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

I completed an onsite inspection and interviews with licensee designee Brittany Bowman, child care staff members Kelsie Denison and Katlyn Covey on 9/12/2022. Ms. Bowman reported that she is unaware of children opening the classroom door for other adults during drop off. The door for entrance into the facility is located on the east end of the building and enters directly to the inside the preschool classroom. Ms. Bowman said the child care staff members who are there during drop off are Ms. Denison and Ms. Covey and they stand by the door to help children with their bags and coats. Ms. Bowman reported that the day prior to these allegations being made, she did have to terminate a child's contract for bullying behavior and the parent of this child told her she would be calling the State of Michigan. Ms. Denison reported that last week her own nephew who is enrolled in the preschool saw Ms. Covey (who is one of the child care staff members who provides care for her nephew) at the door, and he let Ms. Covey inside the classroom. Ms. Denison said she was right next to the door and allowed her nephew to open it as they both recognized Ms. Covey. She does not remember if there was anyone else at the door that was let in at that time. Ms. Denison reported that they usually do not allow children to open the door. There is a window in the door so they can see who is at the door. She and Ms. Covey open the door for parents each day. If there is someone, they do not recognize they open the door slightly to ask what the person may need. Ms. Covey reported that children know they are not allowed to open the outside door for people. The children are supposed to tell staff when they see someone in the window at the door. She reported that last week Ms. Denison's nephew did open the door for her as she was running late, and he recognized her. Ms. Covey could not remember if there was another parent that entered with her or not. Ms. Covey reported that she and Ms. Denison stand next to the door during drop off and pick up to assist the children with their items and to open the door for parents. On 9/15/2022 I spoke with Child A's mother. She reported that when she drops off both child care staff members (she could not recall their names) are always standing at the door opening it for parents and helping the kids. She has never seen a child opening the door for parents during pick up. On 9/28/2022 I spoke to Child B's mother and Child C's mother. Both reported that they have not experienced a child opening the door for them during pick up. They both stated that Ms. Covey and Ms. Denison are right by the door, opening it and helping the children get settled with their items.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

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.

Ms. Bowman reported that there are times throughout the day that child care staff members are on their personal phones. The staff are all required to have the brightwheel application for child care providers on their phone to sign children in and out of the child care center. They also communicate with the children's parents who are enrolled in their classroom as needed. Ms. Bowman said that as parents drop off this could be misunderstood as child care staff members doing personal things on their phones. Ms. Bowman stated that she does not see child care staff members on their phones for any amount of time that takes away from their ability to provide appropriate supervision and care. She said typically when the children are outside in the fenced in play area, child care staff members will update the brightwheel application and return parents messages while they are also standing in the fenced in area supervising the children. The child care center does not allow excessive personal phone use, but does allow the child care staff members to return calls or messages as needed at break times. Ms. Covey reported that she is on her personal phone in the classroom for the purpose of signing children in and out on brightwheel application as required by her job responsibilities. She denied using her phone for excessive personal use while she is providing care to the children. She denied ever seeing any of her co-workers using their phones instead of providing appropriate care and supervision. She reported that they are allowed to keep their personal phone on them to communicate with parents through the brightwheel application and return any messages they may need. Ms. Denison said that she uses her personal phone to sign children in and out of the classroom on the brightwheel application, and to communicate with parents as needed. Ms. Denison said they are allowed to return messages if needed as long as it does not interrupt their ability to care for the children. They can return personal important phone calls if needed at break times. Ms. Denison said parents probably think they are texting in the mornings at drop off and evenings at pick up because typically one of the two child care staff members will be on their phone signing the child in or out so they do not forget. Ms. Denison said she has never seen a coworker on their cell phone when they should have been providing care or supervision to a child. 5 Child A's mother said there have been times when a child care staff member will have their phone in their hands during drop off or pick up, but it has never concerned her. She reported that she has seen Child A's classroom in the outdoor play area before and she has never had any concerns that the children were not being supervised. Child B's mother reported that she has never noticed a child care staff member on the phone and does not have any concerns regarding supervision. She also reported that she has never dropped off or picked up during outside play time, so she was not able to comment on phone usage while Child B is outside. Child C's mother reported that sometimes the child care staff members are using their phones, but as soon as a child walks in they put it in their back pocket and attend to the child. She does not have any concerns for the phone use or supervision. Child C's mother said she has picked up Child C during outside play and the child care staff members have always been outside and right with the children. She could not recall if she had ever seen a child care staff member on the phone while outside but said that given the fenced in area, she has no concerns for Child C's safety. I attempted to contact the reporting person on 9/15/2022, 9/28/2022 and 10/25/2022 and left messages each time. I never received a return call.

