Mcdonald Daycare

R 400.1911 · 1 R 400.1911 Care; supervision; children. (1) A licensee shall ensure appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

On 5/5/2023 I completed an unannounced onsite inspection and interview with licensee Janet Scharer. There were 11 children present during the onsite inspection along with CCSM 1 and Ms. Scharer. I did not interview CCSM 1 while at the home but requested that she contact me privately by phone to discuss the allegations. Ms. Scharer was notified of the allegations and concerns. She stated that on the day of the reported incident at around 12:45 PM, she and CCSM 1 were upstairs getting some of the younger children up from a nap while three or four of the older children, including Child A, were downstairs playing. After all of the children were up and awake, they were headed outside and Child A notified her that he peed his pants. Child A told her that he peed his pants, because he was worried he would get in trouble for going upstairs to use the bathroom during nap time. She asked him if he 3 has ever gotten in trouble for using the bathroom during nap time or ever before and he said no. She stated that the children are allowed to use the bathroom on demand. Ms. Scharer expressed that because Child A is older and quite a large child, she no longer has extra clothes on hand for him to change into. She did not notify Child A, B, and C's Mother that Child A needed a change of clothes at this time or make an effort to locate him any other clothing. She did not remove his wet underwear or pants or clean his body in any way. She stated that his pants and underwear were "just damp," so they went outside to let his clothing air dry. Child A and the other children played outside for approximately 1.5 hours and returned inside around 3:00 PM. After being inside for approximately 30 or 40 minutes, she and CCSM 1 recognized that one of the children smelled like they had a poopy diaper. They asked around and eventually determined that Child A smelled like he pooped his pants. Child A then admitted that he had pooped his pants earlier while playing outside. Ms. Scharer checked Child A's underwear and pants and stated that they were filled with feces and the feces was caked between his buttocks and on his legs. Ms. Scharer stated that after she discovered that Child A pooped in his pants, she texted his mother to bring him a change of clothing. She sent the text at 3:40 PM. She did not attempt to remove Child A's underwear, pants, or clean him up in any way. Child A, B, and C's Mother responded to the text message at 4:25 PM indicating that she was sorry but just received the message and was on the way. Child A, B, and C's Mother did not arrive at the child care home until 4:40 PM. She brought a change of clothing for Child A and was planning to just leave the clothes for him to change and then pick the children up later that day. Ms. Scharer told Child A, B, and C's Mother that Child A and his siblings needed to leave at that time, because the child care was closing at 5:00 PM that day and there was really no time for her to leave and come back in time for pick up. Child A, Child B, and Child C were the only children remaining at the child care home that day. Child A, B, and C's Mother was very upset with her for making her take the children home at this time and began cussing and yelling at her. Ms. Scharer stated after the incident, she decided to disenroll Child A, B, and C from child care. She has "put up with their mother's complaining and yelling for years, and she will not dealing with it any longer." Ms. Scharer stated that did not clean up Child A that day because the feces was "caked on," and she would have needed a change of clothing. She believes it is Child A, B and C's Mother fault because she texted her immediately and it took her over an hour to get to the home. I recommended that in the future, she needs to assure that a child is cleaned up when they are soiled. I suggested she clean a child and use an oversized t-shirt, adult shorts/pants or towel to keep them covered once cleaned instead of leaving them in feces. I also sugg

View state record

R 400.1923 · 1 R 400.1923 Diapering and toilet learning. (3) Diapers or training pants must be changed when wet or soiled.

During the onsite inspection, Ms. Scharer denied swearing at child care children for discipline. She acknowledged that she may accidentally let a swear word slip while around a child care child, but not directed at a child for disciplinary purposes. She then stated that maybe once or twice when she has asked a child to do something three times and they are still not listening or following directions she may say "damn it" I told you to do this. She specifically indicated that A Child A often does not listen to directions, and she has gotten frustrated and has stated "damn it Child A I told you to" do whatever the activity she requested. Child D's Mother denied knowledge of Ms. Scharer swearing at child care children. She has not heard her speak inappropriately towards the children at any time. CCSM 1 denied that Ms. Scharer swears at the child care children. She acknowledged that she may accidentally swear while in conversation with another adult, but not directed at the children and usually out of earshot. I asked her if she had ever heard her say "damn it" to Child A or any other child when upset or frustrated. She indicated that she could not recall an incident of that occurring, but stated it was possible. Child F and G's Mother denied any knowledge of Ms. Scharer swearing at children for discipline. She has no concerns with discipline at all. I attempted phone contact with Child A, B and C's Mother and Child E's Mother on multiple occasions, but no return calls were received.

View state record

R 400.1913 · 1 R 400.1913 Discipline; child handling. (3) Personnel shall not do any of the following: (d) Inflict mental or emotional stress, such as humiliating, shaming, threatening a child, or using derogatory remarks.

Ms. Scharer acknowledged to using inappropriate discipline by swearing "damn it" at a child for not performing a task as requested on at least one occasion.

View state record

R 400.1932 · 1 R 400.1932 Home maintenance and safety. (1) The structure, premises, and furnishings of a child care home must be in good repair and maintained in a clean, safe, and comfortable condition.

