Kent ISD - Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center

R 400.8125 · R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

On 01/28/21 I spoke with Child A's Mother by telephone regarding the reported allegations. She stated on 1/25/21 she was contacted by Joslyn Krupa, Child A's teacher, who informed her he had been punched in the stomach by 2 boys in the 2 bathroom. He did not have any injuries. Child A's Mother then had communication with Janel Switer, principal, of Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center as the licensed program is housed in the same building. She expressed her concerns about the incident and with the supervision of Child A while in care. Child A remains in care. Child A's Mother forwarded me a copy of the email communication that took place. The emails outline the action taken against the two boys involved in the incident. On 02/02/21 I conducted an unannounced on-site inspection to Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center. This building houses 3 separate licensed child care programs and programs through Caledonia Public Schools. Kent ISD-Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP), is a stand-alone program that has their own administration and internal chain of command. Janel Switzer, principal, was involved in this complaint as she is the building principal, she is not responsible for the licensed program or their staff. I met with Mrs. Switzer and she stated she dealt with the 2 boys involved in the incident with Child A as they attend the Young 5's program. The programs all use the same bathrooms. When she was made aware of the incident, she contacted the parents of the boys who hit Child A, a plan was made to address their behavior, and they no longer can use the same bathroom as the children in the Kent ISD- GSRP program. I then met face to face with Joslyn Krupa, program director, for the licensed program. She stated the day of the incident she had a substitute assistant, Sonia James, in the classroom. During small group Child A said he had to go to the bathroom. Ms. James took Child A to the bathroom. A short time later Child A came running back into the room saying he had been punched while in the bathroom. Ms. James told her while she was waiting outside the bathroom for Child A, a couple other boys went into the bathroom. A short time later then Child A ran out saying he had been punched. Ms. Krupa said they are trained to stand outside the bathrooms as there are separate restrooms for the boys and girls. The program shares the bathrooms with the other programs in the building. Child A was not injured and did not require any medical care. She did complete an incident report and spoke with Child A's Mother about the incident. I received a copy of the incident report while on- site. On 02/02/21 I spoke with Sonia James by telephone. She explained on 1/25/21 she was working as a substitute in the classroom. During small group Child A said he had to go to the bathroom, so she took him and a female student to the restroom. The bathrooms are located outside the classroom door. She waited in the area between the two bathrooms for them. A short time later 2 boys from a different program came into the boy's bathroom. Child A then ran out saying, "these boys hit me" and went into the classroom. She reported the incident to Mrs. Krupa who then handled the situation. Ms. James explained she is trained to wait outside the bathroom for the children. I then spoke with Ashley Karsten, licensee designee, for the Kent ISD GSRP programs. She was aware of the incident that took place with Child A. A plan was 3 implemented where the boys who hit Child A were no longer able to use the restrooms used by the GSRP program. Child A remains in care with the licensed program.

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