Little Highlanders Learning Center

R 400.8216a(13) · R 400.8216a(13) Professional development requirements (13) When the department publishes a notice that a new health and safety update document or a new health and safety update training activity is published on MiRegistry, the licensee shall ensure that all identified staff or volunteers in the notice read and acknowledge the document or complete the activity within the timeframe indicated in the notice.

One child care staff member did not complete the Health and Safety Refresher 2025 training.

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R 400.8251(2)(a) · R 400.8251(2)(a) Handwashing (2) Program staff and volunteers shall ensure that children wash their hands at all of the following times: (a) Before and after meals, snacks, or food preparation experiences. Technical Assistance Technical assistance is support and training given to the licensee/licensee designee on a specific rule. Technical assistance includes consultation on how the facility can best maintain compliance with a rule.

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R 400.8325(5)(b) · R 400.8325(5)(b) Dishwashing (5) If the manual washing method is used, as referenced in subrule (4)(c) and (d) of this rule, all of the following must be done: (b) In the first compartment, wash using detergent and water at or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit or at the temperature specified by the detergent manufacturer. Technical Assistance Technical assistance is support and training given to the licensee/licensee designee on a specific rule. Technical assistance includes consultation on how the facility can best maintain compliance with a rule.

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R 400.8325(5)(c) · R 400.8325(5)(c) Dishwashing 3 LANDMARK BUILDING • 105 W. ALLEGAN STREET • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933 Michigan.gov/MiLEAP (5) If the manual washing method is used, as referenced in subrule (4)(c) and (d) of this rule, all of the following must be done: (c) In the second compartment, rinse in clear water making sure to remove all traces of food and detergent. Technical Assistance Technical assistance is support and training given to the licensee/licensee designee on a specific rule. Technical assistance includes consultation on how the facility can best maintain compliance with a rule.

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R 400.8325(5)(d)(i) · R 400.8325(5)(d)(i) Dishwashing (5) If the manual washing method is used, as referenced in subrule (4)(c) and (d) of this rule, all of the following must be done: (d) In the 3rd compartment or suitable container, sanitize using 1 of the following methods: (i) Immersion for not less than 30 seconds in clean, hot water of not less than 171 degrees Fahrenheit. Technical Assistance Technical assistance is support and training given to the licensee/licensee designee on a specific rule. Technical assistance includes consultation on how the facility can best maintain compliance with a rule.

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R 400.8550(5) · R 400.8550(5) Electrical service (5) All electrical outlets in child use areas for children who are not yet school-age shall be made inaccessible to children. Bureau

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R 400.8213(1)(a) · R 400.8213(1)(a) Staff; volunteer (1) All staff and volunteers present at the center shall: (a) Provide appropriate care and supervision o f children at all times.

On 3/4/2026, Lead Teacher, Teacher 1 and Teacher 2 did not provide appropriate care and supervision of Child A. Child A was left unsupervised for approximately 17 minutes in the classroom.

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R 400.8213(1)(a) · R 400.8213(1)(a) Staff; volunteer (1) All staff and volunteers present at the center shall: (a) Provide appropriate care and supervision o f children at all times.

On July 22, 2025, Child A and Child C touched each other's penises while in the bathroom. Child A and Child C are school-agers; therefore, the teachers allowed them privacy while using the bathroom. The teachers stand at the bathroom doorway to monitor the children entering and exiting. Teacher 1, Teacher 2, Teacher 3, Teacher 4, and Teacher 5 provided appropriate care and supervision of Child A and Child C. Please note that Child B is a preschooler and did not attend the Kids Kare school-age summer program.

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R 400.8173(4)(b) · PR19-R 400.8173(4)(b) Equipment. S afe, clean, and in good repair.

During an onsite 05/06/2025 the mirror was observed to be in safe condition and did not pose a threat of injuries as indicated in the complaint. To confirm this, I placed my fingers around the trim of the entire mirror and at no time did I feel any sharp or abrasive areas. In addition, as an extra preventable measure, a paper boarder was placed around the mirror.

