Big Blue Marble - Athens

591-1-1-.11(2) · Rule 591-1-1-.11(2) requires that Personnel not: physically or sexually abuse a child or engage or permit others to engage in sexually overt conduct in the presence of any child enrolled in the Center; inflict corporal/physical punishment upon a child; shake, jerk, pinch or handle a child roughly; verbally abuse or humiliate a child which includes, but is not limited to, the use of threats, profanity or belittling remarks about a child or his family; isolate a child in a dark room, closet or unsupervised area; use mechanical or physical restraints or device to discipline children; use medication to discipline or control children's behavior without written medical authorization issued by a licensed professional and given with the parent's written consent; restrict unreasonably a child from going to the bathroom; punish toileting accidents; force-feed a child or withhold feeding a child regularly scheduled meals and/or snacks; force or withhold naps; allow children to discipline or humiliate other children; or confine a child for disciplinary purposes to a swing, highchair, infant carrier, walker or jump seat.

During an investigation, it was determined that on October 23, 2025 and on October 30, 2025, a 4-year-old child was hit on the arm by a staff member as a form of discipline. On both dates, the 4-year-old child hit another child, then the staff member hit the 4-year-old child. After the incident on October 30, 2025, the child walked away from the staff member, holding their arm and crying. 2. Rule 591-1-1-.31(13) prohibits Center Staff from committing any criminal act, as defined under Georgia law, in the presence of any child enrolled in the Center and requires Center staff to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. During an investigation, it was determined that a staff member was arrested on December 21, 2025 and charged with three counts of cruelty to children. The arrest resulted from the staff member hitting a 4-year-old child on the arm on October 23, 2025 and on October 30, 2025 as a form of discipline.

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591-1-1-.32(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.32(7) requires that children be supervised at all times appropriate to the individual age, needs and capabilities of each child. Such supervision must include, but not be limited to, indoor and outdoor activities, mealtimes, naptime, transportation, field trips, and transitions between activities. "Supervision" means that the appropriate number of Staff members are physically present in the area where children are being cared for and are providing watchful oversight to the children, volunteers and Students-in-Training. The persons supervising in the child care area must be alert, positioned to maximize their ability to hear and see the children at all times, and able to respond promptly to the needs and actions of the children being supervised, as well as the actions of the volunteers and Students-in-Training, and provide timely attention to the children's actions and needs. Staff shall be attentive and participating with all children during mealtimes and shall be seated within an arm¶s length away from children thirty- six (36) months of age and younger.

During a Complaint Investigation & Licensing Study conducted on September 11, 2023 ; It was determined based on observation that staff in the Room 5- Mid Left classroom was observed to not be sitting within arm's length with the two-year-old children during lunch time. An adverse action was previously issued for this rule violation. This rule violation is no longer appealable. No fine is being issued at this time.

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591-1-1-.32(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.32(7) requires that children be supervised at all times appropriate to the individual age, needs and capabilities of each child. Such supervision must include, but not be limited to, indoor and outdoor activities, mealtimes, naptime, transportation, field trips, and transitions between activities. "Supervision" means that the appropriate number of Staff members are physically present in the area where children are being cared for and are providing watchful oversight to the children, volunteers and Students-in-Training. The persons supervising in the child care area must be alert, positioned to maximize their ability to hear and see the children at all times, and able to respond promptly to the needs and actions of the children being supervised, as well as the actions of the volunteers and Students-in-Training, and provide timely attention to the children's actions and needs. Staff shall be attentive and participating with all children during mealtimes and shall be seated within an arm¶s length away from children thirty- six (36) months of age and younger.

During a Complaint Investigation Follow Up conducted on October 16, 2023 ; It was determined based on observation that staff were not sitting within arm's reach of children under 36 months of age during lunch in classroom 3 - 3L. An adverse action was previously issued for this rule violation. This rule violation is no longer appealable. No fine is being issued at this time.

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591-1-1-.32(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.32(7) requires that children be supervised at all times appropriate to the individual age, needs and capabilities of each child. Such supervision must include, but not be limited to, indoor and outdoor activities, mealtimes, naptime, transportation, field trips, and transitions between activities. "Supervision" means that the appropriate number of Staff members are physically present in the area where children are being cared for and are providing watchful oversight to the children, volunteers and Students-in-Training. The persons supervising in the child care area must be alert, positioned to maximize their ability to hear and see the children at all times, and able to respond promptly to the needs and actions of the children being supervised, as well as the actions of the volunteers and Students-in-Training, and provide timely attention to the children's actions and needs. Staff shall be attentive and participating with all children during mealtimes and shall be seated within an arm¶s length away from children thirty- six (36) months of age and younger.

