Bussey Center for Early Childhood Education

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.

Based on the interviews that were completed and the video footage that was reviewed, there is sufficient evidence to support that LT and Teacher did not provide appropriate care and supervision for Child A when Child A was left unsupervised in the bathroom for five minutes.

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R 400.8140(1) · R 400.8140(1) Discipline. Positive methods of discipline that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation must be used.

Based on the interviews that were conducted and the video footage that was reviewed, there is insufficient evidence to support that LC did not use positive methods of discipline that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation. Specifically, there is insufficient evidence to support that during nap time, on 03/14/2025, LC aggressively held Child A's leg.

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R 400.8125(2) · R 400.8125(2) Staff; volunteer; requirements. All staff and volunteers shall act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children.

Based on the interviews that were conducted and the video footage that was reviewed, there is insufficient evidence to support that LC did not act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children.

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R 400.8140(1) · R 400.8140(1) Discipline. Positive methods of discipline that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation must be used.

Based on the interviews that were conducted and the video footage that was reviewed, there is insufficient evidence to support that LC did not use positive methods of discipline that encourage self-control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation. Specifically, there is insufficient evidence to support that during nap time, LC grabbed Child A by his neck because he would not stay on his cot.

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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 11/30/2022 interviewed Child A's mother via telephone. Child A's mother stated t Child A told her tha pinched him on the lower right arm. There were no marks or bruises left, but reportedly cried after he was pinched. Child A's mother said that this is the first time that had pinched Child A. On 12/02/2022 interviewed Child A's mother in person. Child A's mother stated Child A told her that had pinched him on his arm. Child A's mother denied having any past concerns regarding the care that was provided to Child A at the center. Child A's mother stated that this was the first time that Child A has been in child care and indicated that the beginning of the year had been a struggle. Child A had a hard time adjusting to the change and would often cry and become upset. Child A's mother stated that Child A now seems to be doing better and adjusting to being at the center. On 12/06/2022 and I conducted an unannounced on-site inspection, We interviewed (lead caregiver-GSRP-Blue Dog classroom), and (assistant staff member-GSRP-Blue Dog classroom). Interviews were conducted privately in office. stated that works as an assistant staff member in the Blue Dog classroom, which as childrreenn ages 3'/Z-5 years. has worked at the center since February 2022. stated that has no history of any disciplinary action in her personnel file, and that no concerns of inappropriate care by her had been reported to any of the management team prior to this incident. W said that she was surprised by these allegations, since is we e y the children, staff, and parents. is always engaged with the children, and they seem well-bonded to her. stated that all staff members are trained on the center'01disci line policy and are aware that any form of corporal punishment is prohibited. indicated that staff members use problem solving and redirection fo sroom discipline, said that Child A has a history of behavioral problems in the classroom. Child A is aggressive with the other children and often hits his peers. Child A also uses inappropriate language in the classroom, stated that many of the center's staff members have experience s ongoing behavioral issues, and they are all working on redirecting the inappropriate behavior and language. Child A attends the program 3 every day from 8:30am-3:0opm. On 11 /20/2022 Child A signed in at 8:30am and left the center around 3:00pm, the exact time was not documented on the sign-out sheet. stated that she is the lead caregiver in the Blue Dog classroom and works Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:00pm. works directly with ■ _ Monday-Thursday. denied ever seeing use any form of physical disci line with any of the children or act inappropriately while in the classroom, said that uses verbal redirection when working with children that are struggling to follow the classroom rules. stated that sometimes will hold a child's hand and guide them to another area of the classroom fful e"Ne hat she has ever seen pinch a child or hurt them in anyway. stated that Child A has a history of being defiant and can be challenging to work with at times. stated that Child A can be physical with the other children and does not like to be told what to do. stated that they are in the process of starting to keep a behavioral chart on Child A since his behavior is escalating. denied receiving any complaints from parents or the children regarding behavior, indicated that she worked in the classroom with all day on and denied ever seeing ■ " pinch Child A. denied seeing Child A crying that day or say anyvAt g about being pinched, stated that Child A likes to come to her and tell her about anything that as happened or any "injury" he gets, so she is surprised that he did not mention anything that day to her about being pinched. stated that she has worked alongside since October 2022. works Monday-Friday from 7:30am-4:oopm said that works well with the childrWn denied ever seeing act Opriately with the children. ted that she has observed verbally redirecting

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R 400.8365 · R 400.8365 Heating; temperature. (3) If temperatures exceed 82 degrees Fahrenheit, then a center shall take measures to cool the children.

