Lake Dow Learning Academy

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 March 5, 2026, at approximately 4 p.m., on the playground, staff failed to provide watchful oversight when a 4-year-old child climbed over the fence, ran across the street and jumped into a nearby lake. Staff briefly looked away when they heard another child yell that the child was on the fence. Staff were unable to reach the child to prevent the incident from occurring. Staff followed the child and immediately retrieved them from the lake. The Department determined that staff were not positioned to maximize their ability to hear and see the children at all times in order to prevent the incident from occurring. 2. 591-1-1-.26(4) requires that playgrounds be protected from traffic or other hazards by a (4) four foot high fence or other barrier approved by this Department. Fencing material shall not present a hazard to children and shall be maintained so as to prevent children from leaving the playground area by any means other than through an approved access route. Fence gates shall be kept closed except when persons are entering or exiting the area. It was determined based on an investigation that on March 5, 2026, at approximately 4 p.m., a 4-year-old child climbed over a playground fence that measured 46 inches in height, left the outdoor play area, and entered a nearby lake. The fence did not meet the minimum required height of 48 inches to prevent children from leaving 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 an investigation, it was determined that on October 24, 2025, a staff member pinched a 3-year-old child on the top of their left shoulder as a form of discipline while on the playground. A staff member that was giving the primary teacher a break observed a red and purple bruise, approximately the size of a quarter, on the 3-year-old child’s left shoulder. When asked about the mark, the child stated it was hurting and that the classroom teacher pinched them due to fighting with another child during outside play. The appearance of the bruise was consistent with the child being pinched.

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

During an investigation, it was determined that on September 2, 2025, center staff failed to keep an 8-year-old child clean, dry, and comfortable when the child fell asleep and was left alone on the Center's vehicle for approximately 50 minutes. According to historical weather data, the temperature at that time was 81 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. The 8-year-old child reported feeling hot and sweating upon waking. Witnesses indicated that the child appeared to be hot and sweating when entering the cafeteria.

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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.

During an investigation, it was determined that on September 2, 2025, an 8-year-old child was left unattended in a vehicle for approximately 50 minutes. The center’s vehicle arrived at the facility at approximately 2:55 p.m. after transporting 10 school-age children from two elementary schools. A member of management unloaded nine of the children and escorted them into the cafeteria. The tenth child, an 8-year-old, was located in the back of the vehicle and was asleep. While in the cafeteria, a child informed a member of management that the 8-year-old child was not present. The child’s parent was contacted, who confirmed with the child’s elementary school that the child boarded the center’s vehicle after school. At approximately 3:45 p.m., the 8-year-old child was found asleep in the center’s vehicle.

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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 2, 2025, adequate supervision was not provided when an 8-year-old child was left unattended in a vehicle for approximately 50 minutes. The center’s vehicle arrived at the facility at approximately 2:55 p.m. after transporting 10 school-age children from two elementary schools. A member of management unloaded nine of the children and escorted them into the cafeteria. The tenth child, an 8- year-old, was located in the back of the vehicle and was asleep. While in the cafeteria, a child informed a member of management that the 8-year-old child was not present. The child’s parent was contacted, who confirmed with the child’s elementary school that the child boarded the center’s vehicle after school. At approximately 3:45 p.m., the 8-year-old child was found asleep in the center’s vehicle.

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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 2, 2025, the passenger transportation checklist was not completed correctly. The center’s vehicle arrived at the facility at approximately 2:55 p.m. after transporting 10 school-age children from two elementary schools. Nine of the children were unloaded and signed in using the center’s mobile attendance application. The transportation checklist indicated that all 10 children had exited the vehicle; however, an 8-year-old child was still in the vehicle, asleep and located near the back. When the child could not be located in the building, the child’s parent was contacted, who confirmed with the child’s elementary school that the child boarded the center’s vehicle after school. At approximately 3:45 p.m., the 8-year-old child was found asleep in the center’s vehicle.

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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 2, 2025, a first check of the vehicle was not conducted to ensure that all children had been unloaded. The center’s vehicle arrived at the facility at approximately 2:55 p.m. after transporting 10 school-age children from two elementary schools. Nine of the children were unloaded and signed in using the center’s mobile attendance application. The transportation checklist indicated that all 10 children had exited the vehicle; however, an 8-year-old child was still in the vehicle, asleep and located near the back. When the child could not be located in the building, the child’s parent was contacted, who confirmed with the child’s elementary school that the child boarded the center’s vehicle after school. At approximately 3:45 p.m., the 8-year- old child was found asleep in the center’s vehicle.

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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 2, 2025, a second check of the vehicle was not conducted to ensure that all children had been unloaded. The center’s vehicle arrived at the facility at approximately 2:55 p.m. after transporting 10 school-age children from two elementary schools. Nine of the children were unloaded and signed in using the center’s mobile attendance application. The tenth child, an 8-year-old, was located in the back of the vehicle and was asleep. The driver moved the vehicle to the designated parking space alongside other vehicles. The driver did not observe which children exited the vehicle and did not conduct a physical walkthrough of the vehicle before entering the building. When the 8-year-old child could not be located in the building, the child’s parent was contacted, who confirmed with the child’s elementary school that the child boarded the center’s vehicle after school. At approximately 3:45 p.m., the 8-year-old child was found asleep in the center’s vehicle.

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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).

During an investigation, it was determined that on September 2, 2025, an 8-year-old child fell asleep on the center’s vehicle and was left unattended for approximately 50 minutes. The center staff failed to notify the Department within twenty-four (24) hours or on the next work day as required.

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