• Violation

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

  On January 20, 2023, Danielle Jensen, licensee designee and program director, self-reported that Child A's Mother had texted her stating that Child A had told her that Child Care Staff Member 1 had spanked him the afternoon of January 13, 2023 "on the butt" while in care because Child A had hit another child. On January 23, 2023, an on-site inspection was conducted. Ms. Jensen stated that Child A, a 3-year-old male, had been "hitting, poking and prodding" other children while in care. He is impulsive and has "meltdowns" when reprimanded or "talked to. Ms. Jensen and Child Care Staff Member 1 have been having conversations with Child A's mother on how to maintain a consistent approach in handling Child A's impulsive and challenging behaviors. I interviewed Child Care Staff Member 2 while on site. She was working with Child Care Staff Member 1 the afternoon of the incident in the nursery at approximately 4:00pm. This is where the children gather until closing at 6:00pm. Child Care Staff Member 1 was sitting in the rocking chair while Child Care Staff Member 2 was taking care of an infant with her back turned to Child Care Staff Member 1. Child A hit a child then began to run around the nursery. Child Care Staff Member 2 "scooped" Child A up in her arms and handed him to Child Care Staff Member 1 who 2 was sitting in the rocking chair. Child A began to struggle while in Child Care Staff Member 1's arms. Child Care Staff Member 1 stated "the more you (Child A) hit, the longer I will hold you." Child Care Staff Member 2 did not know how long Child A was held as parents were in and out of the nursery picking their children up and she was busy with the other children. I conducted a phone interview with Child A's mother while on-site. She stated that Child A was impulsive. She was working with Ms. Jensen and Child Care Staff Member 1 on how to maintain a consistent approach in handling Child A's behaviors. On January 13, 2023, at pick up time, Child Care Staff Member 1 shared with Child A's mother that Child A had hit another child while in care. Child A's mother spoke with Child A. Child A apologized to Child Care Staff Member 1. Child A's mother "debriefed" Child A upon arrival at home. "Yeah, I hit my friends. [Child Care Staff Member 1 hit me." Child A pointed to his "butt." There were no bruises on or around Child A's bottom. Child A wears pull-ups. Child A's mother stated that what Child A said "didn't feel like a lie. Child A blurted it out unprompted." Child A returned to care the next day as there is "no other place to take children." Child A displayed no fear when returning to care. Child A's mother has no concerns with the center. I interviewed Child Care Staff Member 1 while on site. She stated that she typically cares for Child A. He is very active and likes to move. His tantrums are "typical two year old reactions" which happen on a daily basis. He will cry and run around the room. When in the main room, she calms him down by bringing him to a table and giving him a puzzle. Sometimes she picks him up, sometimes she grabs his hand, but "very rarely does she touch him." Child Care Staff Member 1 and Ms. Jensen are in regular contact with Child A's mother in regard to how to best support Child A. The day of the incident, Child Care Staff Members 1 and 2 were in the nursery with five children as this is where they gather at the end of the day. Child A hit another child. Child Care Staff Member 1 said "you can't hit." Child A then hit Child Care Staff Member 1 in the stomach. Child Care Staff Member 1, who was sitting in a rocking chair, leaned over and told Child A "that's not ok, sit with me for a minute." Child A began crying and running around the room. Child Care Staff Member 2 picked Child A up and put Child A on Child Care Staff Member 1's lap. Child A kicked and screamed while on her lap. Child Care Staff Member 1 held Child A to her body by wrapping one arm around Child A's upper body and wrapping another arm around

Disposition: No violation found

Disposition: No violation found

Child Care Staff Member 1 spanked Child A (3-year-old, male).

Disposition: Substantiated