Eco Early Academy

R 400.8216(2)(a) · R 400.8216(2)(a) Orientation (2) Within 30 calendar days after being present at the center and before caring for children, program staff and unsupervised volunteers shall have training on all of the following, as applicable: (a) The prevention of shaken baby syndrome, if the center serves infants and toddlers. Bureau

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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 04/13/2023, I received a copy of the incident report, signed, and dated for 04/12/2023. Incident report provided information as it related to the allegation. On 04/13/2023, I interviewed Ms. Sandra Harris, program director by telephone. Ms. Harris stated on 04/12/2023, approximately 30 minutes after Child A told Child Care Staff member 2, she was hit by Child Care Staff member 1 she became aware of the matter. Child Care Staff member 2 was able to inform her what Child A was saying. About the time she was told the observed red mark was no longer visible. Ms. Harris completed the necessary paperwork and contacted Child A's Mother. She did speak with Child Care Staff member 1 about the incident. Child Care Staff member 1 was adamant she had not harmed Child A but could not account why Child A was stating she had been hit. Child Care Staff member 1 is currently on leave pending the investigation. 3 On 04/17/2023, I interviewed Child A's Mother by telephone. Child A's Mother stated she was contacted by Ms. Sandra Harris, program director by telephone and later met with Ms. Harris at the center. She was informed during the meeting that as Child A was having her diaper change, she was hit on the arm by Child Care Staff member 1. Child A was upset and crying at the time. There was a red mark observed on Child A's right forearm, but the mark went away. She did not observe any marks or bruises upon pick-up. Child A's Mother did not have any previous concerns about the care Child A received from Child Care Staff members at the center. Child A returned to the center for childcare the next day. On 04/18/2023, I completed an unannounced onsite at the center. I interviewed Child Care staff member 2, Child Care staff member 3, Child Care staff member 4, Ms. Sandra Harris, and Ms. Heather Schichtel, licensee designee. Child Care staff member 2 stated she started working at the center 09/2022. On 04/12/2023, at approximately 9:40 a.m. as the classroom was preparing to go outside. Child A came out the restroom, hysterically crying, saying Child Care staff member 1 hit her. Child A pointed to her forearm, and she observed a red mark on Child A's arm. When she questioned Child Care Staff member 1 about what Child A was stating, Child Care Staff member 1 responded, "Child A is just being herself." Child A will sometimes cry when being dropped off by her parents, but she has never observed Child A to respond and cry as she was after leaving the restroom. The red mark did not go away initially, it took approximately 10 minutes for the mark to fade. She did not take a picture or have someone else to observe the mark. She was in shock as she had never encountered a situation like this. Child A was very clingy with her for the rest of the day but was back to normal the next day. Child Care Staff member 1 observed to be very stern towards the toddlers in the room, easily frustrated. Child Care Staff member 2 was unable to get Ms. Harris attention until approximately an hour or so later as she did not know how to report the matter at time without drawing the attention of Child Care staff member 1. I informed Child Care Staff 2 of the importance of reporting suspected inappropriate discipline immediately especially when a bruise or mark is observed. I interviewed Child Care Staff member 3. Child Care Staff member 3 stated she started working for the center 10/2022 and typically works in the toddler room. She has observed Child Care Staff member 1 being rough and not as gentle as you would expect for someone that is working with toddlers. She would "plop" children back into their chairs with both hands on the children's shoulders and always appeared to be frustrated with the children when they were just doing normal toddler behaviors. Child Care Staff member 3 was not working on the day this incident occurred. I interviewed Child Care Staff member 4. Child Care Staff member 4 stated she began working for the center 06/2022. She normally works in the ear

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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.

There is not enough evidence to support the allegation that Child Care Staff member 1 hit Child A.

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