• Violation

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

  On 2/14/2022, I interviewed complainant. Complainant arrived to pick up Child B and heard a child being hit. Complainant heard child care staff member, Eraina Clark chanting from across the room hit him back, hit him back. Ms. Clark never got up from her seat to intervene. Ms. Clark does not do anything about 2 Child A's hitting because Child A's Mother told Ms. Clark to let the other children hit him back. Complainant has heard a smack in the past and then a cry, but not sure if it was Child A hitting another child. Ms. Clark is usually in the class by herself unless a second staff person is needed. Complainant has spoken to CCSM, Linda Stover on several occasions about their concerns regarding Child A. She has not done anything about it. She mentioned that Child A is on the spectrum. On 2/14/2022, I conducted an onsite inspection and interviewed licensee, Shirley Mahoney. She has spoken with both parents regarding Child A's behavior. Child A's Mother blamed his behavior on having an older brother at home. Child A's Mother is called to pick him up when his behavior is uncontrollable. She has not heard Ms. Clark tell the children to hit Child A back when he hits them. She was not aware that Child A's Mother gave Ms. Clark permission to allow other children to his Child A back when he hits them. On 2/14/2022, I interviewed CCSM, Ms. Clark. Ms. Clarks works in the classroom alone. She said she does not remember telling the children to hit Child A back when he hit them. Child A has hit other children in the classroom. Child A's Mother told Ms. Clark to let the other children hit him back then maybe he would stop. Ms. Clark told Child A's Mother she could not allow that. Ms. Clark does not like to see the children fight. Ms. Clark tries to redirect Child A's attention to something else when he tries to hit the other children. On 2/14/2022, I interviewed CCSM, Ms. Stover. Ms. Stover works at the front desk and is not in the classroom. She said two families brought to her attention concerns regarding Child A hitting their children. She informed Ms. Mahoney of their concerns and Ms. Mahoney spoke with them. On 2/16/2022, I interviewed Child A's Mother. She said she gave Ms. Clark permission to allow the children to hit Child A back when he hits them. Ms. Clark told her that she could not allow that. On 2/17/2022, I interviewed Child C's Father. He has never heard Ms. Clark tell the children to hit Child A back after he hits one of them. He did not report concerns for the center. On 3/3/2022, I interviewed Child D's Mother. She has never heard Ms. Clark tell the children to hit Child A back after he hits one of them. She did not report any concerns for the center. 3

Child care staff member, Eraina Clark, encourages children to hit Child A (3-year-old male) back instead of intervening.

Disposition: Substantiated