Childcare Network #311

591-1-1-.26(9) · Rule 591-1-1-.26(9) requires the playground to be kept clean, free from litter and free of hazards, such as but not limited to rocks, exposed tree roots and exposed sharp edges of concrete.

During an investigation, it was determined that on November 3, 2025, at approximately 5 p.m. the playground was not kept free from hazards when while running, a 5-year-old child stepped into a hole in the ground and fell, resulting in an injury to their left ankle. The child received professional medical attention and was treated for a left ankle sprain. The Department determined that Center staff did not maintain the playground in a manner free of hazards to prevent the injury from occurring.

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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 visit conducted on June 5, 2023, it was determined based on an investigation that on May 15, 2023, staff statements and interviews indicated that a staff person roughly pulled a five-year-old child by the arm and dragged the child from the playground to the classroom, leaving the rest of the class on the playground unattended. Additionally, the staff member left the playground and entered the building multiple times, leaving the class unattended. Watchful oversight was not provided to the children on the playground.

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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 investigation follow up visit conducted on June 5, 2023, it was determined based on an investigation that on May 15, 2023, staff statements and interviews indicated that a staff person roughly pulled a five-year-old child by the arm and dragged the child from the playground into the classroom. Marks were left on the child’s arm. No medical was obtained.

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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 investigation monitoring visit conducted on May 8, 20223, it was determined based on investigation that on April 18, 2023, personnel at the center were observed to handle a child roughly by pulling on the child's arm. Furthermore, personnel at the center were observed to force a child to take a nap and yell at the children in a belligerent manner.

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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 conducted on May 15, 2023, it was determined based on an investigation that a two-year-old child was left on the playground for an undetermined amount of time ranging from ten to twenty minutes.

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