Cedars Preschool At Mt. Zion

591-1-1-.12(4) · Rule 591-1-1-.12(4) requires equipment, and furniture shall be secured if it is of a weight or mass that could cause injury from tipping, falling, or being pulled or pushed over. Potentially unstable equipment and furniture that might injure a child if not secured include, but are not limited to, televisions, chests of drawers, bookcases, shelving, cabinets and fish tanks. Examples of items not required to be secured include, but are not limited to, child-sized tables and chairs, rocking chairs, and cribs.

It was determined based on an investigation that on February 9, 2024, at approximately 2:50 p.m., a two-year- old child sustained a head injury after a wooden calendar board fell and struck the child while in the classroom. There was one staff member with ten children in the classroom. The staff member was putting away the sleeping cots and directing the children to the carpet area for transition. The wooden calendar board was not secured, fell and hit the two-year-old child on the head causing a gash on the child’s head. The staff member was alert and responded promptly to the child’s distress. The child’s parent, a teacher at the facility, was notified. The parent administered first-aid to the two-year-old child at the center. Professional medical attention was required and the child received four stitches.

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591-1-1-.36(10) · Rule 591-1-1-.36(10) requires that a child never be left unattended in a vehicle.

During an Incident Investigation Closure conducted on March 6, 2024 ; It was determined that on September 14, 2023, staff did not ensure every child exited the child care vehicle when a five-year-old child was left on the child care vehicle for an undetermined amount of time, approximately three hours.

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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 March 6, 2024 ; It was determined that on September 14, 2023, a five-year-old child was left on the child care vehicle unattended for an undetermined amount of time, approximately three hours.

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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, promptly, 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 September 13, 2024 ; It was determined based on investigation that on July 19, 2024, a three-year-old child sustained a cut on their forehead after a block was thrown by another child. The staff member was not alert and failed to provide timely attention to ensure that they responded promptly to the actions of all of the children to prevent the incident from occurring. Professional medical attention was required. Exhibit "A"

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591-1-1-.36(10) · Rule 591-1-1-.36(10) requires that a child shall never be left unattended in a vehicle. AND

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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 an arm’s length away from children thirty-six (36) months of age and younger.

During an investigation, it was determined that on September 14, 2023, a five-year-old child was left on the center’s vehicle unsupervised for approximately three hours. The driver documented returning to the center around 7:50 a.m. after completing morning transportation. The parent inquired if the child had been taken to school at approximately 10:30 a.m. Based on staff statements and discussion with the child, the child fell asleep on the vehicle during morning transportation. The child awoke and stayed on the vehicle until staff came to look for them. The staff realized the child did not get off the vehicle when their parent called asking why the child was not dropped off at school that morning. The driver was terminated because of the incident.

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591-1-1-.36(7)(c)2 · Rule 591-1-1-.36(7)(c)2 requires that the driver or other designated person shall immediately document in writing, with a check or other mark/symbol to account for each child listed on the passenger transportation checklist each time a child enters and exits the vehicle. The driver or other designated staff person shall document in writing with a different mark/symbol to account for each child listed on the passenger transportation checklist who was not present on the vehicle for any reason. An explanation shall be documented in writing whenever a child is transported to a field trip site but is not present on the return trip to the Center.

During an investigation, it was determined that on September 14, 2023, a five-year-old child was not accounted for during the unloading of the vehicle. Per staff statements, the child exited the vehicle at their elementary school and was marked on the log as unloaded, but the child remained on the vehicle for approximately three hours. The driver documented returning to the center around 7:50 a.m. after completing morning transportation. The parent inquired if the child had been taken to school at approximately 10:30 a.m. The child fell asleep on the vehicle and did not get off. The staff realized the child did not get off the vehicle when their parent called asking why the child was not dropped off at school that morning. The driver was terminated because of the incident.

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591-1-1-.36(7)(d)1 · Rule 591-1-1-.36(7)(d)1 requires that the first check shall be conducted immediately upon unloading the last child at any location including, but not limited to, a field trip destination, arrival at the Center, and the last stop during transportation to home or school. The responsible person on the vehicle shall: physically walk through the entire vehicle; visually inspect all seat surfaces, under all seats and in all compartments or recesses in the vehicle’s interior; sign the passenger transportation checklist (s), indicating all of the children have exited the vehicle; and give the passenger transportation checklist(s) to the second designated Staff person.

During an investigation, it was determined that on September 14, 2023, the first check of the vehicle was not completed resulting in a five-year-old child being left unattended on the vehicle for approximately three hours. The driver documented returning to the center round 7:50 a.m. after completing morning transportation. The parent inquired if the child had been taken to school at approximately 10:30 a.m. The child fell asleep on the vehicle and did not get off. Staff stated a first check of vehicles is not done regularly, due to staffing issues. The staff realized the child did not get off the vehicle when their parent called asking why the child was not dropped off at school that morning. A first check of the vehicle was documented, but the five-year-old child remained on the vehicle. The driver was terminated because of the incident.

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591-1-1-.36(7)(d)2 · Rule 591-1-1-.36(7)(d)2 requires that the second designated Staff person shall conduct a check of the vehicle immediately upon the completion of the first check of the vehicle. The responsible person shall physically walk through the entire vehicle; visually inspect all seat surfaces, under all seats and in all compartments or recesses in the vehicle's interior; and sign the passenger transportation checklist(s), indicating all of the children have exited the vehicle. There shall be continuous watchful oversight of the vehicle between the first check and second check.

During an investigation, it was determined that on September 14, 2023, the second check of the vehicle was not completed resulting in a five-year-old child being left unattended on the vehicle for approximately three hours. The driver documented returning to the center around 7:50 a.m. after completing morning transportation. The parent inquired if the child had been taken to school at approximately 10:30 a.m. The child fell asleep on the vehicle and did not get off. Staff stated a second check of vehicles is not done regularly, due to staffing issues. The staff realized the child did not get off the vehicle when their parent called asking why the child was not dropped off at school that morning. A second check of the vehicle was documented, but the five-year-old child remained on the vehicle. The driver was terminated because of the incident.

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