The Goddard School

R 400.8134(3)(a) · R 400.8134(3)(a) Hand washing. Before meals, snacks, or food preparation experiences.

The staff members in the First Steps room did not ensure that children washed hands before meals.

R 400.8161(8) · R 400.8161(8) Emergency procedures. Each child care staff member shall be trained at least twice a year on his or her duties and responsibilities for all emergency procedures referenced in subrule (1) of this rule. Bureau

R 400.8134(2)(f) · R 400.8134(2)(f) Hand washing. After using the toilet or helping a child use the toilet.

The staff member in the young preschool room 1 did not wash hands between diaper changes for the children but changed gloves.

R 400.8125 · R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. (2) All staff and volunteers shall act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children.

On 01/17/2023 I conducted an unannounced on-site inspection. interviewed Staff Member A, Staff Member B, Staff Member C, Staff Member D, and Kellie McDonald (owner/licensee designee). Interviews were conducted privately in the program director's office. Staff Member A denied that she comes to work at the center under the influence of marijuana, or any other substance. Staff Member A denied that she brings a marijuana vaping pen into the center or uses one on her breaks. Staff Member A stated that she does use a tobacco vaping pen when she is not working but she does not bring the pen into the center or use it while on the center's property. Staff 2 Member A stated that when she was hired, she was made aware of the center's policy regarding no smoking or vaping on the premises and indicated that she abides by that policy. Staff Member A denied ever being approached by staff or parents regarding concerns about her being under the influence. Staff Member A claims that she is having issues in her personal life regarding a past partner that is stalking and harassing her. Staff Member A believes that these allegations are a continuation of that harassment. Staff Member A is working with the Oakland Country Sheriff's Office regarding these personal safety issues. During the interview Staff Member A did not appear under the influence and was able to understand and quickly answer all questions asked. I was in a small, closed office with Staff Member A, and no smell of marijuana was present. Staff Member B stated that Staff Member A has worked at the center since December 2022. Staff Member B described Staff Member A as a hard worker that engages well with the children. Staff Member B denied having any concerns regarding Staff Member A being under the influence of any drugs while working at the center. Staff member B denied smelling marijuana on Staff Member A while at the center and denied ever hearing other staff members report concerns about Staff Member A. Staff Member B denied seeing Staff Member A with a vaping pen in the center or observing her using one outside while on break. Staff Member C stated that she works in the same classroom as Staff Member A on a regular basis. Staff Member C stated that she has never observed Staff Member A to appear under the influence or smell of marijuana while at the center. Staff Member C denied ever seeing Staff Member A with a vaping pen while in the center or outside on her break. Staff Member C denied hearing other staff members or parents complain about Staff Member A acting under the influence or any other concerns regarding her behavior. Staff Member D stated that she works with Staff Member A daily and has never seen her appear under the influence while in the classroom. Staff Member D denied ever smelling marijuana on Staff Member A while at the center. Staff Member D denied seeing Staff Member A with a vaping pen or using one outside on her break. Staff Member D stated that Staff Member A works well the children and denied hearing complaints from other staff members or parents. Ms. McDonald stated that Staff Member A works well with her coworkers and does a great job in the classrooms. Ms. McDonald said that Staff Member A learns quickly and is always willing to help. Ms. McDonald denied ever receiving complaints from parents or staff members regarding concerns about Staff Member A being under the influence. Ms. McDonald stated that she would not tolerate any staff member breaking any of these policies. While on-site Ms. McDonald provided me with the center's policy located in the employee handbook regarding smoking and prohibited substances. It reads as follows: 3 Smoking-staff, or other persons, shall not smoke or use tobacco products on school premises, including the playgrounds and parking lot. Smoking in vehicles on school premises is prohibited. Prohibited substances-Staff, chaperones and students in training shall not be under the influence of or consume alcohol, marijuana, or a

R 400.8110 · 1 R 400.8110 Applicant; licensee; licensee designee; requirements. (13) Smoking and vaping must not occur in or during both of the following: (a) In the child care center or on real property that is under the control of the center and upon which the center is located.

Smoking and vaping does not occur in the child care center or on the premises. Staff Member A does not bring or use a vaping pen into the center or on the premises.

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 5/13/21, I received an email from the assistant director, Ms. Hines stating that a child was left unattended in the toddler room while the rest of the children went out to the playground for outdoor recess. The child was left behind for 2-3 minutes in the classroom. On 5/14/21, I received an incident report form the center stating that Child A was left alone in the classroom for 2-3 minutes while the rest of the class transitioned outside. Ms. Kruger found Child A in the classroom 2-3 minutes later when she went into the classroom to pick up another child who was going home. Ms. Kruger picked up Child A and brought him outside. Child A was happy and playing well in the classroom. On 5/14/21, I interviewed Child A's mother who said that she was informed about the incident at about 4:30 pm, right after the incident occurred. Child A's mother said that she was upset that Child A was left behind by himself in the classroom. She said that Child A does not cry much and is not demanding at all. Child A's mother said that Child A was very cool and chill and does not cry much for anything. She said that she was concerned that only demanding children get the attention from their caregivers and the other children do not. Child A's mother said that she would not worry about taking Child A out of the center since they were relocating the same week. On 5/19/21, I conducted an onsite inspection at the center. I interviewed the staff members present on that day. On 5/19/21, I interviewed the assistant director, Ms. Hines who was present at the center at the time of the incident. Ms. Hines said that on 5/13/21 at about 4 pm, Ms. Kruger told her that she found Child A playing by himself in the toddler room when she went to pick up another child to be picked up by the parent. Ms. Hines could not recall the exact time, but it was around 4 pm. Ms. Kruger told her that Child A was fine, happy, and playing well by himself in the classroom. Ms. Hines said that she called Child A's mother and told her about the incident. Child A's mother sounded disappointed about the incident. Child A's mother was mainly concerned about Child A's demeanor when he was alone. She was relieved to know that Child A was not crying and playing happily. Ms. Hines said that the staff members failed the protocol of doing name to face procedures during transition and they had a rushed transition too, which made it worse. All 3 staff members that were present in the toddler room were written up. The active supervision policy and name to face policy were reviewed with the staff members on 5/14/21. 3 On 5/19/21, I interviewed Ms. Kruger, who said that on 5/13/21, during the evening, she was working at the office. Ms. Kruger was taking children from their classrooms to take them to their parents for pick up. At about 4 pm she went into Child A's classroom to pick up a child that had to be taken to the child's parent. She saw the room empty but saw Child A sitting next to the door that leads outside to the playground. Child A was not hidden from sight at all. Child A was playing with a truck. He appeared to be calm and was quiet. He was not crying and did not appear to be in any discomfort. Ms. Kruger said that she carried him outside to join the rest of his class. The staff members were "mortified" to see him. None of the staff members had realized that they had left Child A in the classroom. All the staff members said that they just got outside about 2 to 3 minutes prior. Ms. Carr said that they failed to do the name to face procedure. On 5/19/21, I interviewed Ms. Carr who said that she had worked at the center for 2 years and she had not made this mistake any time before. Ms. Carr said that she was Child A's primary caregiver and felt very bad that Child A was left behind. She said that it was a crazy afternoon. The children were rambunctious. One of the children had lost their pacifier. She said that she was looking for it, and as soon as she got it, she left with the other