• Violation

  R 400.1920 · R 400.1920 Outdoor play area and equipment. (1) A child care home shall provide a clean, safe, and hazard free outdoor play area, on the premises or within a reasonable walking distance of the home.

  I completed and onsite inspection and interview with licensee Rebecca Reif on 3/21/2023. Ms. Reif said that she knows her home is cluttered in the child use areas, but everything is pushed to the sides against the walls, hazardous materials are up where the children can't reach, and the children do not disturb it. She reported that she only has two families currently enrolled. I observed the playroom which was clutter free and in good repair. The kitchen, dining room and living room were observed to have boxes, totes and other household paraphernalia along the walls, some stacked on top of one another, in the child use areas. The kitchen countertops were cluttered with boxed food, unclean dishes and other household items and left little to no room to prepare food. Ms. Reif said she understood that her home needs to be maintained in a clean, safe and comfortable condition, and said that it would not be a problem to clean up the child use areas. The outdoor area was observed. The outdoor play structures were pushed out of the yard into a field that is next to the yard. All of the structures were right next to one another, and some piled on top of one another. There were broken structures and toys observed. Ms. Reif was informed that she needs to have a soft ground covering under any play structures that are over 30 inches in height. Ms. Reif said she understood and that she would remove any toys that were broken and in disrepair and move the play structures so they are at least 6 feet apart and put them over a soft covering like mulch. On 3/27/2023 I spoke to Child A's mother. She reported that she has no concerns for the state of the home, and although she did notice that the outside of the home has clutter, she trust that Ms. Reif ensures the children are only playing in safe areas. She said she knows Ms. Reif personally and trusts her completely with her children. She had no concerns to bring to the department's attention. On 3/28/2023 I spoke to Child B's mother. Child B's mother reported that at times she has noticed that the kitchen counters seem cluttered and disorganized, but this does not concern her as she knows Ms. Reif is keeping an eye on her children and keeping her children safe. She said she has witnessed the children playing outside in the side yard and had no concerns about the broken equipment because she has not seen anyone on it. She had no concerns to bring to the department's attention.

Outdoor play area and inside of the home are not maintained in a clean and safe condition.

Disposition: Substantiated