• Violation

  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.

  On 09/28/2021, I initiated this investigation via telephone interview with Child A's Mother. She stated Child A told her that his teacher "Ms. Nahida" hit him on the hand because he was blamed for something that he did not do. Child A has been attending this child care facility only a couple of weeks and is still in attendance. She did not express any other concerns at this time. Child A really enjoys going to school and Child A's Mother likes the program as well. She disclosed that the center was closed due to COVID 19 until 10/11/2021. On 10/18/2021, during a telephone interview, Lena Willis, program director, said Ms. Akther has been placed on administrative leave pending this investigation. She has never had any complaints against Ms. Akther and has no proof that she used inappropriate discipline on Child A or any other child in care. She conducted an internal investigation and learned that Child A had to be redirected during small group time. This caused Ms. Akther to have him sit next to her which made him upset. Ms. Willis denied that Ms. Akther hit Child A on the hand. On 10/19/2021, during an on-site inspection, Ms. Willis stated that Child A is still enrolled, however was absent today. I interviewed CCSMs Zutsnara Rahman (Ms. Z) and Sanzida Yasmeen separately. Ms. Z said she has never seen Ms. Akther hit Child A or any child in care. She has worked with this company for 21 years and is aware of the discipline policy. She has no concern with the way Ms. Akther disciplines children in care. Ms. Yasmeen said she has no knowledge of Ms. Akther hitting Child A on the hand. She is a floater but is familiar with Child A. During the times that she has been in Child A's classroom, she has not witnessed or heard anyone say that Ms. Akther uses inappropriate discipline on the children in care. She has worked at the child care center for 3 years and is aware of the discipline policy. She has no concern with the way Ms. Akther disciplines children in care. On 10/19/2021, I interviewed Nahida Akther via telephone. Ms. Akther denied hitting Child A on the hand. She does not use physical punishment with the children in care. When she spoke to Child A's mother regarding this allegation, Child A's mother said, "I know he's lying." Ms. Akther has been employed with this company for three years. She has never had any complaints against her for inappropriate care or discipline. She has never witnessed any of the child care staff members hitting Child A. Ms. Akther said during a small group session, she made Child A sit next to her because he was misbehaving. This made him unhappy, and Child A became very upset. In that exchange, she did not use physical discipline, only verbal directives. On 10/19, 2021, I interviewed Child B's Mother via telephone. She stated Child B has been attending this childcare in Ms. Akhter's class for a couple of months. She has no concerns with the care being provided or discipline. She denied that Child B has reported anything inappropriate to her about school or the teachers. She reported that the teachers are good, and Child B loves school. 3 On 11/4/2021, I interviewed Child C's Mother via telephone. Child C has been attending this child care center in Ms. Akhter's class since September 2021. She stated she doesn't have any concern with the care or discipline. Child C has not reported anything inappropriate about school or the teachers.

Child Care Staff Member, Nahida Akther hit Child A (4-year-old male) on the hand. 2

Disposition: Substantiated