R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (d) Inflicting mental or emotional punishment, such as humiliating, shaming, or threatening a child.

I corn leted an onsite inspection with on 1111712020. and I interviewed program director Brittany Bowman, child care staff member Carrie Jo Rinard and Child B while onsite. The incident involving Child B was reported to have happened on a date that Ms. Bowman was not at the child care center . Ms. Bowman denied being inappropriate with Child A or Child B. She reported ast week Child A was sitting in someone else's seat at lunch. Ms. Bowman was standing on the left side of the table, and Child A was on the right side of the table. Child A's seat was on the left side of the table so she simply picked Child A up by placing her hands under Child A's arms (in the armpit) and lifting Child A up over the table to place Child A in the correct seat. Ms. Bowman reported that when Child B is asked to sit at the table to calm down, Child B will often kick or hit the table so she will move Child B's chair away from the table. She denied moving Child B in a threatening or harmful way. Ms. Bowman reported that just yesterday she had to fire a staff member for poor attendance, and she believes that these allegations are retaliation. _ and I viewed the camera footage involving both children. We could very clearly see Ms. Bowman pick Child A up from the opposite side of the table by placing her hands under Child A's arms and place Child A in a seat located on the same side of the table that she was standing on. Child A was not crying and did not appear to be in any distress at all. Ms. Bowman did not appear angry or violent in anyway. The incident involving Child B was determined to have happened the day prior to the date the reporting person indicated and was also clearly viewed via camera footage. Child B was viewed kicking the table and Ms. Bowman can be seen walking up behind the chair and slowly pulling the chair approximately three feet away from the table to prevent Child B from continuing to kick it. Child B did not appear to be upset or in any distress because of this. Ms. Bowman did not appear angry or violent in her actions. Child B reported that he likes attending the child care center and that Ms. Bowman is really nice. Child care staff member Ms. Rinard stated that she has no concerns with Ms. Bowman as a staff member and has never witnessed Ms. Bowman violently pull a child across a table or pull one in a chair in an aggressive or violent manner. Ms. Rinard said that she knows a staff member was really upset yesterday for being let go and made a scene at the door. She believes this is where these allegations are coming from. Ms. Rinard said that Ms. Bowman is a great staff member and the children do not feel threatened by her. _ and I also jointly interviewed Child A and Child A's mother, Child B's mother and Child C's mother on 1211712020. Child A reported that he like Ms. Bowman and has a lot of friends at the child care center. Child A's mother has no concerns regarding Ms. Bowman or any of the other staff members, and Child A has never told her anything that would raise concern. She is happy with the care her child receives. Child B's mother reported that she has no concerns with the child care center and Child B has always been happy to go there. Child C's mother stated that she has known Ms. Bowman for a long time because she has had several children attend the child care center. Child C's mother has always been very happy with the care her children received, and she has no concerns regarding Ms. Bowman. I also spoke with licensee Chuck North on 1211712020. He confirmed that he and Ms. Bowman had terminated the employment of an employee the day before this complaint, and the person made a big scene. Mr. North reported that he believes Ms. Bowman to be an appropriate staff member and has no concerns regarding her discipline techniques.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: recordkeeping. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.8113 · 1 R 400.8113 Program director qualifications; responsibilities. (3) All program directors are responsible for the general management of the center, including the following minimum responsibilities: (b) Administering day-to-day operations, including being available to address parent, child, and staff issues. I

