Karren's Kiddie Corner

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

Karren Scullion and her staff provided appropriate care and supervision to the children.

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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 5/10/2023 I had phone contact with licensee Karren Scullion. She reported that earlier on this date, Child A was climbing up the ladder to the platform of an outdoor play structure and she slipped and fell the ground. Child A appeared to have injured her arm, so her parents were contacted and are currently taking her to the doctor for examination. Ms. Scullion stated that she has proper ground cover, and the playhouse is for children age two and above. On 5/11/2023 I had phone contact with Ms. Scullion. Child A broke her arm in more than one location and had to have a surgical intervention. The injury was consistent with her falling and placing her arm out to try and break her fall. Ms. Scullion stated that she was at the hospital with Child A's parents last night. They are not upset with Ms. Scullion and understand the incident was a random accident. Ms. Scullion forwarded me the written incident report. The incident report stated that Child A fell off of the ladder to an outdoor play structure and broke her arm in more than one location, requiring surgery. On 5/12/2023 I completed and onsite inspection and interviews with Ms. Scullion, her husband Kurt Scullion and Child Care Staff Member 1 (CCSM1). I observed the outdoor play area. The large outdoor play structure has an attached step ladder to an elevated platform playhouse and a curly slide attached on one side. On the other side of the elevated platform playhouse there is another entrance to the platform with another attached ladder. Underneath the elevated platform playhouse is another open play area that is only partially enclosed. The entire play structure is surrounded by mulch with appropriate depth. The play structure is appropriately distanced from all fencing and other toys and objects. The play structure is in sound condition. Ms. Scullion and CCSM1 both stated that when the incident occurred Ms. Scullion and CCSM1 were present with 11 child care children and 1 related child. They had a picnic lunch outside that day, and then the children were allowed to play. The play structure is designed for children age two and above. Child A was climbing up one of the attached ladders to the elevated playhouse platform when she attempted to reach with one hand to grab an object that was sitting on top of the platform. She then slipped and fell to the ground. Ms. Scullion expressed that the incident happened so quickly there was no way to have stopped Child A from falling. She 3 and CCSM1 were outdoors with the children and supervising when she fell to the ground. She is old enough to play without them providing direct assistance. After Child A had fallen to the ground, Ms. Scullion and CCSM1 soothed her and checked her for any obvious injury. Ms. Scullion stated that Child A was easily soothed and stopped crying but did appear to be favoring her arm. They immediately called Child A's Mother and notified her of the incident. Child A's Mother came to pick up Child A and took her for an examination. Child A broke her arm in three separate places and had to have surgery to place pins. She will be wearing a cast for a few weeks. Ms. Scullion and Mr. Scullion questioned if they needed to remove the play structure due to the incident. I examined the structure, and it appears to be in good working condition with proper ground cover. They both stated that no children under the age of two years old is allowed to climb up the play structure due to age restrictions. I recommended that they be sure to maintain the ground cover and provide supervision, but otherwise they are able to continue using the equipment. We discussed the possibility of adding additional handrails or rungs to the ladder for increased safety. On 5/23/2023 I completed phone contact with Child A and B's Mother. Child B no longer attends regularly because she is 12 years old and splits time between two households. Child A has been enrolled for approximately two years. Child A's Mother denied any issues or concerns

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R 400.1920 · R 400.1920 1 Outdoor play area and equipment. (5) When swings, climbers, slides, and other similar play equipment with a designated play surface above 30 inches are used, they must: (a) Not be placed over concrete, asphalt, or a similar surface, such as hard-packed dirt or grass.

The outdoor play equipment is in good condition and placed over mulch with adequate depth.

