R 400.8155 · R 400.8155 Child accidents and incidents; child and staff illness. (4) If a center becomes aware that a staff member, volunteer, or child in care has contracted a communicable disease, then the center shall notify parents and provide all of the following information: a. The name of the communicable disease the children were exposed to.

On 06/30/2023, I emailed the complaint source and requested a return telephone call. I received an email response stating that previously a child had lice and child care staff members (CCSMs) were prohibited from sharing this information with parents. I emailed the complaint source for additional details and received an email response identifying Child A (female, 3 years) as the child that had lice on two separate occasions. On 07/10/2023, I completed an unannounced onsite inspection at the center from 1:50 pm — 3:00 pm and interviewed licensee designee Laura Shephard, program director Nicole Belanger, and CCSMs 1 and 6. Ms. Shephard and Ms. Belanger were interviewed separately, and both confirmed that Child A was sent home twice for lice. Both stated that the parents were notified the one time, however the second time it was caught upon arrival while she was still in the enclosed foyer of the center. Therefore, she did not enter the center and the parent took her home. Ms. Shephard provided me with the newsletter that notified the parents of the lice incident. They both confirmed that this is the primary form of notification of illnesses, and the parents are aware of such. Neither of them notified CCSMs to not inform parents of the lice, rather they stated do not identify Child A. They felt that possibly a CCSM misunderstood this instruction. CCSM 1 thought that she was told not to inform parents of Child A's lice. I informed her of the notification via the newsletter and she added that she probably misunderstood their instruction. She was not aware that they did the notifications about illnesses within the center via the newsletters sent to parents. CCSM 6 did not know who Child A was and was not aware of any lice incidents. She was aware that notifications regarding illnesses within the center are in the newsletter sent to parents. On 07/11/2023 I called the center and interviewed CCSMs 2-5. CCSM 2 stated that she had cared for Child A and was the one that found the lice. She told either Ms. Shephard or Ms. Belanger, who called the parent. Child A was sent home. She was aware that a notification regarding such was sent out via the newsletter. CCSM 3 was not aware of the lice incident and was not aware of how parents are notified of illnesses within the center. CCSM 4 knew who Child A was but was not aware of any lice incidents. She was aware that notifications regarding illnesses within the center are in the newsletter sent to parents. 3 CCSM 5 stated that she had cared for Child A and was not aware of the lice incident. She was not aware that a notification was sent out via the newsletter.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: health medication. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.8380 · R 400.8380 Maintenance of premises. (4) Floors, interior walls, and ceilings must be kept in sound condition, good repair, and maintained in a clean condition.

On 06/30/2023, the complaint source's email to me stated that there is a hole in the ceiling of the young preschool room that was patched last summer but continues to leak when it rains. The CCSMs have to collect the water in buckets while children are in the classroom. On 07/10/2023, Ms. Shepard and Ms. Belanger were interviewed separately, and both stated that they were only aware of one time, approximately a month ago, that the ceiling leaked in the young preschool room. At that time, it was raining hard, and they were notified so empty trash bins were provided to collect the water. They had someone out to make repairs and it has not leaked since then. No CCSMs have reported any leaks since it was repaired. Ms. Belanger took me to the room, and I observed the area that appeared to have a prior leak. It had rained recently and there was no evidence of a recent leak as it was dry. Ms. Shephard added that they will have it looked at again to confirm that it does not leak. She will provide me with the work order regarding such. CCSM 1 stated that she was aware of the leak in the young preschool room as CCSM 4 had to place a bucket that Ms. Shephard brought her, to collect the water. She added that it has been repaired and has not leaked since. This occurred approximately one month ago. CCSM 6 stated that she never worked in the young preschool room and was not aware of a leak. 4 On 07/11/2023, CCSM 2 reported that she was aware of a leak in the young preschool room about a month ago. CCSM 4 had to place a bucket that Ms. Shephard brought her, to collect the water. She added that it has been repaired and has not leaked since. CCSM 3 was not aware of a leak in the young preschool room. CCSM 4 was aware of the leak that occurred about a month ago, as she had to place a trash bin that Ms. Shephard brought her under the water. Maintenance was called, it was repaired, and it has not leaked since. CCSM 5 was not aware of a leak in the young preschool room. On 08/10/2023, I called the center and spoke with Ms. Belanger. She stated that she would instruct Ms. Shephard to send me the work order for when they had maintenance out again to check the ceiling. She confirmed that the next time that it rained that it did not leak. On 08/14/023, I called the center and spoke with Ms. Shephard. She stated that she will send me the work order for when they had maintenance out again to check the ceiling. She confirmed that the last time it rained, she checked, and it did not leak. Later, I received the work order via email, showing it was checked for leaks on July 18, 2023.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: recordkeeping. Open / not marked corrected.