On 10/19/2020 I spoke to former child care staff member Michelle McConnell. She reported that she and her mother Alisha McConnell recently quit working at the child care center because they were uncomfortable with the discipline practices of the other child care staff members. She explained that last week Child A was being very difficult with behaviors and biting and child care staff member, Chelsea Miller told her that program director, Brittany Bowman said it was ok for them to bite Child A back whenever Child A bit another child. Michelle McConnell reported that she was not comfortable doing this, and never saw a child care staff member bite Child A, and she never bit Child A but she did not like that she was told it was ok to start biting children. Michelle McConnell said she just felt like Ms. Miller disciplined Child A different and so she made Child A's father aware at pickup time on 10/16/2020. She also recalled an incident with Ms. Miller and Child A over a broom where Child A had the broom and Ms. Miller took it out of Child A's hands and then slapped Child A's hand for having the broom. Michelle McConnell said there are video cameras in the facility and that incident should be on the camera. I completed an onsite inspection on 10/19/2020 and interviewed program director Brittany Bowman child care staff members Chelsea Miller, Carry-Jo Rinard and Kasey Keegan. Ms. Bowman reported that Child A is a known "biter" in the child care center, but the staff do not slap Child A's hands, flick Child A in the mouth or discipline Child A different than the other children. Ms. Bowman denied ever telling Ms. Miller or any other staff that it was ok to start biting children back if they bit another child. Ms. Bowman reported that they redirect children when needed for discipline or talk to them to calm them down. Ms. Bowman said that on 10/16/2020 she was contacted by Child A's 4 parents and she met with them and Ms. Miller together that night for several hours to discuss the concerns and allow Child A's parents to view the camera footage. I reviewed the discipline policy and the video footage from 10/16/2020 that Michelle McConnell mentioned. I did see Ms. Miller take the broom away from Child A but Ms. Miller was not seen slapping Child A's hand. Ms. Miller denied that she has ever flicked Child A in the mouth, slapped Child A's hand or used any form of discipline that is inappropriate. Ms. Miller denied telling other child- care staff members that it was ok to bite children if they bit another child. Ms. Miller said that in her room (infant room) they just re-direct the children or move them to another space in the room when they need a break from other children. Ms. Miller denied seeing any of child care staff members using inappropriate or prohibited discipline. Ms. Rinard reported that she worked with Child A and Ms. Miller and she has never witnessed Ms. Miller slapping Child A's hands, flicking Child A's mouth or treating Child A any differently. Ms. Rinard has never been told by Ms. Bowman that it is ok to bite a child if a child was to bite someone. She reported that they always just have the child engage in a different activity or tell them "no" or "stop" if they are doing something wrong. Ms. Keegan reported that she worked with Ms. Miller in her classroom before and has never seen her bite a child, and she was never told that it is ok to bite a child. Ms. Keegan reported that she has not seen Ms. Miller slap Child A's hand or flick Child A in the mouth. Ms. Keegan stated that often they just re-direct a child's behavior and that takes care of the issue or behavior. On 10/19/2020 I contacted Child A's mother. She reported that her husband was informed by Michelle McConnell and another former child care staff member Alisha McConnell that their child was being disciplined differently and that they were told it was ok to start biting Child A back if Child A continued to bite other children or themselves. Child A's mother

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.8113 · R 400.8113 Program director qualifications; responsibilities. (3) All program directors are responsible for the general management of the center, including the following minimum responsibilities: (c) Monitoring staff, including an annual evaluations.

Program Director Brittany Bowman had information that indicated child care staff member Tabitha Spoor and Chelsea Miller were not using appropriate discipline and did not address it with them. Ms. Bowman instead installed cameras for monitoring but failed to watch video footage when she was not onsite to monitor child care staff.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Open / not marked corrected.

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

The child care staff members were not providing appropriate care of children by hitting children on the hand, excessive yelling at children, and making children hit other children.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.8125 · R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. (5) A written statement must be signed and dated by staff and volunteers at the time of hiring or before volunteering indicating all of the following information: (c) The individual knows that all staff and volunteers are required by law to immediately report suspected abuse and neglect to children's protective services. 10

Child care staff member Michelle McConnell and Program Director Brittany Bowman had viewed the video of Tabitha Spoor forcing Child B to hit Child C and did not make a report to Child Protective Services.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: recordkeeping. Open / not marked corrected.

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

Child care staff members are not using positive methods of discipline. Child care staff are hitting children on the hand for discipline. Staff have spanked children. Video shows Tabitha Spoor screaming at children, and physically forcing a child to hit another child.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (a) Hitting, spanking, shaking, biting, pinching, or inflicting other forms of corporal punishment.

Staff admitted to hitting children on the hands which is prohibited by this rule. Former staff reported to witnessing Tabitha Spoor and Chelsea Miller spanking children.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: recordkeeping. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.8140 · .. ............ R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (d) Inflicting mental or emotional punishment, such as humiliating, shaming, or threatening a child.

Infliction of mental and emotional punishment were used by Tabitha Spoor. Ms. Spoor was video recorded screaming at a Child B while Child B was standing in the corner for timeout. Ms. Spoor also physically forced Child B to hit Child C back as retaliation. Ms. Spoor was also video recorded screaming at child D for throwing a toy and physically forced Child D to pick the toy up.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: recordkeeping. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.8110 · R 400.8110 Applicant; licensee; licensee designee; requirements. ...................................... (1) The licensee or licensee designee shall do all of the following: (c) Be responsible for compliance with the act and these rules.

Reading Community Schools did not ensure that staff members were remaining in compliance with the licensing rules and the Publications Act 116. Program Director Brittany Bowman was not truthful and did not provide accurate information during the Department's investigation.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Open / not marked corrected.