Loving Hearts Little Hands

R 400.8113 · 1 R 400.8113 Program director qualifications; responsibilities. (2) A program director shall be present in the center in the following manner: (b) At least 50% of the time children are in care but not less than a total of 6 hours per day for programs operating 6 or more continuous hours.

On 8/23/2023, 1 spoke to the complainant. She reported that she had problems with the program director, Anna Curtis, not being present during operating hours. Ms. Curtis would only work between 25-30 hours per week. Ms. Curtis would start work around 6AM and leave around 12:00PM — 1:00PM. The center operates from 5:30AM-6PM, Monday through Friday. On 8/23/2022, I completed an unannounced inspection at the facility. During my onsite inspection, I interviewed program director, Anna Curtis. She reported she works at least 37 hours a week. Ms. Curtis stated that she did take time off during the summer months. When she is off, she has another staff member cover for her. 2 Ms. Curtis provided her attendance records, and based off her attendance records, Ms. Curtis is at the facility at least 6 hours of the day, Monday through Friday. Ms. Curtis typically works from 6AM-1P M three days per week and 7:00AM-4:30PM two days per week. During my onsite inspection, I interviewed Child Care Staff Member 1 (CCSM1). She stated that she has worked at the facility for over two years and is the lead caregiver in the Tumbling Tigers classroom. She said "Anna is always here." CCSM1 reported that if Ms. Curtis is going to be gone, she always assigns a staff member to be in charge. During my onsite inspection, I also interviewed Child Care Staff Member 2 (CCSM2). She stated she works in the infant room and has worked at the facility since May 2022. She stated that Ms. Curtis typically opens that center around 5:30AM and leaves around 1-3PM. Ms. Curtis is always available even if she takes a day off. During my onsite inspection, I interviewed Child Care Staff Member 3 (CCSM3). CCSM3 stated that she has started working at the facility about six or seven months ago and works as a floater. She goes into classrooms where she is needed. CCSM3 stated that Ms. Curtis is at the facility almost everyday unless she takes a day off. Ms. Curtis typically works from 6AM-3PM. During my onsite inspection, I interviewed licensee designee, Scott Morehouse. Mr. Morehouse stated that Ms. Curtis typically works from 6AM to 2-3PM. Ms. Curtis lives close to the facility so if there is an issue, she can come up to the facility quickly. Mr. Morehouse stated that he has never had any concerns about Ms. Curtis's availability or not being present when she is supposed to be.

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R 400.8140 · ...................................................................................................................................... R 400.8140 Discipline. (1) Positive methods of discipline that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation must be used. 4 I

On 8/23/2023, when I spoke to the complainant, she reported that CCSM1 grabbed a child by the wrist and dragged him across the classroom. The complainant stated that she did not see the incident occur but heard about it from another staff member. She stated she did not know why the incident occurred. During my onsite interviewed, I reviewed the allegation with Ms. Curtis. She stated, "I am shocked by this allegation." She stated that CCSM1 has worked at the facility for almost three years, and she has never received any complaints, or write ups, and she has never had any issues with her. While interviewing Ms. Curtis, I was able to observe the Tumbling Tiger classroom. I observed CCSM1 appropriately intervene a situation between two toddlers where one toddler was upset with another one and attempted to bite the other one. During my onsite when I interviewed, CCSM1. She denied ever grabbing a child by the wrist and dragging them. She stated that sometimes children fall, and she might grab their arm to help them from falling, but never in an aggressive way. She doesn't really discipline children because they are too young. She will redirect or try talking to the children by saying "ouch" if they are hurting another friend. During my onsite when I interviewed CCSM2, she reported that CCSM1 is nice and has a lot of patience. The Tumbling Toddler room is busy, and CCSM1 is big on learning and teaching them independence. CCSM2 stated, "[CCSM1] is built for this, and I am really mind blown with this." During my onsite, CCSM3 stated that she works with CCSM1 often due to her floating position. She reported that she has never seen CCSM1 hurt a child or be inappropriate and has no concerns. CCSM3 added that CCSM1 is very patient and does a great job with the kids. During my onsite, Mr. Morehouse stated that he was unaware of the allegations. He reported that if something like that did occur a staff member would have told him. Mr. Morehouse stated that he has no concerns with the care CCSM1 provides. He reported there is a lot of biting in the classroom and CCSM1 "handles it like a champ."

