Diane Sevensma

R400.1914 · ........................................................................................................................................ R400.1914 Daily activity program. (3) All of the following developmentally appropriate opportunities must be provided daily: (b) Indoor and outdoor play, except during inclement or extreme weather, or unless otherwise ordered by a health care provider.

Based on interviews with Child B's Mother, Ms. Sevensma, Mr. Sevensma, and Child C's Mother, it cannot be established that the children did not have outdoor play as required by the rule.

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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.

On 09/27/2022, I spoke with the Complainant by telephone. The Complainant stated that another individual reported to him/her that the children are only fed cheerios for breakfast, and they are extremely hungry and thirsty at pick up. On 09/29/2022, I interviewed Child B's Mother by telephone. Child B's Mother stated that Ms. Sevensma instructed her to place Child B (???) in the very dim dining room at drop off. Mr. Sevensma was typically in the dining room at drop off. Child B was only offered cheerios for breakfast every single day. Child B's Mother started bringing breakfast for Child B to ensure she received nutritious food. On 09/29/2022, I completed an onsite inspection and spoke with Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma. They stated that children are not left alone when they are eating. They stated that sometimes they have the dining room light off to create a calming environment, but the windows provide plenty of natural light. The dining room light was off during my inspection, but the room directly off the dining room had multiple windows from floor to ceiling that provided an ample amount of direct sunlight that reached into the dining room. Ms. Sevensma stated that she does only offer cheerios as a grain for breakfast, but she participates with the food program, and it has never been an issue. She always has water available for the children. According to Ms. Sevensma's September menu required for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), she offered all required meal components for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack from 09/01/2022 to 09/28/2022. On 04/18/2023, I interviewed Child C's Mother by telephone. She stated that she noticed children alone outside on one occasion at arrival, but Mr. Sevensma was getting ready to go out with the children. She was not a fan of the "junk food" fed to the children for snack and lunch. She felt there was a lack of fruits and vegetables offered to the children. Child C arrived after breakfast, so she has no knowledge of 3

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R400.1931 · R400.1931 Food preparation and service. (1) A licensee shall ensure that all of the following requirements are met: (a) Each child shall be provided with nutritional and sufficient food pursuant to the minimum meal requirements of the child care food program, as administered by the Michigan department of education. These minimum meal requirements are based on the dietary guidelines for Americans made by the National Academy of Medicine, which are available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/meals-and-snacks. This subrule does not apply to children whose parents provide their food.

On 09/27/2022, I spoke with the Complainant by telephone. The Complainant stated that he/she is reporting information from another source; however, he/she personally knows Ms. Sevensma and routinely talks to her. Ms. Sevensma has reported disturbing things to him/her during telephone conversations. 5 He/She has heard Ms. Sevensma yell at the children from across the room. Ms. Sevensma reported to him/her that she sits in her chair and calls the children to her if they need anything. The Complainant stated that Ms. Sevensma told him/her that she changes diapers on a foot stool because she cannot physically pick the children up. Additionally, Ms. Sevensma told him/her that she cannot get up and down the stairs with the children. On 09/29/2022, I interviewed Child B's Mother by telephone. Child B's Mother stated that she has never seen Ms. Sevensma standing up. She has only ever seen Ms. Sevensma sitting in a recliner chair or on the couch. Child B was always very disheveled at pick up with crusted "boogers" on her face. Child B's Mother stated that Child B had a diaper on so tight that it left marks, and other times the diaper was not on right. Child B only attended the Sevensma child care for three weeks. On 09/29/2022, I completed an onsite inspection and spoke with Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma. They stated that the allegation is completely untrue. They stated that she (Ms. Sevensma) routinely gets up to attend to the children. Ms. Sevensma agreed to get an updated medical clearance from her primary physician. I followed Ms. Sevensma down the stairs to the basement. She walked down the stairs at a reasonable pace, and she did not exhibit any physical issues. Ms. Sevensma stated that she stopped changing diapers on the foot stool after her last inspection. She exclusively uses the changing table to change diapers. I inspected the designated diapering area located in the basement. There was a changing table sufficiently supplied with diapers, wipes, and a diaper pail. On 10/06/2022, I received an updated medical clearance dated 10/04/2022 from Ms. Sevensma via text message. The medical clearance is signed and indicates that Ms. Sevensma has no physical condition or health problems that would limit her ability to provide independent care of children (birth to age 17) in a child care setting. On 04/18/2023, Child C's Mother stated she never saw Ms. Sevensma stand up at drop off or pick up. Ms. Sevensma was always sitting in her chair. Ms. Sevensma frequently yelled at the children from her chair. She had no knowledge of diapers being changed on a foot stool. Child C was sent home in another child's diaper on a few occasions, but it was always the appropriate size.

