Bright Beginnings Learning Center #3

R 400.8213(1)(c) · R 400.8213(1)(c) Staff; volunteer (1) All staff and volunteers present at the center shall: (c) Make an immediate verbal report to the department of health and human services, children's protective services, by telephone at 1-855-444-3911, on reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or child neglect. The verbal report must be followed by submission of a written report within 72 hours of the v erbal report.

On 2/17/2025, Lead Teacher did not make a verbal report to the department of health and human services regarding concerns of abuse and neglect regarding Child A and Child B.

R 400.8125(1) · R 400.8125(1) Staff; volunteer; requirements. All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

Based on the interviews that were conducted, there is insufficient evidence to support that LC, CCSM 1, and CCSM 2 did not provide appropriate care and supervision of Child A, Child B and Child C. There is insufficient evidence to support that Child B or Child C inappropriately touched Child A. The CCSMs denied that the children were ever unsupervised on 01/06/2025 and denied that the children were in the bathroom at the same time.

2 LANDMARK BUILDING • 105 W. ALLEGAN STREET • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933 Michigan.gov/MiLEAP 722.115n(16) Application for or renewal of license to operate child care center, group child care home, or family child care home; household member or child care staff member; criminal history check; requirements; duties of department. The checks and clearances required in subsection (1)(a) to (c) and section 5q shall be updated at least every 5 years if the individual has been continuously licensed, has continuously been serving as a child care staff member, or has continuously been an adult member of the household.

Ms. Mitchell-Faynor was disconnected from CCBC due to her fingerprints expiring on 08/28/2023. She determined eligible on 01/13/2025.

722.115p Child care center, group child care home, or family child care home; potential or current child care staff member convicted of crime. Child care center, group child care home, or family child care home; potential or current child care staff member convicted of crime.

CCSM 2 was not fingerprinted and found eligible before having unsupervised contact with children.

R 400.8137(6) · R 400.8137(6) Diapering; toileting. Diapers and training pants must be checked frequently and changed when wet or soiled.

CCSM’s frequently checked and changed Child A’s diaper while in care at the center.

R 400.8134 · 1 R 400.8134 Hand washing. (2) All staff and volunteers shall wash their hands at all of the following times: (e) After each diapering.

On March 9, 2023, CCSM 5 changed two children's diapers in the Infant Classroom. CCSM 5 did not wash her hands after each diapering.

R 400.8134 · R 400.8134 Hand washing. (3) Staff and volunteers shall ensure that children wash their hands at all of the following times: (b) After toileting or diapering.

On March 9, 2023, CCSM 5 changed two children's diapers in the Infant Classroom. CCSM 5 did not wash the children's hands after diapering.

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 caregivers to children, including children related to a staff member or the licensee, shall be the following: (a) For infants and toddlers, there shall be 1 caregiver for 4 children and a maximum group size of 12.

On February 6, 2023, I called and spoke with the Complainant. The Complainant said that in the Toddler I Classroom, there always seemed to be a lot of children present with only two child care staff members (CCSM). The Complainant did not recall a specific date when the classroom may have been out of ratio. However, the Complainant noticed that when he arrives at the center during pick up time around 2:00 P.M., there's always "a swarm of children" around him. On February 7, 2023, I completed an unannounced on-site inspection. I interviewed program director/licensee designee, Ms. Zilla, CCSM 1, and CCSM 2, separately. Upon my arrival, I inspected the Toddler 1 Classroom. The Toddler 1 Classroom is in a large room that is split in to two separate classrooms. The Infant Classroom is located on the other side of the room. There is furniture, shelves and a gate that separates the two classrooms. I observed CCSM 1 and CCSM 2 in the Toddler I Classroom with seven children. I reviewed the attendance records for Toddler I and noted seven children were signed in. Ms. Zilla said the children are always supervised and there's at least two child care staff members present in the classroom. Ms. Zilla said CCSM 1 and CCSM 2 are in the Toddler 1 Classroom. Currently, there are eight toddlers enrolled in the Toddler 1 Classroom. The children are ages 1 year through 2 years of age. CCSM 1 said he works Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. in the Toddler I Classroom. CCSM 1 said they're never out of ratio. There's usually eight children present with at least two child care staff members. CCSM 1 said he and the other child care staff members are always with the children. He's always doing something with the children. He's on the floor, playing and engaging with the children. He has been trained through Early Head Start to practice "Active supervision." CCSM 1 said active supervision is when the child care staff 3 members complete a face to name, knows where each child is, and what the child is always doing. CCSM 2 said she works Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. in the Toddler I Classroom. CCSM 2 said she and CCSM 1 are always with the children. There's usually about eight children present daily with her and CCSM 1. CCSM 2 said they have never been out of ratio. On March 9, 2023, I completed an unannounced on-site inspection. Upon my arrival I observed CCSM 1, CCSM 2, and CCSM 4 in the Toddler I Classroom with eight children. I interviewed Ms. Zilla who said CCSM 4 is in the Toddler I Classroom to help provide coverage while CCSM 1 and CCSM 2 go to lunch. On March 22, 2023, I called and spoke with Child C's Father who said he has no concerns regarding ratio at the child care center. Child C's Father said there are always staff present at the center. I left messages for Child A's Mother and Child D's Mother. I was unable to leave a message for Child E's Mother because her mailbox was full.

