Discovery Point #9

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 December 16, 2025, adequate supervision was not provided when a 3-year-old child sustained a nasal injury after hitting their face on a hard plastic playground barrier. At approximately 11 a.m., the 3-year-old child and another child were on the playground playing roughly with each other. The 3-year-old child was pushed by the other child, fell, and struck their face on a playground barrier made of hard plastic. The two staff members that were present were standing next to each other near the back corner of the playground when the incident occurred and were not positioned to maximize their ability to hear and see the children at all times. The staff members did not see the incident and were not aware until they heard the child cry out. One of the staff members had previously redirected the children in a verbal manner regarding the rough play. After pickup, the child received professional medical attention for a nasal injury.

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591-1-1-07(2) · Rule 591-1-1-07(2) requires that Parents be immediately notified and specific instructions obtained until the child can be picked up or returned to the group, immediately when professional medical attention is required, or when the child experiences symptoms of moderate discomfort, or when the child is involved in an incident that puts their health and/or safety at risk and to notify Parents by the end of the day when professional medical attention is not required, when the child experiences symptoms of less than moderate discomfort or when the child experiences an adverse reaction to prescribed medication which does not constitute moderate discomfort.

During an investigation, it was determined that on December 16, 2025, at approximately 11 a.m. a 3-year-old child sustained a nasal injury after being pushed by another child and hitting their face on a hard plastic playground barrier. The child’s nose bled after the incident and was cleaned by staff. At approximately 11:30 a.m., a staff member noticed that swelling was present. The child’s parent was not contacted immediately. At approximately 1 p.m. a staff member escorted the 4-year-old child to the office and notified management of the injury and the child’s parent was called. After pickup, the child received professional medical attention for the nasal injury.

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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 conducted on November 23, 2021, it was determined that on November 16, 2021, two one-year-old children exited an unsecured gate from the center’s playground and entered the center’s parking lot. The children exited the playground unsupervised by staff. Video footage revealed a staff member standing at the fence line to an adjoining playground with their back turned to their group of children. Children were seen on the other side of the fence that the staff member was facing. The staff member stood in this position for approximately two minutes and then can be seen turning around and running towards the gate. The staff member was seen on video footage retrieving the children from the center’s parking lot and returned to the playground area. The staff member was the sole staff member on the playground with the grouping of children at the time of the incident. No professional medical attention was reported because of the incident. The center self-reported the incident in a timely manner.

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591-1-1-.26(4) · Rule 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.

During an incident investigation conducted on November 23, 2021, it was determined based on investigative findings that on November 16, 2021, two one-year-old children exited through an unsecured gate on the center’s playground. The playground gate had been left unsecured earlier in the day for landscaping work to take place on a neighboring playground. Center staff failed to secure the gate prior to the children entering the playground.

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