First Step Learning Center

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 an investigation, it was determined that on May 15, 2025, a staff member roughly handled a 1-year-old child during nap time. When the child would not stay on their mat, the staff person moved the child and the mat to another area of the classroom while holding the child by one arm with the child’s feet lifted off the floor. In addition, the staff member aggressively grabbed the child by their left hand and pushed them down on the mat. The child sustained two red marks on the forehead. 2. 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 an investigation, it was determined that on May 15, 2025, a 1-year-old child was inappropriately disciplined by a staff member while in the classroom. The staff member pushed the child down on their mat and carried the child by one arm with their feet dangling in the air. The child sustained two red marks on the forehead. The staff member was arrested and charged with three counts of cruelty to 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.

It was determined based on an investigation that on April 8, 2024, at 10:57 a.m., a five-year-old child in the Pre-K One Classroom sustained a forehead injury. Staff failed to provide watchful oversight in order to prevent the incident from occurring. The first staff member was utilizing their cell phone, while looking downward at their cell phone when the child ran past them and injured themself. The second staff member was at their desk putting together packets for the children and did not witness the incident. As a result of the incident, professional medical attention was obtained, and the child sustained an injury to their forehead. Thus, the incident was a result of staff members failing to provide adequate supervision to prevent the child from injury and harm.

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591-1-1-.03(9) · Rule 591-1-1-.03(9) requires center staff to refrain from engaging in, or allowing children or other adults to engage in, activities that could be detrimental to a child's health or well-being, such as but not limited to, horse play, rough play, wrestling, and picking up a child in a manner that could cause injury.

It was determined based on an investigation that on April 8, 2024, at 10:57 a.m., a five-year-old child in the Pre-K One Classroom sustained a forehead injury. The child was running in the classroom when the child attempted to land on a bean bag that was positioned in the far-right back corner of the classroom’s reading area. The child missed the bean bag and was reported to have hit their head on the wooden edge of the sofa that was in the reading area. The child was verbally redirected multiple times due to running and jumping in the classroom prior to the incident. However, neither staff member responded promptly to the child’s activity or physically redirected the child as the child ran past the staff members. As a result of the incident, professional medical attention was obtained, and the child was reported to have an injury to their forehead. Thus, the incident was a result of staff members failing to intervene immediately and provide physical redirection from the child’s detrimental activities .

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591-1-1-.29(3) · Rule 591-1-1-.29(3) requires the Director or designated person-in-charge to report or cause to be reported to the Department within twenty-four (24) hours or the next work day: any death of a child while in the care of the Center; any serious illness or injury requiring hospitalization or professional medical attention other than first aid of a child while in the care of the Center; any situation when a child in care becomes missing, such as, but not limited to, a child who is left on a vehicle, a child who leaves the building, playground, or property, or a child who is left behind on any trip; any fire; any structural disaster; any emergency situation that requires temporarily relocating children; and any time the program’s operating status changes (i.e., open to closed or temporarily closed and temporarily closed to open).

It was determined based on an investigation that on April 8, 2024, at 10:57 a.m., a five-year-old child in the Pre-K One Classroom sustained a forehead injury. The child was running in the classroom when the child attempted to land on a bean bag that was positioned in the far-right back corner of the classroom’s reading area. The child missed the bean bag and was reported to have hit their head on the wooden edge of the sofa that was in the reading area. The center advised the parent that the child needed stitches and professional medical attention. The child received professional medical attention on the day of the incident. The center was advised on April 9, 2024, that the child received professional medical attention. The center failed to notify the Department within the required 24 hours or the next workday of the injury that required professional medical attention.

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