On 2/16/2022 I completed an unannounced on-site inspection at the child care home. I informed Janet Scharer of the allegations. While walking through the child care home, I observed both the upper and lower levels of the home to be neat, tidy and in good repair. I did not observe any unpleasant odors in the home. Ms. Sharer said the current condition of her home is typical of what the child care home looks like on a daily basis. Ms. Sharer said she keeps her home neat and organized both during child care hours and during non-child care hours. 2 I interviewed child care staff member, Lindsay Rudolph. Ms. Rudolph said she has never seen the child care home dirty. Ms. Rudolph has never observed the home to have an odor due to pets living in the home. The children get out various toys throughout the day, but the toys get put away daily. I interviewed Child A and B's Mother during my on-site inspection. Child A and B's Mother said she has never seen the child care home dirty or to have an odor. Child A and B's Mother said she would not leave her children at the child care home if she had any concerns about the cleanliness of the home. On 4/5/2022 I placed telephone calls to Child C's Mother, Child D's Mother and Child E's Mother. I left voice messages with Child C's Mother and Child D's Mother requesting return calls and my contact information. I attempted a telephone call to Child E's Mother. The telephone rang several times with no answer. There was no option to leave a voice message. On 4/5/2022 I completed an exit conference by telephone with Janet Sharer.

View state record

R 400.1936 · R 400.1936 Animals and pets. (1) A licensee shall notify parents of any animals and pets in the home.

On 2/16/2022 I completed an unannounced on-site inspection at the child care home. I interviewed Ms. Sharer. Ms. Sharer said she has five cats that reside in the home. Ms. Sharer said all her cats are established pet cats. She does not have random feral cats coming in and out of her house. All the child care parents have been notified that cats reside in the child care home. I reviewed children's files and found all files to contain child-in-care statements. Ms. Sharer checked the box on the child-in-care statements stating that she has pets in the home. All the child-in-care statements were signed by parents. Ms. Sharer said the 3 cats are never in the food preparation area. The cats do not go near any of the children's clothing. I interviewed Ms. Rudolph. Ms. Rudolph said there are five or six cats that reside in the home. Ms. Rudolph said the cats are not feral. The cats that reside in the home and all are considered pets. The cats remain upstairs while child care mostly takes place in the basement. Ms. Rudolph has never seen the cats in the food preparation area or near the children's clothing. I observed a few cats on the main level of the home. The cats appeared to be well cared for and comfortable in the home. The cats were not in the food preparation area or near children's clothing. I interviewed Child A and B's Mother when she arrived to pick up her children. Child A and B's Mother said she is aware that there are several cats that reside in the home. Ms. Sharer has never kept it a secret that she has multiple cats residing in the home. Child A and B's Mother said the cats are family pets and not feral cats. Child A and B's Mother has never had a concern with the number of cats residing in the home. Child A and B's Mother has never had her children come home with cat hair all over their clothing or any other belongings.

View state record

R 400.1961 · R 400.1961 Parent notification required; incidents; accidents; illness; disease; isolation. (1) A licensee shall promptly report to a child's parent any of the following: (a) Any incidents, accidents, suspected illness, or other changes observed in the health of a child.

On 2/16/2022 I completed an unannounced on-site I inspection at the child care home. I interviewed Ms. Sharer. Ms. Sharer said she contacts parents immediately if a child exhibits symptoms such as fever, vomiting or diarrhea while at the child care home. Ms. Sharer said she contacts the parents listed on the 4 child information card first, then contacts individuals listed as an emergency contact if necessary. Ms. Sharer said, with parental permission, she shares various activities the children engage in at the child care home on her social media page. Ms. Sharer said she does not wish to accept a social media friend request from Child A and B's Father because he is "mean, rude and a bully." Ms. Sharer does not wish to have that type of person viewing and commenting on her social media page. Ms. Sharer does not tag Child A and B's Father is her social media posts because she is not connected as a friend with him on social media. Ms. Sharer said Child A and B's Father drops the children off at the child care home one morning per week when it is his parenting time. Child A and B's Father remains outside the child care home while he drops the children off. Child A and B's Father opens the door for the children, then remains outside the child care home while the children enter the home. Ms. Sharer said she never told Child A and B's Father he was not allowed to enter the child care home during his weekly drop-off time. It is Child A and B's Father's personal choice to remain outside of the child care home. Ms. Sharer said she follows a court order that states Child A and B's Father cannot have contact with child A and B when it is not his parenting time. The only time Ms. Sharer would ask Child A and B's Father to leave her home is if he shows up to see the children on a day that is not his scheduled visitation time as stated in the court order. Ms. Sharer said she communicates with Child A and B's Father by text or telephone call. Ms. Sharer shared various text message exchanges between her and Child A and B's Father. I observed that Ms. Sharer responded to Child A and B's Father's messages in a timely manner. Ms. Sharer's responses to Child A and B's Father were professional in nature. Ms. Sharer provided Child A and B's Father with the information he requested in the text messages. I interviewed Ms. Rudolph. Ms. Rudolph said Ms. Sharer does not hesitate to contact parents if a child becomes ill while attending the child care home. Ms. Rudolph said she or Ms. Sharer will call a parent to come pick up a child if the child has symptoms such as vomiting, fever or diarrhea. Ms. Sharer does not allow sick children to remain at the child care home. Ms. Rudolph said Ms. Sharer calls the parents listed on the child information card first. If the parents are unable to be reached in a timely manner, they call the emergency contact persons listed on the child information cards. Ms. Rudolph said she believes Ms. Sharer communicates well with all of the child care parents. I interviewed Child A and B's Mother. She said she could not remember the last time Child A or B became ill while in attendance at the child care home. Child A and B's Mother said she believes Ms. Sharer would contact herself or Child A and B's Father in a timely manner if the children were to become ill while at the child care home. Child A and B's Mother has been at the child care home to pick up her children and observed parents to come pick their children up early at Ms. Sharer's request due to children becoming ill. Child A and B's Mother believes Ms. Sharer does her best to communicate with both herself and Child A and B's Father. Child A 5 and B's Mother comes into the home and speaks to Ms. Sharer about how the day went for the children. Therefore, it is likely that Ms. Sharer communicates more with Child A and B's Mother than she does with Child A and B's Father who chooses not to enter the child care home.

View state record