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

I completed an onsite inspection and interviews with licensee Karen Scullion and child care staff member Amanda Wesley on 09/30/2022. Ms. Scullion reported that her husband Kurtis Scullion does not help provide care for the children, but he does see them occasionally when he is coming and going to work. Ms. Scullion denied that Mr. Scullion has ever been mean or scary to any children in care. She reported that there are time he has goofed off with Child A by pretending to be a monster and playfully growling, but Child A never acted fearful and was always laughing and playing along as do the other children. Ms. Scullion said Child A's parents have never discussed any fears with her. Ms. Scullion explained that Child A's parents are divorced, and she and Mr. Scullion have never met Child A's biological mother, but Child A's father has shared with them the difficult custody situation they have been in recently. Ms. Scullion believes these allegations are coming from Child A's mother in an attempt to complicate life for Child A's father. Ms. Scullion believes that Child A loves attending her child care home, and has never exhibited any fear. Ms. Wesley reported that she is flabbergasted over these allegations because Child A always comes to the child care home after school and will run up and give Mr. Scullion a hug. Ms. Wesley reported that she has never witnessed Mr. Scullion even raise his voice to Child A, as the two often exchange brief playful interactions. Ms. Wesley does not believe that any child is fearful of Mr. Scullion that are enrolled in the child care home. I spoke with Mr. Scullion on 10/03/2022. He reported that he is not a caregiver of the children but does come and go from work and interacts with the children while doing so. He reported that Child A will often give him and his wife hugs hello and goodbye and he has never witnessed her be fearful of him. Mr. Scullion reported that he has no idea where these allegations would have come from as he has only ever laughed and had good interactions with Child A. I also spoke with Child A's stepmother on 10/3/2022. She reported that Child A has never expressed being afraid of Mr. Scullion or anyone in the child care home. She explained there is a tumultuous relationship between her husband (Child A's father) and Child A's biological mother. She confirmed that Child A's mother has bever met Mr. and Mrs. Scullion but wants to make everything about their custody arrangement difficult including choosing child care for Child A. She reported that Ms. Scullion did terminate Child A's contract over these allegations, and she is not upset at Ms. Scullion because she knows that Child A is not fearful of Mr. Scullion. Child A's stepmother reiterated how happy she and Child A's father were with the care Ms. Scullion provided Child A. I was able to speak via telephone with Child B's mother on 10/05/2022. She reported that Child B loves attending the child care home and she is very happy with the care Child B receives. She had no concerns to report. She also stated that she has only had brief and pleasant exchanges with Mr. Scullion. I spoke to Child C's mother on 10/10/2022. She reported that she has only spoken to Mr. Scullion a handful of 4 times, but has never been concerned about him around Child C. She said Child C has never expressed fear of any staff in the child care home and she has no concerns to bring to the department's attention. I exchanged emails with the assigned licensing worker for this child care home Beth Gonding. Ms. Gonding reported she would be conducting an interim inspection and I provided an update on the investigation. Ms. Gonding reported that she has not seen Mr. Scullion be scary to any of the children anytime he was present during an inspection. I sent Ms. Scullion an email on 10/18/2022 letting her know the status of the investigation.

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R 400.1913 · R 400.1913 Discipline; child handling. (3) Personnel shall not do any of the following: (e) Deprive a child of meals, snacks, rest, or necessary toilet use.

I completed interviews on site on 7/14/2022 with Licensee Karen Scullion, child care staff member Amanda Westley and adult house hold member Kurtis Scullion. Mrs. Scullion reported that she contacted her licensing worker Beth Gonding earlier this week because she was having difficulty with Child A's mother being extremely hostile and rude at pickup when she was trying to address potty training and behavior issues with her. Mrs. Scullion said that over the last week Child A was getting up frequently during naptime to use the bathroom and when she was told to go back to her mat to rest, Child A would scream and cry, resulting in never napping. This made Mrs. Scullion concerned that Child A might have a urinary tract infection. When Mrs. Scullion attempted to address this with Child A's mother at pick up time, Child A's mother told Mrs. Scullion that she is not able to control Child A and she cries and tantrums at home like this too. Mrs. Scullion explained that they have allowed her to get up and try to use the bathroom each time, but they believe if she does not have a urinary tract infection, then she is just using the bathroom as an excuse to not lay down for rest time and playing in the bathroom. Child A's mother then started to accuse Mrs. Scullion of not allowing Child A to use the bathroom and became hostile with her tone. According to Mrs. Scullion, Mr. Scullion was home during this exchange, and he was sitting on the couch. He stood up and told Child A's mother that "she is the mother so she can control her child" and this made Child A's mother even more angry. She packed Child A's things and left saying she was calling child protective services. Mrs. Scullion denied the allegation that she was not allowing Child A to use the bathroom when needed. Kurtis Scullion reported that he works outside of the home but is home occasionally when parents drop off and pick up. On the day, this incident took place he said he was in the living room and heard Child A's mother start to yell at his wife about how she can't control her child. Mr. Scullion said he stood up from the couch and raised his hands in the air and said "you are the mother it is your job to control your child" he was referring to the tantrums that Child A frequently had when she did not get her way, especially during rest time. Mr. Scullion said this "set the woman off' and she started screaming at them both that she was going to call the cops and Child Protective Services and left. Amanda Westley reported that she was working the day of this incident and she said that Child A never wants to stay quiet during rest time, and has tantrums when she does not get her way which is a disruption to the other children who are napping. She frequently gets up to use the toilet even though they know she is not really going to the bathroom. Ms. Westley denied the allegation that Child A was ever 3 deprived of using the bathroom as punishment for anything. Ms. Wesley said that Child A's mother was angry, swearing and yelling at them. I attempted several contacts with Child A' mother on 7/14/2022, 8/3/2022 and 8/22/2022 with no return calls. The phone number is no longer valid as of 8/22/2022. On 8/3/2022 I spoke to Child C's mother. She reported that her kids enjoy attending the child care and she has no concerns. I spoke with Child B's mother on 8/10/2022. She reported that she has no concerns to bring to the departments attention and had no issues with potty training.

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