Gilden Woods Early Care & Preschool - Portage

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 03/10/2022 l received a phone call from Assistant Director Katy Jordan notifying me that at approximately 8:15am Child A had been running in the room and fell down, hitting his forehead on the hardwood flooring. He developed a "golf ball size' bruise and bump and in about 10-15 minutes staff noticed his pupils were dilated. Child A's Mother came to pick up Child A at approximately 9:OOam and took him to the emergency room. Ms. Jordan sent an incident report later that afternoon which reported that she had been notified of the injury a few minutes after it happened, and she checked on the injury, brought ice packs for Child A then contacted Child A's Mother. She followed up by sending Child A's Mother a photo of the injury in the "Nurture Application" used to communicate to parents through the day. The incident report goes on to state that when staff members noticed Child A's pupils dilating, Ms. Jordan contacted Child A's Mother and discussed that he should be observed at home, and he was picked up shortly after. On 03/11/2022, the department received a complaint stating that following Child A's injury, Ms. Jordan was asked by staff to look at Child A but she sent someone else to come check. Ms. Jordan eventually came to the room and "gave Child A an ice pack and stated that she was not worried about it and asked someone else to send a notification to Child A's mother." After Ms. Jordan left the room, Child A's pupils began to appear dilated, and he stated he was tired. The complaint stated, Ms. Jordan was "urged several times to call Child A's Mother'. About 20-30 minutes later Ms. Jordan contacted Child A's Mother. On 03/11/2022 l conducted an unannounced onsite inspection at 11:00am ■ and interviewed Program Director Jordanne Wait, and Child Care Staff Members, Sarah Wilson. Sarah Kreider, and Assistant Director Katey Jordan. Ms. Wait reported that she was not at the child care center when the injury occurred and did not arrive until about 9:00am. When she saw Child A's injury, she reported it "looked awful." When Child A's Mother arrived, Ms. Waite spoke with her, and she was planning to take Child A to the emergency room. Child A's Mother called later to report that i asKea iris. vvan IT any siaTr memoers expresses concern in now the injury was addressed. Ms. Wait reported Child Care Staff Member Sarah Kreider was uncomfortable with the way the incident was handled and that Assistant Director Katy Jordan did not contact Child A's Mother. Also, Staff Member Lexie Harper expressed that "as a parent, she didn't like the way it was handled." Ms. Wait followed up with Ms. Jordan who reported that she was in kitchen at the time of the injury, she got the call, went to look at the injury, contacted Child A's Mother, got ice and sent a picture of the injury on the Nurture Application. Ms. Wait added that she felt the situation was handled appropriately and timely and Ms. Jordan did all that she could as the only administrative staff present while juggling all of the other daily tasks like getting breakfast made and served. Ms. Flotte asked if there had been any concerns with Ms. Jordan performing administrative duties and Ms. Waite explained that there have not been any issues with administrative duties. However, a lot of staff will complain about Ms. Jordan since she was promoted from a classroom role into the administrative role and at times it comes across as jealousy. 1 asked Ms. Waite if she could go into the Nurture Application to confirm when contact was made with Child A's Mother. She was able to confirm that the written incident report that was given to Child A's Mother stated an approximate injury time of 8. Dam and a picture of the injury was sent to Child A's Mother at 8:23am from Ms. Jordan. Child A was checked out at 9:12 am. I contacted and interviewed Child A's Mother who reported that Child A did not have a concussion and that She added that however he was back to the cente"aer the incident. We asked s Mother

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R 400.8125 · 1 R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times. 4

