• Violation

  R 400.8251(1)(c) · R 400.8251(1)(c) Handwashing (1) All program staff and volunteers shall wash their hands at all of the following times: (c) Before and after preparing and serving food and feeding children. Bureau

  Open Not marked corrected in the state record

  Category: nutrition. Open / not marked corrected.

• Violation

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

  On 5/4/2021 licensee designee Jane Holter contacted me to inform me that Child A (male, age 4) was left unattended outside for a short period of time. She explained that the class was coming in from recess and before leaving the fenced in area, the teacher counted the children. Child care staff member Kim Helton was in the front of the line and child care staff member Patricia Ross was in the back of the line. As they got to the door, the great aunt of Child B (female, age 5) arrived to pick Child B up for the day. Ms. Ross was talking to Child B's Great Aunt about getting her backpack and bringing her back out. During this time, Child A left the line and stood off to the side. They believe he was left outside for about a minute and 13 seconds. During that time, Child B's Great Aunt was standing there with him, although she is not an approved child care staff member. I completed an onsite inspection at the child care facility on 5/5/2021. Child care staff member Ginger Thompson was able to show me the camera footage of the incident. I was able to observe Ms. Helton at the beginning of the line walk in the door, she was walking backwards watching the children enter the door. Once Ms. Ross is observable, Ms. Helton enters the classroom with the children. I was able to see Ms. Ross engage in conversation with Child B's Great Aunt and then enter the school building at 2:32:28. At 2:33:39, Ms. Thompson walks out to the door and lets Child A in the building. She stated that Child B's Great Aunt had rung the bell letting her know there was a student outside with her. Child A was outside for one minute and 11 seconds. During that time, you can observe Child B's Great Aunt right by the door. I was also able to observe Ms. Helton stopping and counting the children before leaving the playground and then again before climbing the stairs to enter the building. Ms. Thompson stated that both caregivers had written up their accounts of what happened that day and she would email them to me. In reviewing Ms. Ross's report of what occurred on 5/4/2021, she stated that she was substituting in the classroom for the day. Ms. Helton did a head count prior to leaving the playground, then again when they got to the door of the building. Ms. Helton entered the building first with a group of children and before entering the building, Child B's great aunt stopped to ask for Child B. Ms. Ross told her she would check on it and she entered the building with the rest of the students. When she got in the classroom, she asked Ms. Helton about Child B being dismissed and she stated that the relative was approved so she could walk her down. As she was bringing Child B down to the door, she saw that Child A was entering the building with Ms. Thompson. She indicated that she felt this was her responsibility and that she felt very upset about this. 3 I then reviewed Ms. Helton's written account of what happened on 5/4/2021. She stated that the class was on their way back into the building from recess. She had counted the children twice on the playground before entering the building. She then stood in the hallway watching the children until she saw Ms. Ross begin entering the building. When the children got in the classroom, they all were thirsty so she was getting them water. Ms. Ross brought Child B down to her approved relative to release her and then came back stating that Child A was left outside. She brought Child A in the classroom with her at that time. On 6/21/2021 I spoke to Child A's Mother. She stated that the school had contacted her about Child A being left outside, she stated that she was not concerned as it was only for a couple minutes. She had no concerns about supervision at the child care center and stated that they were great at staying in communication with her. She explained that Child A had behavior issues, so they would email her whenever he would have these at school and what they were working on with him. I spoke to Child B's Great Aunt i

Child A (male, age 4) was left outside unattended.

Disposition: Substantiated