 5, 7, 11, 12, 18 Annual abuse and neglect Staff # 5, 11, 18 Declaration and Drug/alcohol statement Staff # 5, 7, 11, 13, 14, 16 Adult abuse Staff #5, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18 Health Appraisal Staff #5, 7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 18 Release of employment history and service letters Staff #7, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18
Corrected Corrected by Jul 26, 2024
Category: background checks. Marked corrected in the state record.
40U · Child Files
Ensure Child files are complete. Below are the items needed. Send documentation to OCCL by Janu 13, 2024. Emergency Card Information - Child #8, 9 Health Appraisal - Child #9 Immunization - Child #6 Blood lead screening - Child #8, 9 Medication permission - Child @8 needs MAR for epi-pen
Corrected Corrected by Jun 13, 2024
Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.
42U · Documenting Children's Progress
Ensure the center is documenting children's progress. Send annual progress or development plans by June 13, 2024 - Child #1, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Corrected Corrected by Jun 13, 2024
Marked corrected in the state record.
45U · Hazardous Materials
Ensure all chemicals are in locked cabinets. Cabinets in the twos and fours classroom locks are working. Send a picture to OCCL by June 13, 2024
Corrected Corrected by Jun 10, 2024
Category: physical safety. Marked corrected in the state record.
67U · Transportation
Ensure the fire extinguisher is inspected on Bus # 1 (moose key)
Corrected Corrected by May 30, 2024
Category: physical safety. Marked corrected in the state record.
28U · General Qualifications
Licensee shall ensure all staff members are fingerprinted and the licensee has received and eligibility determination or provisional eligibility notification before the start of employment. Staff member was employed and fingerprinted but became inactive. Staff member was sent home until they complete updated fingerprinted. Staff member and administrator were Informed the staff cannot work in the building until eligibility letter is received. A licensee shall ensure a staff member is fingerprinted and the licensee has received an eligibility determination or a provisional eligibility notification before the start of employment. Staff #2 was sent home and were informed they cannot return to work until they have completed the fingerprinting process and receive an eligibility letter or provisional eligibility.
Open Not marked corrected in the state record
Open / not marked corrected.
30U · Personnel Files
All staff files must be complete. -CPR and first aid certification is needed for Staff #2, #3, #5, #5. -Administration of medication certification is needed for Staff #5. -Staff #6 needs two or four reference letters, the Employee Declaration/Drug- Alcohol signed paper, an eligibility letter in the file, adult abuse registry, and proof service requests were sent twice. If no service letter is returned, two additional reference letters are needed. (Total of four.
Corrected Corrected by Jul 5, 2023
Category: background checks. Marked corrected in the state record.
40U · Child Files
All child files must be complete. -Child #1 needs an updated health appraisal and immunization records. Child #2 needs updated immunization records. -Child #6 needs a signed parent right-to-know form.
Corrected Corrected by Jul 13, 2023
Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.
45U · Hazardous Materials
Classroom #4 needs soap and water and sanitizer bottles labeled.
Corrected Corrected by May 24, 2023
Category: physical safety. Marked corrected in the state record.
30U · Personnel Files
All staff files must be complete. -Staff #1 needs CPR and first aid certification. -Staff #2 need administration of medication certification, a signed professional development plan, and service letter(s), or proof each request was sent twice. -Staff #3 needs CPR and first aid and administration of medication certification, two referene eltters, and a completed release of employment form. -Staff #4 needs a completed and signed professional development plan. -Staff #5 needs a signed professional development plan and a completed release of employment history form. -Staff#6 needs a completed orientation, an updated application for rehire, the declaration and drug/alcohol prohibition form and an adult abuse registry. -Staff #7 needs a completed and signed professional development plan. -Staff #8 needs a health appraisal and TB results, and a service letter. -Staff #9 needs an eligibility letter and service letter(s) or proof requests were sent twice. -Staff #10 needs CPR and first aid and administration of mediation certification, an eligibility letter, and a health appraisal with TB results. -Staff #11 needs administration of medication certification and an eligibility letter.
