R 400.8140 Discipline. (1) Positive methods of discipline that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation must be used.

On 08/25/2022 I conducted an unannounced on-site inspection to the child care facility. I met face to face with Nicole Heintzelman, interim director, regarding the reported allegations. She explained to me that the allegations were made by two child care staff members, Tracey Walters and Katelynn Gallentin, who are mother and daughter and worked together at the child care facility. On 08/23/2022, they walked out while working their scheduled shift at the child care facility. They did this following a verbal disagreement with Rhyan Sanchez. They both had met with Liz DeGauw, district manager, and expressed concerns with Ms. Sanchez as they did not like how they felt she spoke to them. Ms. Henitzelman said she has never had any concerns about Ms. Sanchez, her interactions with children in care or her communication with other child care staff members. She explained Ms. Sanchez is assigned as the cook; however, she will cover in classes if necessary. According to the attendance sheets, on 07/07/2022, Child A was in the preschool classroom from 8:04am-5:56pm. Ms. Sanchez was not assigned to work in his classroom on this day. Ms. Sanchez worked as the cook, she was signed in and out from 1:10pm- 1:43pm of the varsity classroom and then moved to the Pre-K classroom from 1:50- 5:25pm. This information came from the face to name sheets for that date documenting that Ms. Sanchez did not work with Child A that day. She also said the facility was not out of the required staff to child ratio when Tracey Wolter and Kaitlyn Galentin walked out, she went into a classroom and additional staff were scheduled to arrive a short time after the incident took place. I then interviewed Ms. Sanchez outside the presence of others. I explained the allegations and Ms. Sanchez denied she ever lifted Child A up by his arm and carried him inside. She said if a child needs redirection she will talk with them about their behavior. She denies ever having any incident with a child in care or any parent or staff having concerns with her interaction with children in care. On the day in question Tracey Walters and Katelynn Gallentin walked off their shift after a disagreement with her. She recalled that they did not like taking directions or guidance from her. They would become defensive and argumentative with her. She felt it was a difference in personality as there are times adults do not get along. I then interviewed Rebecca Walkwitz outside the presence of others. Ms. Walkwitz is the lead caregiver who works with Ms. Sanchez. She was aware of the reported allegations. She denied Ms. Sanchez has ever lifted Child A up by his arm. She has never had any concerns with her interactions with children in care. On 08/25/2022 I left a telephone message for Tracey Walters requesting contact with her. She left a message on 08/30/2022 and I returned her phone call on 09/12/2022, leaving a message. I have not received a returned call from her. 3 On 08/25/2022 1 spoke with Katelynn Gallentine by telephone. She explained that her mother is Tracey Walters and she had received the voicemail message I left for her. Ms. Gallentine was calling me for her mother as she did not want to talk to me. Ms. Gallentine said neither she nor her mother saw Ms. Sanchez pick Child A up by his arm. Ms. Walters was in training with Dani Grover, program director of the Kinder Care Lower location and allegedly overheard the allegation. I then made telephone contact with Dani Grover. I explained the allegation to her. She confirmed Ms. Wolters was in training with her on 07/07/2022 as it was her first day of work. She said while Ms. Walters was in her office a parent came in to discuss a concern. The concern did not have anything to do with Ms. Sanchez or Child A. Ms. Grover was familiar with Ms. Sanchez and while she does not work in her building, she knows she works in the kitchen. She has had no concerns about her.