On 11/30/2022 the temperature on the center was 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The center did not take measure to cool the children.

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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 09/09/2022, Dr. Thompson emailed an incident report. The incident report stated at 2:30 p.m., on 09/08/2022, the class was lined up to go to the playground prior to dismissal. Ms. Burtley was standing in front of the children in the line and Ms. Robinson was standing in the back of the line. Before leaving the classroom, Ms. Burtley had counted students and had a copy of the sign out sheet and emergency 2 cards to take with her to the playground. When Ms. Burtley opened the classroom door, parents arrived to pick up their children. Upon observing parents, Ms. Burtley proceeded to walk out of the classroom door with the children and then instructed the children to line up against the wall. The children were excited to see their parents and started to run toward them. Ms. Burtley started handing the clipboard to parents so she could sign the children out to their parents. While the children ran towards their parents, Ms. Robinson stood by the open classroom door. While Ms. Burtley was signing children out, she observed Child A dart off out of the line and run away. A parent said, "That's my child. He can go." Ms. Burtley did not attempt to retrieve Child A and bring him back to her line. She later determined that Child A did not belong to the parent who spoke to her. After Ms. Burtley dismissed the children, Ms. Robinson went outside to the playground to get some air. While she was outside, she noticed Child A. Ms. Robinson stayed with Child A on the playground until he was picked up. Child A was outside for 15 to 20 minutes before Ms. Burtley realized he was on the playground. Ms. Burtley informed Child A's parent that he left her line and went outside on the playground unattended. There were other children and staff from other classrooms on the playground when Child A was outside. On 09/09/2022, I received and reviewed witness statements. Ms. Hawk-Dickerson wrote a witness statement dated 09/09/2022. She stated on 09/08/2022, between 3:00 p.m. and 3:10 p.m., she and Mr. Micheaux were counting their children for dismissal. When they counted their children, they had an extra child that was not in their class. Ms. Hawk-Dickerson looked around the area for a child care staff member he might belong to and noticed Ms. Robinson on the playground, in the back near the castle. She did not know that Ms. Robinson worked in the Blue Dog classroom because Ms. Burtley was not present the entire time they were on the playground, since around 2:30 p.m. As Ms. Hawk-Dickerson proceeded to go into the building to take the child to the administration office, Ms. Robinson said to her, "She had no idea that he was left behind and left behind that long." She also stated, "The class went back in a while ago." Ms. Hawk-Dickerson looked around again for Ms. Burtley and she was not on the playground. She and Mr. Micheaux proceeded to walk to their classroom, when Ms. Robinson said, "I'll take him in." She released him to Ms. Robinson to take back to class. Mr. Micheaux wrote an undated witness statement. He stated on 09/08/2022, while having his class out on the playground during dismissal, he noticed that he had an extra child who was from another class. He received no response after asking him his name and his classroom. Ms. Hawk-Dickerson went inside to ask child care staff members if they were missing a child. At which point, he asked Ms. Robinson, who works in the Blue Dog classroom and was sitting on the playground, if she knew which classroom the child belongs to. She had not been outside for more than 10 minutes. She responded, "He's from our class. I didn't even know he was out here for that long." Ms. Robinson then began to walk the child back to the Blue Dog classroom. When she was still outside, she was met at the door by the child's grandmother, who picked him up about 3:20 p.m. Ms. Burtley was not outside when the incident occurred. 3 On 09/13/2022, I interviewed Dr. Thompson at the center. Dr. Thompson said Ms. Burtley and Ms. Robinson