On 01/12/2022, I received an email from Program Director and Licensee Designee Jordanne Wait, stating she had received and email from an anonymous account stating several concerns and allegations. One allegation stated that "Child Care Staff Member (CCSM) 1 hit a kid in the bathroom off camera... "Ms. Wait explained that she contacted with the allegation of inappropriate physical contact between a staff member and child even though they did not know what child it was, and she wanted me to be aware. On 01/13/2022 e center's discipline policy and interviewed Program Director Jordanne Waite, Operations Specialist Rachel Price and CCSM 1, CCSM 3, CCSM 4, CCSM 5, CCSM 6, CCSM 7, CCSM 8 and CCSM 9. Ms. Wait explained that the email was sent to her and CCSM 3 at 6:41a m on 1/12/2022. After reading the allegations, Ms. Wait responded to the email hoping to get more information, as well as forwarded the email to the child care center's Operations Specialist from the corporate office, Rachel Price. Ms. Wait had not spoken to CCSM 1 because she did not want to interfere with the investigation or ask questions that may skew the investigation by "getting people talking." Ms. Wait reported that she has not witnessed or been made of any concerning behavior from CCSM 1, nor have any staff or parents complained about her care for children. Child Care Staff Member 3 reported that she and Ms. Wait forwarded the email to Ms. Price, who consulted with her supervisor at the corporate office, instructing them to contact_ due to the allegation of physical contact. Operations Specialist Rachel Price works with the center from the corporate office. Ms. Price reported that Ms. Wait and CCSM 3 notified her of the email and asked her to reach out to the sender for more information. Ms. Price also reached out and offered to meet with the person or asked that they respond with more information so that the corporate office could look into each allegation. Ms. Price was not aware of any previous concerns from staff or parents regarding CCSM 1 and her care of children. Ms. Price reported that there was a staff member with the same name as CCSM 1 last year that "slapped a child on the wrist or something" and was immediately terminated. Ms. Forward and I followed up with Ms. Wait who clarified that the previous staff member held her hand over a child's mouth while they were screaming but was immediately terminated. Ms. Forward requested the names of all of the staff that work in the room with CCSM 1 to interview. CCSM 4 stated that she primarily works in the room with CCSM 1 and has worked at the center for about nine months. CCSM 4 reported never witnessing 3 anyone use any type of physical discipline and added that if she did see anyone using physical discipline, she would immediately notify administration. CCSM 5 also primarily works in the room with CCSM 1 and CCSM 4. CCSM 5 has worked at the center for approximately a year and reported that she has never witnessed anything concerning regarding physical discipline, or interactions. CCSM 6, CCSM 7, CCSM 8 and CCSM 9 work as floaters in the room that CCSM 1 works in and will periodically work with her. All staff members reported that they had never witnessed CCSM 1 or any staff member use physical discipline on a child, and that they had no concerns with CCSM 1's care of children. CCSM 1 reported that she has worked for Gilden Woods since and has been with the Portage center since CCSM 1 wa!RsohRocckleed to hear the _. allegations and could not think of why someone would say that. CCSM 1 reported that she has never hit a child. Ms. Forward asked CCSM 1 to explain her discipline practices. CCSM 1 replied that she will first ask the child to "please stop" then state, "I am going to help you," then if needed she will remove the child from the situation, distract them or redirect. On 01/14/2022, I interviewed Child Care Staff Member 2 who worFIRtthe room with sometimes at lunch to give other staff members breaks.

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R 400.8125 · R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care 7 and supervision of children at all times.

In the email Licensee Designee and Program Director Jordanne Wait received on 01/12/2022, it stated "CCSM 2 is rude. She treats the teachers rudely and lectures and screams at kids. I am tired of seeing kids in EVERY classroom cry when she comes in..." I conducted interviews with staff members on 01/13/2021, and interviewed Program Director Jordanne Waite, Operations Specialist Rachel Price and CCSM 1, CCSM 3, CCSM 4, CCSM 5, CCSM 6, CCSM 7, CCSM 8 and CCSM 9. Ms. Wait stated that CCSM 3 spoke with CCSM 2 after the email came in and gave her a "coaching" which is when leadership or administration discusses an incident and ways to improve on the incident and added that CCSM 2 was apologetic. I asked Ms. Wait if there had been previous concerns with CCSM 2 and her interactions with children. She explained that CCSM2's "tone can sometimes be abrasive" and staff feel that she is also abrasive towards them. Ms. Wait also stated that a parent had reported that they didn't like how CCSM 2 handled children stating, "how quick CCSM 2 was to take children in the morning." This occurred in approximately November, but Ms. Wait was not sure as she had not documented the incident on the Employee Incident Summary Log. Operations specialist Rachel Price was not aware of anything concerning regarding CCSM 2's tone or interactions with children and stated that nothing had been brought to the corporate offices. CCSM 3 explained that she was aware of concerns regarding CCSM 2 being addressed with the previous assistant director, and she remembered a previous special investigation (SIR2021D 0248009) under the center's previous license concerning CCSM 2 and her interactions and tone with children. CCSM 3 reported that that she had provided coaching with CCSM 2 based on the email that was received stating she was "harsh and children were crying." In the coaching, CCSM 3 reported that she explained allegations as well as the expectations adding that CCSM 2 seemed "receptive and apologetic." CCSM 1, CCSM 4, CCSM 5, CCSM 6, CCSM 7, CCSM 8 and CCSM 9 all work throughout the day with CCSM 2 for short periods of time during lunch time, or if CCSM 2 gives a staff member a bathroom break. CCSM 1 described CCSM 2 as "aggressive" and reported an incident where CCSM 2 "shoved" Child A down to the 5 cot. CCSM 1 went to get Child A from CCSM 2 and remove her from the situation. CCSM 1 reported that she did tell Ms. Wait and CCSM 3 about the incident but was not sure if there was any follow up and could not recall when the incident occurred. CCSM 4 reported that she did not like the way CCSM 2 speaks to children and tone that is used and on one instance, CCSM 2 called children in the infant 2 room "vulchers." CCSM 4 also witnessed CCSM 2 "use too much force" when putting Child A onto her cot, describing CCSM 2 as "frustrated in the moment." CCSM 5 described CCSM 2 as "loud with the kids" and said that she "doesn't use a proper tone" but that she has never seen CCSM 2 physical with the children. CCSM 6 stated that CCSM 2 "can be stern, and her tone is concerning." CCSM 7 said that she had only worked with CCSM 2 a couple times but felt that CCSM 2 has "unrealistic expectations of children and is too stern." CCSM 8 reported that she felt "irritated how CCSM 2 talks to children" and that CCSM 2 says things like "I'm not holding you" to the younger toddler children. CCSM 8 witnessed a time that CCSM 2 lectured a small child and was holding his legs to his cot, while pointing in his face scolding him. The child was visibly upset during the interaction. CCSM 9 said that CCSM 2 is "very rough when she talks to or handles a child and too authoritative. She recalled an incident last week where CCSM 2 came in the room unwarranted and yelled at a child while forcing her onto the cot. Aside from CCSM 1, none of the staff members reported their concerns to administration. Neither Ms. Wait or CCSM 3 recalled being told about the incident with Child A and nap time. I asked Ms.

