Childcare Network #22

591-1-1-.08(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.08(7) requires that the center shall ensure that children are only released to authorized person(s), and center Staff shall take necessary steps to determine that any such person(s) presenting to pick up a child in care is authorized by the parent(s) of the child and that person matches the identifying information provided by the parent.

During an investigation, it was determined that on December 12, 2024, a 5-year-old child was released to a person that was not authorized for pick up. A staff member allowed the child to leave the center with a person that was thought to be the child’s relative; however, the person was a hired driver. Center staff did not check the child’s record to verify that the person was authorized to receive the child. After the child left, center staff determined that the driver had been sent to the center to pick up a different child. The driver had the incorrect child for approximately one hour and returned to the center when the mistake was discovered. The Department determined that the center did not ensure that the child was released to an authorized person.

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591-1-1-.08(6) · Rule 591-1-1-.08(6) requires records of a child’s daily arrival and departure for the twelve (12) preceding months shall be maintained but need not be filed in each child’s record. The parent or person(s) authorized by the parent to drop off and pick up the child will document, in written or electronic format, each time the parent or authorized person drops off and picks up the child. The documentation shall include at least the following information: the date, the child’s name, the arrival and departure times, and the signature or initials of the parent or authorized person at the time of arrival and departure. These records shall be made available to the Department in printed or written form upon request.

During an investigation, it was determined that on December 12, 2024, a 5-year-old child was not signed out at pick up by a parent or a person authorized by the parent. A staff member signed the child out and released the child to someone that was not on the parents’ authorized release list. The person had been sent to the center to pick up a different child. The person returned the child to the center approximately one hour later. The Department determined that staff failed to ensure that the child was signed out at pick up by an authorized person.

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