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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 10/04/2021 I spoke to Program Director, Janice Hill. She informed me that Child A (four-year old, female), was left unattended in the hallway during a bathroom break that occurred on 09/30/2021. She stated that child care staff member, Cecelia Burtley took a group of 11 preschool age children to the bathroom located down the hall, through the double doors, and down the hallway on the left. She said that Child A wandered away and was found by child care staff member, Andre Richardson. Ms. Hill stated that Mr. Richardson returned Child A to the bathroom area and then joined the group as a second staff member. On 10/04/2021 I received a written incident report from Ms. Hill, detailing the incident. The written report stated the following: On 09/30/2021, Ms. Burtley was alone in the combined classroom that consisted of children from the Horse and Blue Dog classrooms. Mr. Richardson was on lunch break. Ms. Burtley stated children woke up before rest time was over. Around 1:50 pm children asked to be taken to the restroom. Ms. Burtley took the entire class to the restroom down the hallway and around the corner. Ms. Burtley separated the group into two groups: boys and girls. She stood in on the corner of the hallway and sent the group of boys down the hallway to the restroom while watching the girls standing against the wall near her. She turned the corner to check on the boys using the bathroom and then returned to her previous position next to the girls. She looked to her left and observed Mr. Richardson holding Child A's hands and walking towards the group of girls. He returned Child A to the group of girls and then assisted the boys in the restroom. On 10/06/2021, I completed an unannounced on-site inspection at Bussey Center. I interviewed Ms. Burtley and Mr. Richardson. I was not able to interview Ms. Hill. She was not present in the building, due to a previously scheduled day off. Ms. Burtley and Mr. Richardson both said that the Blue Dog (4-year-old, preschool) Room and the Horse Room (4-year-old, preschool) Room were combined and that they provided breaks for one another during naptime that occurred from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. Ms. Burtley took her lunch break from 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm and Mr. Richardson took his break from 1:15 pm to 2:00 pm. Both staff members stated that Child A was found unattended in the hallway and brought back to the group of children by Mr. Richardson. I interviewed Mr. Richardson. He stated that he observed Child A standing alone in the hallway as he was on his way back to the classroom from his lunch break. He stated Child A was not upset or injured in any way; it appeared that she wandered away from the rest of the group. Mr. Richardson said Child A was about 10 feet past the classroom door heading towards the front of the building (away from the classroom) when he found her. Mr. Richardson said he was surprised to see her, but 3 he immediately took her to the bathrooms to be with the rest of the class. Mr. Richardson stated he joined Ms. Burtley and assisted children in the boy's bathrooms. He said that Child A was not far from the rest of the children. The hallway circles around the building, and Child A was just around the curve of the circle. The classroom is not far from the bathroom. I interviewed Ms. Burtley. She said she worked alone in the classroom during nap time while Mr. Richardson took his break. Ms. Burtley stated that all children woke up earlier than usual and that some children asked her to use the bathroom. She felt that she should not have taken the children to the bathroom by herself and should have asked the office for help, but she didn't because she expected that Mr. Richardson would be back soon from his lunch break. She said she knew she was out of ratio. She had more than 12 children with her but was unable to recall the exact number of children present. At around 1:50 pm, Ms. Burtley took all the children to the restroom. The restrooms are located down the hall and to t

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R 400.8182 · ........ R 400.8182 Ratio and group size reqq uuiirreemmeennttss.. (3) In each room or well-defined space, the maximum group size and ratio of child care staff members to children, including children related to a staff member or the licensee, must be as shown in Table 4: d)Preschoolers, 4 years of age through 5 years old shall be in a child to child care staff member ratio of 1 to 12. The group size is not applicable.

Child to child care staff member ratios were not met on 09/30/2021. Child care staff members worked alone in the classroom from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm with 13 children present.

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R 400.8110 · R 400.8110 1 Applicant; licensee; licensee designee; requirements. (6) The licensee or licensee designee shall maintain accurate records detailing daily arrival and departure times for each child care staff member, child care aide, and volunteer. C.

On 09/30/2021, accurate records of child care staff attendance were not maintained.

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