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R 400.8213(1)(b) · R 400.8213(1)(b) Staff; volunteer (1) All staff and volunteers present at the center shall: (b) Act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare o f children.

Based on interviews with the Licensee Designee, Lead Teacher 1, Teacher 2, Teacher 3, and both Child A and Child B, Teacher 3 acted in a manner that is conductive to the welfare of children.

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R 400.8280(2)(a) · R 400.8280(2)(a) Discipline (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (a) Hitting, spanking, shaking, biting, pinching, o r inflicting other forms of corporal punishment.

Based on interviews with the Licensee Designee, LT 1, Teacher 2, Teacher 4 and both Child A and Child B, there is no evidence to support that Teacher 3 used physical discipline with Child A and Child B or encouraged children to physically fight.

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

CCSM's 1, 2, 3 and Ms. Blanch provided appropriate care and supervision to Child A.

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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 July 12, 2023, licensee designee, Ms. Kari Naghtin, called and self-reported an incident. Ms. Naghtin said CCSM 1 asked Child A (male, 9 years old) for a hug and then proceeded to kiss Child A's neck. The incident occurred on Monday, July 10, 2023, in the cafeteria during lunchtime. Later that day, CCSM 1 kissed Child B (female, 12 years old) on the forehead in the gymnasium. Ms. Naghtin said she became aware of the incident late Tuesday night, July 11, 2023. Ms. Naghtin said CCSM 1 worked on Monday, July 10, 2023, and that she was off Tuesday, July 11, 2023. CCSM 1 was informed that she could not report to work on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. On July 13, 2023, I received a copy of the incident report dated July 12, 2023. According to the report, "Incident Date: 7/10/23 Time: —12:45 pm and —2:30 pm Location: Classroom & Cafeteria Child A announced to the class during quiet time around 1:00 pm that CCSM 1 `kissed him on the neck.' He reported and a CCSM 2 in the room reported that CCSM 1 said, `Don't say that; I could get into trouble' (Child A's report)/that sounds bad (what CCSM 2 heard). Child A and Child B's Mother who works in the center informed us that Child A told her that when the class was in the cafeteria for lunch between 12:30 pm -1:00 pm Child A said that CCSM 1 asked him for a hug. He told her no. She grabbed him and pulled him to her. As she was hugging him, she kissed him on the right side of his neck. All the 2-3 room were present as was CCSM 2. Child A does not believe CCSM 2 saw the incident. Child A said this contact made him `uncomfortable, nasty, and very bothered.' Child A is worried she would try to kiss him again. Child B, Child A's sister, stated that CCSM 1 kissed her on the forehead. Child B wiped her forehead and said, `that's gross!' CCSM 1 did not say anything to Child B. This happened on Monday in the cafeteria around 2:30 pm." On July 13, 2023, I received an email from Ms. Naghtin. Ms. Naghtin indicated that CCSM 1 is no longer working at the facility. On July 13, 2023, I called and spoke with Child A and Child B's Mother. Child A and Child B's Mother said she left work around 3:00 pm on Monday, July 10, 2023. She got Child A and Child B from their classrooms. Child A told her that CCSM 1 kissed him on the neck. Child A and Child B's Mother initially thought Child A was mistaken but Child B said CCSM 1 had kissed her as well. Child B said CCSM 1 kissed her on the forehead. Child A and Child B's Mother believes this occurred later that same 3 day in the cafeteria after the children performed the dance that they had learned during club time. Club time is when the children separate into their respective interests such as dance, science, art, etc. Child A and Child B's Mother said she went to work the next day when CCSM 2 approached her. CCSM 2 asked if Child A told her about the kiss. CCSM 2 said Child A announced to the class during quiet time that CCSM 1 kissed him. Child A and Child B's Mother said Child A doesn't want to talk about the incident. Child A is uncomfortable and is scared to come back to summer camp. Child A and Child B's Mother said Child A hasn't been back since the incident. Child A and Child B's Mother emailed and notified Ms. Naghtin and CCSM 5 about the incident Tuesday night, July 11, 2023. CCSM 5 is the interim program director. Program director, Ms. Marlee Blanch, is currently on leave. According to Child A and Child B's Mother, she spoke with Child A, and he said he walked into the lunch room, and CCSM 1 asked for a hug. He said, "No". CCSM 1 grabbed Child A, pulled him into her and kissed him on his neck. Child A pulled away and went to eat his lunch. He avoided CCSM 1 for the rest of the day. Child A and Child B's Mother said Child A told her that he felt "nasty" after CCSM 1 kissed him. Child A and Child B's Mother said CCSM 1 also kissed Child B. Child B told her that CCSM 1 kissed her on the forehead during club time. I asked Child A and Child B's Mother if she has s

