Jackson Center

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. ................ ............... ..

Based on the interviews with the program director and child care staff there is evidence to conclude that Child A was left unsupervised and appropriate care and supervision of children was not maintained.

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R 400.8140n · R 400.8140n 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 6/16/2021, I interviewed the complainant by telephone. She stated she was sitting in her car about 10 feet away from the play area. She observed Child A being non-compliant about lining up and returning inside. Child A was sitting Indian style on the ground. CCSM was gathering the children to go inside. CCSM grabbed Child A by the hands and pulled him off the ground and lead him to the line-up rope. The complainant stated CCSM used more force than what was expected. She stated CCSM then got down to Child A's level and was talking to him while holding both of his hands, shaking them stronger than what was expected. The complainant admitted she was in the car and could not hear what was being said. Child A was not crying or upset. The complainant did not know who CCSM was. On 6/16/2021, I interviewed licensee designee Gayle Fedoronko by telephone. She stated the complainant informed her of what she saw in the parking lot. She also stated the complainant did not know who the CCSM was. By process of elimination she figured out the complainant was talking about CCSM, Paige Cwiek. Ms Cwiek was informed of the allegations and that the center would be conducting an internal investigation. During this time Ms Cwiek was informed she could not be in the center. Ms Cwiek has previously given notice and her last day of work was to be 6/17/2021, so she decided to leave early. From her interviews with CCSMs no one saw Ms Cwiek do anything wrong. On 6/17/2021, I conducted an inspection at the child care center. I interviewed CCSM Heather Lesnor. She stated she did not have any concerns in how other CCSM talk to or treat the children. No parent has every come to her with concerns about CCSM members using inappropriate discipline measures. She stated when transiting from outside to inside the children line up holding a ring on the rope. When there are straddlers they usually negotiate with them to get in line. When they have to talk to them, they get down to the child's level to make eye contact and speak to them. It is not often they have a problem. I interviewed CCSM Cindy Mazure, she stated she was outside and did not observe anything nor did she hear yelling. She has not witnessed any inappropriate discipline with other CCSM. She has not been informed of any parental concerns. She stated when they have children who are resisting returning inside they usually take them by the hand and guide to the rope. If they have to talk to a child, they get down to the child's level to make eye contact and then speak with the child. On 6/18/2022, I interviewed Paige Cwiek by telephone. She stated she did not do anything wrong. She did not yank Child A by the arm nor yell at him. She had worked at the center for 2 years and no one has ever complained about her using inappropriate discipline. She stated when children are transiting from outside to 3 inside, they use the line-up rope. If a child is resisting or not following directions, they will grab them by the hand and lead them to the rope. They also bend down to eye level and talk with the children. Ms Cwiek stated she has not seen any other CCSM act inappropriately toward children. They are well trained on discipline techniques. On 6/18/2021, I interviewed Child A's Mother by telephone. She stated she was informed by the center's administration of the allegations regarding CCSM Paige Cwiek and Child A. Child A's Mother stated she had no concerns regarding the staff or the center. They have good open communication with the parents. Her only concern would be if the CCSM returned to the classroom. Child A did not appear to be bothered by the incident. She did not see any bruises or unusual marks. / /

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

On 10/21/2020, I interviewed program director, Gayle Fedoronko. She stated that she was made aware of the allegation regarding Dawn McElroy. Ms. Fedoronko stated Ms. McElroy was never left alone after the allegations were made and she was removed from her classroom immediately. Ms. Fedoronko stated that she was not part of the interview process between human resources and Ms. McElroy. She stated Ms. McElroy was placed on administrative leave pending investigation. Ms. Fedoronko stated that Ms. McElroy had become frustrated with her lack of help in the classroom but that was all she was aware of. Ms. Fedoronko did not have any concerns with Ms. McElroy prior to the allegations. On 10/21/2020, I received a statement in writing from the witness. In the witness statement, witness stated she observed Ms. McElroy man-handle certain children on several occasions. Witness stated Ms. McElroy picked up or got down on Child A's (two-year-old male) level, grabbing his forearms. Witness observed Ms. McElroy grab Child B (two-year-old male) and Child C (two-year-old male) by their forearms. Ms. McElroy raised her voice to reprimand Child A, Child B, and Child C then forcefully place them on the black line or chair. Sometimes Ms. McElroy gently shakes the children. On 10/21/2020, I interviewed child care staff member one. Child care staff member one stated that she worked with Ms. McElroy for a few years. She stated that she has never witnessed her grab children inappropriately or forcefully. Child care staff member one stated that Ms. McElroy does an amazing job with the children. She has not had any concerns from parents regarding Ms. McElroy care of the children. On 10/21/2020, I interviewed child care staff member two. Child care staff member two stated that she has not worked with Ms. McElroy for more than an hour at a time. She stated that she felt Ms. McElroy may have been abrupt with a child. She does not feel that it was temperament or that she was upset with the child. Child care staff member two stated that if Ms. McElroy ask a child to do something and if the child did not move fast enough she would pick the child up and move them very abruptly to where she wanted the child to sit. Child care staff member two stated the child never cried or appeared to be hurt so she did not consider it something she should be worried about. On 10/21/2020, I interviewed child care staff member three. She stated that she has not had much interaction with Ms. McElroy. Child care staff member three stated when she arrives to work the children are engaged in activities. She stated that once the children are sitting at the table for lunch if they begin to get squirmy, Ms. McElroy would take their chair until they are ready to sit safely. She stated she has not observed Ms. McElroy grab a child by their face or arms forcefully. Child 3 care staff member three stated that the most she has observed was Ms. McElroy touch a child on the shoulders to look them in their eyes and make sure they are paying attention to her. On 11/10/2020, I interviewed child care staff member four. She stated that by the time she arrives to work, Ms. McElroy has left for the day. She stated that she has not worked with Ms. McElroy this year. Child care staff member four informed me that when working with Ms. McElroy in the past she never observed anything inappropriate with children. On 11/10/2020, I interviewed Ms. McElroy. Ms. McElroy stated that she does not recall grabbing Child A inappropriately. She stated on the day in question, she picked Child A up under his arms and stood him up to get him off another child. Ms. McElroy stated that she asked Child A to look at her eyes, so she knows he is listening to her. She stated that Child A looks away while talking so she was trying to get him to understand by turning his face towards her. Ms. McElroy was not made aware what she was being accused of when she was being questioned. She stated that she has never hurt or grabbed an

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