R 400.1932 · R 400.1932 Home maintenance and safety. (1) The structure, premises, and furnishings of a child care home must be in good repair and maintained in a clean, safe, and comfortable condition. K

On December 28, 2021, I made an unscheduled inspection to the child care home and spoke to Amanda Baker about the allegation. Ms. Baker invited me inside her home. I observed four large dogs, but I did not smell or see any dog feces on the main level of the home. I observed a stack of dishes in the sink and a pile of clothing on the counter. There were a couple baskets with laundry and other items near the entryway to the garage. Ms. Baker explained that the upstairs is not approved for child care use. The basement is the only approved child 2 use space, and it is accessed through the garage. She stated that the child care home was closed this week for the holidays, but she went downstairs this morning to do laundry and there was a leak in the laundry room that had seeped out into the main entryway where the children enter, and she had someone coming out later in the afternoon to make the necessary repairs so a few things had to be moved around in the basement. While I was there, a repairman called and said they would be there in the afternoon to fix the leak. Ms. Baker took me downstairs to the main child care room which was clean and dry. She had a couple couches, a wooden play kitchen set, and a shelving unit with baskets of toys along the wall. The room had wood laminate floors and was maintained in a clean, safe condition. She also showed me the basement level bathroom which was clean and sanitary. She took me into the laundry room which is not approved space to show me where the leak originated and where the cat box was kept downstairs. The cat box had some feces in it, but it was not accessible to the children in care. Ms. Baker said her minor household members scoop it out daily and the litter is replaced about every four days. I did not see any animal feces on the floor, and it appeared sanitary. Ms. Baker said her dogs are not usually downstairs and they stay upstairs and outside. I asked Ms. Baker about her process for cleaning, and she stated that she uses the three-step process for toys and other equipment and that she uses bleach on her wood laminate floors at least weekly. On December 28, 2021, I spoke to child care staff member, Jennifer Klemm, Child E & F's Mother, and Child G & H's Mother by telephone. Ms. Klemm stated that she has worked for Ms. Baker for three years and she has Child A (female, age 9), Child B (male, age 8), Child C (male, age 7), and Child D (male, age 27 months) who attend the child care home. She denied ever observing any animal feces in the home and said it has always been maintained in a clean, safe condition. Child E & F's Mother said Child E (male, age 3) and Child F (female, age 24 months) have been attending full time since September 2021, but she has had older children who have also attended the child care home in the past and she has known Ms. Baker for several years. She stated that Ms. Baker has a farm behind the main house, but she has never seen any animal feces inside the home or outside where the children play. She said the dogs are usually kept upstairs or outside. Child G & H's Mother stated that Child G (female, age 10) and Child H (male, age 4) have been attending the child care home on and off for a couple years. She has never seen any animal feces inside the home and stated that it has always been maintained in a clean, safe condition.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: physical safety. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.1902 · R 400.1902 Applicant; licensee; requirements. ...... ..... (2) An applicant or licensee shall be of responsible character and shall be suitable and able to meet the needs of children and provide for their care, supervision, and protection.

On December 28, 2021, I spoke to Ms. Baker about the allegation. She denied having any drugs hidden in her home or accepting any drugs or WIC payments in exchange for care. She stated that currently all of her children in care receive Department of Health and Human Services subsidizes through the Child Development and Care Program so money is rarely received for care. She said that she has had a prescription for Adderall since she was young but does not take it regularly or even fill her prescription as much as she could. She said she does have other non-prescription and prescription medications in the home and opened a cabinet above her sink in the kitchen which is not approved for child care use. She admitted that she does smoke marijuana on occasion but could not even remember the last time she had used it. She said if she had any left, it would be kept in the cabinet above the microwave in the kitchen. She said it has been discussed with Child Care Licensing Consultant, Amy Steger, and it is not a problem since it is legal, and she never takes it before or during child care hours, and never smokes it downstairs in the approved child use space. On December 28, 2021, I spoke to Ms. Klemm, Child E & F's Mother, and Child G & H's Mother about the allegation. Ms. Klemm denied knowledge of any drug use by Ms. Baker and said that any medications are kept upstairs in a kitchen cabinet and out of reach of children. She denied that Ms. Baker ever accepts payments in Adderall or WIC payments. She stated that Ms. Baker is paid through Child Development and Care funds for most of the children, but she has seen one write a check and one pay in cash. She has never witnessed any behavior from Ms. Baker that would make her think Ms. Baker was under the influence of any drugs during child care hours. Child E & F's Mother stated that she has never seen or heard about Ms. Baker accepting Adderall or WIC payments in exchange for care and Ms. Baker has never asked for anything like that. Child E & F's Mother stated that Ms. Baker is paid by 4 the Child Development and Care (CDC) program for her children and that the only thing she was ever asked to provide was milk when her child had an allergy. Child E & F's Mother denied any knowledge of drug use by Ms. Baker. Child E & F's Mother said she knew both Ms. Baker and her boyfriend growing up and there is not any history of drug use by Ms. Baker. Child G & H's Mother denied that Ms. Baker accepts Adderall or WIC payments in exchange for care and said that Ms. Baker has never asked her for anything like that. She had no knowledge of any drug use by Ms. Baker and has never seen any medications or other drugs in the child use spaces or had reason to think Ms. Baker was under the influence of any drugs.