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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 June 15, 2022, 1 called and spoke with Ms. Liza Kelly, Assistant Superintendent of Labor Relations & Personnel, District Title IX Coordinator. Ms. Kelly self-reported an incident that occurred at the child care center on June 8, 2022. Ms. Kelly said after the resignation of former program director, Ms. Jennifer Myers, a few child care staff members approached the new licensee designee, Ms. Marlee Blanch, regarding a child care staff member, Ms. Sylvia Cook. Ms. Cook is the lead child care staff member in the Toddler Classroom. There is a concern that Ms. Cook did not use appropriate language or positive interactions when engaging with the children in care. Ms. Cook called the children "brats" or "fucking brats." She pulled a child's hair, mocked the children, and laughed when they cried after she squirted them with a water bottle. Ms. Cook also threw the children's food away before they could eat. Ms. Kelly had a meeting with Ms. Cook on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Ms. Cook admitted to squirting the children with a water bottle and using her leg to pin a child to a cot. The child did not want to stay on the cot for nap time. Ms. Cook is on paid non-disciplinary leave until the investigation has been completed. Ms. Kelly said on Monday, June 13, 2022, an exit meeting was conducted with Ms. Cook and her attorney. Ms. Cook retracted her previous statement and denied touching or placing her leg on a child. Ms. Cook said her leg was over the child on the cot to prevent the child from getting up. Ms. Kelly said Please note that the children in the report were toddler age at the time of the incidents. The incidents occurred within a five-years' time frame. comaietea an u 3 inspection. We interviewed licensee designee, Ms. Marlee Blanch, child care staff members, Ms. Megan Muirhead- Love, Ms. Kateri Nachtrab, Ms. Angela Jacques, Ms. Dana Snyder, and Ms. Lisa Macaluso-Dersch, separately. Ms. Blanch was hired about to replace Ms. Myers as the program director. Ms. Blanch is the current licensee designee for the child care license. Ms. Blanch said on Tuesday evening, June 7, 2022, Ms. Muirhead- Love spoke with Ms. Macaluso-Dersch, the Early Childhood Administrative Assistant. Ms. Muirhead- Love had some concerns regarding Ms. Cook who she works with in the Toddler Classroom. Ms. Macaluso-Dersch advised Ms. Muirhead- Love to speak with Ms. Blanch. Ms. Blanch said Ms. Muirhead- Love approached her about Ms. Cook. She spoke with Ms. Muirhead- Love who said when Child A (male, 3'/2 years old) was in the Toddler Classroom, Ms. Cook refused to give Child A his food and drink because he had a hard time sitting up in the chair. Child A was sent to a time-out chair for 16 minutes. His lunch was thrown away before he had a chance to eat it. Ms. Blanch said there are cameras in the classroom and that she believes the incident was recorded. This occurred on May 25, 2021. Child A was 32 months old at the time of the incident. Ms. Blanch said there were other child care staff members that came forth with information regarding Ms. Cook. Ms. Blanch believes that the child care staff members' concerns were brought to Ms. Myers' attention but nothing was done. During the interview, I received a copy of the disciplinary action plan dated June 3, 2021, for Ms. Cook. According to the letter: " On Tuesday, May 25, 2021, a child under the care of Ms. Cook was removed from lunch and placed at a table for a "time out" for 12 minutes and 55 seconds. When the video was reviewed the child did not go back to the lunch table after this time. According to licensing rule R400.8140 sub rule 140(2) A child should not be deprived of meal time as a punishment. Additionally, the following is outlined in licensing as the appropriate use of time out: Time-Out Time-out should only be used to stop aggressive behavior or to allow angry or upset children to calm down. It is an opportunity for children to clear their minds and rejoin the group or activity in a more productive state

