R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (a) Hitting, spanking, shaking, biting, pinching, or inflicting other forms of corporal punishment.

On 11/16/2022, I received a complaint alleging that, on an unknown recent date, Child A's teacher hit him in the face. No marks were observed. Child A's teacher also poked him in the arm with something sharp. On 11/18/2022, I contacted Child A's Mother regarding the allegations. Child A's Mother inquired why the allegations were being investigated by licensing and that an officer from Mecosta County Sheriff's Department had already been to the home last Sunday to verify Child A's well-being. At that time, Child A denied that he was hit by a child care staff member (CCSM). Child A's Mother explained that she did not believe that a CCSM hit Child A. She was explaining to someone that Child A often 2 makes up stories. She provided the example that Child A told her that he was slapped in the face by a CCSM, but she did not see any marks on him to indicate it had happened. Child A has been known to make up stories recently. Child A's Mother has been asking Child A how school is going, and Child A has reported having good days. Child A's Mother reports that they recently had parent teacher conferences and it was reported that Child A is doing great. Child A's Mother has no concerns regarding the care that Child A receives at school. On 11/21/2022, I completed an unannounced onsite inspection. I met with program director Ms. Barbara Buskirk. Ms. Buskirk is the lead caregiver in Child A's classroom, and she has been the lead since the beginning of the school year when Child A started. Ms. Buskirk has never seen any child be slapped or poked by any CCSM. She stated their discipline policy is to use positive reinforcement and redirection. They do not use time outs or physical discipline. The children are never alone with only one CCSM. The classroom always has 2-3 staff members. Ms. Buskirk stated that last week they had parent teacher conferences and Child A's Mother reported having struggles with Child A's behaviors. Child A has minimal behavioral issues in the classroom. Ms. Buskirk reports that Child A's Mother stated Child A is sometimes combative with her at home, but they do not have that experience with Child A at school. Child A plays well with others. Child A has been enrolled since the beginning of the year and is rarely absent. I interviewed CCSM Claire Tefft, who is the assistant in Child A's classroom. Ms. Tefft denied ever seeing a child care staff member slap, hit, or poke Child A or any other child. Child A has some behavior issues, however, is not aggressive but can be verbally loud. Child A can be redirected and listens. There are usually three staff members present in the classroom. Sometimes there will be a 2/1 staff member split if someone has to go to the bathroom. Ms. Teftt has never observed any staff members to be inappropriate or physical with any of the children in care. I interviewed CCSM Michelle Steiner. Ms. Steiner stated she has never witnessed or heard of any child care staff member hitting, slapping or poking a child in care. The center usually has three staff members present in the classroom. Ms. Steiner did not have any concerns with Child A's behavior. She has never seen any staff members be physical with any children in care. She does not have any concerns regarding any staff and how they discipline children. On 12/29/2022, I completed interviews with Child B's Mother, Child C's Mother, and Child D's Mother. All of the mothers reported that they did not have any concerns regarding care, supervision or discipline that their children received in Ms. Buskirk's classroom. 3

Open Not marked corrected in the state record

Category: supervision. Open / not marked corrected.