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 10/12/2022, I received an email from licensee designee Jennifer McCaffrey notifying me that Child A had been left unattended during a trip to the bathrooms. Ms. McCaffrey reported that child care staff member Cindy Schultz took six children to the bathroom, and at some point when returning did not count the children, or notice that Child A was still in the restroom. Ms. Schultz returned to the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) classroom, and shortly after, a Fuller Street Elementary staff member found Child A and returned her to the room. Ms. McCaffrey submitted the required incident report via email on 10/13/2022. On 10/16/2022, I interviewed Child A's Mother. Child A's Mother stated that she was made aware of the incident immediately after it occurred on 10/12/2022 by Ms. McCaffrey and at the time of the call Ms. McCaffery was already on her way to the center to address the incident. Child A's Mother reported that Child A was upset about it and that she did talk about the incident that evening stating that she was "crying and scared," however Child A is "fine now." Child A's Mother reported that she has no concerns with supervision and that this is the only concerning incident that has occurred. Child A returned to the child care center the following day, and is still attending. On 10/26/2022, I conducted an onsite inspection at the child care center at 12:30 PM and interviewed program director Holly Carpenter, child care staff member Cindy Schultz and witness John Baker. Program Director Holly Carpenter is the lead caregiver for Child A. She reported that on 10/12/2022, when the incident occurred, she was on lunch break, and child care staff member Cindy Schultz was providing coverage. While Ms. Carpenter was gone, Ms. Schultz took six children to the restroom, and during that time, Child A was left behind. A school staff member returned Child A to the GSRP class. Ms. Carpenter stated that by the time she returned, Child A seemed "fine" and was not upset. I interviewed Ms. Schultz who reported there was "a lot of activity" happening in the room that day. Children were transitioning from lunch to nap including using the restroom and washing hands. There was a child in the restroom that is attached to the GSRP rooms. Child A needed to use the restroom, so child care staff member Courtney Howard asked Ms. Schultz to take the girls to the bathroom in the hall. Ms. Schultz reported that she took six children to the bathroom located in the vacant wing of the building, located at the end of the hall. This wing has to be accessed with a key fob as the doors remain locked at all times. Ms. Schultz entered with the children, and stood in the bathroom with all six children, as they took turns using the restroom. Ms. Shultz stated that she "checked every stall before leaving," then 3 brought • . • •f 1. • •••. • - • • ' - f• i .•: !'- • •: ! `•: ! `• of - :f• d i f l •- f - i i' •f' i ••f .• • f • • • • ' f• • ff' • doo :r f • #I 'f • •I • Si • f l• e• • • • f i• .• ~• - f 0 comfort. Ms. Schultz did not seem to understand the severity and seemed as if it was not a big deal.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.