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.

An onsite inspection was conducted on 06/02/2022. Program director Heather Poll was on vacation at the time of the inspection. An interview was conducted with child care staff member Betty Chartier. Child A's mother had spoken to Ms. Chartier that morning. Child A's mother had been told by the complainant that the complainant had witnessed a "woman with a bob aggressively take a toy away from Child A and put him in a chair." Ms. Chartier stated that Child A's mother was not upset, she merely wanted to know what happened. Child A's mother did not want to speak with Ms. Matzen, Child A's teacher. While on site, an interview was conducted with child care staff member Faith Matzen, the lead in the three year old room and Child A's caregiver. She did not recall "aggressively taking a toy out of Child A's hand" but she did and has 2 "numerous times picked Child A up under his arms and place him in a chair." Child A is very "hands on" and occasionally needs to take a break, so he is put in a chair to calm down. Child care staff member Arianna Presley, Ms. Matzen's assistant, reiterated that Child A was a handful and that Ms. Matzen did not treat Child A inappropriately. There are two surveillance cameras in the three year old room. A recording of the incident was viewed by this consultant while on site. When standing at the entryway of the three year old room, there are age appropriate chairs and tables nearest the door. Past the tables and chairs and to the left is a countertop with cabinets above and below. To the right, is the changing table. In-between and further back, are age appropriate toys and activities located in an open space. At the time of the incident, there were eight children in attendance with two child care staff members, Ms. Matzen and Ms. Presley. Ms. Matzen was observed on video standing at the counter with her back to Child A, who was engaged in free play in the open space, by himself. Ms. Presley was changing the diaper/pull up of another child at the changing table also with her back to Child A. Neither staff member was aware that Child A's behavior was escalating until Child A began using a toy inappropriately. Ms. Matzen then noticed Child A's inappropriate behavior, yanked the toy out of Child A's hand and put him in a chair. This upset Child A and he got up from the chair and ran across the room. A phone interview was conducted with program director Heather Poll on 06/08/2022. Child A is a "handful" consequently she had previously spoken with Ms. Matzen and Ms. Presley about the importance of appropriate care and supervision in the three year old room. When appropriately supervised, Child A's behavior can typically be prevented from escalating or, at the very least, the challenging behaviors can be contained. On 06/10/2022, this consultant was notified that Ms. Matzen and Ms. Presley had quit their jobs at the child care center. A voicemail was left for Child A's mother on 06/15/2022 requesting a phone interview. Child A's mother did not respond. On 06/16/2022 a phone interview was conducted with the complainant. The complainant reiterated what she observed and what was in the complaint. At the time of the onsite, Child A was still enrolled at the child care center.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.