Appletree Christian Learning Ctr.

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.

I conducted an unannounced onsite inspection on 3/30/2022. I interviewed Margaret Headd regarding the allegation. On 3/29/2022, Child A's Mother reported to Ms. Headd that Child A disclosed being hit by a staff member in the classroom at the center on 3/29/2022. Child A's Mother did not disclose which staff member allegedly hit Child A, but Trinity Green was working with Child A on 3/29/2022. There were no marks or bruises observed on Child A nor were any reported. Child A attends the Terrance room at the center. Ms. Headd acknowledged that the center was 2 currently experiencing difficulties regarding staff shortages. There are currently only two Child Care Staff Members assigned to work in the Terrance room, Trinity Green and Aubrey Robinson. On the date of inspection neither Ms. Green nor Ms. Robinson were present. There was a substitute Child Care Staff Member caring for children in the Terrance room. The substitute Child Care Staff Member was from a different facility and was not interviewed as he or she would not have information related to the allegation. I conducted a second unannounced inspection on 4/20/20022. I interviewed Aubrey Robinson regarding the allegation. Ms. Robinson explained that Child A often claims that Child Care Staff Members are hurting him. This often occurs when Child A is being redirected. Ms. Robinson stated that Child Care Staff Members may hold Child A to keep him safe because he likes to fall backward. She explained that Child A is not easily redirected verbally, and he requires increased supervision. Child A will climb on furniture and when told that his behavior is not safe and asked to get down, Child A will not comply. He simply laughs and continues to climb on the furniture. Ms. Robinson stated that Child Care Staff Members have to physically get Child A down from the furniture. Once removed, Child A will climb on the furniture again. Child Care Staff Members continue to remove Child A from the furniture until he is distracted by something else. Ms. Robinson denied hitting Child A, and she has not observed anyone else at the center hit Child A. I asked Ms. Robinson if she observed Trinity Green hit or mishandle Child A. Ms. Robinson stated that she had not observed this. She stated that Child A hits staff members and other children and he engages with others better when he receives 1:1 interaction with Child Care Staff Members. She explained that when Ms. Green needs help, she asks for assistance. Ms. Robinson stated that Ms. Green has never hit or mishandled a child in care. Ms. Green will sometimes cry if she is overwhelmed, but it is not likely that she would hit a child. I interviewed Trinity Green regarding the allegation via telephone on 4/22/2022. She denied hitting Child A and she has never observed Ms. Robinson hit Child A. Ms. Green explained that Child A will often "fling" himself on the floor and climb on bookshelves and tables. When Child A does these things, Child Care Staff Members will pick him up underneath his arms and move him to a chair to calm down. I asked Ms. Green what type of discipline methods are used with Child A and she explained that Child A has been provided with a "busy box" that contains toys. This is used is to distract Child A when he is engaging in inappropriate activities. Verbal redirection is used to draw his attention toward other things, and assistance is requested from the assigned educational specialist who is sometimes onsite. The educational specialist will take Child A for a walk to help him calm down, but she has not observed anyone at the center hit Child A. I interviewed Alana Eickhoff regarding the allegation via telephone on 6/28/2022. She reported only caring for Child A at the end of the day for no more than 1 hour. Child A never reported to her that anyone hit him. Ms. Eickhoff denied hitting Child A 3 and she never observed anyone hit or handle Child A inappropriately. She denied observing marks or bruises on Child A while she cared

View state record

R 400.8137 · R 400.8137 Diapering; toileting. ................................................. ........................................... (6) Diapers and training pants must be checked frequently and changed when wet or soiled.