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R400.1915 · R400.1915 Indoor space; play equipment and materials. (1) A child care home shall provide not less than 35 square feet per child of safe, usable, accessible indoor floor space, not including bathrooms and storage areas.

On 09/27/2022, I spoke with the Complainant by telephone. The Complainant stated that he/she is reporting information from another source; however, he/she personally knows Ms. Sevensma and routinely talks to her on the telephone. He/She has heard Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma scream at each other when children were in care. He/She had no knowledge whether Ms. Sevensma 7 or Mr. Sevensma console crying children. He/She stated that it was reported to him/her that Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma yell at the children to discipline them, they do not use any sort of redirection, and they put children of all ages in a gated area for discipline purposes. On 09/29/2022, I interviewed Child B's Mother by telephone. Child B's Mother stated that Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma argued in front of her and the children. Additionally, it bothered her how Mr. Sevensma talked to Ms. Sevensma and the children. He yelled when he became frustrated with the children. She described Mr. Sevensma as "not nurturing." She stated that Child B had typical separation anxiety and cried at drop off. Child B's Mother stated that Mr. Sevensma typically received Child B at drop off, but he was not overly responsive or comforting towards Child B. Ms. Sevensma told her that Child B cried after she left in the morning but would settle down after a short time. On 09/29/2022, I completed an onsite inspection and spoke with Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma. They denied the allegations. Ms. Sevensma stated that Mr. Sevensma just has a loud voice in general, but he interacts with and holds children on his lap throughout the day. They denied yelling at the children. Ms. Sevensma stated that she and Mr. Sevensma routinely use redirection to handle the children's behavior. She stated that they place younger children in a gated area during floor play to keep them safe from mobile children. On 04/18/2023, Child C's Mother reported that Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma frequently yelled at the children and each other in her presence before I had an opportunity to review the allegation with her. For example, they got into an argument one day when Ms. Sevensma asked Mr. Sevensma to vacuum upstairs. They argued back and forth for several minutes about the vacuuming. Mr. Sevensma ended the argument by telling Ms. Sevensma to "shut up." This argument occurred in front of the children. Child C's Mother stated that she has witnessed Ms. Sevensma tell crying children that they were "fine" but not really provide any sort of comfort on more than one occasion. She heard Mr. Sevensma yell at the children every single day when discipling them. She witnessed Mr. Sevensma yank a toy out of a crying child's hands in a very unkind way. She also stated that Ms. Sevensma also yelled at the children when discipling them. On 04/24/2023, I completed an exit conference with Ms. Sevensma. Ms. Sevensma stated that she and Mr. Sevensma have loud voices in general, but they never yell at the children. Aside from one argument last summer, she and Mr. Sevensma do not yell at each other or argue in front of the children. She stated that Mr. Sevensma may come across as "gruff" but he is actually very loving towards the children.

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R400.1906 · R400.1906 Records of a licensee; child care staff member; child care assistant. (1) A licensee shall maintain a file for each child care staff member and each child care assistant that includes all of the following: (c) A statement signed by a licensed physician or his or her designee that attests to the individual's mental and physical health., and which must be updated as follows: (i) For an applicant or licensee, within 1 year before issuance of the initial license and at the time of subsequent renewals.

On 09/27/2022, I spoke with the Complainant by telephone. The Complainant stated that it was reported to him/her that the children do not go outside to play. On 09/29/2022, I interviewed Child B's Mother stated that she had no knowledge of whether the children play outside. rj On 09/29/2022, I completed an onsite inspection and spoke with Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma. They denied the allegation. Ms. Sevensma stated that the children go outside every single day around 10am. In fact, the children played outside today for approximately one hour. On 04/18/2023, Child C's Mother stated she had no concern regarding the children playing outside. She believes the children went outside daily if weather permitted.

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R400.1923 · R400.1923 Diapering and toilet learning. (2) The designated changing area must comply with all of the following: (a) Be used exclusively for changing wet or soiled diapers or underwear. (b) Be located away from food preparation and meal service areas. (c) Have access to a hand washing sink that is not used for food preparation. (d) Have a nonabsorbent, easily sanitized surface with a changing pad between the child and the surface. (e) Be cleaned and sanitized after each use. (f) Have diapering and changing supplies within easy reach. (g) Have a plastic-lined, tightly covered container that is used exclusively for disposable diapers and diapering supplies that must be emptied and sanitized at the end of each day. .................

