GOD's Little Angels

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.

All staff provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times. Program Administrator and Teacher 1 were supervising Child A when she was injured.

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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.

Program Administrator and Teacher 1 act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children.

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R 400.8263(1)(b) · R 400.8263(1)(b) Child accidents and incidents; child and staff illness (1) A center shall develop and implement a written plan for how and when a parent is notified if program staff or volunteers observe any of the following: (b) A child experiences an accident, injury, or i ncident. 2 LANDMARK BUILDING • 105 W. ALLEGAN STREET • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933 Michigan.gov/MiLEAP

Program Administrator and Teacher 1 verbally reported Child A's lip injury to Child A's Mother.

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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.

Program Administrator did not use physical discipline on Child B.

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R 400.8254(10) · R 400.8254(10) Diapering; toileting (10) Toilet learning or training must be planned cooperatively between the child's regular teachers and the child's parent so the toilet routine established is consistent between the center and the c hild's home.

The teachers attempted to coordinate potty training to be consistent with home.

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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 child care staff members to children, including children related to a staff member or the licensee, must be as shown in Table 4: ............... TABLE 4 Child Care Staff Member to Child Ratios Age Child Carr Staff Maximum '_!•letnber to Child Ratio Grow size ( intannts and toddlers, birth until 00 1 to 4 12 a) months of age ( Preschoolers. 30 months of age i to 8 16 b) until 3 years of age { Preschoolers. 3 years of age until 4 1 to 10 Not applicable C) years of age { Preschoolers. 4 years of age until 1 t0 12 Not applicable d) school-a e ( School-accts l to 18 Not applicable e

Ms. Vinson stated that there was one day that she sat Child B in the infant classroom when she was screaming because she didn't get her way. Ms. Vinson was standing outside the door to the infant classroom while Child B screamed. The door was ajar. Child B stopped screaming and allowed to join the group. This has happened on other occasions in the past. Child B refers to the room as "the screaming room." Ms. Vinson stated that she spoke to Child B's Parent about this behavior. Child B no longer does this. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that she has witnessed Ms. Vinson put Child B in a high chair and place her in a room alone. She was placed in the infant classroom. Sometimes Child B sits in this room for a very long time. This can last from several minutes to several hours to all night long. Sometimes Ms. Vinson sits outside the classroom and uses her computer while Child B "screams it out." Other times she leaves the area and do other things around the center. Sometimes the door to the room is closed all the way. Otherwise, the door is cracked open or completely open. Sometimes the light in the room is on, and sometimes it is off. There are no windows in this room, so if the door is closed or almost closed you cannot see what is happening in the room. This happened on a daily basis. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that one day, Child A was in a high chair in the infant room alone. She was upset and rocking her body side to side. While doing this the high chair tipped to the side with Child A in it. Child Care Staff Member 1 was in the kitchen preparing dinner when this occurred. When she came out of the kitchen, she saw Child A laying in the high chair on her side. Child Care Staff Member 1 announced that Child A tipped over. Ms. Vinson told Child Care Staff Member 1 to leave Child A. At first Child A cried, but then she stopped. Child A laid on the floor for about 10 minutes until Ms. Vinson picked her up. There were no injuries to Child A from the incident. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that she has witnessed Child B being placed in a high chair by Ms. Vinson and put in the "crying room" alone. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that Child B is a fussy child that is sometimes mean to other children. She has also witnessed this occur with Child A. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that Ms. Vinson places children in the crying room when they are crying. The child stays in the crying room until they stop crying. Sometimes the light in the room is on, and sometimes it is off. The door to the room will be cracked open. Sometimes Ms. Vinson stands by the door and sometimes she walks away. The child is in the room in a high chair alone for at least five minutes, sometimes longer. The other child care staff members were not able to take the child out of the room, but if Ms. Vinson walked away from the room, the child care staff members opened the door to the room. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that she also heard that one time Child A tipped over in the high chair while in the "crying room" and Ms. Vinson told the 12 child care staff members not to pick her up. She stayed on the floor strapped in the high chair. Both Child Care Staff Member 1 and Child Care Staff Member 2 later stated that since my on-site inspection on 12/22/2022, children are no longer being placed in a room unsupervised. Child Care Staff Member 3 stated that she has witnessed Ms. Vinson place Child B in a high chair and place her in a dark room alone for time out on two occasions. This occurred when Child B was not listening. She recalled one time that Ms. Vison got frustrated with Child B and she placed her in a high chair and dragged the high chair across the room to an empty classroom where she put the high chair with Child B in it. The light to the room was off. Child B was crying and screaming. Child Care Staff Member 3 stated that the door was slightly open, and Ms. Vison was outside the door sitting in a chair. She was waiting for Child B to stop c

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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.

