• Violation

  R 400.1913 · R 400.1913 Discipline; child handling. ....................................... ........................ (2) Developmentally appropriate positive methods of discipline that encourage self-control, self-direction, self- esteem, and cooperation must be used.

  On 5/4/23, I interviewed licensee, Mrs. Cathryn Bergmooser at her child care group home. I went over the allegations with Mrs. Bergmooser. Mrs. Bergmooser explained that Child A hits and pulls the children's hair constantly as well as the infants. Mrs. Bergmooser stated that when Child A hits and pulls the children's hair, he is placed in a highchair for about five minutes. There are times when Child A is given toys and snacks and times when he's not given anything and just sits there. Mrs. Bergmooser spoke with Child A's Mother in February 2023 about Child A's behaviors and his rough play with his older brother, Child B (4-year-old male). Mrs. Bergmooser asked Child A's Mother what was done when the aggressive behaviors occurred towards Child B? Child A's Mother told Mrs. Bergmooser that she also places Child A in a highchair if he is having inappropriate behaviors. I explained to Mrs. Bergmooser that she cannot use timeout for a child under the age of 3 years old even if they're receiving timeouts at home. Mrs. Bergmooser had difficulty understanding this and was very frustrated because Child A hits a lot and is fearful that Child A will hurt one of the younger children if not watched constantly. Mrs. Bergmooser explained that she doesn't have the staff to constantly watch over Child A and she has a lot of infants which is why he's placed in a highchair. On 5/04/23, I interviewed Child Care Staff Member 1 (CCSM1). I went over the allegations regarding Child A. CCSM 1 stated that Child A is not placed in a highchair immediately after he is aggressive. CCSM 1 stated that she and Mrs. Bergmooser try to redirect Child A and Child when they are aggressive. Child A is usually the aggressor between himself and Child B. CCSM 1 stated that when Child A doesn't listen, he is placed in a highchair or an exersaucer for about 30 minutes to an hour with toys and when he cries, he's taken out and placed back on the floor. I confirmed with CCSM 1 her statement regarding Child A sitting in a highchair or exersaucer for 30 minutes to an hour when he doesn't listen. CCSM 1 indicated that is correct. I provided technical assistance to CCSM 1 explaining that timeouts cannot be used with children under the age of 3 years old and the amount of time Child A is placed in a highchair is very long and inappropriate. I interviewed Child Care Staff Member 2 (CCSM 2) and went over the allegations. CCSM 2 stated that whenever Child A is on the floor with other children Child A scratches and pulls their hair. When this behavior occurs CCSM 2 explained how the child care staff members try to redirect Child A by placing him in a different space, but if that doesn't work Child A is placed in a highchair for about five minutes with a toy. Mrs. Bergmooser sent me a copy of her discipline policy. Mrs. Bergmooser's discipline policy states child care staff members will use the following techniques when children are expressing inappropriate behaviors such as; redirection/use of 3 words, verbal warnings, time-outs which will be a last resort consisting of one minute for every year old the child is. The child will also be told why they are in time out. If a child has not responded to a time out, then privileges within the daycare will be withheld. I provided technical assistance to Mrs. Bergmooser regarding adding to her discipline policy children under the age of three will not be placed in timeout. I also referenced Mrs. Bergmooser to the discipline policy in the licensing rule book as well. I provided technical assistance to Mrs. Bergmooser, CCSM 1 and CCSM 2 explaining that timeouts shall not be used with children under the of 3 years old and for children 3 years of age and older, timeouts shall not exceed one minute per age of the child. On 5/8/23, I interviewed Child C's Mother. Child C's Mother explained that she loves Mrs. Bergmooser's child care and has never had any issues. Child C's Mother stated that for discipline, Child C (4-year-old, male) is placed i

Child A (male, age 17 months) is placed in an infant bouncer to seclude him from peers, because of hitting/hair pulling.

Disposition: Substantiated