Riverstones Academy - Douglasville

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 August 6, 2025, center staff failed to ensure that the playground was free from hazards, which resulted in an injury to a 2-year-old child. On the date of the incident, a child obtained access to an object resembling a rock or brick while on the playground for outdoor play. The child threw the object into the air, and it struck a 2-year-old child, resulting in a scrape on the forehead. Professional medical attention was obtained, and the child was diagnosed with a concussion.

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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.

It was determined based on an investigation that on September 19, 2024, at 7:58 a.m., center staff failed to provide watchful oversight when a four-year-old child fell from the top of 20 stacked uncovered cots in the Georgia Pre-K Classroom. The child climbed the stacked cots with another four-year-old child, staff were unaware that the children returned to the stacked cots after being redirected from the cots. The center staff were not positioned to maximize their ability to hear and see the children to prevent harm or injury as required by the Department. The child required professional medical attention and was diagnosed with a concussion and a lip laceration.

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591-1-1-.30(4). · Rule 591-1-1-.30(4). requires that if cots and mats are stored in the children's activity room or area, they shall be stored to prevent children's access to them and to allow maximum use of play space. When storage is available and used for the storage of cots and mats that allows the cots, mats and any bedding to be stored without touching any other cots, mats or bedding, the bedding may be left on the cot or mat. When such storage is not available for the cots and mats, each child’s bedding shall be kept separate from other children’s bedding and stored in containers marked for individual use, such as, but not limited to, bins, cubbies, or bags.

It was determined based on an investigation that on September 19, 2024, at 7:58 a.m., a stack of 20 blue uncovered cots were observed to be stored in the Georgia Pre-K Classroom and accessible to children. There were two four-year-old children that climbed the uncovered stacked cots, when one of the children fell and required professional medical attention. The child was diagnosed with a concussion and a lip laceration. As a result of the incident, the center staff failed to ensure that the stacked cots were covered and stored to prevent children’s access as required by the Department.

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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.

It was determined based on an investigation that on January 22, 2024, at approximately 12:50 p.m., teaching staff failed to monitor the classroom during naptime when a five-year-old child and a four-year-old child inappropriately touched and kissed each other.

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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.

It was determined, based on an investigation, that on June 21, 2024, at 5:51 p.m., a three-year-old child was left outside alone on the playground for approximately three to five minutes. During the transition of outside play, the Three-Year-Old Classroom and Four-Year-Old Classroom were escorted inside of the center by a staff member. The parent arrived at the center for pick up at 5:51 p.m., and the child was located outside at the playground alone and unattended by the parent and the staff member. The child did not require professional medical attention. The center failed to ensure that all areas of the playground that were occupied by the children were scanned upon entering the classroom, as required by the Department.

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591-1-1-.11(2) · Rule 591-1-1-.11(2) requires that personnel shall 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 an investigation, it was determined that on February 6, 2024, at approximately 10:45 a.m. a three-year-old child was inappropriately disciplined by a staff member while in the classroom. The staff member aggressively grabbed the child’s arm while transitioning the child from the table to the cot for a nap. The staff member inappropriately disciplined the child by grabbing their arms roughly which caused bruises and scratches to the child’s upper right and left shoulders during lunch and nap time. Professional medical attention was obtained due to the incident.

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591-1-1-.31(13) · Rule 591-1-1-.31(13) requires Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations. Center Staff shall not commit any criminal act, as defined under Georgia law, in the presence of any child enrolled in the Center. Center staff shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

During an investigation, it was determined that on February 6, 2024, at approximately 10:45 a.m. a three-year-old child was inappropriately disciplined by a staff member during lunch and nap time. The staff member engaged in criminal acts in the presence of children while at the center. On February 12, 2024, the staff member was arrested and charged with two charges Cruelty to Children-1st Degree and Battery Misdemeanor.

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