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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.

I conducted an unscheduled on-site inspection on 09/21/2021. I interviewed assistant director Katey Jordan, child care staff member Sarah Wilson and Child A's Mother. Ms. Jordan stated that Child A's Mother texted her and Ms. Wait on 9/14/2021 stating that she wanted to talk. The following day Child A's Mother told them that Child A told her that Child B touched her "hooha" while they were on the playground on 09/14/2021. After speaking to Child A's Mother, Ms. Jordan and Ms. Wait discussed the matter. They concluded that the incident could have occurred in the afternoon, around 4:00 pm, when Child A's room, the Pratt room, was outside with the Terance room. Ms. Jordan explained that the Pratt room is 4-year-old children and the Terance room is 3-year-old children. Also outside at the time was the Adabelle room, which is children 2.5-3 years of age. Ms. Jordan could not say whether the groups were mixed or not. Child care staff members outside at the time were Allysa Savick with the Pratt room, Destiny Noel and Lillian Camp with the Terance room, and Sarah Wilson with the Adabelle room. Ms. Jordan and Ms. Wait asked all four child care staff members to write written statements regarding the matter. I obtained the written copies of the written statements. Ms. Jordan said after statements were submitted, she interviewed Ms. Wilson and Ms. Wait interviewed the other three staff members. Ms. Wilson's interview was consistent with her statement. Allysa Savick's written statement said that she was giving her room, "school agers", snack in the playground portion of the outdoor play area. During this time, she overheard Ms. Noel and Ms. Wilson tell Child A and Child B that they "are not going to play together right now". Ms. Savick said that Child A and Child B were in the back field portion of the outdoor play area with the Pratt and Terance rooms. Destiny Noel's statement said that while she was outside with preschool children, Ms. Wilson approached her to say that Child A, Child B and Child D had been involved in an "incident". Ms. Noel's statement did not describe what she meant by incident. She said that she did not talk to the children about the matter, because she was "not an eye witness". She separated the three children and asked them to play with other friends. 3 Lillian Camp's statement said that Child A and Child B were sitting together in the back field portion of the outdoor play area and Child B kissed Child A on the mouth. A short while later, she saw Child A sitting on Child B's face. Ms. Camp's statement indicated that she was doing "name to face" at another area of the back field so was not the one to address the matter between the two children. She said she saw Ms. Wilson separating and talking to them. Sarah Wilson's statement said that Pratt, Terrance, and Adabelle rooms were "combined" and that there were about 18 children present with three child care staff members. She saw Child A sit on Child B's face while Child B was laying in the grass. She separated the two children and told them that the behavior was inappropriate and should not occur again. Ms. Wilson's statement included a diagram that indicated that Destiny Noel and Lillian Camp were also near the two children when the incident occurred. During my interview with Ms. Wilson, she explained that on 09/14/2021 she was in the outdoor play area with the Adabelle room, which was about four children. Also outside at the time was the Pratt and Terrance rooms. The Pratt and Terance rooms were combined and had about 16 or 17 children and two child care staff members. The child care staff members were Destiny Noel and Lillian Camp. Ms. Wilson estimated that at about 4:30 pm she brought the Adabelle children outside. Pratt and Terance rooms were already outside. The Adabelle room was heading to the back field and Pratt and Terance rooms were moving from the back field to the playground, "so there was a lot going on". During this exchange, Ms. Wilson saw Child A si

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R 400.8155 · R 400.8155 Child accidents and incidents; child and staff illness. .............................. .............. ......... ......... ...... (1) A center shall have a written plan for how and when a parent is notified when personnel observe any of the following: (b) A child experiences an accident, injury, or incident.

Child A's Mother was not notified of either incident where Child A and Child B were inappropriately touching one another.

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