• Violation

  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 December 16, 2021, a complaint was received stating that Child A has been bitten several times at the center by Child B, who is in the same classroom. Most recently a child care staff member (name unknown) told Child A's Mother that he just needs to learn to defend himself, as if there is nothing the center can do about it. There is concern that the staff must not be supervising the children because this has happened so many times. On December 16, 2021, I interviewed Child A's Mother. She stated that two weeks ago Child A suffered a deep scratch on his face from Child B. It drew blood and he now has a scar on his eye because it was so deep. She did not have to take him for medical treatment for it. When she picked him up on the day of the last incident, one of the caregivers (she did not know her name) stated that Child A just needs to learn to defend himself. This really angered her, and it sounds like the staff aren't addressing it all and Child A is left to defend himself against these attacks. She has addressed this with the program director Amanda Burton and assistant director Valvet Daniel twice. They acknowledged that he has been bitten or scratched by the same child and they are working with the other child's parents about it and that the staff are doing their best. Child A now has anxiety about being in the older toddler room because of the incidences. As a result, she decided to remove him from the program. Child A attended the center for a year prior to these incidents and never had any concerns. I requested that she text me the pictures of the injury and the scar but did not receive them. On December 16, 2021, I completed an unannounced onsite inspection at the center. I interviewed Ms. Burton and Ms. Daniel. Ms. Burton acknowledged that there have been some biting and scratching incidents in the older toddler classroom by Child B. They have addressed the biting with Child B's Mother several times and have most recently referred a social worker from Genesee Health System to help address the biting behaviors. She is supposed to come out after the holidays to observe him and help them address any issues. Ms. Burton indicated that the classroom staff are well aware of Child B's biting and scratching and there is no rhyme or reason to when he bites. It is unpredictable, unprovoked and there is no way to stop him because it happens so quickly. He doesn't just target Child A, he has done this to other children, but usually it 3 has been Child A for whatever reason. She speculated that Child A is a busy, active child who sometimes like to roughhouse. This could be Child B's way of responding to it. Most often he hardly leaves a mark and other times he has drawn blood. Ms. Burton stated that biting can be a common behavioral issue in toddlers as they learn to communicate. Part of their development is learning to express themselves and they do their best to work with the children and parents when this happens. She feels terrible for Child A or any child who is bitten, and she has explained this to Child A's Mother. She denied ever making a comment or hearing her staff make a comment that he needs to just learn to defend himself. She is aware that Child A's Mother was upset after the last scratching incident, but she was never informed that a staff person said this, or she would address it immediately. She recalled that the scratch on Child A's face was red and was there for a couple days before it went away. She didn't think that the injury was so bad that a scar would be left. She is not at the point of issuing a discharge notice because Child B's Mother is cooperating. They hope that this is a short-lived developmental stage and he will grow out of it. They continue to work with staff to be aware of Child B's whereabouts and to avoid any circumstances where he may be more prone to biting (such as a small space etc.). They will work with the social worker to implement any more strategies to help address the situation. D

Child A (male, age 2) has repeatedly been bitten and scratched by Child B (male, age 2) and has suffered injuries as a result. A staff member told Child A's Mother that he just needs to learn to defend himself better. The center isn't supervising the children adequately.

Disposition: Substantiated

Disposition: Substantiated