Great Lakes Child Development Center

R 400.8161(8) · R 400.8161(8) 2 LANDMARK BUILDING • 105 W. ALLEGAN STREET • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933 Michigan.gov/MiLEAP Emergency procedures. Each child care staff member shall be trained at least twice a year on his or her duties and responsibilities for all emergency procedures referenced in subrule (1) of this rule.

There was no documentation that staff were trained in emergency procedures twice yearly.

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R 400.8152(8) · R 400.8152(8) Medication; administrative procedures. Topical nonprescription medication, including but not limited to diapering cream, triple antibiotic, sunscreen, and insect repellant, requires written parental authorization annually.

There was no annual parental permission to apply nonprescription topicals to children.

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R 400.8176(12) · R 400.8176(12) Sleeping equipment. A tightly fitted bottom sheet must cover the crib or porta-crib mattress with no additional padding placed between the sheet and mattress.

Bottom sheets on infant mattresses were loose, not tightly fitted.

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R 400.8176(13) · R 400.8176(13) Sleeping equipment. Soft objects, bumper pads, stuffed toys, blankets, quilts, comforters, and other objects that could smother a child must not be placed in, or within reach of, a crib or porta-crib with a resting or sleeping infant. 3 LANDMARK BUILDING • 105 W. ALLEGAN STREET • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933 Michigan.gov/MiLEAP

Pacifiers with strings attached to swaddles were placed in cribs within reach of resting or sleeping infants.

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R 400.8176(8) · R 400.8176(8) Sleeping equipment. Swaddling with a sleep sack swaddle attachment or swaddle wrap is allowed only for infants up to 2 months of age. If a child has a health issue or special need that requires the child use a swaddle attachment or swaddle wrap after the child is 2 months of age, documentation from the health provider is required. The documentation must include specific sleeping instructions and time frames for how long the child needs to sleep in this manner, including an end date.

A 12-month-old child was observed asleep in a crib with a swaddle wrap around his midsection. Staff admitted using swaddle wraps around the midsections of children over two months old.

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R 400.8340(3) · R 400.8340(3) Food services and nutrition; provided by parents. Breast milk, formula, milk, other beverages, and food furnished in a same-day supply s must be covered and labeled with the child's first and last name and the date.

Milk and food were not labelled with the child's first and last name for multiple children.

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R 400.8152(3) · R 400.8152(3) Medication; administrative procedures. All medication must be in its original container, stored according to instructions, and clearly labeled for a named child, including all nonprescription topical medications described in subrule (8) of this rule. 4 LANDMARK BUILDING • 105 W. ALLEGAN STREET • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48933 Michigan.gov/MiLEAP

Some nonprescription medication containers were not clearly labelled for the child.

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R 400.8335(8)(b) · R 400.8335(8)(b) Food services and nutrition; provided by center. Milk must be served within 7 days of opening.

Milk opened on 1/6/25 was being served beyond 7 days of opening.

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R 400.8112(2)(e) · R 400.8112(2)(e) Comprehensive background check; fingerprinting. Within the department's child care background check system, accurately complete and maintain the connection, disconnection, or withdrawn status of each individual associated with the license.

Three staff were listed on CCBC who do not work at the facility.

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R 400.8110(3)(c) · R 400.8110(3)(c) Applicant; licensee; licensee designee; requirements. A notice stating that the center requires a comprehensive background check on its employees and unsupervised volunteers.

A notice stating the center requires comprehensive background checks on its employees and unsupervised volunteers was not accessible and visible to parents.

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R 400.8161(5) · R 400.8161(5) Emergency procedures. A fire drill program, consisting of at least 1 fire drill quarterly, must be established and implemented. Bureau

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R400.8137(11) · R400.8137(11) Diapering; toileting. (11) Equipment used for toilet learning or training must be provided. All of the following equipment is acceptable for toilet learning or training: (a) Adult-sized toilets with safe and easily cleanable modified toilet seats and step aids.

