Orchard Head Start

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.

I interviewed Ms. VanDaele, licensee designee. She stated that the head start office received an anonymous concern. The individual reported that on 6/6/2022 at approximately 3:05pm, they observed a child being taken from the playground to the bus. The Child Care Staff Member (CCSM) and child were described. The CCSM was identified as the bus driver, Ms. Cadle. The child was identified as Child A (age 5, male). According to the reporting individual, Child A was "screaming and flailing" and he did not want to get on the bus. Child A was picked up by his wrists off the ground, and at one point he was dragged from the playground to the bus. While driving away, Ms. Cadle forced Child A into the bus seat. Ms. VanDaele stated that the center is now closed for the summer. While in care, Child A received one-on-one assistance to help him to get on and off the bus due to having behaviors linked to his autism. He often struggled with transitions and became overstimulated. When that happened, he often screamed and flailed. He would also drop to the ground and be non-complainant. It was not uncommon for Child A to require physical assistance to stand up and assistance to move between locations, especially at the end of the day when it was time to leave the playground to go home. At times, Child A was not easy to calm down despite the best efforts by the CCSMs. The center attempted to use other strategies to assist Child A remain calm such as fidget toys and weighted stuffed animals to provide distraction and comfort. In addition, all CCSMs caring for Child A have been trained in crisis prevention to assist children that need physical interventions based on behaviors. As the center's academic year has ended, Child A is no longer in care. Ms. VanDaele stated that she was not present on 6/6/2022, but she conducted an internal investigation. There were two CCSMs in Child A's Room. Ms. Braden and Ms. Cloutier were assigned to 14 children ages 3 years and older. The bus driver was Ms. Cadel, and the bus aid was Ms. Zavala. She also spoke with Child A's Mother and the local superintendent's office. Based on the information that she obtained, Child A did not a want to leave the playground to go to the bus, and he became overstimulated. Ms. Cadle responded but she was not able to distract him. Child A dropped to the ground frequently trying to not comply. Ms. Cadle assisted Child A to stand by picked him up under his arms. She was able to help him move outside of the play area where he dropped again. Ms. Cadle again helped him to his feet by picking him up under his arms. When Child A got near the bus, he "darted off' and had to be quickly stopped. Ms. Cadle was able to take hold of his wrist, which stopped him from running into the street and kept him safe. Child A did not 3 fall, and he was not injured. Child A was then lifted onto the bus by under his arms. Once on the bus, he continued to struggle with the transition, despite Ms. Cadle and Ms. Zavala trying to use the fidget toys to distract him. Ms. Cadle assisted Child A into his seat and placed her hand on the front of his body while his seat belt was buckled. Child A continued to be overstimulated. The other children were loaded onto the bus. He continued to be upset for on the ride home. Child A's Mother was informed of Child A's difficulties when he was dropped off. Ms. VanDaele stated that none of her interviews found that Child A was picked up by his wrists off the ground, or that he was dragged. In addition, Ms. Cadle was driving. As such, Child A was already buckled into his seat when the bus was in motion. Ms. VanDaele also contacted the superintendent's office regarding possible video surveillance. Mr. Feldman, assistant superintendent, told her that the superintendent's office reviewed the video tape. The video tape did not show the entire interactions with Child A. The video did not show anything concerning between the CCSMs and Child A based on Child A needing assistance to move

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