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.

Based on interviews with CCSMs and parents, there is insufficient evidence to support that CCSM1 used an inappropriate form of discipline with Child A and Child B.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Open / not marked corrected.

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

On 4/17/2023, the department received an incident report. The report indicates that at 10:00a.m. Child A spread his own feces around multiple areas of the classroom. Child care staff member (CCSM) 1 was making children's plates for breakfast and noticed Child A was playing. CCSM 1 smelled poop but thought one of the kids may have pooped. Attached to the incident report was a written statement from CCSM3. On 4/21/2023, I interviewed Child A's Mother by telephone, she stated she is generally happy with the care Child A receives at the center. If she has any concerns, she can speak to the director, Ms. Paschal and the matter is resolved. She mentioned she did have some concerns about supervision in the past, and they were resolved. CCSM1 sometimes seems overwhelmed in the classroom. She stated when Child A's Father picked him up, he was told about Child A smearing feces and the child care staff members (CCSMs) having to clean him up and change his clothes. She felt they cleaned him to the best of their ability. He still had a small amount feces on him when she gave him a bath that night. On 4/4/2023, I conducted an announced inspection at the center, I interviewed the program director, Marilyn Paschal. She stated she was not present at the center when this incident happened. CCSM3 who was in training to be the assistant director was in charge. CCSM3 contacted her and wanted to send Child A home in his poop filled clothes. She was instructed to clean him up and let him stay, CCSM3 felt he should go home, that the situation was not handled correctly and eventually walked off the job. I interviewed CCSM1. She stated it was approximately 9:00a.m., some of the children were eating and some were playing. She was getting breakfast ready for the other children. She smelled poop and began checking diapers. Another parent came to drop off their child and she stopped to talk to that parent. She stated she then saw a brown footprint on the carpet in the kitchen area. She traced it to Child A. She took Child A to the bathroom and moved the other children away from the area. She called CCSM3 for assistance. CCSM3 called CCSM2 to help. CCSM1 was instructed to take the remaining children outside while they cleaned the room. I interviewed CCSM2. She stated she is the lead in the two-year-old room. CCSM1 cleaned up Child A and then was instructed to take the children outside while she and CCSM3 and CCSM4 clean up the classroom. She stated Child A is new to the classroom, but smearing feces is no typical behavior for him. I interviewed CCSM4. She stated she has not worked with CCSM1 a lot, but she did have some concerns as there also seems to be something going on and she calls for help. CCSM1 took the children outside while she and CCSM2 and CCSM3 cleanup the room. When asked about CCSM1 supervision skills, CCSM4 stated she felt CCSM1 could benefit from an assistant. 3 I interviewed CCSM3 by telephone, she stated she was in charge at the center as Ms. Paschal was out of town. She stated CCSM1 called for help and sent CCSM2 to help. After about 30 minutes she called the room and was told there was poop everywhere and they were getting it cleaned up. CCSM1 told her she was making breakfast and smelled poop. She checked the children and found Child A had pooped and had smeared feces on some of the equipment and on the carpet, CCSM3 stated Kindercare has returned to family style meals, therefore CCSM 1 should not have been preparing the children's breakfast. She contacted Ms. Paschal as she wanted to send Child A home. She felt it was improper to just clean him up without notifying the parents. She was told she could not send him home as it would look bad for Kindercare's reputation, and they should clean him up. CCSM3 did not have a conversation with Child A's Father at pick up, CCSM 2 did. CCSM 3 did not know what was discussed with Child A `s Father. CCSM3 also wanted CCSM1 to be terminated or at least put on administrative leave for this incident

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.