R 400.8137 · R 400.8137 Diapering; toileting. (6) Diapers and training pants must be checked frequently and changed when wet or soiled.

On February 6, 2023, I called and spoke with the Complainant. The Complainant said there has been a few times when he noticed Child A's diaper (female, 2 years old) was wet, cold, and soggy. On multiple occasions, during pick up time, the Complainant had to ask the child care staff members to change Child A's diaper because it was soiled. The Complainant said he hasn't addressed this with the program director yet because he doesn't know who it is. The Complainant is concerned that the child care staff members are not changing the children's diapers when they are wet or soiled. The Complainant said he used to get the daily records which indicates when Child A was changed. However, since Child A transferred to the Toddler I Classroom, he has only received one or two daily records. When I asked if the Complainant had any dates when the incidents occurred, the Complainant said no. He didn't have specific dates, but he believed it occurred maybe a week or two ago. On February 7, 2023, I completed an unannounced on-site inspection. I interviewed Ms. Zilla, CCSM 1, CCSM 2, and CCSM 3, separately. Ms. Zilla said the children's diapers are checked and changed every two hours by the primary caregiver. Diapers are checked when children wake up from naptime and before they go home. Diaper changes are logged on the child's daily records which are provided to parents at the end of the day. Ms. Zilla said she has observed the CCSMs complete the daily records and give them to parents. Some parents take the daily records while others just leave them at the center. I asked Ms. Zilla if the child care center had a written policy when diapers are changed. Ms. Zilla said they have diapering procedures posted but they didn't have a diapering policy. Child care staff members are trained to check and change diapers every two hours or when needed. I recommended that she develop a diapering policy as part of the child care staff members' diapering and toilet training. I interviewed CCSM 1 who said he's the primary caregiver for four children and CCSM 2 is the primary caregiver for the other four children. CCSM 1 said the children are split up based on the location of their cubbies. There are a total of ten cubbies located on the wall. There are five cubbies on top and the other five cubbies are below. CCSM 1 said the children who have cubbies on top are his and the other children are CCSM 2's. However, if a child is drawn to one particular person, then they would switch primary caregiver. CCSM 1 said he checks diapers every two hours and changes if it's needed. CCSM 1 said he always checks at 9:00 A.M., before naptime at noon, after naptime at 2:00 5 P.M. and again at 4:00 P.M. The diaper changes are recorded on the child's daily record. The daily records are always given to parents at the end of the day. If CCSM 1 has left for the day, the other child care staff members hand out the daily records. CCSM 1 said enrolling parents are given a tour of the classrooms. Child care staff members are introduced to the enrolling parents during the tour and are informed who the child's caregivers are. Child care staff members are always available to speak with parents. CCSM 2 said there are two shelves with five individual cubbies each. CCSM 1 is the primary caregiver for the children with the top cubbies and she's the primary caregiver for the children with cubbies located at the bottom. CCSM 2 said she checks diapers every hour. She and CCSM 1 complete a group diaper check and change at 9:00/9:30 A.M., 11:30 A.M., 2:30 P.M., 4:00 P.M., and again before the child goes home. CCSM 2 said she and CCSM 1 are strict on diapering. She feels that she and CCSM 1 are on top of it. CCSM 2 said the diaper changes are recorded on the daily records. The daily records are given to parents at pick-up time. She leaves before 6:00 P.M. so the other child care staff members who close at the end of day are responsible for giving parents the daily records. I interviewed CCSM 3 who

R 400.8146 · 1 R 400.8146 Information provided to parents. (3) For infants and toddlers, a center shall provide parents with a written daily record that includes at least the following information: (a) Food intake time, type of food, and amount eaten. (b) Sleeping patterns indicating when and how long the child slept. (c) Elimination patterns, including bowel movements, consistency, and frequency. (d) Developmental milestones. (e) Changes in the child's usual behaviors.