Ms. Vinson stated that she recalled one day that she grabbed the back of Child A's (3 years, female) collar when she was running around the classroom. She did that to stop her body fast because she was afraid that she was going to get hurt. Ms. Vinson then said in a raised voice, "No thank you." Ms. Vinson stated that Child A kicks and punches and throws tantrums, so she probably has put her in a high chair to stop her body. Ms. Vinson stated that children 3 years and older are placed in time out. The younger children are redirected. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that she witnessed the incident where Ms. Vinson grabbed Child A's collar and put her in a time out in a high chair. Child A hit Child Care Staff Member 1 and Ms. Vinson found out about it later. She stated that Child A is a difficult child that has a tendency to hit and throw things. Ms. Vinson grabbed Child A by the front collar of her shirt and pulled Child A toward her. Ms. Vinson said to Child A in a very loud voice "we do not hit" and "you need to be gentle." Ms. Vinson then placed Child A in a high chair for a time out. Child A was still sitting in the high chair when Child Care Staff Member 1 left the center about an hour later. At first, she was crying, but she eventually calmed down. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that Child B and Child E are also often placed in a high chair for a time out. They can sit for as long as several hours. They will often cry and scream during this time. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that she did not witness this specific incident with Child A but has witnessed Child A and other children placed in a high chair for time out. Typically, the children that have to sit in a high chair for time out are Child A, Child B, and Child E. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that the children it for 10 or more minutes. This happens on a daily basis. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that Ms. Vinson uses a loud voice when speaking with the children. She says things like "that's not nice." I explained to Child Care Staff Member 2 that children are only allowed to sit in time out for up to one minute per age. She stated that she was never informed of that. Child Care Staff Member 1 and Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that since the on- site inspection I conducted on 12/22/2022, children have no longer been placed in a high chair for time out. 4 Child Care Staff Member 3 stated that she did not witness this specific incident occur, but she has witnessed Ms. Vinson yell at Child A when she is being too active. Ms. Vinson will yell "sit down" or "quit" in a very loud voice. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that she witnessed this incident occur. Child A tried to hit Child Care Staff Member 4 and Ms. Vinson heard about it. Ms. Vinson grabbed Child A by the front of her shirt around the collar and pulled Child A toward her. Ms. Vinson was bent over at Child A's level and said in a very loud voice, "You're not going to hit my teachers." After this occurred, Child A was placed in time out in a high chair for at least an hour. Child A was kicking and screaming during this time. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that she has witnessed several children being placed in a time out for long periods of time. On some occasions when she arrived at the center, she was told that the child was sitting in the high chair for most of the day. Child Care Staff Member 4 added that Child A also cries a lot at drop off and she is placed in a high chair until she stops crying. Child Care Staff Member 5 stated that she has never witnessed Ms. Vinson grab Child A or any other child in care and scream at them and put them in a high chair for misbehaving. Child A's Parent stated that Child A has not told her about being placed in a high chair for time out, but the child care staff members and Ms. Vinson told her that Child A is placed in a high chair for time out. Child A's Parent stated that she did not have major concerns about that occurring. Child A's Parent stated tha

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R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 j Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (a) Hitting, spanking, shaking, biting, pinching, or inflicting other forms of corporal punishment.

