• Violation

  R 400.8161(1)(e) · R 400.8161(1)(e) Emergency procedures. Crisis management including, but not limited to, intruders, active shooters, bomb threats, and other man-made events. Bureau

  Open Not marked corrected in the state record

  Open / not marked corrected.

• Violation

  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. 4

  On 06/01/2021, 1 interviewed Child A's Mother regarding the complaint that Child A was left unattended on the playground. Child A's Mother reported that she arrived to the child care center "later than usual" and she added that she knew she got out of her car at 5:38pm because she had sent an email for 2 work and noted the time. As she walked to the building, Child A's Mother reported that she heard "mom" from the fenced outdoor play area and saw Child A's hands reaching through the crack of the fence. Child A's Mother said that she saw Program Director Martha Sweet Phelps through the window of the child care center and Ms. Sweet Phelps seemed surprised to see her as if "she thought Child A had already been picked up." Ms. Sweet Phelps came out to assist with getting the fence opened and commented that "he (Child A) had only been out for a few minutes" adding that Child A, "shouldn't hide like that." Child A's Mother stated that she usually picks Child A up at about 5:15pm and stated that the class usually comes inside about 5:00pm so she worried about how long Child A had been outside unattended. Child A's Mother reported that Child A seemed "OK" but did state that he was "scared and kept calling out for someone to come get him." He also had a toileting accident while outside which was "very unlike him" which could speak to the amount of the time that he was outside unsupervised. Ms. Sweet Phelps brought Child A inside and changed his clothes, during that time, Child A's Mother noticed Child B inside the room with no other adult present meaning the Child B had been unattended during the few minutes they were outside. Additionally, Child A's Mother noted that there was only one other car in the parking lot when she arrived and left the child care center. Prior to this incident Child A's Mother said that she did not have concerns regarding the care and supervision, however she did disenroll Child A from the child care center and stated that she felt that she was "getting the runaround" as far as how this could happen. On 06/01/2021, I conducted an unannounced onsite inspection at the child care center and interviewed Program Director Martha Sweet Phelps, Child Care Staff Members Courtney Wilson, Mackenzie Bigelow and Licensee Christy Hill. Ms. Sweet Phelps reported that she and Child Care Staff Members Courtney Wilson and Mackenzie Bigelow were present on 05/25/2021. Ms. Wilson was outside with Ms. Sweet Phelps and Ms. Bigelow was inside. Ms. Sweet Phelps was not aware of how many children were present or what time she brought children inside from the outdoor play area but did say that they "stayed out longer than usual." Ms. Sweet Phelps reported that she checked the playground and did not recall missing any children from her count. Ms. Sweet Phelps stated that she did not know what happened and did not know how long he was unattended. I requested a copy of the children's and the staff attendance. I reviewed the records which indicated that Ms. Sweet Phelps was the only child care staff member present after 5:30pm with Child B and Child C. The attendance records show that Child A had been checked out at 5:25pm by child care staff member Mackenzie Bigelow. I asked Ms. Sweet Phelps if she was alone when Child A's Mother arrived because the attendance records reflect that she was alone however Ms. Sweet Phelps had previously stated there were two other staff members present. I also asked how child A had been checked out at 5:25pm, however Child A's Mother was certain she 3 arrived late and at approximately 5:38pm. Ms. Sweet Phelps was not sure about how many children were present and stated that she "may" have been alone after 5:30pm. I explained that I was concerned that Child A had been checked out by Ms. Bigelow, when he was still present, and that if Ms. Sweet Phelps had been referring to the attendance, she would not have known to look for Child A. Ms. Sweet Phelps stated that she was not sure if this is what happened on 05/

Child A was left outside on 05/25/2021, unattended while staff members were not aware of his location.

Disposition: Substantiated