Nene's Little Angels Childcare Center

R 400.8110(7) · R 400.8110(7) Applicant; licensee; licensee designee; requirements. (7) A child shall only be released to persons authorized by the child's parent or guardian.

On 07/12/2023, I contacted Child A's Mother. He is doing well but will no longer be attending the facility. Child A's Mother states program director, Ms. Chenita Farmer released Child A to a stranger. The person she sent to pick up Child A was on the emergency card but no identification was requested when she arrived and picked him up. Child A's Mother was on the phone talking to Witness when she arrived at the center and heard Ms. Farmer talking and releasing Child A. At no time did she request a photo identification. I asked if she could hear Child A's response when he saw Witness. According to Child A's Mother, "He sounded happy and said something like auntie." Child A's Mother shared her concerns with Ms. Farmer but felt her response was unprofessional and angry. Child A is doing well but no longer attends the facility. Prior to this incident, there had been no problem or concerns regarding the facility. On 07/13/2023. I called Witness and left a voicemail message requesting she contacts me. I have not received a return call. On 07/18/2023, I interviewed Ms. Farmer. She states Child A's Mother repeatedly arrived late to pick him up since his enrollment. On 07/10/2023, she had not arrived by the 05:30 p.m., closing time so Ms. Farmer begin calling her. Despite having made several attempts there was no response. Ms. Farmer begin calling the list of individuals Child A's Mother listed as emergency contacts. She ultimately spoke to Witness who is also authorized to pick up Child A and who stated she would be there as soon as possible. She arrived at approximately 06:18 p.m. and was able to enter the building with a code provided to her by Child A's Mother. Child A ran to Witness when she arrived, but Ms. Farmer does not recall what he said. She was aware of Child A's Mother being on the telephone and talking to Witness but can't recall how she knew. It's the center's policy to request a photo ID if a parent sends someone to the center who's not on the card to pick up their child. Ms. Farmer felt it was safe and appropriate to release Child A and shared the reason with Child A's Mother the following day. Ms. Farmer did not ask for ID since she had talked with Witness on the phone, Child A knew ran to her when she arrived and Child A's Mother created a building access code for all individuals able to pick up Child A during the enrollment process. Witness had a code specific to her only. There were no additional staff or children present at the facility and Ms. Farmer had never met witness. She will be changing the software used to enter the building. If possible, she will attach a photo to anyone authorized for pickup other than the parents. A copy of the attendance records and verification of Witness being authorized to pick up Child A is on file with this department. 3

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

Ms. Farmer provided appropriate care and supervision when she released Child A to Witness who was given a code, known only to her to access the building by Child A's Mother.

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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.

On 05/11/2023, I completed an on-site inspection at Nene's Little Angels Childcare Center. I spoke CCSM 6, and child care staff members (CCSMs), CCSM 1, CCSM 2, CCSM 3 and CCSM 4 regarding the allegations. The center was observed. In the blue room (GSRP), there were nine children present, ages 4 to 5 years, with two CCSMs. In the orange room (GSRP), there were seven children present, ages 4 to 5 years, with two CCSMs. In the infant room/ toddler 1, there was seven children, ages 6 weeks to 2 years, with two CCSMs. In the toddler 2, there 1/2 2 was 14 children, ages 2 to 3 years, with three CCSMs. The child information 1/2 1/2 cards, incident reports, and email from 05/03/2023 was provided for review. According to CCSM 6, she is the assistant director, and she is not a caregiver at the center. She stands at the front desk and buzzes the parents into the center in the morning. She walks the children to their room and returns to the front desk. She stays at the front desk until 9:00 a.m. CCSM 6 stated that Child A is enrolled in the orange room (GSRP) with CCSM 1 and CCSM 2. However, the children from the blue and orange room combine in the morning in the blue room until around 8:45 a.m. CCSM 3 and CCSM 4 care for the children while the two rooms are combined. CCSM 3 arrives around 8 a.m. and CCSM 4 arrives at 8:30 a.m. Child A does not attend the center regularly. He usually arrives around between 8 and 8:30 a.m. when he attended. Child A whines and cries each morning when he comes to the center. Child A's Mother signs him in and she leaves him in the entrance way. CCSM 6 will take him to the blue room or ask CCSM 1 to come get him if she is there when he arrives. He usually calms down when CCSM 1 is there. CCSM 6 stated that she was aware of the allegations but was told by Ms. Farmer that Child A's Mother stated it was someone else. CCSM 6 stated that she has never told Child A to shut up nor has she pinched him. She stated that she was had limited interaction with Child A. CCSM 6 report that the video footage goes back 30 days, and it was reported the incident occurred when Child A was first enrolled. According to CCSM1, she is the lead CCSM 1 in the orange room. Child A usually comes in crying in the morning he cries for about 10 minutes. He cries off and on throughout the day for various reasons. He sometimes doesn't want to eat lunch or want to play on the playground, so he cries. Child A is very verbal and very intelligent. He would have reported to her if someone pinched him. CCSM 1 has never seen any CCSM's pinch Child A or told him to shut up. The CCSMs have the children sit down/ rest their body for a few minutes for discipline. CCSM 1 stated that in the morning when the classes are combined, she has never seen CCSM 3 or CCSM 4, pinch a child or tell them to shut up. On 05/01/2023, Child A's Mother picked up Child A from the center and she stated she wanted to talk with CCSM 1. Child A's Mother was upset so they went in the conference room and talked. Child A's Mother stated that Child A stated that he was pinched by CCSM 6 and told to shut up. CCSM 1 contacted Ms. Farmer to report Child A's Mother concern and provided her contact information. According to CCSM 2, she is the assistant CCSM in the orange room. She stated that she has never spoke to Child A's Mother. Child A is usually in the orange room when she arrives in the morning. Child A rarely attended the center, he came once or twice a week. Child A did not interact with the other children in the class. He would cry because he missed his mother. CCSM 2 stated that the discipline used at the center is redirection, have the children take a seat and/or provide the children with fidget toys to calm themselves. 3 According to CCSM 3 and CCSM 4, they have had limited contact with Child A. Child A arrives at 8:00 a.m. then he moves to the orange room at 8:30 a.m. Child A cries when his mother leaves, then he calms down and he is fine. Limited discipline is used at the

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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: (b) An incident involving an allegation of inappropriate contact.

Ms. Farmer failed to notify the department within 24 hours of being notified Child A's Mother. Ms. Farmer was notified on 05/01/2023 and she emailed Ms. Hogan on 05/03/2023.

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R 400.8158 · R 400.8158 Incident, accident, injury, illness, death, fire reporting. (4) A licensee, licensee designee, or program director shall submit a written report to the department of the occurrences outlined in subrules (1), (2), and (3) of this rule, in a format provided by the department, within 72 hours of the verbal report to the department.

Ms. Farmer did not submit a written report to the department within 72 hours of the email that she sent.

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