Ms. Vinson stated that the children's masks will fall down as they play. She will say to them in a firm voice, "Put your mask over your nose please." She is not screaming when she does this. A Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that she has not witnessed Ms. Vinson scream at the children to put on their masks. She has spoken to them in a "snappy" manner. She has also witnessed Ms. Vinson yell at the children in an inappropriate tone. Ms. Vinson will say, "Why aren't you wearing your mask?" Child Care Staff Member 1 has also heard Ms. Vinson "snap" at Child A, but she couldn't recall what Ms. Vinson said. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that she has not witnessed Ms. Vinson scream at the children to put on their masks. Ms. Vinson has had to tell the children to wear their masks. Child Care Staff Member 3 stated that she has not witnessed Ms. Vinson scream at children for not wearing their masks, but she has witnessed Ms. Vinson yell at the children for not wearing their masks. She will give them a warning to put their mask on and if they don't, they will get placed in a time out. This occurs with school-aged children. Ms. Vinson often yells at Child B in a very loud voice. She will say things such as "shut up," quiet down," or "stop crying." Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that she has witnessed Ms. Vinson get upset when children are not wearing their masks. She has yelled at them in a loud voice, "This is why we are all sick." Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that this is done in a mean voice. Child Care Staff Member 5 stated that she has not witnessed Ms. Vinson screaming at the children in care. Child A's Parent was not aware of Ms. Vinson screaming at the children in care. She has heard her use a loud voice, but nothing inappropriate. Child A has never mentioned being yelled at. Child B's Parent stated that she has not witnessed Ms. Vinson screaming at the children in care, nor has Child B told her that is has occurred.

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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.

Ms. Vinson stated that she is not aware of the center not having enough staff to meet the required child care staff member to children ratio. Ms. Vinson stated that the center operates 24 hours a day and is not typically very busy during the day. The child care staff members and the children have a set schedule and she makes sure that there are enough child care staff members present for the children. Ms. Vinson stated that she takes breaks during the day because she also works at the center during the night shift. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that there have been times that the center has not complied with the child care staff member to children ratio. She recalled one time that there were 15 children present with 2 child care staff members. The children were in one group and ranged in age from toddlers to school-age. A one child care staff member to four children ratio was required. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that she has never been informed what to do if a child arrives to care and there are not enough child care staff members present. She stated that they just accept the children that arrive for care. The center is out of compliance with the child care staff member to children ratio on a regular basis. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that Ms. Vinson works in the morning but may leave for an appointment during the day. Ms. Vinson is present with the children all evening. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that she was not informed what the required child care staff member to children ratio is until recently. She recalled one day that there were 19 children present with two to three child care staff members. The children were aged birth through 3 years and all in one room. A one child care staff member to four children ratio was required. Child Care Staff Member 3 stated that the center is understaffed. The center is left out of ratio on a semi-regular basis. Ms. Vinson is aware that there are not enough child care staff members present. She leaves the center during the day knowing that the center does not have enough child care staff members for the number of children that are in care. Child Care Staff Member 3 stated she recalls one occasion where there were 15 to 17 children present in one group, some of whom were infants, with only two child care staff members present. A one child care staff member to four children ratio was required. Child Care Staff Member 3 stated that she was never informed what to do if a child arrived at the center and there weren't enough child care staff members. Child Care Staff Member 3 stated that if a child was scheduled, they were allowed to attend, unless they were sick. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that the center is often not in compliance with the child care staff member to children ratio during the day. Ms. Vinson often leaves the center out of ratio during the day and is gone for several hours. On one occasion Child Care Staff Member 4 recalled there being four infants along with 10 toddler and preschool aged children present all in one group with two child care staff members. This occurred almost every day. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that she was never informed how to handle a child arriving for care if there are not enough child care staff members present. The only children who were not allowed to attend were ones who were behind on payments or having a conflict with Ms. Vinson. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that she has also cared for eight children aged 1-3 alone in a classroom. Child Care Staff Member 5 stated that she has not witnessed the center not following the required child care staff member to children ratios while at the center. Child A's Parent stated that she does not enter the center as parents drop off and pick up at the door. She has peeked in the center when dropping off and picking up and has noticed usually two to three child care staff members present. She has witnessed more than eight children with two child care staff members before. These

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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.

