• Violation

  R 400.8213(1)(a) · R 400.8213(1)(a) Staff; volunteer (a) Provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

  During my on-site inspection I observed Teacher 1 inappropriately laying children down on their cots and moving them to the side as she was laying their linen down for naptime.

  Open Not marked corrected in the state record

  Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

• Violation

  R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (a) Hitting, spanking, shaking, biting, pinching, or inflicting other forms of corporal punishment.

  On February 22, 2023, I reviewed an incident received from program director Denise Williams. Child A informed his father that Child Care Staff Member 1 hit him on his back on February 17, 2023. Child A's Father sent a message on the Kindercare application system on the evening of February 17, 2023, stating that Child A informed him that Child Care Staff Member 1 hit him on his back. Ms. Williams spoke to Child A's Father on February 20, 2023. Child A's Father told her that Child A stated that he woke up early from his nap on February 17, 2023, and asked Child Care Staff Member 1 if he could get his blueberries and Child Care Staff Member 1 told him no. After being told no Child A got up from his cot and as he walked to his cubby, Child Care Staff Member 1 hit him on his back. Child A's Father did not observe any marks on Child A's back and Child A stated Child Care Staff Member 2 was also present in the room. Ms. Williams stated that Child Care Staff Member 1 was placed on administrative leave until an investigation is completed. On February 23, 2023, I completed an unannounced on-site inspection. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will not complete an investigation. I individually met with program director Denise Williams and Child Care Staff Member 2. Ms. Williams stated that she spoke to Child A's Father on February 19, 2023, as he sent a message on the Kindercare application on the evening of February 17, 2023. Child A's Father stated that Child A informed him that after waking up early from his nap on February 17, 2023, he asked Child Care Staff Member 1 if he could get his blueberries and she told him no. Child Care Staff Member 1 then hit Child A on his back as he attempted to walk to his cubby. Child A's Father stated that when he asked Child A if other child care staff members were present in the classroom he stated that Child Care Staff Member 2 was in the classroom. Child A's Father stated he did not observe any marks on Child A's back. Ms. Williams stated that she informed Child A's Father that Child Care Staff Member 1 would be placed on administrative leave until an investigation is completed. Ms. Williams stated that she spoke to Child Care Staff Member 1 on February 19, 2023. Child Care Staff Member 1 denied that she hit Child A. Child Care Staff Member 1 also stated that Child A did not ask for her for blueberries when he woke up from his nap, as she was on break and not in the room from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. When she returned to the classroom Child A was already up from his nap. Child Care Staff Member 1 also stated that Child A did not have blueberries in his lunch that day and she never observed him to bring blueberries. Ms. Williams stated that blueberries are never served as snacks at the child care center. Ms. Williams stated that she has never observed Child Care Staff Member 1 to hit Child A or any other children. She also stated that she has never had concerns regarding Child Care 3 Staff Member 1 being physically inappropriate with children. I observed the discipline policy to consist of redirection, talking, and modeling positive behaviors. Ms. Williams stated that Child Care Staff Member 1, Child Care Staff Member 2, and Child Care Staff Member 3 were present in the room on February 17, 2023. Child Care Staff Member 1 is currently on administrative leave. Child Care Staff Member 3 is not working today, as she is currently on vacation. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that she did not see Child Care Staff Member 1 hit Child A on his back nor did she hear Child A ask Child Care Staff Member 1 for his blueberries. Child Care Staff Member 2 also stated that she did not observe Child A to have blueberries in his lunch that day nor are blueberries served by the child care center for snacks. She stated that Child A's classroom takes a nap daily from 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that she left for the day at 1:30 p.m. on February 17, 2023, and she observed Child A

Child Care Staff Member 1 hit Child A (male, age 3) on his back.

Disposition: Substantiated