Corrected Corrected by Feb 23, 2023
Category: background checks. Marked corrected in the state record.
40U · Child Files
All child files must be complete. --An additional emergency contact name and number are needed for Child #7. -Lead blood screening results are needed for Child #7, #8, #19, #20. -A signed parent right-to-know form is needed for Child #3.
Corrected Corrected by Feb 23, 2023
Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.
51U · Toilet Facilities
Paper towels are needed in the school-age bathroom.
Corrected Corrected by Feb 9, 2023
Marked corrected in the state record.
53U · Outdoor Area
The large playground needs a new self-latching mechanism on the inside of the gate.
Corrected Corrected by Feb 9, 2023
Marked corrected in the state record.
66U · Emergency Planning
Monthly fire drills and evacuation checklists must be completed. Send November and December's checklists to OCCL.
Corrected Corrected by Feb 9, 2023
Category: physical safety. Marked corrected in the state record.
74U · Lesson Plans
The lesson plan in Investigators (three and four year olds) classroom needs a food/healthy habits activity, a science activity, and a music activity. Send a complete lesson plan to OCCL.
Corrected Corrected by Feb 9, 2023
Category: health medication. Marked corrected in the state record.
30U · Personnel Files
All staff files must be complete. -Annual review of safe sleep is needed for Staff 33, #4. -New hire orientation is needed for Staff #1, #2, #3, #4. -A job description is needed for Staff #2, #3. #4. -Reference letters are needed for Staff #2, #3, #4. -Declaration and drug/alcohol prohibition signature page is needed for Staff #1, #2. -A release of employment history form must be completed and placed in the file for Staff #2, #4.
Open Not marked corrected in the state record
Category: background checks. Open / not marked corrected.
40U · Child Files
All child files must be complete. -A lead blood screening result is needed for Child #4. -Child health appraisals with immunization records and lead blood screening results are needed for Child #2, #3, #5, #6, #7.
Open Not marked corrected in the state record
Category: recordkeeping. Open / not marked corrected.
74U · Lesson Plans
Place the correct week's lesson plans on the board for Room #107.
Open Not marked corrected in the state record
Open / not marked corrected.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate
On September 18, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding incorrect staff-to-child ratios. An investigation was conducted on September 24, 2025. Based on observations of classrooms, interviews with staff, and a review of attendance records, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for incorrect staff-to-child ratios. LS #1 observed all classrooms in correct staff-to-child ratio at the time of the visit with one infant who had just arrived in the process of being transferred to the infant classroom. All staff members interviewed stated they have been in correct staff-to-child ratios. Attendance records reviewed show classrooms in correct staff-to-child ratio.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate
On August 4, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding a lack of supervision. An investigation was completed on August 4, 2025. Based on interviews conducted and video footage reviewed, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision. The video footage showed Staff #1 interacting with Child #1 when the injury occurred. A concern noted at the visit is that the center did not notify OCCL within one business day of an injury requiring medical treatment other than first aid provided at the center. It is also of concern that the parent was initially informed of multiple causes immediately after the accident occurred.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern
On July 3, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline and incorrect staff-to-child ratio. An investigation began on July 3, 2025, and concluded on July 9, 2025. Based on interviews conducted, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline. Staff interviewed stated they redirect the children, use proximity to stop behaviors, and discuss the behavior with the children. Staff were observed being attentive to children s needs and using appropriate behavior management techniques. Based on interviews conducted, visit observations, and documentation collected, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for incorrect staff-to-child ratio. The attendance records collected reflect the correct staff-to-child ratio. During the visit, LS #1 observed that all rooms had the correct staff-to-child ratio.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate
On January 21, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding incorrect staff-to-child ratios. An investigation was conducted on January 22, 2025. Based on observations and staff interviews, this complaint is substantiated for incorrect ratios because LS #1 observed three classrooms not in correct staff-to-child ratio. The infant room had five children with one staff member. The one-year-old room had eight children with one staff member, and the school-age room had fifteen children, including three-year-olds with one staff member. An additional concern noted at the visit was, based on interviews, infants were cared for in rooms with older children when more than 12 children in total were present and maximum group size was exceeded.