On February 6, 2023, I called and spoke with the Complainant. The Complainant said about a week and a half ago, he observed children walking around the classroom with cups. Child A was walking and drinking from a random cup. The cup had a label with another child's name. On February 7, 2023, I completed an unannounced on-site inspection. Upon my arrival in the Toddler I Classroom, I observed Child B (female, 23 months old) walking around the room while drinking from a green water bottle. 7 I interviewed Ms. Zilla, CCSM 1, and CCSM 2, separately. Ms. Zilla said the children are not allowed to walk around with their bottles. She doesn't know why Child B had hers. Child B's water bottle was taken from her and placed on a shelf during the inspection. CCSM 1 said the children's cups and water bottles are kept in their cubbies. The children usually sit and drink. CCSM 1 said it was his fault that Child B had the water bottle. CCSM 1 said he placed the water bottle on the shelf which is within Child B's reach. According to CCSM 1, some children have blankets or stuffed animals as a comfort item. Child B's comfort item is the water bottle. CCSM 1 admitted that at the end of the day, it can get hectic during pick up time. If he sees children walking and drinking from their cups, he stops them. CCSM 2 said she always remind the children to sit and drink. There's been times when she turns away from the children and within seconds, the children walk away with their cups. She has to constantly remind them to leave their cups. CCSM 2 said they've tried to give Child B a stuffed animal to cuddle with, but Child B prefers her water bottle. Child B would walk over to the cubby where the bottle is kept and cries. On March 9, 2023, I completed an unannounced on-site inspection. I inspected the Toddler I Classroom and did not observe any children walking around with cups or water bottles.

R 400.8330 · R 400.8330 Food services and nutrition generally. (23) Children shall not have beverage containers or food while they are walking around or playing.

On February 6, 2023, I called and spoke with the Complainant. The Complainant said the Infant and Toddler I Classrooms have a strong odor and smells like dirty diapers. The Complainant does not feel that the child care staff members are cleaning as thoroughly as they should. Child A always comes home with food stuck on the bottom of her shoes. The Complainant said Child A has been sick at least two to three times a week. He believes it is caused by the lack of cleaning. On February 7, 2023, I completed an unannounced on-site inspection. Upon my arrival, I did not smell any odor coming from the Toddler I Classroom nor the Infant Classroom. I interviewed Ms. Zilla, CCSM 1, CCSM 2 and CCSM 3, separately. Ms. Zilla said the child care staff members are constantly cleaning throughout the day. The toys are washed, rinsed, and sanitized daily. The floors are swept after meal time and mopped at night. Ms. Zilla said there's a cleaning checklist in the classroom. Ms. Zilla said the soiled diapers are in designated trash cans and emptied daily or when needed. CCSM 1, CCSM 2 and CCSM 3 all said the tables, chairs and toys are washed, rinsed, and sanitized during naptime. The floors are swept and mopped with a Swiffer mop. At night, the child care staff members vacuum, and the floors are cleaned again. CCSM 1, CCSM 2 and CCSM 3 all said they place soiled diapers in the Diaper Genie. CCSM 1 said he empties it during naptime or when it's full. During the inspection, I observed CCSM 2 cleaning the tables and sweeping the floors. I also reviewed the Daily Ongoing Monitoring form dated for the week of February 6, 2023. The Daily Ongoing Monitoring form indicates that staff will monitor the following areas daily with initials indicating the item was completed. The form was completed and initialed for February 6 and February 7, 2023. Here are some of the tasks listed below: • Room is free of clutter. Exit doors and traffic paths are clearly marked in free from obstruction. • Toxic materials and cleaning supplies are stored in labeled containers inaccessible to children such as medication, personal care items, sanitizer, and household chemicals. • Scissors, knives, food thermometers, and other sharp objects stored out of children's reach. • Electrical outlets are covered. • Electrical cords, long strings or other cords are out of children's reach and away from water and traffic paths. rj • Plastic bags are stored out of children 's reach. • Floors are swept, dry, and free of debris. • Food waste containers are clean/lids are on except during meal times. • Trash and diaper pail emptied. • Sinks, faucets, door knobs, toilet bowls and handles, and telephone are sanitized. (Clean bathrooms, floors, and hand washing sinks daily.) • Early Head Start only: Clean changing table (remove mat and clean underneath.) • Early Head Start only: Toys, furniture, shelves, etc. are sanitized at the end of each day. On March 9, 2023, I completed an unannounced on-site inspection. Upon my arrival, I did not smell any odor. I observed lunch time in the Infant Classroom and Toddler 1 Classroom. After lunch time, CCSM 4 cleaned and sanitized the tables, and swept the floors in the Toddler 1 Classroom, and CCSM 6 did the same in the Infant Classroom. On March 22, 2023, I called and spoke with Child C's Father who said the child care center is always clean. He doesn't have any issues and said it's really nice at the center. On March 30, 2023, I called and completed a telephone exit conference with Ms. Zilla. Ms. Zilla said she spoke with the landlord who believes the odor may be the exhaust coming from the lower level to the upper levels of the building; this is related to the septic tank. Ms. Zilla said the odor is only noticeable when there's strong winds. According to Ms. Zilla, the landlord suggested pouring a little bleach down the drain every morning. Ms. Zilla said she hasn't noticed the odor since they've been pouring bleach down the drain.