During an Incident Investigation Closure conducted on November 2, 2023 ; It was determined, based on an investigation, that on September 26, 2023, center staff placed a seven-month-old child into a high chair but did not utilize the safety straps. The center staff walked away briefly from feeding the child, leaving the child unsupervised. As a result, the child fell from the chair and sustained an injury to their head. The child required professional medical attention as a result of the injury. An adverse action was previously issued for this rule violation. This rule violation is no longer appealable. No fine is being issued at this time.

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591-1-1-.32(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.32(7) requires that children be supervised at all times appropriate to the individual age, needs and capabilities of each child. Such supervision must include, but not be limited to, indoor and outdoor activities, mealtimes, naptime, transportation, field trips, and transitions between activities. "Supervision" means that the appropriate number of Staff members are physically present in the area where children are being cared for and are providing watchful oversight to the children, volunteers and Students-in-Training. The persons supervising in the child care area must be alert, positioned to maximize their ability to hear and see the children at all times, and able to respond promptly to the needs and actions of the children being supervised, as well as the actions of the volunteers and Students-in-Training, and provide timely attention to the children's actions and needs. Staff shall be attentive and participating with all children during mealtimes and shall be seated within an arm¶s length away from children thirty- six (36) months of age and younger.

During an Incident Investigation Closure conducted on July 22, 2024 ; It was determined based on an investigation that on June 28, 2024, a four-year-old child left one area of the playground and was unsupervised for approximately one minute on a different playground. The child did not leave the premises and there were no injuries. Exhibit "A"

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591-1-1-.32(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.32(7) requires that children be supervised at all times appropriate to the individual age, needs and capabilities of each child. Such supervision must include, but not be limited to, indoor and outdoor activities, mealtimes, naptime, transportation, field trips, and transitions between activities. "Supervision" means that the appropriate number of Staff members are physically present in the area where children are being cared for and are providing watchful oversight to the children, volunteers and Students-in-Training. The persons supervising in the child care area must be alert, positioned to maximize their ability to hear and see the children at all times, and able to respond promptly to the needs and actions of the children being supervised, as well as the actions of the volunteers and Students-in-Training, and provide timely attention to the children's actions and needs. Staff shall be attentive and participating with all children during mealtimes and shall be seated within an arm¶s length away from children thirty- six (36) months of age and younger.

During a Complaint Investigation & Licensing Study conducted on September 11, 2023 ; It was determined based on observation that staff in the Room 5- Mid Left classroom was observed to not be sitting within arm's length with the two-year-old children during lunch time.

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591-1-1-.32(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.32(7) requires that children be supervised at all times appropriate to the individual age, needs and capabilities of each child. Such supervision must include, but not be limited to, indoor and outdoor activities, mealtimes, naptime, transportation, field trips, and transitions between activities. "Supervision" means that the appropriate number of Staff members are physically present in the area where children are being cared for and are providing watchful oversight to the children, volunteers and Students-in-Training. The persons supervising in the child care area must be alert, positioned to maximize their ability to hear and see the children at all times, and able to respond promptly to the needs and actions of the children being supervised, as well as the actions of the volunteers and Students-in-Training, and provide timely attention to the children's actions and needs. Staff shall be attentive and participating with all children during mealtimes and shall be seated within an arm¶s length away from children thirty- six (36) months of age and younger.

During a Complaint Investigation Follow Up conducted on October 16, 2023 ; It was determined based on observation that staff were not sitting within arm's reach of children under 36 months of age during lunch in classroom 3 - 3L.

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591-1-1-.32(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.32(7) requires that children be supervised at all times appropriate to the individual age, needs and capabilities of each child. Such supervision must include, but not be limited to, indoor and outdoor activities, mealtimes, naptime, transportation, field trips, and transitions between activities. "Supervision" means that the appropriate number of Staff members are physically present in the area where children are being cared for and are providing watchful oversight to the children, volunteers and Students-in-Training. The persons supervising in the child care area must be alert, positioned to maximize their ability to hear and see the children at all times, and able to respond promptly to the needs and actions of the children being supervised, as well as the actions of the volunteers and Students-in-Training, and provide timely attention to the children's actions and needs. Staff shall be attentive and participating with all children during mealtimes and shall be seated within an arm¶s length away from children thirty- six (36) months of age and younger.

During an Incident Investigation Closure conducted on November 2, 2023 ; It was determined, based on an investigation, that on September 26, 2023, center staff placed a seven-month-old child into a high chair but did not utilize the safety straps. The center staff walked away briefly from feeding the child, leaving the child unsupervised. As a result, the child fell from the chair and sustained an injury to their head. The child required professional medical attention as a result of the injury. Corporation Service Company and Ms. Foulk Exhibit "A"

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