• 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 03/01/2023, I privately spoke with program director Melissa Shaw who indicated that the class was getting ready to go outside so she reminded Child A to go and use the bathroom. Child A responded "no" and Ms. Shaw encouraged him to go because the class has often had to come back inside so he could use the bathroom. Child A again responded "no" and went over to the coat rack to get his coat. After Child A got his coat, he went to the end of the line behind the other children. Ms. Shaw was at the front of the line and counted 15 children. 2 The class then proceeded into the hallway so the children could put on their boots. CCSM1 remained standing in the classroom door as the students put on their boots. They then proceeded to go outside. CCSM1 was then at the end of the line. The door to exit the building and go outside is very close to the classroom door. As the last child came outside, Ms. Shaw noticed the Child A was not with the group and told CCSM1. CCSM1 went back in the classroom door and saw Child A in there, coming out of the bathroom. CCSM1 then brought Child A outside with the rest of the class. Child A was standing by the glass door leading to the outdoor area and waiting. Ms. Shaw estimated that Child A was alone inside the classroom for approximately 30 seconds. Ms. Shaw admitted that her mistake was not touching each child's head to count as they exited the classroom to the hallway. She also admitted to not counting the children a second time after they put their boots on in the hallway before ultimately heading outside. Child A did not make it out of the classroom into the hallway. Ms. Shaw reported that this incident reminded her of the need to touch each child's head and count. The count of children will then be referenced against the sign in sheet. She has also begun implementing a process where each child moves their picture as they enter and leave the classroom. They will move their picture to home, playground, or in class each time they pass through the door. On 03/02/2023, I privately spoke with Child A's Mother. She confirmed that Ms. Shaw called her on the day of the incident and explained what had happened. Child A's Mother has no concerns regarding her son's care and supervision in the classroom. She described Ms. Shaw as being "amazing" with her son. I completed an unannounced, on-site inspection on 03/08/2023 and arrived at the center at 10:00 AM. I privately spoke with CCSM1 regarding the incident with Child A. CCSM1 stated that they were lining the class up to go into the hallway to get boots on, and then to go outside. Ms. Shaw reminded Child A to use the bathroom and he said he did not have to and then got in line with the rest of the class. CCSM1 recalling assisting Child A put his coat on while in line. The class went out into the hallway to get their boots on. It was after the class got outside the door that Ms. Shaw noticed Child A was not with them. CCSM1 came back into the room to get him. Child A had his coat off and was standing on his spot that he was supposed to line up at. Child A was not upset or crying and did not say anything. CCSM1 got him and they went outside. I asked CCSM1 how Child A got past her if she was standing at the doorway while the children were putting their boots on. CCSM1 believes that Child A got out of line and went into the bathroom before the class went into the hallway. Child A never made it out of the classroom and into the hallway with the rest of the class. The mistake made was that another count was made from the hallway to outside. 3 During the on-site inspection, I observed the classroom transition back into the classroom from being outside. As the children entered the building, they had a partner and took their boots off in the hallway. Upon entering the classroom, each child moved their picture/name marker from being "outside" back over to "school." There was also a visual marker of the date and number of children present placed on the door.

The center self-reported that on 02/15/2023, Child A (4 '/2 year old, male) was left alone and unsupervised in the classroom while the rest of the class transitioned to the outdoor play area.

Disposition: Substantiated