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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. 17

Child care staff member, Ms. Cook, did not use positive methods of discipline. • Ms. Muirhead-Love witnessed Ms. Cook spray the children in their faces and other parts of the body at least on five different occasions when the children were not listening. Ms. Cook sprayed Child G in the face with a water bottle. Ms. Cook laughed while Child G cried. • On June 9, 2022, during a meeting with Ms. Kelly and Ms. Blanch, Ms. Cook admitted to squirting the children with a water bottle. • In 2016, in the Infant/Toddler Classroom, Ms. Jacques witnessed Ms. Cook squirt Child H (female, 6 years old) in the face with water when Child H fell asleep. Ms. Cook also sprayed Child I (female, age unknown) and Child J (female, age unknown) in their faces with the water bottle.

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R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (c) Restricting a child's movement by binding or tying him or her.

Child care staff member, Ms. Cook, restricted the children's movement by placing her leg on or over the children to keep them on their cots. • In March 2022, Ms. Cook pinned Child B on her cot during naptime. Child B didn't want to stay on her cot, so Ms. Cook had one leg on Child B. Ms. Muirhead-Love observed Child B crying, and Child B tried pushing Ms. Cook off of her. • On June 9, 2022, during a meeting with Ms. Kelly and Ms. Blanch, Ms. Cook admitted to using her leg to pin a child to a cot. On June 13, 2022, during an exit meeting, Ms. Cook retracted her previous statement and denied touching or placing her leg on a child. Ms. Cook said her leg was over the child on the cot to prevent the child from getting up. • Ms. Jacques witnessed Ms. Cook pin a child to the cot with her leg during naptime.

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R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (d) Inflicting mental or emotional punishment, such as humiliating, shaming, or threatening a child. w

Child care staff member, Ms. Cook humiliates, shames, and threatens the children. • On the first day of 2021-2022 school year, Ms. Muirhead- Love said Child D finished her lunch and wanted to go play. Ms. Cook had a rule that everyone remained seated until everybody was done eating. Child D cried. Ms. Cook laughed and said," Everybody look at (Child D) cry." Ms. Cook mocks and laughs at the children when they cry. • In January 2022, Ms. Nachtrab said Child D was upset and crying loudly. Ms. Cook teased Child D and told the other children to look at Child D. Ms. Cook would call out a specific child and mock him/her. • About two months ago, Ms. Snyder remembers seeing Child D (female, 3 years old) crying. Ms. Cook called Child D a "cry baby." • Ms. Muirhead-Love overheard Ms. Cook say, " (Child E) don't make me hurt you." • On March 23, 2022, Ms. Jacques observed Ms. Cook scream across the room to Child E, "If you don't listen to me, I'm going to kill you." • About two months ago, Ms. Snyder witnessed Ms. Cook refer to the children as a "bunch of brats." • Ms. Jacques observed Ms. Cook call the children "little brats" to their faces. Ms. Cook would also call them "fucking little brats" in the classroom but not to their faces. In casual conversation, Ms. Cook curses and says "fuck." This would occur in the classroom around the children. • Ms. Nachtrab said Ms. Cook calls the children "brats." Ms. Cook spells the word "brats" as well as says it in front of the children. This happens a lot and is an ongoing occurrence. Ms. Nachtrab has heard Ms. Cook say "shit" and "fuck" in the classroom while speaking with other child care staff members.

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R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (e) Depriving a child of meals, snacks, rest, or necessary toilet use.