On 09/27/2022, I spoke with the Complainant by telephone. The Complainant stated that it was reported to him/her that Mr. Sevensma leaves the premises to smoke, leaving Ms. Sevensma alone with too many children. On 09/29/2022, I interviewed Child B's Mother stated that she had no knowledge of Ms. Sevensma being left alone with too many children or whether Mr. Sevensma leaves the premises to smoke. On 09/29/2022, I completed an onsite inspection and spoke with Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma. They denied the allegation. Mr. Sevensma stated that he does not smoke on or off the premises when children are in care. On 04/13/2023, Child C's Mother stated that she has seen Ms. Sevensma alone with a lot of children, but Mr. Sevensma could have been in the home. She never saw Mr. Sevensma smoke off the premises or otherwise.

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R400.1911 · ............................ ............... R400.1911 Care; supervision; children ................ (1) A licensee shall ensure appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma failed to provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times when they argued and yelled at one another in front of the children. Based on interviews with the Complainant, Child B's Mother, and Child C's Mother, Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma have argued and yelled in front of the children on numerous occasions. Based on interviews with Child B's Mother and Child C's Mother, Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma failed to comfort crying children on numerous occasions.

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R400.1913 · R400.1913 Discipline; child handling. (2) Developmentally appropriate positive methods of discipline that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation must be used.

Ms. Sevensma and Mr. Sevensma failed to provide developmentally appropriate positive methods of discipline that encouraged self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation when they yelled at the children for discipline purposes. Based on interviews with the Complainant, Child B's Mother, and Child C's Mother, Ms. Sevensma and Mr., Sevensma have yelled at the children on numerous occasions.

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R400.1910 · R400.1910 Ratio of personnel to children (1) The ratio of personnel to children present in the home at any 1 time must be not less than 1 member of the personnel to 6 children. The ratio must include all children in care who are not related to any personnel and any of the following children who are less than 6 years of age: (a) Children of the licensee. (b) Children of a child care staff member or child care assistant. (c) Children related to any member of the household by blood, marriage, or adoption.

Based on interviews with Child B's Mother, Ms. Sevensma, Mr. Sevensma, and Child C's Mother, it cannot be established that Ms. Sevensma was left alone with too many children at any given time.

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

On June 29, 2022, I made an unannounced inspection to the child care home. When I arrived Ms. and Mr. Sevensma were at the home. Mr. Sevensma let me in the home and led me to the basement. There were 10 children in care and Ms. Sevensma was in the basement supervising the children. I informed Ms. and Mr. Sevensma about the allegations. Both Ms. and Mr. Sevensma denied that the allegations were true. Ms. and Mr. Sevensma stated that they ensure that they are providing appropriate care and supervision of children at all times. Ms. Sevensma stated that if one of them has to go prepare a meal or use the restroom they will make sure that one of them is supervising the children. They both stated that children are not left unsupervised. On June 29, 2022, I spoke with Child A and B's Mother, Child C's Mother, and Child D's Mother on the telephone. They informed me that their children no longer attend the child care home. The reasons for leaving were changing of schedules and child care needs. None of the parents had concerns about supervision. They did not have concerns about children being left alone and unsupervised. Child A and B's Mother stated that Ms. Sevensma told her that Child A would not be allowed to go outside because Child A (female, age 4) was climbing on the outside equipment and a tree. Child A's Mother does not know if Child A was actually not allowed to go outside to play. She said Child A never said that she was not allowed to go outside. Child C's Mother stated that she observed Ms. Sevensma "yell" at her husband and that she was always "complaining about something." Child C's Mother did not hear either Ms. or Mr. Sevensma yell at children. During my time in the home Ms. and Mr. Sevensma did raise their voices and were upset when I informed them of the allegations. Ms. Sevensma did raise her voice at Mr. Sevensma a few times while I was present. Neither of them said anything inappropriate but their voices were raised. I provided technical assistance and consultation on this concern. On July 1, 2022, I spoke with Child E's Mother and Child F and Child G's Mother on the telephone. They informed me that their children are currently attending the child care home. Neither parent had any concerns about the supervision that Ms. and Mr. Sevensma provide for their children. They stated that at drop of and pick up times the children are always being supervised by either Ms. or Mr. Sevensma or both of them. Child E's Mother stated that she had observed Ms. and Mr. Sevensma "yell" at each other. She felt that Mr. Sevensma did not always speak nicely to the children. During my inspection, I heard Mr. Sevensma tell children "no" and "stop", the tone was firm. The tone was not inappropriate but was firm. I provided consultation on positive discipline strategies. On July 7, 2022, I spoke with Ms. Sevensma on the telephone. She stated that she does not recall this specific incident with a child climbing equipment or a tree, but 3 there was a child that tried to climb the fence surrounding a pool. She said that she and Mr. Sevensma provide direct supervision while children are outside. She is aware that children are required to have outside time every day. I provided technical assistance to Ms. Sevensma concerning Rule 400.1914 (3) Daily activity program, that requires outdoor play for children in care.

