• Violation

  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 03/25/2022 I e-mailed Licensee Designee, Allison Lowry and explained that I received a complaint that Child A was left in the hallway unsupervised for approximately two minutes. Ms. Lowry e-mailed me on 03/26/2022 stating that she received my e-mail and was aware that a special investigation had been open. I attempted an unannounced on-site inspection on 03/15/2022 and 04/29/2022, the center was closed at those times. On 05/04/2022 at approximately 11:20 AM. I interviewed Licensee Designee, Allison Lowry, at Head Start Administration Building in Paw Paw. Ms. Lowry stated she had the video footage of Child A leaving the classroom. Child A was in the hallway and unsupervised for just under two minutes. She explained that since the incident, the center has installed an alarm that is louder in volume then the one they had during the time of the incident. I reviewed the video footage of Child A leaving the classroom. According to the video, the incident occurred on 03/16/2022. I observed four Child Care Staff Members in the classroom, interacting with the children in care. At 11:03 and 25 seconds Child A walked out of the classroom. Child A walked out of the classroom at the exact time that all of the Child Care Staff Members had their backs turned away from the door. Child A walked out of the classroom and the alarm went off. No one heard the alarm. Child A was without supervision until 11:05 and 18 seconds. Child A was returned to the classroom by another employee that worked in the same building, exactly 1 minute and 53 seconds later. Child A did not leave the building, only the classroom. I made an unannounced on-site inspection on 05/11/2022 at approximately 12:15 PM. I interviewed Program Director, Shelby Basham and Child Care Staff Member, Jill Brown. Ms. Basham explained that Child A has some behavioral issues and has been known to try and leave the classroom in the past. She went on to state that she was interacting with another child and had her back towards the door at the exact time that Child A left the room. Ms. Basham stated she did not hear the alarm that is connected to the classroom door, go off when Child A left the room. Ms. Basham was very remorseful and explained that Head Start bought a new alarm that is a lot 3 louder than the original alarm. She also stated that they talked about having a Child Care Staff Member assigned to always supervise Child A. Ms. Basham believes that the center is doing everything they can to make sure the incident doesn't happen again. Ms. Brown stated that she was prepping lunch when Child A left the room. She was prepping on the counter by the office area. She had a clear view of the entire classroom; however she was busy preparing lunch. She stated that she looked up from prepping lunch and noticed that Child A was not in the room. Ms. Brown stated she was just about to ask one of the other Child Care Staff Members where Child A was when another employee who works in the building brought Child A back to the classroom. Ms. Brown stated that the classroom now has an alarm that is a lot louder than the original alarm. The staff also makes sure they are always watching Child A. Ms. Brown confirmed that Child A did not leave the building, only the classroom. On 05/19/2022 I conducted telephone interviews with Child B's Mother, Child C's Mother, Child D's Mother and Child E's Mother. None of the parents had any concerns about the center. That same date I left telephone messages for Child A's Mother and Child Care Staff Members, Shari Fergison and Stephanie Rochefort. I have not heard from them to date.

Child A was left unsupervised in the hallway for approximately two minutes.

Disposition: Substantiated