Child care staff member, Ms. Cook, deprived the children of their meals as a form of punishment. • On May 25, 2021, Ms. Cook refused to give Child A his food and drink. Child A was sent to a time-out chair for 12 minutes and 55 seconds. Child A was 32 months old at the time of the incident. • Ms. Macaluso-Dersch said Ms. Cook believed certain food contributed to the child's behavior, so she only gave Child B what she wanted, not what the parents sent in for lunch. Ms. Cook picked and chose and only gave Child B certain foods. Ms. Macaluso-Dersch was present when Ms. Cook admitted to withholding Child B's food. • Ms. Snyder did not witness Ms. Cook throw away the children's food. However, she said Ms. Cook told her that she threw away the food because parents were packing junk food. • Ms. Jacques witnessed Ms. Cook withhold food from Child I and Child J when they were not listening to her.

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R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (i) Time out must not be used for children under 3 years of age. 21

Time-out is being used as a form of discipline in the Toddler Classroom. • On May 25, 2021, Ms. Cook refused to give Child A his food and drink. Child A was sent to a time-out chair for 12 minutes and 55 seconds. Child A was 32 months old at the time of the incident. The incident was recorded on the security camera. • Ms. Jacques witnessed Ms. Cook place the children in time-out in the chair. The children would sit for over five minutes, sometimes ten minutes. The children were infant and toddler age. This would occur weekly especially to the ones Ms. Cook refer to as the "troubled kids." • In the Toddler Classroom, Ms. Muirhead-Love said she, Ms. Cook and Ms. Duprey have all placed the children in time-out at one point. Ms. Muirhead-Love was not aware that time-out was not appropriate for toddlers. • Ms. Nachtrab said Ms. Cook uses the purple chair by the shelf for time-out. The child sits in the chair for at least five minutes. • Child K's Mother said Child K has strong language and once told her, "I had to be in time-out. Time-out. Purple chair. Time out."

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R 400.8158 · ................. ................ ...... R 400.8158 Incident, accident, injury, illness, death, fire reporting. (2) A licensee, licensee designee, or program director shall report to the child's parent and the department, directly or via phone, fax, or email, within 24 hours of the occurrence of any of the following: (b) An incident involving an allegation of inappropriate contact. 22

The licensee, licensee designee, or program director did not report to the department within 24 hours of becoming aware of the inappropriate contact between Ms. Cook and the children in care. On June 8, 2022, the child care center became aware that Ms. Cook used inappropriate language with the children in care. Ms. Cook called the children "brats" or "fucking brats." She also engaged inappropriately with the children. She pulled a child's hair, mocked the children, and laughed when they cried after she squirted them with a water bottle. Ms. Cook also deprived the children of their meals. The incidents occurred within a five- years' time frame. The licensing department was not notified of the allegations until June 14, 2022.

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R 400.8158 · R 400.8158 Incident, accident, injury, illness, death, fire reporting. (4) A licensee, licensee designee, or program director shall submit a written report to the department of the occurrences outlined in subrules (1), (2), and (3) of this rule, in a format provided by the department, within 72 hours of the verbal report to the department.

The licensee, licensee designee, or program director did not report to the department within 72 hours of the verbal report to the department of becoming aware of the inappropriate contact between Ms. Cook and the children in care.

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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 June 6, 2021, child care staff member, Ms. Can Buell, did not provide appropriate care and supervision of the children in the Preschool Classroom. Ms. Buell left the classroom and went to the office. The classroom is located down the hallway from the office. Ms. Buell thought that Ms. Emily Beck was in the classroom. When Ms. Buell returned to the classroom, she realized that the children were alone. Ms. Buell believes the children were left unsupervised for 15 to 30 seconds. .............

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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 caregivers to children, including children related to a staff member or the licensee, shall be the following: (d) For preschoolers 4 years of age until school-age, there shall be 1 caregiver for 12 children. 4

On June 6, 2021, at approximately 9:00 A.M., the Preschool Classroom was out of ratio. There were five children with no child care staff member. Child A (female, 5 years old), Child B (female, 4 years old), Child 1/2 C (male, 5 years old, Child D(male, 5 years old) and Child E (female, 4 years old) were left unsupervised in the classroom 1/2 between 15 to 30 seconds.

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