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Home › MD › Waldorf › Children of America Waldorf, LLC
License #md251702 · Center · Ctr
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When they operate
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5 complaints under investigation
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Status: Open
Status: Open
Status: Open
Status: Open
Status: Open
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Data synced from Maryland State Department of Education — Office of Child Care on Jul 10, 2026 · Source records · Report an error
The staff member allegedly responsible for the error of making the formula with bottled water containing Liquid IV is qualified as an aide, not an infant teacher. At the time of the incident, this individual was left alone in the classroom while the qualified teacher was on a lunch break. The regulation was discussed with the Director and Assistant Director. While the staffing pattern indicates that the Assistant Director is responsible for providing break coverage, this is reportedly not being consistently followed.
During the inspection the Licensing Specialist observed loosely fitted sheets on 3 of the crib mattresses in Infant A Classroom. The director located the appropriate fitted sheets and washed them during the inspection. Once the sheets are placed on the cribs please take a picture and send it to this specialist at [email protected].
The complaint alleged that a staff person prepared an infant's bottle using another staff person's water bottle that was mixed with Liquid IV. The center provides the water and the formula for formula-fed infants. Another staff person who also has an infant in this classroom placed her water bottle containing the liquid IV in the Infant room refrigerator. It was also alleged that the staff person drank from the water bottle before using it. The Licensing Specialist interviewed the Director, the infant's parent, and the other staff person who was in the classroom when it was discovered the bottle with the Liquid IV was possibly used. The director showed the LS the bottle used to make the formula; it was a disposable store-brand 16 oz water bottle. The water appeared cloudy and had a fruity odor. The only label on the bottle was the store label. See remarks section for details on interviews with the parties involved.
A complaint was received alleging that a staff person had made an infant's bottle using another staff person's water bottle mixed with Liquid IV. The center provides the water and the formula for formula-fed infants. The staff person to whom the water bottle belonged was interviewed. She said she was in a rush the evening before when she went into the classroom to pick up her infant and placed her water bottle in the refrigerator in that classroom to drink the next day. The Licensing Specialist interviewed the Director and the parent of the infant who was given the formula mixed with the water containing Liquid IV. The director showed the bottle used to make the formula. The water bottle was a disposable store brand 16 oz water bottle. The water appeared cloudy and had a fruity odor. The only label on the bottle was the store label. The center is advised to review the importance of labeling all personal items and not to keep personal items in the classroom refrigerators. Staff have a refrigerator in the employee lounge and that is where all personal items are to be stored.
The center offers the option to provide formula for infants. The center has a form titled "Infant Formula/Breastmilk Meal Plan" where the parent checks if they want to use this option, provide their own formula or if the infant is breastfed. The parent of the infant involved signed a meal plan form and checked that she would accept the formula provided by the center. The center currently uses 16 oz water bottles to mix with the formula. It is suggested that the center purchase smaller water bottles for single service and discard any leftover water. Another option is to use a table top water jug dispenser. Either option would help avoid mixing up water that should not be used.
It was reported that a staff person smacked a child's hand, pushed another child so they child fell and pulled a child off a table by the child's arm. The center terminated the staff member. It was reported by the lead staff that sometimes they gently push children out of their way when asked and they still do not move. This is inappropriate as it could cause a child to fall and children should not be pushed to comply. The toddlers are young and can be picked up and moved to another area if needed or the staff could take them by the hand and gently move them along. The lead staff did state that the aide did not feel good and was more harsh to one child. The lead staff took the children to change their diapers for that reason. Usually the aid puts the one child in her lap to talk to him and that day she put him in the chair by her. She thinks this might be why the grandmother was angry as they usually ask where the aide is if she is not there. The aide denies being overly stern with any of the children. She does detail the children climbing on the table but does not indicate pulling the child off the table by her arm.
It was reported that a child disclosed that a staff person was choking him to death. The center reported the incident during a complaint inspection being conducted on July 25th. The incident occurred on July 21st and the staff person was suspended on July 22nd. The center was reminded that they must notify licensing anytime a staff person is alleged to be abusing or neglecting a child.
It was reported that a child disclosed that a staff person was choking him to death. The staff person denies putting her hands on the child's neck or throat. She said that another staff person helped her walk the child to the office after she was able to get freed from him. She did state that she put her hand on his forehead and was trying to push him away when he was biting her. She disclosed no mark was left where she was bit. The child was interviewed and said that the staff person started choking him after he bit her in the stomach. He demonstrated on the licensing specialist. He put one hand around the back of the specialist's neck and squeezed. He said she squeezed harder than what he was showing. The staff person cannot use physical force around the child's neck to either discipline or guide the child. The child reported the paper shark was printed out by his mother. When the staff person ripped it up and threw it away, it upset him because the paper shark was important to him. The child has special needs and staff should recognize and be aware of the child's individual sensitivities.
