• Violation

  R 400.8125 · 1 R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.

  During my unannounced onsite inspection on December 16, 2020, I interviewed Brenda Browers, owner, and Mychell Molnar, program director. Ms. Browers shared that Child L, age 6, was never left unattended. The office area is near the front door. From the hallway you enter the large main office and off that room is Ms. Browers' office and Ms. Molnar's office. Ms. Browers said she was at the door of her office, which gives a good view through the main office and into the hallway. The 5 and 6-year-old class of children were coming in from recess. The children and staff came through both sets of doors, except Child L. He lagged behind, allowing the inner door to close with him between the two sets of doors. Child L pushed the handicap button to let himself in. Carmen Weller, staff member, was within 15 feet of the door at the hallway table and was able to see Child L through the glass door. Ms. Browers stated that "[Child L] can be a little slow but he does not have a special needs diagnosis." Sara Carrasco, assistant director, said she was standing in the main office when the children walked by on their way in from recess. She then heard the automatic open mechanism on the door activate. There is a window from the main office into the vestibule between the two doors. Ms. Carrasco said she turned toward the window when she heard the door open. She said she saw Child L's head in the vestibule and then he came into the hall as a staff member came up the hall to get him. Mychell Molnar, program director, said she heard about the incident when she returned to the office. She was not onsite when the incident occurred. Carmen Weller, staff member, said she and Taylor Craig were outside with the children. At approximately 3:00 pm, they gathered the children onto the cement area to walk back into the building. The playground area is behind the building and not fenced. Ms. Weller stated that Child L was moving slow but got in line. By the time they arrived at the door he was behind her, but he came into the vestibule. As she entered the second door, Child L retrieved his mask from the vestibule table. He waited for the door to shut because he likes to push the automatic open button. Ms. Weller said that between her and Ms. Carrasco, someone could always see Child L. Jackie Collier, staff member, said she was not aware of the incident involving Child L. She had not heard anyone talking about it. Heidi Kolp, staff member, had also not heard about the incident with Child L being left in the vestibule. On December 21, 2020, I received a call from Aubrie Ross, former staff member. Ms. Ross stated that she was at the center on December 9, 2020. She was outside 3 with the children until approximately 2:50pm, when she went inside to set up snack. The children came in at approximately 3:00pm. A few minutes later she heard Ms. Browers over the walkie talkie asking, "Where is [Child L]." Then Ms. Browers came to her room asking where Child L was. Ms. Ross saw Ms. Browers and Ms. Carrusco watching the video from the security cameras. They then talked with the three staff members and told them they could clearly see Child L walking up to the building by himself. Ms. Ross also informed me that Carmen Weller told her that she lied to me when I interviewed her on December 16, 2020. She told Ms. Ross that she was on the playground with her class when I was at the center. Mychell Molnar went to get her so that I could interview her. Ms. Weller further added that Ms. Molnar told her to say that Child L was in the vestibule alone, not outside on the playground. I informed Ms. Ross that I would need to hear that information from Ms. Weller herself. On December 21, 2020, I interviewed Child L's Mother. She was unaware that her son had been left unattended outside while at the child care center. She stated that he is on the autism spectrum and sometimes moves at his own pace. Child L's Mother stated that she mentioned this to staff right after her son began attend

Child L was left outside unattended on December 9, 2020.

Disposition: Substantiated