R 400.8380 · R 400.8380 Maintenance of premises. (1) The premises must be maintained in a clean and safe condition and must not pose a threat to health or safety.

On February 7, 2023, and March 9, 2023, the Infant Classroom and Toddler I Classroom was clean and safe and did not pose a threat to the health or safety of the children.

R 400.8350 · R 400.8350 Toilets; hand washing sinks. (2) After December 6, 2006, any center that is new, adds an infant and toddler component, or increases the licensed infant and toddler capacity shall have a diapering area with a readily accessible, designated hand washing sink.

On March 9, 2023, CCSM 5 and CCSM 6 both said the portable hand washing sink in the Infant Classroom has not been operable for the past three weeks.

R 400.8125 · 1 R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

On 11/12/2021 I made an onsite inspection at Bright Beginnings and interviewed Program Director Tammy Zilla and lead caregivers Magdlena (Maggy) Esquivel and Taylor Stanley. Ms. Zilla stated that Child B has had a blue pacifier since the day he started. He has used the same blue pacifier every day. Child A does not use a pacifier throughout the day. Child A does get one at rest time only. 2 Ms. Zilla stated that she could not remember the exact date, Child A and B's mother arrived around 5:30 — 6:00 PM and Child B had his blanket and pacifier. She yelled at Ms. Stanley about Child B having the wrong pacifier. Ms. Stanley stated she tried to remind Child A and B's mother that this was the only pacifier that Child B has ever had at the center. Once Child A and B's mother took a closer look, she stated, "Same brand" and took the pacifier. Ms. Stanley stated Child A and B's mother asked to no longer give Child B a pacifier. She stated she agreed to this, and the problem was resolved. Ms. Zilla stated all the children have their own cubbies and have extra clothes. The children only wear their clothes that they bring in and use their own personal blankets. Ms. Esquivel did not work in Child B's classroom and did not have firsthand knowledge of the incident with the pacifier or blanket. She stated she was only informed by Ms. Stanley. Ms. Esquivel did state that Child B always had the pacifier that was in question. I observed the classrooms after interviewing the staff. The classrooms have cubbies for each child that have their personal items in them. Items in cubbies were labeled with each child's name on their personal items. Blankets were stored in each cubby as well and not lying in the room for other children to grab. I attempted to contact Child A and B's mother; however, I did not receive a return call.

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. 4

Ms. Zilla stated her granddaughter attends the child care center, and in late August or early September (she could not remember the date) she was going to take her granddaughter home and asked the staff in the classroom her granddaughter is in to get her ready. Ms. Esquivel helped get her granddaughter in the car seat and then handed Ms. Zilla her granddaughter in the car seat. Ms. Zilla stated she left, and when she was about 40 minutes away, she received a phone call from Alex Santiago, child care staff member who was working in the infant 1 room, who said that she had mistakenly grabbed the wrong seat and had taken Child A's seat. Ms. Zilla apologized, as the seats were almost identical and for the same age child. Ms. Zilla could not turn around and come back due to having to attend class in an hour. She stated she would bring it back in the morning and that Child A could use her granddaughter's seat for the night. Child A and B's mother was very upset and would not stop screaming at the staff members about not paying enough attention to the seats. Ms. Zilla stated she did feel awful about it, but unfortunately none of the seats were labeled or in a place that it could have been identified as someone else's seat. Ms. Zilla stated they have since changed this and asked parents to stop leaving their seats at the center. If it is completely necessary for them to leave them, they must be clearly labeled with the child's name on it. She stated this has helped tremendously and has also given more space in the hallways. Ms. Stanley did not have any information relating to the car seat due to not working in this classroom and was not at the center when it occurred. Ms. Esquivel stated she did not notice that Ms. Zilla had taken the wrong car seat for her granddaughter because she was working with the children in the classroom. She stated she attempted to calm Child A and B's mother and told her she could call Ms. Zilla to figure out a plan of getting it back. She stated Child A and B's mother did not talk to her anymore about it because she dealt with Ms. Zilla. She stated now all parents have labeled their seats and have also been asked to not leave seats at the center anymore. She stated this has helped a lot in the center and actually has given so much more space in the hallway. I attempted to contact Child A and B's mother; however, I did not receive a return call.