Disposition: Substantiated
On December 12, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding incorrect ratios, lack of respectful communication, and maintaining confidentiality of child files. Based on staff interviews and documentation received, this complaint is substantiated for incorrect staff-to-child ratios. Although all rooms were in ratio at the time of the visit, attendance records show two classrooms were out of ratio on one or more days during the week of December 11, 2023. Based on staff interviews, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of respectful communication or maintaining confidentiality of child files. All staff interviewed stated they discuss children with the parent of the child only and do not disclose confidential child information. All staff interviewed stated they have not heard the administrator being disrespectful to parents or heard Staff #2 being disrespectful to Child #1. An additional concern noted was that a staff member was present without having been determined eligible.
Disposition: Substantiated
On January 13, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding incorrect ratios, improper mixing of ages, and exceeding capacity. An investigation began on January 14, 2025, and was completed on January 27, 2025. Based on observations, staff interviews, and attendance records, this complaint is substantiated for incorrect staff-to-child ratios and exceeding maximum group size. Attendance records reviewed documented classrooms were out of correct ratio and LS #1 also observed three classrooms not in correct staff-to-child ratio at the time of the visit. LS #1 observed a classroom with 29 children, ages three through school-age at the time of the visit, exceeding maximum group size. This complaint is substantiated for improper mixing of ages because attendance records show infants were in mixed-age group rooms when more than 12 children in total were present. The attendance records also reflected infants were present in a room of nineteen total children. Infants and toddlers may only be cared for with older children when 12 or fewer children in total are present and during the first or last 90 minutes of the hours of operation. This complaint is substantiated for exceeding room capacity. The school-age room has a capacity of 21, but LS #1 observed 29 children in the room. An additional concern noted after the visit is two staff members were working before they were determined eligible or provisionally eligible.
Disposition: Substantiated
On January 21, 2025, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline. An investigation was begun on January 22, 2025, and concluded on January 27, 2025. Based on interviews, the incident report, and a care plan, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline. A concern noted at the visit is the center did not notify OCCL within one business day when they became aware a child s injury required medical care other than the first aid provided at the center. LS #1 provided technical assistance to notify OCCL of an injury after they were informed that Child #1 had received medical attention.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern
On November 14, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding incorrect staff-to-child ratio and not following diapering procedures. Based on staff interviews, observations, and documentation, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for incorrect staff-to-child ratio or for not following diapering procedures.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate
On August 26, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding unprofessional communication with a parent. An investigation was begun on August 27, 2024, and completed on August 28, 2024. Based on staff interviews there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for unprofessional communication with a parent. All staff interviewed stated they had not heard a staff member communicate unprofessionally with a parent.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate
On June 10, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline. A complaint investigation was conducted on June 17, 2024. Based on staff interviews and documentation reviewed, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline as the administrator and all staff interviewed denied any knowledge of such an incident having occurred.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate
On April 29, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding incorrect staff-to-child ratios and lack of supervision. Based on interviews and attendance records reviewed, this complaint is substantiated for incorrect staff-to-child ratios. The one-year-old classroom had eight children to one staff from 8:51 am to 9:30 am on April 29, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate lack of supervision because staff stated how they spread out to locations around the playground to view the entire space. Non Compliance Cited: Reg #27 The licensee shall maintain the minimum staff-to-child ratio for each age group. Please review DELACARE Regulations regarding staff-to-child ratio with all staff. Please send a statement that this review has been conducted with all staff and a copy of one week s attendance records for the one-year-old classroom to OCCL by May 30, 2024.