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 May 11, 2021, a complaint was received stating that on May 06, 2021, Child A was upset during parent pick-up. He indicated that Child B had been bullying him on the playground. She was also hitting and kicking him. He had reported this to child care staff member Kelsey Spagnuolo several times but she ignored him. On May 11, 2021, I interviewed Child A's Mother via telephone. She stated that on May 06, 2021, Child A was in the hallway crying when she picked him up. He did not want to come out and see her because he had gotten in trouble for not coming in from the playground when he was asked to. He told her that she would not believe him because his classroom teacher Ms. Spagnuolo would not tell the truth. Child care staff member Rachel Vanderkarr was at the door comforting him. Ms. Vanderkarr explained to her that he was upset because he had reported that Child B was hitting and kicking him while outside on the playground, which is why he did not want to come in. Child B had spent all recess hitting and kicking him and does so frequently. Child A said he had tried to tell Ms. Spagnuolo but he kept getting hit and kicked and could not tell her. Ms. Vanderkarr stated that Ms. Spagnuolo likes to exaggerate things and is not super nice. Child A's Mother checked Child A when they arrived at home and he did not have any marks or bruises on him. She is concerned that the staff are not appropriately supervising the children nor addressing negative behaviors by other children. Child A has attended the center since he was two years old and there were no previous incidences or concerns. On May 12, 2021, I completed an unannounced onsite inspection. I interviewed Program Director Nicole Belanger and Executive Director Laura Shephard. Ms. Belanger stated that she became aware of the alleged incident between the children the next evening, May 07, 2021 after Child A's Mother had emailed Ms. Shephard to inform her of the concerns. Because it was Friday evening, no one responded to Child A's Mother until Monday when they set up a meeting with her. In the meeting, Child A's Mother indicated that the center ignored her email and did not respond quickly enough. She was concerned that Child A was not being supervised adequately and they are allowing other children to hit and kick her child. Ms. Belanger assured her that they looked into it as soon as they could and spoke with all of the staff that were there that day. They denied seeing Child B hit Child A. Ms. Spagnuolo denied seeing any of these behaviors and furthermore indicated that Child A never came to her crying. Ms. Belanger explained to her that both Child A and Child B have had negative behaviors in the center. They both have hit each other and other children, but not to the point that they are not addressing it or working with the children. It is possible that they were both antagonizing each other, but Ms. Spagnuolo would have seen it if this were going on the entire time. 3 Ms. Belanger stated that Child A's file has several discipline notes that have been sent to his mother over the last several months. He consistently does not listen, puts his hands on other children and misbehaves. They have attempted to work with him and his mother to address his negative behaviors. In addition, Child B has had several negative behavioral incident reports. They have been working with her mother to address her getting along with others. Ms. Belanger interviewed Ms. Spagnuolo and she denied seeing any of the behaviors occurring while outside. Child A never reported anything to her. He did not get upset until she forced him to come inside. Ms. Belanger indicated that this has happened before with Child A. If feels that he would be in trouble for refusing to come in, then he will get upset because they will tell his mother. Ms. Belanger agreed that it is possible that Child B might have hit or kicked him, or vice versa, but it could also have been that Child A was upset because he knew they would

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.8140(1) · R 400.8140(1) Discipline. Positive methods of discipline that encourage self-control, self- direction, self-esteem, and cooperation must be used.

On May 11, 2021, Child A's Mother reported that a few weeks ago when she was picking Child A up from the center, she observed Ms. Spagnuolo push him out of the doorway. Ms. Spagnuolo looked irritated and was following him around as he gathered his belongings. She watched her through the glass door and could see that Ms. Spagnuolo had her hands on his backpack and was guiding him to the door, almost pushing him. Child A stumbled a little at the door and then exited the building. Child A's Mother immediately went to inform Ms. Shephard of what happened. Ms. Shephard stated that she would address this with her. 7 On May 12, 2021, I interviewed Ms. Shephard. She recalled this concern made by Child A's Mother, but it happened in the Fall of 2020 not a few weeks ago. Ms. Shephard stated that they addressed this concern last fall and in the meeting they had on May 10, 2021 with Child A's Mother. Ms. Shephard feels that Child A's Mother is still harboring negative feelings towards Ms. Spagnuolo over this previous incident, which was unfounded. Ms. Shephard had kept the text messages of the conversation that she had with Child A's Mother. The text message from October 27, 2020 had said "Is there a good reason that Ms. Spagnuolo physically pushed my child out the door at pick-up?" Ms. Shephard had told her that she would address it at that time. She recalled interviewing Ms. Spagnuolo and inquiring about the alleged incident. At that time, Ms. Spagnuolo acknowledged having her hand on his back. She stated that Child A takes a long time to get ready and the parents have to wait outside due to the Covid policy they have in place. She denied shoving him or being inappropriate in any way. She indicated that she might have been impatient but she was not pushing him. Ms. Shephard checked the video footage in the hallway from the pick-up and it did not show Child A tripping or being pushed. It shows Ms. Shephard with her hand on the small of his back guiding him towards the door. Ms. Shephard asked the other child care staff members if they had seen this or had concerns with Ms. Spagnuolo and no one did. Ms. Shephard acknowledged that Ms. Spagnuolo may have been frustrated or impatient but she was not aggressive in any way. She discussed that her actions could be interpreted as aggressive from a watching parent, especially if she is trying to get him to the door quicker. She asked Ms. Spagnuolo not to use her hand to guide any of the children anymore. On May 12, 20201 I interviewed Ms. Sammon's. She denied ever seeing Ms. Spagnuolo push Child A or any other child care children. She stated that she is a great coworker and that she works well with the school age children. On May 14, 2021, I interviewed Ms. Palmer. Ms. Palmer has worked in the latchkey rom with Ms. Spagnuolo before. She denied ever seeing her push Child A or any other child care children. She stated that she is usually very nice to the children. She did have any concerns of her care and supervision of the children. On May 14, 2021, I interviewed Child B's Mother. She has never observed Ms. Spagnuolo or any other child care staff member push her or any other child care children. Child B's Mother had concerns that they are not very inclusive with Child B because of her negative behaviors (they make her feel excluded) but she cannot say that they have ever touched a child inappropriately. On May 17, 2021, I interviewed Ms. Vanderkarr. Ms. Vanderkarr denied ever seeing Ms. Spagnuolo push Child A or any other child care children. She stated that she is very nice but can be stern when need be. She uses her "mom voice" when the children are not listening. On May 17, 2021, I interviewed Ms. Spagnuolo. She denied pushing Child A out the door on October 27, 2020. At that time, Ms. Shephard had come to her and informed her of the concern made by Child A's Mother. They checked the tapes together and she recalled that she had guided him by his back but did not remember doing so at the time. S