First Step Learning Center LLC

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 04/25/2023, I contacted Licensing Consultant, Erica. Hogan regarding the incident report that she received from licensee, Bertha Bradley. Mrs. Hogan stated that Bradley called her on 04/25/2023 to get some advice on an incident and Child A's upset parents. She told Mrs. Hogan that parents came to the building to talk with her about something their son told them. They were upset because Child A told them he was with a stranger. Ms. Bradley told Child A's parents that the cleaning man wasn't necessarily a stranger, and the center would never put a child in danger. Ms. Bradley explained that she was sitting in her office 2 when she heard a teacher say, "Where is Child A?" She said she got up from her chair to see where Child A was. Ms. Bradley said he was against the wall. Mrs. Hogan asked Ms. Bradley, "If he was against the wall, why would the teacher ask where he was?" She then stated that, "He was standing there with the man who was cleaning the leaves." Mrs. Hogan asked Ms. Bradley if she completed an incident report and she stated that she didn't think she needed to complete one because she didn't think it was an incident. Mrs. Hogan told her that if Child A was not with his class and the teacher had to locate him, it is definitely incident worthy. Ms. Bradley said well, I don't think he was away from his class. Mrs. Hogan then restated her original question, "Why would the teacher ask where Child A was if he was already with the class?" Ms. Bradley then stated, "Well I don't know, all I saw was that he was against the wall." Ms. Bradley completed and submitted the requested incident report. The incident report submitted by Ms. Bradley was incomplete. The date of the incident was missing, and it was not signed or dated by Ms. Bradley. According to the written incident report, "End of recess procedures are: when children prepare to enter the building, they put their backs against the wall to be counted. As children were entering the building from the playground, they were hanging up coats and preparing to line up and go to the restroom. She heard the teacher say where is Child A? She assumed he was lagging behind. At that time, she came out of her office to check at the door, she saw the child standing with someone. The person's back was against the open door. She walked up to the top of the stairs/landing to bring the child into building. She walked the child to the bathroom to wash his hands and use the restroom." On 04/26/2023, I completed an on-site inspection at First Step Learning Center LLC. I spoke with Ms. Bradley, licensee designee/ program director, child care staff member (CCSM) 1 and CCSM 2 regarding the allegations. During the onsite the entry way to the center, B1 and B2 classrooms and the playground were observed. The entrance to the child care center is at the back side of the church and off of Royal Grand Avenue street. There is a glass entry way with one door to enter the building from outside. To gain entry into the church or child care center, the doorbell needs to be rang and a staff opens the door. The entry door is self-closing and does not stay open. Once you enter the building, the stairs going into the basement of the building leads to a door to the B1 and B2 classrooms. Ms. Bradley's office and classrooms B1 and B2 are in the basement of the church. The playground area is fenced in and across the parking lot of the church. The cross walk from the facility to the playground has access to cars driving up. The distance from the playground to the entrance door is 4ft 10 inches. In the B1 classroom, there were 10 children, ages 4 years and up, with one CCSM. In the B2 classroom, there were 15 children, ages 2 to 4 years, with two CCSMs. The attendance record and child information cards 1/2 were provided for review. Ms. Bradley stated that Child A was in the B2 class with CCSM 1 and CCSM 2. There were 16 children, ages 2 to 4 years, enrolled in B2. Child A had some 1/2 3 behavioral issues at times. He

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R 400.8158 · R 400.8158 Incident, accident, injury, illness, death, fire reporting. (2) A licensee, licensee designee, or program director shall report to the child's parent and the department, directly or via phone, fax, or email, within 24 hours of the occurrence of any of the following: (a) A child is lost or left unsupervised.

The center did not report to Child A's parent or the department within 24 hours of Child A being left outside unsupervised.

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