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R 400.8167 · R 400.8167 Indoor space. ................ (1) The required square footage of indoor space per child must be at least the following: (a) Fifty square feet for infants and toddlers.

On 8/23/2023, the complainant stated that the tiny tots classroom is licensed for six children and there are often more than six children in there. She reported at times there have been up to eight children in the classroom. I reviewed the original inspection report which indicates tiny tots has a total of 281 square feet. This space would allow a capacity of 6 children birth to 2 years old in 1/2 the classroom. During my onsite inspection, Ms. Curtis stated that infant staff will take a child or two from the Tumbling Toddler room outside, and only on a couple occasions were there more than six children in the tiny tots room. Ms. Curtis stated those days were 8/15/2022 and 8/16/2022. She is aware they are only supposed to be six children in the classroom. Ms. Curtis provided attendance records and on 8/15/2022 and 8/16/2022 the tiny tots room was operating with two children over the classroom capacity.

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R 400.8176 · R 400.8176 1 Sleeping equipment. (6) Car seats, infant seats, swings, bassinets, and play yards are not approved sleeping equipment. C~ liii] • • r • • ~"

On 8/23/2023, when I spoke to the complainant, she stated that CCSM3 and CCSM2, let infants sleep in bouncy seats and never transfer them into the crib. She stated that she did not see the infants sleeping in bouncy seats but heard about it from another staff member. During my onsite, Ms. Curtis stated that she has never seen a child sleep in a bouncy seat and the center takes safe sleep very seriously. Ms. Curtis stated that all staff are trained on safe sleep and are aware of the dangers of children sleeping in bouncy seats. During my onsite, CCSM1 stated that she does not work in the infant room but has never seen a child sleeping anywhere but a crib. She hasn't heard of children sleeping in bouncy seats. During my onsite, when I interviewed CCSM2, she denied the allegations. CCSM2 stated that all the children have their own cribs and that is where they sleep. As soon as a child appears to be sleepy or tired, they take the child out of the bouncy seat or swing and put them in their designated crib. She has never seen a child sleeping in a bouncy seat or heard that a child was sleeping in a bouncy seat. During my onsite, CCSM3 denied allowing children to sleeping bouncy seats or any other unapproved space. She stated that as soon as a child appears tired or starts closing their eyes, staff move them to their crib. She has never seen or heard of a child sleeping in bouncy seats or swings. During my onsite, Mr. Morehouse reported that infants sleep in cribs and cribs only. Staff are well trained and know that babies are not allowed to sleep in bouncy seats or swings. Mr. Morehouse reported that as soon as a child looks like they are about to fall asleep they are to be placed in the crib immediately. There are typically two staff members in the classroom at all times; if one staff member is busy with a child and notices another child looking tired, it is their responsibility to tell the other staff member to move the child looking tired into their crib. During my onsite interview, I observed the infant room. I did not observe any children sleeping in bouncy seats or any other unapproved space.

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R 400.8179 · R 400.8179 Program. (2) A center shall implement a program plan that includes daily learning experiences appropriate to the developmental level of the children. Experiences must be designed to develop all of the following: (a) Physical development. (b) Social development. (c) Emotional development. (d) Cognitive development.

On 8/23/2022, when I spoke to the complainant, she stated that the storage closet that is in the infant room is overflowing with stuff. She reported that when you open the door toys and other equipment fall out of the door causing a safety concern for children in care. During my interview with Ms. Curtis, she stated that the storage room is full of toys but not to the point where there are things falling out of the closet and hurting children. She reported that they have ordered a storage shed and will move some of the equipment out of the storage closet and to the shed. During my onsite inspection, I observed the storage closet. It is a large closet in the infant room. When I opened the door, nothing fell out of the closet. The storage closet was full but did not pose a threat to children in care.

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R 400.8380 · R 400.8380 Maintenance of premises. (1) The premises must be maintained in a clean and safe condition and must not pose a threat to health or safety.

The storage closet was maintained in a safe condition that did not pose a threat to the safety of children in care.

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