• Violation

  R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. ....................................... ........ (1) Positive methods of discipline that encourage self- control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation must be used.

  On June 25, 2020 I made an unannounced onsite inspection to the child care center and discussed the allegations in the complaint with the program director, Stephanie Meggison. Mrs. Meggison was unaware of the incident. She was working the day of the incident; however, she did not see any caregivers yank Child A or yell at him. Ms. Meggison stated that Child A can be difficult to deal with sometimes, because he will scream and yell for extended periods of times and refuse to follow directions. She went on to say that despite this behavior he is a sweet child and after he is done yelling will sometimes say "I stop." Ms. Meggison provided the names of the other caregivers that were working the day of the incident. During the onsite inspection I interviewed caregiver Tammy Hayes. I made Ms. Hayes aware of the allegations in the complaint. Ms. Hayes stated that she did not see anyone yank Child A's arm or yell at him. I asked Ms. Hayes if she pulled Child A by his arm or yelled at him. Ms. Hayes replied that she did not yank him by the arm, but she did take him by the arm and bring him back to the group as they were preparing to go outside. She explained that she was helping the children get ready to go outside and Child A went away from the group, she called his name and he did not come back, she walked over to get him and he didn't come, so she took him by the arm and guided him back to the group. I asked her if she yelled his name, she replied that she said his name firmly, but did not believe that she yelled at him. She admitted that she does have to be stern with Child A to get him to listen and she did tell him sternly to sit down. Ms. Hayes said that she doesn't yell at any of the children. On August 4, 2020 I called Child A's Mother and left a voicemail message requesting a return phone call. On August 4, 2020 I called Child B's Mother. Child B (female, age 2 1/2 years) attends the center. Child B's Mother has not had any problems with the care or supervision in the center. She has never witnessed any caregivers speaking roughly to the children nor has she seen them being physically rough with the children. She has seen a lot of growth in her daughter and believes the caregivers are doing a stellar job with the children in the center. On August 4, 2020 I called Child C's Mother. There was no answer to the phone call. 3 On August 5, 2020 I made an unannounced onsite inspection to the child care center. I interviewed child care staff member Melissa Lawson. Ms. Lawson stated that she does recall the incident in the allegations. Ms. Lawson stated that the children were getting ready to go outside and she heard Ms. Hayes say "[Child A] come over here." I asked if Ms. Hayes yelled when she said it and she replied no that she was speaking firmly, but not yelling. She said that Child A was running around the table at the time Ms. Hayes called his name. I asked Ms. Lawson if Ms. Hayes pulled Child A by the arm, she said she left the room to go get her shoes, so she did not know what happed after Ms. Hayes called his name; however, when she came back he was not crying. I asked Ms. Lawson if she ever saw Ms. Hayes pull a child or handle any of the children in an aggressive or rough manner. She replied that she had not and explained that Ms. Hayes has a firm tone, but that she is never physically rough with the children. During the onsite inspection I interviewed child care staff member Julie Lewis. Ms. Lewis stated that she did work on June 25, 2020; however, she does not recall the incident in the complaint. She does work with Child A and she does not think anyone yells at him; however, they do have to speak in firm way with him to let him know they are being serious. I asked if she has ever seen anyone physically pull Child A or any other child in the center. She said no they never pull or yank the children. On August 5, 2020 during the onsite inspection I conducted an exit conference with the program director Stephanie Meggison. On

A child care staff member was seen yanking Child A by the arm and yelling at him.

Disposition: Substantiated