Eastgate Early Learning Center

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 09/02/2021, I conducted an unannounced onsite inspection at Eastgate Early Learning Center. There was a note on the door indicating that the center was closed until 09/07/2021. On 09/07/2021, I conducted an unannounced onsite inspection and met with the preschool lead child care staff member, Charita Readous. Ms. Readous explained that the program director and licensee designee, Christine Dray, was out on a family medical issue. I explained to Ms. Readous that a complaint had been received regarding supervision of children in the preschool classroom. I asked Ms. Readous is she was aware of an incident in which Child B walked in on Child A in the bathroom and got feces on his hands. Ms. Readous stated she "was confused" because boys and girls use different restrooms and could not think of how Child B could have walked in on Child A. Ms. Readous also indicated that Child B was not a child that would have done something like that and would have been very upset if he got feces on his hands. Ms. Readous also denied knowing anything about Child B punching Child A, Child C rubbing her own vagina or the children playing the "hospital butts" game. No child ever mentioned any of these incidents and no parental complaints were ever received. She reminds children in the classroom about appropriate touches and explains to them the importance of keeping their hands to themselves. Ms. Readous went on to state that Child B is "the kid all kids want to be friends with" and he "is not the type of kid that hits." Ms. Readous did not observe any of these allegations while working in the morning. She explained that Ashley Allison works with the children in the afternoon. 3 On 09/07/2021, I conducted a telephone interview with Ms. Dray. Ms. Dray was advised of the allegations in the complaint by Ms. Readous. Ms. Dray stated that after my onsite inspection, she spoke with the child care staff members who work in the preschool room to determine if anyone knew anything about these allegations. No one knew anything about the allegations and Ms. Dray was at a loss as to where these allegations were coming from. She denied knowing anything about children in the bathroom, feces on a child's hand, Child A being punched, Child C rubbing her vagina or children playing the "hospital butts" game. Ms. Dray could offer no insight into the nature of the allegations. On 09/07/2021, I conducted a telephone interview with Child A's Mother. Child A's Mother explained that Child A had mentioned these incidents in therapy and when Child A's Mother asked Child A about it, Child A explained that she was in the bathroom and a friend ran into the bathroom and touched her butt. The "teacher" immediately intervened and removed the other child from the bathroom. Child A's Mother denied that Child A has ever mentioned the hospital butt game, being punched, or observing another child touch herself. Child A's Mother tried to talk to Child A about the allegations, but Child A changed the subject. Child A's Mother stated she was satisfied with the care Child A receives at the center and the center is very good at notifying her of any incidents or accidents. She explained that things are "a little chaotic" in the afternoon. Child A was consistent in her story about being touched on the toilet. I informed Child A's Mother that the child care staff members and Ms. Dray had absolutely no idea where these allegations were coming from. I explained that I had no evidence to guide the investigation and asked Child A's Mother if I could interview Child A at the center. Child A's Mother granted permission for me to interview Child A in person. On 09/08/2021, I conducted a follow up inspection at Eastgate Early Learning Center. I interviewed Ms. Allison regarding the allegations in the complaint. Ms. Allison stated she "has no clue" about the allegations in the complaint. She did not know anything about the "hospital butt" game, Child B punching Child A, Child B walking in on Child A in t

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