I conducted an unannounced onsite inspection on 3/16/2022. I interviewed Diana Barkey, program director, regarding the allegation. She explained that approximately 3 weeks ago, Child A's Mother spoke to her about a concern that Child A's diapers were not being changed frequently. Child A's Mother told Ms. Barkey that she felt that Child A was sitting in feces for too long. I asked Ms. Barkey how often diapers are changed at the center. She stated that children's diapers are changed every 2 hours. However, she acknowledged that Child Care Staff Members were not documenting diaper changes as required. Ms. Barkey stated that approximately 3 weeks ago, Child A's Mother was present at the center. Child A's Mother reported that a Child Care Staff Member, Brittany Spiegel had not changed Child A's diaper. Ms. Spiegel told Child A's Mother that Child A did not want her to change him. Ms. Barkey reported speaking to Ms. Spiegel about this as Child A's diaper needed to be changed. She explained to Ms. Spiegel that diapers must be changed even if a child did not want his or her diaper changed. Ms. Spiegel changed Child A's diaper, but Ms. Barkey again acknowledged that diaper changes were not being regularly recorded at the center. I interviewed Brittany Spiegel regarding the allegation via telephone on 6/28/2022. She stated that when she initially began working with Child A, she changed the children's diapers every 1-2 hours as she was also helping children to learn toilet training. Child A was not quite ready to toilet train, but she encouraged him to try and offered support. Child A did well initially, but there was a change in the center's classroom. When this change occurred, Child A no longer wanted Child Care Staff Members to change his diaper. She regularly asked Child A if he wanted to toilet or change his diaper and Child A would say `No." Ms. Spiegel explained that she believes in respecting the body choices of others and did not want to force Child A to change his diaper if he didn't want to. I asked Ms. Spiegel if she recalled the incident in which Child A's Mother arrived at the center and Child A's diaper was not changed because Child A didn't want it changed. Ms. Spiegel stated that she did recall this incident. She'd attempted to change Child A's diaper, but he didn't want her to. Child A's diaper was wet at the time, but he had a bowel movement shortly after. Ms. Spiegel reported explaining this to Child A's Mother; however, when Child A's Mother spoke to Ms. Barkey about the incident, she instructed Ms. Spiegel to change Child A's diaper. She also explained to Ms. Spiegel that diapers must be changed even though children may not want to have their diapers changed. Ms. Spiegel stated that she didn't agree with Ms. Barkey, but she did change children's diapers thereafter. She felt that it was important to respect body choices and did not want to take choices away from children. I explained to Ms. Spiegel that I had reviewed the diapering logs for Child A and noted that there were several days in which only 1 diaper change was recorded. Ms. Spiegel explained that diaper changes are noted in an electronic application at the center. At the time of hire, she 3 received very little training prior to working with children. Ms. Spiegel explained that she was conducting diaper changes, but she was not recording them in the electronic application because she had not been trained to do so. She stated that she did not know that diaper changes were required to be recorded and when she learned this, she sought training during her lunch breaks from her colleagues. Ms. Spiegel explained that the lack of training was a huge factor in her decision to leave employment at the center. I interviewed Leah Winbush regarding the allegation during the onsite inspection on 3/16/2022. Ms. Winbush explained that Child A was assigned to the Terrance room. This is not the room that she typically works in. However, Ms. Barkey asked her to work in the

View state record

R 400.8122 · R 400.8122 Lead caregiver; qualifications; respoonnssiibbiilliittiieess.. (2) At least 1 lead caregiver shall be assigned to each group of children in a self-contained or well-defined space and shall be present and providing care in the assigned group in the following manner: (a) Full time for programs operating less than 6 continuous hours. (b) At least 6 hours per day for programs operating 6 or more continuous hours.

On 3/16/2022 the center did not have a lead caregiver for each I aroup of preschool aae children.

View state record

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

On 02/08/2022 I was assigned this complaint and informed that on 01/11/2022, Diana Barkey, program director, had submitted an incident form following her report to the department about this incident. I made telephone contact with the reporting person of the complaint. She explained she was aware that an infant in care was "missing" for several minutes. The child was located locked in a bathroom/storage room between two classrooms. The complainant expressed concern that the child care center would lose a child and the risk this type of incident posed to children in care. On 02/08/2022 I spoke with Josie Nevins, child care staff member (CCSM), by telephone. She is a co-lead in the classroom. She was aware of this incident and said on the day of it took place she was working and there is a bathroom/closet that connects her classroom to the next classroom. A staff member from the other room came through the closet to ask a question about a child they were transferring between the two rooms. A few minutes later Hannah Jandt, CCSM, opened the bathroom/storage door and saw Child A, female age 12 months, was in the closet. She walked to the other classroom and informed them Child A was in the closet and they were not aware she was missing. She said the director and Child A's Mother were informed of the incident. On 02/10/2022 I conducted an unannounced on-site inspection to the child care facility. I met face to face with Diana Barkey, program director. She explained to me that another child was transitioning from one room to the other. The staff members were exchanging the child through the closet/storage room that connects the classrooms. At some point during the exchange Child A crawled unnoticed into the closet. A short time later Hannah Jandt went into the closet and found Child A inside. She went to the classroom and informed the staff that Child A had been found in the closet. Child A's Mother was informed of the incident. Since the incident the staff have been told the closet/storage room may not be used to exchange anything and the door has been locked. I then met face to face with Gayle (Alana) Eikhoff, CCSM, outside the presence of others. She explained on the day of the incident she had received a child from the other classroom and went back to the other classroom to get a bottle for them. She went through the closet/storage room to ask the staff members about it, during that time Child A must have crawled into the closet. She was not aware Child A was missing from the room. A short time later Janna Brandt came into the classroom with Child A and told her she was found in the closet. I then met with face to face with Child A's Mother outside the presence of others. She explained to me that on the day of the incident she was called and told her daughter was left in the bathroom/storage room. She was told she was there for 3 approximately 2-3 minutes. She was concerned about the incident due to the CCSM's not being aware her child was missing, in addition to that fact, the bathroom/storage room was filled with all kinds of hazards. This space had shelves in it where car seats were stored, miscellaneous items, and there is a functioning toilet in the room. Child A is mobile and able to pull herself up on items. The hazardous nature of the space and "what ifs" were of great concern to her. She was also concerned as the CCSM's were not the regular caregivers in the classroom. I then interviewed Hannah Jandt, CCSM, outside the presence of others. She was aware of the incident. She explained that on that day she went into the closet and when she opened the door she noticed Child A standing by the door she opened. She realized Child A was from the other classroom and opened their door and said, "you need to pay attention to your kids." Gayle (Alana) Eickhof was in the room and her response from her perspective was one of indifference and it was clear she was not aware the child was missing. She then called and informed the assista