Ms. Vinson stated that she has never spanked Child C (3 years, male) or any other child in care. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that she witnessed Ms. Vinson "pop" Child C on the bottom. Child C is often upset when he arrives at the center. On this day he hit Child C's Mother during drop off. Ms. Vinson ended up "popping" Child C on the bottom. This is tapping him on the bottom with her hand. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that she has also witnessed Ms. Vinson spank her grandson, and also hit him on the side or back of the head. He starts crying when this happens. This occurs in front of the child care staff members and children in care. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that she was present when this incident happened. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that she was not sure what lead up to Child C being spanked, but she thinks it was because he hit his mom at drop off. Child Care Staff Member 4 witnessed Ms. Vinson "tap" Child C on the bottom. She stated that Child C was already crying at that time. He was then placed alone in a classroom with the door shut while he was screaming. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that after Ms. Vinson spanked Child C, she said, "I shouldn't have done that." Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that she has also witnessed Ms. Vinson spank her grandson in front of the other children in care. Child Care Staff Member 3 stated that she did not witness Ms. Vinson spank Child C, but she heard that it happened. She has witnessed Ms. Vinson smack her grandson on the side of his head for not wearing his mask. She yelled at him in an aggressive tone when doing this. She has not witnessed Ms. Vinson spank her grandson on the bottom. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that she did not witness this incident occurred, but she heard that it happened. She overheard Ms. Vinson apologize to another child care staff member for the incident after it occurred. She stated that she has also not witnessed Ms. Vinson hit her grandson, but she has witnessed Ms. Vinson threaten to "whoop" him in front of the other child care staff members and children. 10 Child Care Staff Member 5 stated that she has not witnessed Ms. Vinson spank Child C or any other child in care. Child A's Parent stated that she had no knowledge of children being spanked at the center. Child A has never mentioned being spanked or seeing another child spanked. Child B's Parent stated that Child B has never mentioned witnessing a child being hit or spanked. I attempted to interview Child C's Mother regarding the allegation; however, I did not receive a return call. During the exit conference, Ms. Vinson denied spanking Child C. She stated that she ushered him into the bathroom after being dropped off and that her hand was on his bottom, but she did not spank him. She also denied spanking or hitting her grandson. She stated that she might joke around with him, but she never actually hits him.

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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. I

Ms. Vinson stated that she does not shake the high chairs. She might move a high chair with a child in it, but she doesn't shake it. Child Care Staff Member 3 stated that she has witnessed Ms. Vinson shake a high chair with a child in it. She stated that she thinks Ms. Vinson is doing it in a joking manner, but it is scary to the children. She will scream in their face when she does it. No words, just a yell. Child Care Staff Member 3 stated that there is a child that is sensory sensitive at the center, and this makes him start crying. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that she has witnessed Ms. Vinson shake a high chair while a child is sitting in it. She witnessed this happen with Child A. Ms. Vinson would grab both sides of the high chair tray and shake the high chair. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that Ms. Vinson had an angry or mean look on her face and this action scared the children. Ms. Vinson would do this when a child wasn't listening or to get the child to stop crying. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that she has witnessed Ms. Vinson move a high chair around while Child A was screaming in the high chair to calm her down. Ms. Vinson has also shaken the high chair that Child A was sitting in. Ms. Vinson is laughing when she does this, and Child Care Staff Member 1 thinks that Ms. Vison is trying to be funny. She has also witnessed Ms. Vinson shake a high chair with Child E in it in an effort to desensitize him because he is sensory sensitive. She wasn't doing it to be mean and she wasn't trying to hurt him. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that she didn't think the method was appropriate because Ms. Vinson is not a mental health professional and is not qualified to help a child with sensory sensitivity become desensitized. Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that she has not witnessed Ms. Vinson shake a high chair to scare a child. 15 Child Care Staff Member 5 denied seeing Ms. Vinson shake a child's high chair to scare them. Child A's Parent stated that she has no knowledge of Ms. Vinson shaking a high chair. Child A has not mentioned being shaken while in a high chair. Child B's Parent stated that Child B has not mentioned Ms. Vinson shaking a high chair. During the exit conference, Ms. Vinson stated that she recalled one time that she shook a high chair with a child in it as a joke. She was laughing as was the child. She stated that there was not an incident where a child was scared or startled from this.

