Appletree Learning Center Knapp

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 07/20/2022, I received a written incident report the center submitted to the department. The incident report indicates that Child A was left unattended by Rachel Dever and Jared Sietsema during a transition from the classroom to the playground on 07/18/2022. On 07/22/2022, I completed an on-site inspection. I interviewed licensee designee Kami Ashley and child care staff members Rachel Dever and Katelyn Czarnopys- Lyon. Ms. Ashley stated that Ms. Dever reported to her that Child A was left unsupervised in the classroom for approximately two minutes after she and Mr. Seitsema transitioned the children to the playground from the classroom. Ms. Ashley 2 stated she called Child A's Mother to inform her of the incident. Child A's Mother told her (Ms. Ashley) that Child A is very self-sufficient, so she was not that concerned about the incident. Ms. Ashley stated that Ms. Dever began working at the center approximately six months ago and Mr. Seitsema began working at the center approximately five months ago. Ms. Dever and Mr. Seitsema received "name-to- face" training during their new hire orientation. They were both trained to do "name- to-face" roll call before and after each transition to ensure all children are accounted for at all times. Mr. Seitsema told her (Ms. Ashley) that the classroom was very chaotic at the time and he and Ms. Dever were just trying to get the children outside, but in doing so overlooked the "name-to-face" procedure. Ms. Ashley stated that Ms. Dever and Mr. Seitsema were written up for not following the "name-to-face" procedure which led to Child A being left unattended. Additionally, she has a staff meeting scheduled for next week to review appropriate supervision including the "name-to-face" procedure. Ms. Ashley provided me with verification of a new hire orientation for Ms. Dever and Mr. Seitsema, which included procedures to provide for the supervision of children. Ms. Dever stated she failed to implement the "name-to-face" procedure on 07/18/2022 when she and Mr. Seitsema transitioned the children from the classroom to the playground. Sixteen children were present at the time of the incident. She counted 16 children as they lined up to go outside. She counted 16 children a second time before leaving the classroom. She thinks that Child A must have ducked into the classroom bathroom instead of exiting the classroom. As she was doing the "name-to-face" procedure once outside, Ms. Czarnopys-Lyon brought Child A to her. Child A appeared upset and scared. She checked Child A over and briefly comforted her before she (Child A) went to play on the playground. Ms. Dever stated that Child A could not have been unattended for more than 2 to 3 minutes. Ms. Dever took full responsibility for Child A being left unattended. She expressed genuine remorse. She received training on the "name-to-face" procedure when she was hired at the center. She knows staff are required to implement the "name-to- face" procedure every 30 minutes and before and after each transition. Prior to the incident, she routinely skipped the "name-to-face" procedure before transitioning from the classroom to the playground. She now understands the importance of following the center's "name-to-face" procedure before and after each transition. Since the incident she has followed the "name-to-face" procedure before and after each transition. She has talked with Mr. Seitsema about what happened and the importance of following the "name-to-face" procedure before and after each transition. She and Mr. Seitsema are on the "same page." Ms. Czarnopys-Lyon stated that she was outside with her classroom when she saw Child A push open the classroom door that exits to the playground. Child A was still inside the classroom. Child A was crying. She walked over and picked Child A up and walked her over to her classroom. She gave Child A to Ms. Dever. Ms. Czarnopys-Lyon stated that all staff are trained to follow the center's "name-to-face" procedure eve

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

On February 18, 2021 1 spoke with Child A's Father on the telephone. He stated that in the evening on February 15, 2021 Child A disclosed that and Child B had shown each other their' added that they did is in an area where staff "couldn't see" them. also sai ; at either ■ or Child B "put something "or' ". When he asked about this further, it sounde a something was put in . Child A's Father said he did not know when the incident happened; or if it was a one-time incident or multiple times. During their conversation, Child A did not disclose a day of when this may have happened or where in the room. Child A's Father explained he has some concerns about supervision and wants to ensure that all children are kept safe while in care. Child A's Father informed me that Child A had shared some other details with Child A's Mother. Child A's Father stated that he and Child A's Mother have both had conversations about keeping with Child A. Child A was not upset when sharing the information, he felt the incident was due to curiosity but wants Child A to understand that this was not appropriate. He also requested information or resources on having conversations with Child A. I provided him with some resources from the Child Advocacy Center. On February 19, 2021 1 spoke with Child A's Mother on the telephone. She stated M that on February 17, 2021 she spoke with Child A about the conversation Child A had with Child A's Father. She stated that Child A confirmed that was "curious" about what like. said, "Child B shove me and I also ma e the comment that "Child B does no showed__." have a . Durin their conversation Child A stated that Child B "some ." Child A's Mother did not ask if the ' o ies or no . uring Heir conversation Child A's Mother fel a the inciden due to curiosity. Child A did not mention if this was a one-time incident or multiple incidents. She does not have concerns about supervision, and she is impressed with how the center addressed the situation. She informed Child A that these actions were not appropriate. Child A's Mother is aware that the program director has spoken to the children about their bodies and boundaries. On February 23, 2021 1 made an unannounced on-site inspection at the child care center. I spoke with program director Rachel Neubert and child care staff members Sophia Boskhim, Emily Churches, Haley Kenkel, Valerie Nuffer, and Catelin Pierce. Program director, Ms. Neubert stated that on February 18, 2021 Child A's Father informed her that Child A had disclosed that and Child B had been "sneaking off and showing their ." And that on February 17, 2021 Child A had told Child s Mother that Child had' ." Ms. Neubert explained she has spoken with the child care staff members that are currently assigned to Child A and Child B's room. Both staff have not observed any children in the room exhibit this type of behavior. Child A and Child B have not exhibited any behaviors of this type. Ms. Neubert said she discussed bodies and body safety at a large group on February 18, 2021 in this room. She mentioned that during the month of February the lessons have been focusing on bodies, health, and nutrition. Staff talk to children about body safety. Ms. Neubert stated she has followed up with Child A's Mother and Father and Child B's Mother. Parents are concerned about the incident. I asked if there were any areas in the room where there are blind spots. Ms. Neubert stated the reading area, with a child sized couch and book rack, is tucked back behind a partial wall. If you are standing near the entrance or eating area of the room, it would be difficult to see what is happening in that area. Ms. Neubert took photos of the area. She provided these photos to me. During the on- site inspection I asked to see the room. There is a blind spot in the room, just as Ms. Neubert described. She stated that many of the rooms have the same floor plan. Ms. Neubert stated there have been no concerns with supervision in the past due to the flo

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