View state record

R 400.8185 · R 400.8185 Primary care. (2) The center shall implement a primary care system so that each infant and toddler has a primary caregiver. 5

Diana Barkey, program director, and staff do not have a primary care system in place for each infant and toddler. Diana Barkey has a process in place where infants and toddlers are routinely moved throughout the day between classrooms and primary caregiving is not followed.

View state record

R 400.8185 · R 400.8185 Primary care. (3) Each infant and toddler shall have not more than 4 primary caregivers in a week. For centers operating less than 24 hours a day, an exception may occur during the first hour after the center opens and the hour before closing.

Diana Barkey, program director, and child care staff do not ensure that each infant and toddler does not have more than 4 primary caregivers in a week. Diana Barkey has a process in place where infants and toddlers are routinely moved throughout the day between classrooms and primary caregiving is not followed.

View state record

R 400.8185 · R 400.8185 Primary care. (5) Primary caregiving assignments must be documented and provided to parents.

Diana Barkey, program director, and child care staff do not provide primary caregiving assignments to parents. Diana Barkey has a process in place where infants and toddlers are routinely moved throughout the day between classrooms and primary caregiving is not followed.

View state record

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

Appropriate care is being provided to Child B. Staff are ensuring that children stay safe and healthy while outside. Staff change children's clothing if they are wet.

View state record

R 400.8110 · R 400.8110 Applicant; licensee; licensee designee; requirements. (13) Smoking and vaping must not occur in or during both of the following: (a) In the child care center or on real property that is under the control of the center and upon which the center is located. I

During my onsite inspection, I interviewed program director, Diana Barkley. Ms. Barkley stated that she was aware of the child who fell from the playground structure and broke his arm. She stated that she was not there when the incident occurred, however assistant program director, Kami Ashley reported it to child care licensing consultant, Lisa Bush. On 10/25/2021, I contacted licensing consultant, Lisa Bush. Ms. Bush reported that she received an incident report regarding Child A's broken arm. 12/7/2021, Ms. Ashley reported that she left a message for licensing consultant, Lisa Bush, the day that the child fell and broke his arm. She also stated she filled out an incident report and emailed it to Ms. Bush shortly after she left her the message.

View state record

R 400.8158 · R 400.8158 Incident, accident, injury, illness, death, fire reporting. (3) A licensee, licensee designee, or program director shall report to the department, via phone, fax, or email, within 24 hours of notification by a parent that a child received medical treatment or was hospitalized for an injury, accident, or medical condition that occurred while the child was in care.

During my onsite inspection, Ms. Barkey stated that she does not believe that any classrooms have been out of the required staff to child ratio. She reported that she or assistant program director, Ms. Ashley will help out in the classroom when they receive a call from a staff member that their classroom is over ratio. Ms. Winbash stated that the Pratt classroom does not maintain the required staff to child ratio in the morning. She explained that the Pratt classroom is for children 3 to 4 years old. Ms. Winbash reported this happened often in September 2021. Ms. Eickhoff reported that the center has had issues with children showing up early and staff members coming in late in the mornings causing them to go over staff to child ratio in the Pratt classroom. Ms. Eickhoff reported that the program director and assistant director often helps in the classrooms when they go over ratio. During my onsite inspection, Ms. Barkey provided staff and child attendance records along with attendance records for the Pratt classroom for the month of September. Based on these records, there were multiple days where the Pratt classroom was operating over ratio in the morning. On 12/7/2021, Ms. Ashley stated that if there was a staff member that did not show up for work or came in late, she would assist in the classroom to help maintain staff to child ratio. Ms. Ashely stated that they would try their best to maintain ratio and could call staff members to come in early if the Pratt classroom was out of ratio. She reported that the classroom would only be out of ratio for 5 to 10 minutes. On 1/3/2022, I emailed Ms. Barkey and requested a copy of September 2021 name to face sheets for the Pratt classroom. On 2/11/2022, I emailed Ms. Barkey regarding the name to face to sheets for the Pratt classroom. Ms. Barkey replied that she attempted to email me the name to face sheets, however the email was returned to her. I provided her with an alternative email and a fax number for her to try. On 2/22/22 and on 3/2/22, I sent follow up emails that I still hadn't received the fame to face sheets. ..........