Disposition: Substantiated
On March 12, 2024, a complaint was called into the Child Abuse and Neglect Report line and not accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IAU). The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received the complaint on March 12, 2024, and accepted it for investigation regarding concerns for improper discipline. A second report regarding the same concerns was called into the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line on March 11, 2024, and was associated with the open IAU case. This report was sent to OCCL on March 12, 2024, and was associated with OCCL s open investigation. An investigation was begun on March 19, 2024. Based on OCCL s staff interviews and classroom materials observed, and the information received from law enforcement and IAU, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate
On July 11, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint regarding not following health exclusions and not properly notifying parents of a contagious disease. An investigation was conducted on July 17, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for not following health exclusion policies, because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines were reviewed and children with hand, foot, and mouth disease did not have to be excluded unless they had open sores, and Child #1 s doctor provided a note diagnosing the child with something else and stating the child could return to child care. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for not notifying parents because Ms. Grimes showed the investigators the signs she had hung outside the three rooms where children were exposed to hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate
On March 22, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper staff-to-child ratios, inaccurate attendance records, falsifying attendance records, and not following the center s policies. An investigation began on March 28, 2023, and ended on April 13, 2023. The complaint is substantiated for improper staff-to-child ratios because two of the staff interviewed admitted their classrooms were not always in proper staff-to-child ratios. In addition, attendance records for March 28, 2023, showed an unqualified staff member was alone with 20 children, the youngest of which was one year old, for one hour. The complaint is substantiated for inaccurate attendance records for both children and staff because attendance was not accurately documented in two classrooms at the visit. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that attendance records are being falsified because none of the attendance records showed signs of being altered. The administrator also denied adding a staff member s name to an attendance record when the staff member was not present. There is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that the center is not following its policies because at least three of the staff interviewed stated children were not permitted to bring in food or belongings from the outside. Additionally, the staff said they had never seen a child with outside belongings while in the classrooms.
Disposition: Substantiated
On January 6, 2023, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint alleging incorrect staff-to-child ratios, disrespectful communication by the administrator, and falsifying attendance records. An investigation was conducted on January 13, 2023. The complaint is substantiated for incorrect staff-to-child ratios because attendance records provided to this specialist indicated on two afternoons the gathering area exceeded the maximum group size at the end of the day and did not maintain correct staff-to-child ratios. Attendance records for the one-year-old class indicated, on the five days of attendance records examined, the classroom exceeded maximum group size and was not in correct staff-to-child ratios each of the five days. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for disrespectful communication on the part of the administrator, as 14 staff people all denied being spoken to disrespectfully by Administrator Grimes. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for falsifying attendance records as there was no indication records had been falsified.
Disposition: Substantiated
A complaint was received on November 9, 2022, regarding lack of supervision, unqualified staff alone with children, not following meal policies, infants not being cared for in rooms suitable for the age group, and not accurately accounting for children during transition times. An investigation began on November 10, 2022, and ended on December 1, 2022. The complaint is substantiated for lack of supervision because attendance records reviewed sometimes did not document a staff person being present in classrooms. The complaint is substantiated for unqualified staff left alone with children because a review of four days worth of attendance records showed unqualified staff left alone with children a number of times. The complaint is substantiated for not following meal policies because outdated Child & Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) documents were being used to determine food serving sizes for children. The complaint is substantiated for infants not being cared for in rooms suitable for the age group, as the administrator stated she sometimes has to take the remaining infants into the office with her in the stroller, so she can be in the office to watch the door. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for not accurately accounting for children during transition times, because four staff interviewed all stated the center s method of face-to-name counting of children at the beginning and end of all transitions.
Disposition: Substantiated
The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on October 21, 2022, regarding lack of supervision and staff being untruthful about a child s injuries. An investigation was begun on October 28, 2022, and ended on November 7, 2022. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for lack of supervision, as staff were actively supervising and aware of several instances of Child #1 crawling or rolling into furniture, or falling as he tried to pull himself up to stand. There is no evidence to substantiate staff were not being truthful about Child #1 s injuries. Injury reports were examined for eight incidents between August 8, 2022, and October 17, 2022. All descriptions on the injury reports for Child #1 were consistent with what Ms. Grimes, Staff #1, and Staff #2 told Ms. Catka. A concern is seven out of eight injury reports were not signed by the parent.
Disposition: No Evidence to Substantiate with Concern