It was reported that a child was hitting his friends. A staff person took a paper shark that the child valued and threw it in the trash. The child then began pulling the staff person's hair and bit her on the stomach. The child told his mother that the staff person tore the paper shark up in front of his face. The child also stated the person was choking him to death. The staff person stated she took the child's paper shark on the field trip because he was hitting his friends with it. When they returned to the classroom, she went to give the shark back and witnessed him hitting another child. She said she threw the shark in the trash and then the child grabbed and bit her hair then bit her on the stomach. The child was interviewed and stated that the staff person ripped his shark up in front of him a lot of times. He demonstrated how she ripped up the shark. He said his mom printed it out for him and that made him frustrated so he got mad at the staff person. He admitted to biting the staff person on the stomach and pointed to where he bit her. Ripping the shark is not appropriate discipline for hitting other children. The shark should have gone home with the parent at pick up.
There were 2 classrooms with unqualified staff in charge of a group of children - 2s and preschool 1B. Center is reminded that there must be a qualified staff person with each group of children. Center needs to show proof of advertising for qualified staff positions to correct this. There were 4 other classrooms that had substitutes in place for the assigned qualified staff.
The complaint alleges the director is not on site in the mornings and does not come in until noon. It is further alleged that meetings with the director cannot be scheduled. The director's assigned hours this week were 9:30 AM until 6:30 PM. It was reported by staff that she sometimes arrives around 11:00 AM, 12:00 PM or even 2:00 PM. She was alternating opening days with the assistant director but allegedly was not able to make it to the center in time for opening. The director was not working today. The director worked 26 hours one week and 32 hours another week. Some of those hours are after the center is closed. Those hours do not meet the regulatory requirement that a director is on site for at least half of the operating hours. Only the hours worked during the operating day count (6:00 AM until 6:30 PM). According to the center's operating hours, the director would have to be on site for at least 35 hours per week during those designated hours.
The complaint alleges that it is chaotic at drop off around 7:00 AM and children age two years and up are combined in the school age room. It also alleges the classrooms are out of ratio at that time and only one or two staff are with the children in the classroom. The licensing specialists arrived just before 7:00 AM and the ratios were in compliance. The classroom ratios were again checked at 8:30 AM and ratios were in compliance with one staff person arriving to take the 7th infant/toddler to his classroom. Staff stated that today is a lighter day being a Friday but management is helpful and comes when needed to move children to maintain ratios. The assistant director was observed making counts and ensuring the staff were in ratio at the time of the inspection. No two year old children were observed in the school age room. The twos were in Pre 2A until their staff person moved them to the two's room. There is a lot of movement between the hours of 7 and 9 as children arrive and are moved to appropriate classrooms to ensure ratios are maintained. As it got closer to 9:30 AM, it was difficult to maintain ratios and classrooms were not in compliance.
The complaint alleges the classrooms are out of ratio in the mornings around 8:15 AM and the center is chaotic with children hitting each other and screaming. The complaint further alleges that classroom staff are taken out of the classroom to work in the kitchen which leaves the classroom out of ratio. Classroom ratios at 7:00 AM and 8:30 AM were in compliance as staff were coming in and children were being moved to their classrooms. Staff stated that management is helpful and active when assistance is needed in the classrooms in the morning to maintain ratios. They did state that it can be busy in the classrooms with the mixed ages. No children were observed hitting or screaming at the time of the inspection. Children were playing with the available toys. The assistant director did state that staff might be taken out of the classroom to help in the kitchen but ratios are not affected. The center used to have a hired cook but the company no longer allows it. The assistant director was observed making counts and checking classrooms to ensure ratios were being met. As it got closer to 9:30 AM, it was difficult to maintain ratios and classrooms were not in compliance.
The complaint alleges the shelves in the school age room are empty with no toys and some shelves are turned around to prevent access. All classrooms were assessed in regards to appropriate number and variety of materials. Infant B, Infant A, Toddlers B and Toddlers A had adequate materials and equipment in the classrooms. All of the other classrooms need the current materials and equipment assessed. Toddlers C was good with the exception of the puzzles being in disarray with the puzzle pieces in a pile under the puzzles. There were classrooms with almost or empty shelves. The items on the shelves are in disarray and not organized. Containers are just shoved on shelves some in other containers with materials all over. Preschool 2B has almost no materials and equipment. Most of the shelving units are empty. The center needs to replenish the classroom materials as soon as possible to meet the assigned capacities of the classrooms. The regulations require that there are enough materials and equipment in the classroom to accommodate the assigned capacities.