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R 400.1915(2) · R 400.1915(2) Indoor space; play equipment and materials. (2) Only space that has received prior approval for child use by the department may be used for child care.

Ms. Sevensma denied that she put a child to sleep in a play yard in a closet. I asked Ms. Sevensma to give me a tour of the home and show me all approved areas. I inspected all the levels of the home and asked Ms. Sevensma to point out rooms or spaces where children sleep. She informed me that children sleep on all levels of the home; she pointed out the rooms where children sleep. I observed several rooms with play yards in them. There was an adequate amount of sleeping equipment for the ages and number of children. There were smoke detectors in all the sleeping rooms and areas. I did not observe any closets with sleeping equipment or any children sleeping in a closet. I provided technical assistance about placement of a smoke detector in the "art room" that is located to the left of the stairs in the basement. The "art room" has flooring with two cement walls and two unpainted walls; the dry wall is in good repair. The ceiling has exposed beams from the main floor. There were three play yards in this room. Along the back wall of the room there is a water purification system (tanks), stand up freezer, and a well tank. The well tank is enclosed and has been made inaccessible to children. The room was clean, and I did not observe any hazards. This room has been previously approved by child care licensing bureau. The "art room" leads to a bathroom, the furnace/water heater room, and a bedroom that is used for napping. In the bedroom there were two play yards set up. There were non-hazardous items stored in boxed and bins along the walls in this room. There was nothing hanging over or too close to the play yards that would be 4 considered a hazard. All the spaces in the home that children access have been approved by child care licensing bureau. On June 29, 2022, I spoke with Child A and B's Mother, Child C's Mother, and Child D's Mother on the telephone. They stated that they had no concerns about where their children slept and have not observed children sleeping in closets. Child A and B's Mother stated there is an "unfinished" room at the bottom of the stairs that is used for napping. Child A and B's Mother stated Child A (female, age 5) and Child B (female, age 8) would rest in the sunroom on the main floor. Child C's Mother stated Child C (male, age 3) would sleep on a couch. On July 1, 2022, I spoke with Child E's Mother and Child F and Child G's Mother on the telephone. Neither of them had any concerns about where their children sleep and have not observed children sleeping in closets. Child E's Mother stated there is an "unfinished" room at the bottom of the stairs that is used and that some people might assume it is a closet. Child F and G's Mother stated that Child G (female, age 2) sleeps in a room in the basement.

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R 400.1911 · R 400.1911 Care; supervision; children. (3) A licensee and child care staff members shall be up and awake at all times when children are in care, except as provided in R 400.1922(2) of these rules.