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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. I

Ms. Vinson denied making a child throw their food away. She denied making a child throw their food away for licking their plate. She stated that children lick their plates. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that one day Child D was licking the ketchup on his plate and Ms. Vinson stated that he was "playing with his food" and she took his plate and threw the food away. The plate was still full of food that Child D hadn't eaten. He was not offered any other food for that meal. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated that Child A is a picky eater. When she throws her food or plays with it, Ms. Vinson will take her plate. She is given graham crackers or goldfish crackers instead. Child A will continue to be served crackers for several days as a punishment for wasting food. She also stated that sometimes when children eat their food with their fingers, they are told to use a fork, or their food will be taken away. 16 Child Care Staff Member 2 stated that she did not witness an incident with Child D but has heard about Ms. Vinson throwing a child's food away when they are throwing it on the floor. The child care staff member will be instructed to give the child a snack instead of a meal. She has overheard Ms. Vinson tell Child Care Staff Member 1 to not feed Child A because she wasted food before. Child Care Staff Member 1 would give Child A a snack instead. Child Care Staff Member 3 stated that she did not witness the incident with Child D, but she has witnessed Ms. Vinson refuse to feed certain children, primarily Child A, for throwing their food. Ms. Vinson would take Child A's food away after she only ate a little bit and not offer her more to eat. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that she did not witness Ms. Vinson take Child D's plate away for licking ketchup, but she has witnessed her take plates away from children who are throwing their food on the floor. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that she witnessed an incident with Child A where she was throwing her food on the floor. Child Care Staff Member 4 stated that Child A is a picky eater. The next day Child A was not served dinner because she threw her food on the floor the previous day. She was provided with graham crackers instead of the planned meal. One time she witnessed Ms. Vinson take Child A's plate away because she "is not supposed to be eating dinner" due to her throwing her food the day before. Child Care Staff Member 5 denied witnessing Ms. Vinson require children to throw away their food because she didn't like how they were eating it. If a child appears to be playing with their food because they are finished eating, then the child will receive a verbal reminder not to play with their food and if it continues, the plate will be removed from the child. Child A's Parent stated that she does not have knowledge of Child A being denied food or having her food taken away. She stated that Child A has mentioned eating crackers at the center. Child A's Parent stated that Child A is often hungry when she picks her up from care. Child B's Parent stated that child B attends the center at odd times, and she is not aware of how long it has been since she has eaten when she picks her up, or if she has eaten enough. When Child B is picked up it is likely a while since she has eaten and Child B mentions being hungry, so Child B's Parent will always give her a snack. Child B's Parent also feeds Child B before she drops her off to care. Child B has never mentioned not being served enough food or having her food being taken away. During the exit conference, Ms. Vinson stated that Child A is very fussy and often will not eat the food provided to her. She will serve the food to Child A, but when Child A won't eat it, she will give her some graham crackers because she knows that Child A will eat them. She denied taking a child's food as a punishment. 17

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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.

Ms. Vinson places children in a room unsupervised for up to several hours at a time. That is not appropriate care and supervision.

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R 400.8140 · ........................................ I R 400.8140 Discipline. (1) Positive methods of discipline that encourage self- control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation must be used.

Ms. Vinson is placing children in a time out for up to several hours. This is not a method of discipline that encourages self- control, self-direction, self-esteem and cooperation.

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R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (h) Confining a child in an enclosed area, such as a closet, locked room, box, or similar enclosure.

Ms. Vinson is confining a child to a high chair and placing them in a room with a closed door as a form of punishment.

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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.

Ms. Vinson has shaken a high chair from side to side while a child is sitting in it. This startles the children and is not appropriate care and supervision.

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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.

Ms. Vinson removes a child's meal as a punishment and refuses to feed them on later days as a continued punishment for wasting food.

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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.

Ms. Vinson is not providing food of sufficient quantity and nutritional quality as required by the child and adult food care program to the children in care.

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R 400.8143 · R 400.8143 Children's records. (11) A center shall maintain an accurate record of daily attendance at the center that includes each child's first and last name and each child's arrival and departure time. Electronic records may be used. If electronic attendance records are used, then they must be available to the department at the time of an inspection. If the electronic attendance records are not available during an on-site inspection, then the center is in violation of this rule.

Ms. Vinson did not maintain a daily attendance record with the date, child's first and last name, and arrival and departure times.

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