Childcare Network #344

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.

During an investigation, it was determined that on February 25, 2026, at approximately 8:30 a.m., center staff failed to ensure that a classroom bookshelf was properly anchored when the bookshelf was pushed over onto the foot of a 1-year-old child. At the time of the incident, there was one staff member and seven children in the classroom. The staff member stated that they went to the diaper changing station to prepare to conduct diaper changes. The staff member then observed that several children had pushed a bookshelf over, which fell onto the 1-year-old child's right great toe. The staff member contacted the front office management for assistance to provide first aid to the child and obtained an ice pack. Professional medical attention was obtained for the child.

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591-1-1-.32(7) · Rule 591-1-1-.32(7) requires 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 February 25, 2026, at approximately 8:30 a.m., center staff failed to ensure they were properly positioned to actively observe all children when a classroom bookshelf was pushed over onto the foot of a 1-year-old child by their classmates. At the time of the incident, there was one staff member and seven children in the classroom. The staff member stated that they went to the diaper changing station to prepare to conduct diaper changes. The staff member stated that they did not observe the bookshelf being pushed over. The staff member immediately went to the child to assess for injuries and lifted the fallen bookshelf from the floor. The staff member contacted the front office management for assistance to provide first aid to the child and obtained an ice pack. Professional medical attention was obtained for the child.

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