On 04/16/2021 I completed an unannounced onsite inspection at the Sevensma's home. I informed Mr. and Mrs. Sevensma of the allegations. They both denied sleeping while child care children are present in the home. Mrs. Sevensma stated that she is upstairs in the home getting ready in the morning while children are arriving. She stated her alarm clock is set for 5:30 am and she will occasionally hit the snooze button a few times. She identified that Mr. Sevensma sits up in the sunroom on the main level of the home while children are arriving for care. She stated typically the earliest a child will arrive is around 6:00 am apart from Child F (Female, age 6) and Child G (Female, age 3) who have recently started arriving at 5:30 am due to a change in their mother's employment. Mrs. Sevensma stated that Child F and Child G go upstairs and back to bed when they arrive to the home. Mrs. Sevensma stated that she is downstairs with the child care children at 7:00 am. She identified that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic families would just walk into the home and bring the children downstairs. This was changed during the pandemic where parents would ring the doorbell and leave the children at the front door. Mrs. Sevensma stated that she and Mr. Sevensma recently went back to allowing parents to walk in the home to drop off children. Mr. Sevensma stated that he waits in the sunroom in the morning for child care children to arrive. He stated that he will lay down on the couch before children arrive but never after children are in care. Mrs. Sevensma recalled one time that Mr. Sevensma was waiting for children to arrive when he fell back asleep which caused him to be late to answering the door for a family. He denied that any children were in the home when this happened. Mrs. Sevensma stated that this occurred when Child A's (male, age 2) Mother was dropping off. She stated that Mr. Sevensma had dozed off on the couch and it took about 10 minutes for him to answer the door. Mrs. Sevensma stated that Child A's Mother texted her, but she did not respond because she had Mr. Sevensma get up and open the door. Mr. and Mrs. Sevensma denied that any other child care children were present in the home. The Sevensma's could not recall the exact date this occurred on. Mrs. Sevensma provided attendance records for 4/2/2021-4/16/2021. The earliest arrivals during that timeframe are Child A and Child C (male, age 8) who arrived at 6:00 am. On 4/21/2021 I spoke to Child A's Mother by phone. She stated Child A started attending child care at the Sevensma's home in July 2020. She identified that it's always been an issue having someone answer the door in the mornings. Child A's Mother stated that a few months ago her mother was dropping off Child A to child care around 7:00am. At this time, Mr. Sevensma was observed coming to the door, looking disheveled, and would openly state that he had been sleeping. She stated that she typically drops off Child A around 6:00 am. She identified that Mr. 3 Sevensma stated that children are dropped off before Child A. She stated there have been issues getting someone to answer the door in the mornings. She stated that she'll often have to wait for a while knocking, ringing the doorbell, and texting Mrs. Sevensma before Mr. Sevensma answers. Child A's Mother identified that recently she was given the garage passcode and told just to come into the house in the mornings to drop off Child A. When she went in the home Mr. Sevensma was laying on the couch and did not acknowledge her. She stated she asked him loudly "do I just leave him here on the chair?". Mr. Sevensma responded with "yes, did you move the dog?" She stated the house was dark and the news was on the TV. She stated she thought there were children sleeping on the couch in the living room but could not be sure because it was hard to see with the house that dark. She expressed concern that Mr. Sevensma falls back asleep, and no one is awake to watch Child A. On 5/12/2

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R400.1913 · R400.1913 Discipline; child handling. (1) A licensee shall develop and have on file a written policy regarding the discipline of children.

On 04/15/2021 the department received a complaint stating the Sevensma's are placing children in a circular gated play yard on the lower level of the home that they refer to as the "naughty boy cage". It was reported that Mr. Sevensma stated that this is where children go for a few minutes when they are being to naughty. On 4/16/2021 I completed an unannounced onsite inspection at the Sevensma's home. When I arrived, I observed the gated circular play yard on the lower level of the home. Two toddler boys were observed in the gated area. Toys and books were observed within the gated play yard. I asked Mrs. Sevensma what this gated area is used for. She stated this is typically where she puts the younger babies to ensure they are safe to play. She stated that the two toddler boys were currently in that space because they had been climbing the gate near the stairs and she needed to redirect them. She stated that she was feeding the two infants and needed to ensure that two toddler boys were safe while she was doing this. She denied that this is used as a form of discipline. I observed Mr. Sevensma remove the two boys from the play yard area to bring them upstairs for lunch service. He denied that children are placed in this area as a form of discipline. Mrs. Sevensma provided me with a copy of her discipline policy which I reviewed. The discipline policy provided was appropriate. On 4/21/2021 I spoke to Child A's Mother by phone. Child A's Mother stated that due to Covid-19 she was not allowed to enter the home. Around March 2021 the Sevensma's started allowing parents back into the home during pick up and drop off. She stated that during pick up she has observed Child A in the caged area a few times. She stated that Child A was typically in there by himself. She identified that 5 Mr. Sevensma stated that Child A was in the cage because he was throwing toys and needed a timeout. Child A's Mother stated that she was told that he only spends a few minutes in the cage and is never left in there for a long period of time. On 5/12/2021 I spoke to Child B's Mother by phone. She stated Child B is newer to care. She stated that she has no concerns and Child B appears happy and likes going to the Sevensma's home. I spoke to Child C's Mother, Child D's Mother, Child E's Mother, and Child F and Child G's Mother by phone. They all stated for the past year they have been dropping off and picking up their children from the front door do to Covid-19. They denied going down to the lower level of the home where the gated play yard is set up.

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