R 400.8213(1)(a) · R 400.8213(1)(a) Staff; volunteer (1) All staff and volunteers present at the center shall: (a) Provide appropriate care and supervision o f children at all times.

Heather Weaver ensured that all staff provided appropriate care and supervision. The heat registers in the infant/toddler room were approved at the time of the original license. There were no concerns regarding the heat registers in the classroom and children had contact with it in the past with no injuries or signs that a child could be burned.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.9125 · R 400.9125 Staff, volunteer; requirements. (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

On 10/11/2022, the department received a complaint alleging that Weaver's Nature Based Child Care Center posted on their Facebook page that, starting the same day, there will be a wallaby onsite as a class pet and that more animals will be added. It was stated that the wallaby will have full access to the entire child care center. On 10/12/2022, child care licensing consultant Mr. Don Vita contacted the licensee designee Ms. Heather Weaver about the allegations. On the same day, he emailed her technical assistance regarding hand washing. 2 On 10/12/2022, Mr. Vita contacted the Michigan Department of Agriculture and was informed that there are no restrictions at the state or federal level related to the owning of a wallaby but that there may be local regulations. It was recommended that he share an article titled, article "A Review of Zoonotic Disease Threats to Pet Owners: A Compendium of Measures to Prevent Zoonotic Diseases associated with Non-Traditional Pets..." On the same day, he contacted the Mid-Michigan Health Department and was informed that there are no local regulations possessing or owning a wallaby or any other type of animal, but that animals are not allowed in food preparation or food service areas, including eating areas. On 10/20/2022, Mr. Vita completed an onsite inspection, speaking with both Ms. Scharfwerdt and Ms. Weaver. He reported that, upon entering the center, he noted the wallaby standing in the hallway near the office where Ms. Weaver and Ms. Scharfwerdt were. Ms. Weaver and Ms. Scharfwerdt were already aware of allegations based on his 10/12/2022 telephone call to them. Ms. Weaver explained that the wallaby is 6 months old. In the 2.5 to 3.5-year-old room, there is a play yard consisting of multiple foldable panels set up in the room as a place for the wallaby with food and water. Ms. Weaver noted that the wallaby is allowed to roam through the center, except during meal or snack time. At those times, the wallaby is shut into its play yard. Children are not allowed to interact with the wallaby during meal or snack service. Ms. Weaver and Ms. Scharfwerdt stated that children are required to wash their hands anytime they interact with the wallaby. Prior to leaving the center, Mr. Vita interacted with the wallaby in an attempt to evaluate its demeanor. He stated that he found the Wallaby to be shy, but if approached. It would allow you to touch and pet it without any reaction. He observed it to be calm and at no time did it show any signs of aggression. On 10/25/2022, Mr. Vita emailed a copy of the recommended article to Ms. Scharfschwerdt.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.

R 400.8310 · R 400.8310 Food preparation areas. (7) Live animals are prohibited in food preparation and eating areas.

The center does not have live animals in food preparation and eating areas.

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: ratio. Open / not marked corrected.