• Violation

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

  On 01/21/2021, I interviewed Complainant. She stated, she has observed children coming in and out of the bathroom without supervision while she's in the facility. On one occasion, Child A (4-year-old, male) smelled when she picked him up from the center and had "poop" on his hand. While driving home she asked, "Did you go poop today." He stated, "Yes." When asked did anyone go into the bathroom to help him wash your hands and he stated, "No." Complainant states she has attempted to reach the licensee, Mrs. Shirley Wright Hailey, in the past but never she never called her back. As a result, she did not report the incident to the licensee, but she will not be returning Child A to the facility. On 01/26/2021, I conducted an unannounced investigation at the facility. I did not observe any children entering or exiting the bathrooms without supervision. Program director, Mrs. Shirley Wright-Hailey denied having witnessed children not being monitored and she's at the facility daily. Further, no parent reported the incident to her. Staff are expected to make sure all children have clean hands, faces and diapers, if applicable, before leaving for the day. They must also be monitored when using the bathroom. Child Care Staff Members (CCSM) are also required to wash or monitor children handwashing after bathroom usage. Mrs. Wright-Hailey would have addressed the issue immediately had she been made aware of it and states, "If it happened it's unacceptable." Mrs. Wright-Hailey states she always returns calls, and has never received a call from a parent and not called back. On 02/01/2021, I interviewed CCSM's Breanna Powers, Ethel Smith and Kelly Rambo regarding the allegation. None of them were aware of any child going to the bathroom without supervision or going home with "poop" on his hands. Ms. Smith was not aware of any parent complaining about anything at the facility. According to Ms. Powers, children are always monitored while using the bathroom and hands are washed. Ms. Rambo also reports to monitoring children during potty training and washes hands of all children assigned to her. She also washes infants hands after changing their diapers. On 02/12/2021, I interviewed Child B's Mother, Child C's Mother and Child D's Mother. They "love" the facility and have no problems or concerns regarding supervision or the care of their children. According to Child B's Mother and Child D's Mother, children are always clean when picked up from the center and they have personally witnessed staff monitoring bathroom time and assisting with handwashing, especially during the pandemic. 3

The teachers neglect children by allowing them to go to the bathroom without supervision.

Disposition: Substantiated