Big Blue Marble - East Cherokee

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 Licensing Study conducted on October 7, 2024 ; It was determined based on observation that the staff in classroom B, one and two year old classroom, and classroom C, infants were not at arms length during mealtime. Staff in classroom B were observed to be cleaning up lunch and washing hands instead of being seated with the children still eating. In classroom C one infant was observed sitting in a highchair eating. One staff member was with a group of children doing floor play. The other staff member was involved in various tasks throughout the room not near the infant that was eating. 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 January 8, 2025 ; It was determined based on an investigation that on September 11, 2024, did not provide adequate supervision when a three-year-old child was cut with a pair of scissors by another student and sustained a laceration to their right forearm that required professional medical attention. The staff member was in another area of the classroom with their back turned away, and was unaware that the children were fighting with scissors and was not aware of the injury until reported by the child. 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. Corporation Service Company and Ms. Kurtz

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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 Closure conducted on March 26, 2025 ; It was determined, based on an investigation, that a two-year-old child was in the bathroom on February 25, 2025 for approximately three minutes and forty-five seconds, and on February 26, 2025 for approximately twenty-five minutes without the staff having knowledge of them being in the bathroom. Exhibit "A"

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591-1-1-.32(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.32(7) requires that children shall 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 arm’s length away from children thirty-six (36) months of age and younger.

During an incident investigation conducted on October 8, 2024, it was determined based on an investigation that staff did not provide adequate supervision and had their back turned when 2 three-year-old children were fighting with a pair of scissors. As a result, a one of the children sustained a cut to the right forearm. The staff member was in another area of the room and was not aware the children were fighting and was not aware that the child had sustained an injury until notified by the injured child. The injury required professional medical attention.

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591-1-1-.32(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.32(7) requires that children shall 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 arm’s length away from children thirty-six (36) months of age and younger.

During a licensing study conducted on October 7, 2024, it was determined based on observation that the staff in classroom B, one and two-year-olds, and classroom C, infants, were not at arm’s length during mealtime. Staff in classroom B were observed to be cleaning up lunch and washing hands instead of being seated with the children still eating. In classroom C, one infant was observed sitting in a highchair eating. One staff member was with a group of children doing floor play. The other staff member was involved in various tasks throughout the room not near the infant that was eating. Corporate Service Company

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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 devices 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 a Complaint Closure conducted on September 5, 2024 ; It was determined, based on an investigation, that on August 8, 2024, a toddler classroom staff member grabbed a one-year-old child forcefully placed them into a chair and then abruptly pushed the chair into the table as a form of discipline.

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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 devices 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 a Complaint Closure conducted on October 7, 2024 ; It was determined, based on an investigation, that on August 8, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m., while cleaning the tables in the classroom, center staff inappropriately grabbed a one-year-old child by the arms forcefully and roughly placed the child on the floor as a form of discipline on multiple occasions. The child was observed to have marks and bruises on right and left arms up to shoulder area. 2. A. 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 a Complaint Closure conducted on October 7, 2024 ; It was determined based on an investigation, that on August 8, 2024, at approximately, 11:30 a.m., a staff member roughly grabbed a one-year-old child by the arms and placed the child on the floor as a form of discipline multiple times, resulting in bruises on the child¶s arms. A staff member was arrested and charged with cruelty to children and battery on August 12, 2024. Exhibit "A"

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591-1-1-.25(13) · Rule 591-1-1-.25(13) requires that potentially hazardous equipment, materials and supplies be stored in a locked area inaccessible to children.

During a Licensing Study conducted on June 28, 2024 ; It was determined based on observation that in Room F the cabinet beneath the changing table was unlocked and contained tubes of diaper cream that were accessible to the children.

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591-1-1-.25(13) · Rule 591-1-1-.25(13) requires that potentially hazardous equipment, materials and supplies be stored in a locked area inaccessible to children.

During a Licensing Study conducted on October 7, 2024 ; It was determined based on observation that in Room B the cabinet beneath the changing table was unlocked and contained Aquaphor and baby wipes that were accessible to the children.

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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 by Phone conducted on November 20, 2023 ; It was determined based on staff interviews that on October 30, 2023, watchful oversight was not provided when a two-year-old child exited the classroom door and went outside without staff members noticing. Staff stated they are unsure how long the child was unattended and child sustained no injuries.

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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 Licensing Study conducted on October 7, 2024 ; It was determined based on observation that the staff in classroom B, one and two year old classroom, and classroom C, infants were not at arms length during mealtime. Staff in classroom B were observed to be cleaning up lunch and washing hands instead of being seated with the children still eating. In classroom C one infant was observed sitting in a highchair eating. One staff member was with a group of children doing floor play. The other staff member was involved in various tasks throughout the room not near the infant that was eating. Exhibit "A"

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