................. I R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.
On 11/16/2021 Ms. Gentry contacted me to report an incident that involved inappropriate contact between child care staff member, Galina Petrova and Child A. She stated she was informed by Oakland Family Services Human Resource Department on 11/15/2021, that Ms. Petrova pushed Child A down onto his cot every time he moved at naptime, Child A was refused necessary toilet use, and was not allowed to get up from nap after the other children were awake. Ms. Elizabeth Thomas told Ms. Gentry that Ms. Petrova told Child A, "Pee on your cot. You're a baby. I am putting you (Child A) in a diaper." Ms. Gentry stated the incident occurred on 11/10/2021. On 11/17/2021 I received Child A's information record. On 11/18/2021 I received a written incident report, detailing the incident. 3 On 11/19/2021 I conducted an inspection at Children's Learning Center in Walled Lake. I interviewed Ms. Petrova and observed video footage of the incident. I was not able to interview Program Director, Kathryn Chinavare because she had left early for the day. Ms. Gentry informed me that on the date of the incident, classrooms 1 and 6 were combined due to low enrollment. Child care staff members Elizabeth Thomas (room 1, Lead Substitute) and Galina Petrova (room 6, Lead Substitute) worked together in Room 1. There were 9 children ages 3- and 4-years old present. When Ms. Gentry was informed of the incident, she requested video footage from the date of the incident. Ms. Gentry indicated that the footage clearly showed Ms. Petrova place Child A's blanket over his head, grab Child A's arm, reposition him on the cot, push his head down, and at one point, appears to smack him in the head. Ms. Gentry stated that Ms. Petrova's body language was threatening. When rest time was over, Child A remained on his cot. All the other children were putting their blankets away and choosing toys to play with, and Ms. Petrova continued to make Child A remain on his cot. The child was visibly upset. He cried as he watched other children play at the table. Ms. Gentry learned Child Care Staff Member, Elizabeth Thomas told Program Director, Kathryn Chinavare about the inappropriate contact between Ms. Petrova and Child A on 11/10/2021, however, Ms. Chinavare did not report the incident to Ms. Gentry. Ms. Gentry stated that Ms. Chinavare told her that she had not seen the part of the footage where Ms. Petrova physically handled the child and was upset by what she observed. On 11/16/2022 Ms. Gentry verbally informed the department of the allegations. On 11/18/2021 the department received written information regarding the incident. Ms. Gentry stated she contacted Child A's Grandmother on 11/15/2021, 11/16/2021, and 11/17/2021, but had no response. She received a return call on 11/18/2021 from Child A's grandmother. Ms. Gentry informed her of the incident. Child A's grandmother was upset but thanked her for letting her know. On 11/15/2021, Ms. Chinavare said Ms. Gentry informed her of the physical discipline allegations by Ms. Petrova and together they watched video footage of the naptime incident. After watching the video, Ms. Gentry informed Ms. Petrova that she will be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. Ms. Petrova has not returned since. On 11/19/2021 I reviewed video footage of the incident. There was no audio available. Video Footage Preschool I 1:20 pm — all children laid on their cots. Ms. Petrova lifted Child A's cot up by the corner about 12 to 18 inches off the floor then dropped it to the ground. Child A moved his right arm up and down then turned to his side. Ms. Petrova is turned towards Ms. Thomas. It 4 appears the pair are talking. Child A tried to sit up. Ms. Petrova pushed him with her left arm. She pulled him by his arm to reposition him on his cot. His head hits the cot. 1:28 pm- Ms. Thomas left the classroom (for break) 1:31 pm- Child A tried to sit up. Ms. Petrova pushed the top of his forehead with her hand. He fell back to his cot. She is sitt