Petra Garon

R 400.1911 · R 400.1911 Care; supervision; children. (1) A licensee shall ensure appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

On January 12, 2021 I received a complaint questioning Ms. Garon's ability to care for children. The written complaint stated that Child A (2-year- old male) and Child B (1 year-old male) were in Ms. Garon's care for only two days when she told the parents she could no longer care for them due to behavior. The parents noticed that when the children were home after being in care they were clinging to them and would not go to other caretakers (or other individuals). There is a concern that Ms. Garon's own behavior caused distress to the children and questioning the safety of other children in her care. There was no indication in the complaint that either child received a physical injury during their time at Ms. Garon's home. On January 14, 2021 I conducted an unannounced inspection at the home of Ms. Garon. Upon arrival I met with Ms. Garon as she was caring for Child E (2 year- 1/2 old female). Instead of reviewing the allegations with Ms. Garon, I asked if she had any issues in recent days. She began to describe what, after 20 years of providing child care out of her home, she considered a two-day "nightmare." She explained that Child A and Child B's Parents received a recommendation to use her as child care. They family was from another country originally and Ms. Garon happened to be fluent in that language. She stated that this would be the first time that the children would be in care outside the home and away from their parents. It was explained to her that there had been an au pair at the home watching the children, but the parents were also present working from home. The parents told her they wanted their children to start to socialize with other children. From the moment the parents left Child A and Child B in her care there were behavior issues. Ms. Garon stated that she believes Child A was suffering from extreme separation anxiety. She could not control or console Child A. He would dart for the front door consistently or have physical "tantrums." These episodes would trigger Child B to start crying. At one point she had Child A, Child B, Child C (2-year- old male), Child D (4-year-old male) and Child E all crying at the same time. She stated that when Child A would dart towards the door, often when other parents 3 were coming in, she would have to physically prevent him from going outside. She showed me her bandaged wrist, and stated she was in so much pain she had a doctor's appointment for the next day. She agreed with the statement that she had difficulty controlling Child A and Child B while they were in her care. She made the decision after those first two days that her child care home was not an appropriate place for Child A and Child B. She stated that she could understand if the feeling was mutual. Ms. Garon stated has over 20 years of experience caring for children in her home and has cared for children with special needs. She has never encountered a situation like the one she had with Child A and Child B and extreme separation anxiety. On January 15, 2021, Ms. Garon contacted me to let me know she had been diagnosed with a sprain/strain to her left wrist. The treatment is rest to the wrist and possible physical therapy. On February 2, 2021 I interview Child C and Child D's Mother over the telephone. She stated that her children have been in Ms. Garon's care for over 4 years and she has no concerns about care. She explained that she has no worries about how Ms. Garon handles the care in her home. Child C and Child D's Mother witnessed the behavior of Child A and watched as Ms. Garon was trying to calm him. Child A came to her and asked her repeatedly about his Dad coming. He tried to leave with her out the front door. She stated that she felt bad for everyone involved. I interviewed Child E's Mother on February 2, 2021. She stated that Child E has been attending for over 2 years full-time. There have been no issues with Ms. Garon, and she has no concerns that Ms. Garon cannot take care of Child E. I tried to

R 400.1914 · .............................................................................................................................................................................................. R 400.1914 Daily activity program. ................................................. ................................... (3) All of the following developmentally appropriate opportunities must be provided daily: (b) Indoor and outdoor play, except during inclement or extreme weather, or unless otherwise ordered by a health care provider.

The complaint stated that Ms. Garon did not take the children outside to play while they are in care. During the inspection on January 14, 2021 Ms. Garon was asked if she took the children outside to play. She stated that she did not take the children outside to play during the winter months.

R 400.1915 · R 400.1915 Indoor space; play equipment and materials. (1) A child care home shall provide not less than 35 square feet per child of safe, usable, accessible indoor floor space, not including bathrooms and storage areas.

Part of the allegations included statements that Ms. Garon kept all the children in her care in one small front room unless napping. Then she used another room in the home for the napping children. There was an indication that the room was too small for all the children plus the furniture and a child's play yard. Ms. Garon's home was originally inspected and approved in January 2000. It was approved for having the adequate space of 35 square feet per child. During the current investigation and previous inspections, Ms. Garon has used the front room, both main floor bedrooms and the kitchen/dining area. All those areas have been approved for use. During the unannounced inspection Ms. Garon agreed with the statement that all the children were with her in the front room. She explained that because of Child A's behavior she could not let the children play in other areas because she did not believe she could supervise them all. Since Child A kept "bolting" to the front door she had to position herself near the door to prevent him from leaving. The rest of the children stayed with them for that time. She agreed she had the play yard out to put Child B in when she had to console Child A. She did not want Child B to go near the front door or anywhere else in the house. She had the play yard out and up in the 5 front room when Child A and Child B started and never took it down or to another room so it would be handy if she needed quickly.