View state record

R 400.8170 · R 400.8170 Outdoor play area. (10) An outdoor play area and any equipment located on the center's premises must be maintained in a safe condition and inspected daily before use to ensure that no hazards are present.

During my onsite inspection, Ms. Barkey stated that they often have to make substitutions to the menu due to food shortages. Ms. Barkey explained that the past two to three months the company that she orders from often does not have the food she needs. Ms. Barkey stated that when they make substitutions to the menu, they post it on the front door to parents to see. Ms. Winbash reported that the food being served is not always aligned to the menu. She explained that the center does not have a cook and program director, Ms. Barkey and assistant director, Ms. Ashley have to work in the kitchen making and serving the meals. Ms. Winbash reported that she updates the app that parents have access to, what meals were served to children. Ms. Eickhoff reported that there are often substitutes on the menus. What is on the menu is not what is always served to the children. Ms. Eickhoff stated that she will update the app to let parents know what substations were made. As I left the center, I noticed there was a sign on the door with meal substitutions that were being made that day.

View state record

R 400.8170 · R 400.8170 Outdoor play area. (11) The playground equipment, use zones, and surfacing in the outdoor play area must be inspected by a certified playground safety inspector and an approval granted for playground equipment and areas used before issuance of an original license, upon request of the department, and before using any newly added playground equipment. The center shall provide documentation of the inspection to the department upon request and shall keep it on file at the center.

During my onsite inspection, program director Ms. Barkey reported that children are not served milk every day. Ms. Barkey stated that the company she orders the milk from is often out of milk. She stated that she or assistant program director, Ms. Ashely often go to the store and will buy multiple gallons to serve to the children. However, due to staff shortages and them needing to be in the classroom and kitchen they do not always have time get milk. Ms. Wlnbash and Ms. Eickhoff reported that milk is not being served daily. They stated that they serve water with meals when milk is not available. rj

View state record

R 400.8182 · R 400.8182 Ratio and group size requirements. (3) In each room or well-defined space, the maximum group size and ratio of child care staff members to children, including children related to a staff member or the licensee, must be as shown in Table 4: b) For preschoolers, 30 months of age until 3 years of age, there shall be 1 child care staff member to 8 children with a maximum group size of 16. 7

Based on staff and child attendance records reviewed while at the center and interviews with staff members the Pratt classroom has not maintained the required child care staff member to child ratio. The ratio would need to be followed based on the youngest child in the classroom. Per records, the youngest children in the classroom required the 1 staff member to 8 children ratio guideline.

View state record

R 400.8110 · R 400.8110 Applicant; licensee; licensee designee; requirements (11) The records required by the act and these rules must be retained for a minimum of 2 calendar years or longer as specified in these rules and made available to the department upon request.

Multiple requests were sent to Ms. Barkey to get attendance records, specifically name to face sheets for the Pratt classroom, to verify specific dates the classroom was out of ratio. Ms. Barkey failed to provide them.

View state record

R 400.8330 · 1 R 400.8330 Food services and nutrition generally. (10) Menus must be planned in advance, dated, and posted in a place visible to parents. Food substitutions must be noted on the menus the day the substitution occurs.

Due to food shortages, the food being served to children does not align with the menu. However, parents are notified through the app that the facility uses, and food substitutions are posted on the front door for parents to see.

View state record

R 400.8335 · ..................... R 400.8335 Food services and nutrition; provided by center. (1) Food and beverages provided by a center must be of sufficient quantity and nutritional quality to provide for the dietary needs of each child according to the minimum meal requirements of the child and adult care food program (CACFP), as administered by the Michigan department of education, based on 7 CFR part 226, 1-1-18 edition, (2018) of the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, CACFP, and is hereby adopted by reference. A copy can be obtained at no cost from CACFP at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/meals-and-snacks. In addition, a copy is available for inspection and distribution at no cost at the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems, Child Care Division, 611 West Ottawa Street, Lansing, MI 48933.

The center is not supplying sufficient quantity and nutritional quality to provide for the dietary needs of each child according to the minimum meal requirements of the child when milk is not being served on a daily basis.

View state record

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.

Appropriate care and supervision was not provided to Child A on 05/05/2021 when he was found in the classroom without adult supervision for approximately 15 minutes.

View state record

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. 4

CCSM's in the Lyric classroom provided appropriate care of Child A. Based on interviews with staff, there is not a preponderance of evidence to support the allegation that Ms. Horjus physically disciplined Child A.

View state record

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.

CCSM's use appropriate methods of discipline. Based on interviews with CCSM's there was not a preponderance of evidence to support the claim that Ms. Horjus hit Child A on the bottom. ..........

View state record