Georgia Mountains Ymca Child Development Center

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 investigation, it was determined that on November 7, 2024, center staff failed to provide watchful oversight, when a two-year-old child was left alone on the playground for approximately 30 minutes. Video footage revealed that when the staff persons and children were walking towards the building one staff person was leading the group, while the other staff person was observed on their cell phone. A headcount was not conducted, therefore the two-year-old child was left behind. Eventually, a head count was conducted, the staff person did not see the two- year-old child, so the staff person checked the child out for the day and did not confirm that the child was no longer present prior to checking the child out. The two-year-old child's parent arrived to pick up the child and was informed that the child had already been picked up. The child's parent exited the building to call the other parent for confirmation, during this time a staff person went to the playground to discover the two-year-old child alone outside.

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591-1-1-.17(2) · Rule 591-1-1-.17(2) requires that Personnel, to the extent possible, keep children clean, dry, and comfortable.

During an investigation, it was determined that on November 7, 2024, center staff did not keep a two-year-old child clean, dry, and comfortable when the child was found crying, upset, and complaining of being hurt after being left on the center’s playground for approximately 30 minutes.

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591-1-1-.19(1) · Rule 591-1-1-.19(1) requires a Center to provide 35 square feet of usable space per child, which will determine that Center’s License capacity.

During an investigation, it was determined that on November 7, 2024, 17 two-year-old and three-year-old children were in Room B-2 year olds-2nd R, which was licensed for 12 children.

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591-1-1-.32(2) · Rule 591-1-1-.32(2) requires the Center maintain Staff:child ratios in mixed-age groups based on the age of the youngest group of children that includes more than twenty percent of the total number of children in the mixed age group.

During an investigation, it was determined that on November 7, 2024, a staff person was observed to care for nine two-year-olds and eight three and four-year-old children, while the other staff person cleaned and closed another classroom. Two staff members were required.

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