R 400.1911 · R 400.1911 Care; supervision; children. (1) A licensee shall ensure appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

On December 28, 2021, I spoke to Ms. Baker about the allegation. Ms. Baker stated that she rarely leaves the home during child care hours and if she does, Ms. Klemm is there and she maintains a record of her absences. Ms. Baker said she is always downstairs and actively involved with the children in care. She denied sleeping or attending to the farm while unrelated children are present. On December 28, 2021, I spoke to Ms. Klemm, Child E & F's Mother and Child G & H's Mother about the allegation. Ms. Klemm stated that Ms. Baker is always there and providing care and supervision for the children. If she must leave for some reason, Ms. Klemm said that she is in charge and Ms. Baker makes sure they are within ratio before she leaves. She said that does not happen frequently or for long periods of time. Child E & F's Mother stated that Ms. Baker is always in the basement with the children at drop off time and when she picks up her children in the afternoon. She has shown up unexpected at different times of the day and Ms. Baker has always been there and involved with the children. Child E and Child F have always been well-cared for and clean. They've never had any diaper rashes, injuries, or anything else that would make her question the level of supervision during the day. Child G & H's Mother said that Ms. Baker is always in the basement with the children in care unless she has an errand or appointment and then Ms. Klemm is there with the children. She said that her children are always well cared for by Ms. Baker. She does not have any concerns about the level of supervision during the day.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.1931 · R 400.1931 Food preparation and service. ..... .............. ...... ..... (1) A licensee shall ensure that all of the following requirements are met: (a) Each child shall be provided with nutritional and sufficient food pursuant to the minimum meal requirements of the child care food program, as administered by the Michigan department of education. These minimum meal requirements are based on the dietary guidelines for Americans made by the National Academy of Medicine, which are available at https://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/meals-and-snacks. This subrule does not apply to children whose parents provide their food.

On December 28, 2021, I spoke to Ms. Baker about the allegation. Ms. Baker indicated that she is part of the food program, but she could not recall which one and has not billed in a while. She stated that she always serves meals and snacks that meet the food program requirements. She opened the refrigerator in her kitchen to show me that both the refrigerator and freezer were stocked full of meats and vegetables for the children. She took me into the garage and showed me a second refrigerator that also had a lot of food in it. She said that she provides breakfast, lunch, and snacks for all children in care and she never allows a child to go hungry. On December 28, 2021, I spoke to Ms. Klemm, Child E & F's Mother and Child G & H's Mother about the allegation. Ms. Klemm said that children in care are always eating. She said that Ms. Baker serves breakfast, lunch, and snacks. If a child mentions they are hungry, she will get them a snack. Ms. Baker has even fed dinner to children whose parents were running late. Child E & F's Mother stated that Ms. Baker serves her children breakfast, lunch, and snacks. She said she has an hour-long drive between the child care home and her ex-husband's home where she has to take the children some days after work. Ms. Baker will pack extra snacks in her bag for her to give her children when they are on the road if they get hungry. She said her children have never complained about being hungry and she has no concerns about the food provided. Child G & H's Mother said her children like going there because of all the food she has. She serves them healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks every day. 7

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.