• Violation

  R 400.1913 · R 400.1913 Discipline; child handling. (2) Developmentally appropriate positive methods of discipline that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation must be used.

  On 3/17/2023 I spoke with Child A's mother on the telephone. Child A has attended Polly Szczubelek's home child care for three years and his older siblings have also attended the child care. As part of the child care agreement, Ms. Szczubelek agreed to transport Child A to and from preschool. On 3/15/2023 Ms. Szczubelek contacted the parents for Child A and Child B and informed them that the children were misbehaving during pick up from preschool and in order to teach them a lesson, she would not be taking them to preschool the next day. This was not the first time Child A was misbehaving while being transported to or from preschool, but it was the first time that Ms. Szczubelek refused to transport them. She told Ms. Szczubelek that she disagreed with her decision and felt it was inappropriate to keep Child A from preschool. She feels that up until this last year they have been happy with Ms. Szczubelek's child care, but lately she feels Ms. Szczubelek has had a poor attitude and has been inflexible. Ms. Szczubelek has 2 informed Child A's parents that he is being removed form the child care in May to make room for a new family. There have been no other disciplinary concerns. On 3/20/2023 I conducted an onsite visit at the home of Polly Szczubelek. She was advised of the allegations and confirmed that she did tell the parents of Child A and Child B that she would not be transporting them to preschool for one day as a consequence for some misbehavior earlier in the week. Child A and Child B have been running ahead of the child care staff member, jumping on furniture, and just acting out of control. She let the parents of both children know that they could bring their children to child care that day for the full day or they could make other arrangements to get the children to preschool. Child B's parents agreed with her decision, but Child A's parents disagreed with her decision and kept Child A home and took him to preschool themselves. Ms. Szczubelek said child care staff that transport children are Taylor Dostal and Lindsey Abbott. Both women have valid driver's licenses and valid registration and insurance. Child A and Child B use their own booster seats in the car and a medical supply kit is brought with the staff members each day when transporting children. On 3/20/2023 I spoke with Ms. Dostal. She has worked with Ms. Szczubelek since September 2022 and loves working there. She transports Child A and Child B one day a week to preschool. During pick up time, the children were jumping on furniture, not listening, and were crawling up the stairs. They have been spoken to multiple times by her and Ms. Szczubelek about misbehaving. They always use their own booster seats and always have the correct paperwork and first aid kit in the car. On 3/20/2023, I spoke with Ms. Abbott. She has worked with Ms. Szczubelek for the last three years. She transports Child A and Child B two days a week to preschool. During pick up time, the children have needed numerous reminders to listen and behave in the stairwell and the parking lot. She knows Ms. Szczubelek has spoken to them about their behavior and has spoken to their parents as well. The children always use their own booster seats and the correct paperwork and first aid kit are always in the car. On 4/6/2023, I spoke with Child B's mother. She feels Ms. Szczubelek has been a great child care provider and Child B enjoys attending Ms. Szczubelek's child care. Child B has attended Ms. Szczubelek's child care since he was 10 weeks old. She is aware of the investigation and feels that Ms. Szczubelek has done nothing wrong. The decision to keep Child B home from preschool for a day as a consequence for his behavior was a collaborative decision. She agreed that Child B missing preschool was an appropriate action and understands Ms. Szczubelek's reasoning. She is very appreciative that Ms. Szczubelek's staff drives Child B to preschool and understands it is a privilege and not a right. Child B

Ms. Szczubelek refused to take Child A (4 year old male) and Child B (4 year old male) to preschool because of their poor behavior the day before

Disposition: Substantiated