On 08/04/2022, I completed an unannounced onsite investigation. I interviewed Mrs. Patricia Schowalter, licensee designee, Ms. Carol Tamm and Ms. Tina Dankha, child care staff members. Mrs. Schowalter stated she was informed there was incident with Child A that occurred on 08/01/2022. She was not present in the preschool room when it happened but spoke with Child A's Father when he called the center upset that Child A was sent home without any shoes on; Child A was sent home with socks on his feet. Child A reportedly closed his leg while on the toilet and urine with everywhere, resulting in his clothes becoming wet. Child A had a change of clothes but did not have an extra pair of shoes to change into. Nobody explained this matter to the parents before Child A was sent out to the parents when he left for the day. Mrs. Schowalter felt this matter could have been handled better by one of the child care staff members contacting the parent to inform them what had occurred and he would be coming home without shoes. I informed Mrs. Schowalter that I would need to observe the restroom Child A used. On 08/04/2022, I observed the three- and four-year-old preschool classroom restroom. There was an adult size toilet and step stool in the restroom. There was not a modified toilet seat observed. On 08/04/2022, I interviewed Ms. Tamm. Ms. Tamm stated that normally Ms. Dankha handles the restroom breaks with the children but on this day, she was the one assisting the children. This was after naps at approximately 2:30 p.m. Child A was able to get on the potty by himself and unfortunately did not point in the toilet and urine went all over the place. She asked what happened and Child A did not respond. There was also a puddle on the floor as well. Child A is not completely potty trained. Child A's clothes were removed and replaced with dry clothes but there was not an extra set of shoes to put on him, he was left with only wearing socks. She normally completes a daily report but did not do one that day nor did she contact the parents to let them know he had an accident and no shoes to go home 3 in. She leaves at 4:00 p.m. and was not there when the Child A left for the day. Children in the room use the adult toilet, where most are able to get on by themselves with the assistance of the stepstool. If help is needed, they will assist the children in the restroom. She knows Child A's parents were upset with him going home without shoes. Ms. Tamm realizes someone should have contacted the parents prior to leaving for the day. I interviewed Ms. Dankha. Ms. Dankha stated on 08/01/2022 she was putting cots away as the children had just finish with their naps. She usually supervises the restroom breaks with the children but this day was doing something different. She was told by Ms. Tamm; Child A had an accident and there was urine on the floor. Child A was sent to her while Ms. Tamm completed cleaning the restroom. Child A was not upset or crying. She changed Child A with the clothes that were in his bin but he did not have any socks. The center has extra socks and she was able to use them but there were no extra shoes for Child A and his current pair were urine soaked. Nobody contacted the parents to let them know Child A needed another pair of shoes. Most of the children in the classroom do not need assistance in the restroom, assistance is given for children that need it. She knows that someone should have contacted the parents about Child A not having any shoes. There has only been an adult toilet in the preschool room. On 08/11/2022, I interviewed Child A's Mother by telephone. Child A's Mother stated she was concerned about Child A being left alone in the restroom on an adult toilet without having a modified seat for smaller children. She was told she would have to bring a modified toilet seat and/or potty chair if she wanted Child A to use one. She initially assumed in each room there were potty chairs for the children to use. She told Child

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R 400.8140(2)(a) · R 400.8140(2)(a) 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 08/04/2022, I interviewed Mrs. Schowalter, Ms. Tamm, and Ms. Dankha at the center. Mrs. Schowalter informed me that Child A told his mother, Ms. Tamm held him by his chin and yelled at him when he had the accident in the restroom. She did speak with Ms. Tamm about the matter and she told her did not grab his chin or yell at him. She has not had any reports from any of the parents in the room of any concerns about Ms. Tamm interactions with the children. I interviewed Ms. Tamm. Ms. Tamm stated she did not grab Child A's chin or yell at him. She worked in the child care field for the last 23 years and would never harm a child. Child A did have an accident in the restroom. She left Child A sitting on the toilet as she began to clean the floor and could have clipped his chin as she was wiping the floor and brought her arm up. She would never intentionally want to cause harm to any child in her care. Child A is not a behavioral child appears to get along with the other children but she has not observed Child A speak a lot in the classroom. I interviewed Ms. Dankha. Ms. Dankha did not hear Ms. Tamm yell at Child A and did not observe their interaction as she was in the classroom while Child A and Ms. Tamm were in the restroom. Child A did not appear upset when he exited the restroom. Once Child A's clothes were changed, he continues to play with the other children. She has not observed Ms. Tamm negatively interact with any of the children and the child care children appears to respond well to her. 5 I interviewed Child A's Mother by telephone on 08/11/2022. When she arrived at the center for pick-up and while buckling Child A into his car seat. Child A told her Ms. Tamm grabbed his chin and yelled at him because he had an accident in the restroom. He demonstrated to her what was done to him in the restroom by grabbing his chin. She thought maybe Child A was mistaken with what happen but Child A been very consistent with his story. There are no marks or bruises on Child A's face. She tried to have a discussion with the owner (Mrs. Schowalter) but it did not appear that her concerns were being taken seriously. Child A did return to the center on 08/02/2022, but after it appeared nothing would be done to address what was being said she disenrolled Child A and he has not returned. She no longer communicates verbally with the center and will only communicate by written documentation (email). Prior to this incident there were no reported concerns from Child A. I interviewed Child B's Mother by telephone on 08/11/2022. She does not have any concerns about the care Child B receives in the preschool classroom. Child B has not reported any issues in her classroom. She also has a school age child that also attends for the summer and all interaction with child care staff members have good. I interviewed Child C's Mother by telephone on 08/11/2022. Child C's Mother did not have any concerns about the care Child C receives at the center. She been happy with the care provided by the center. I interviewed Child D's Mother by telephone. Child D's Mother reported no concerns about the care Child D receives from Ms. Tamm and Ms. Dankha. Child D appears to really like the classroom and has not reported any problems to her. On 08/16/2022, I completed the exit conference with Mrs. Schowalter by telephone explaining the violation being cited in the investigation, that a corrective action plan would be required and she would receive a copy of the special investigation once approved. I also discussed with Mrs. Schowalter the importance of contacting parents when their child does not have the appropriate clothing items to return home in.

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R 400.8107 · R 400.8107 Applicant qualifications. (1) An applicant shall meet all of the following qualifications: (b) Be able to ensure that the proposed services and facilities are conducive to the welfare of children.

On September 7, 2021, I initiated my investigation by interviewing Child A's Mother. Child A's Mother explained that she has two children in care at the center, an infant and a toddler, and loves the center and the care being provided to her children. However, she is confused with the lack of direction from both the State and County in regard to mask mandates in child care settings which places children at risk. Specifically in the nursery room where not all the child care staff members are vaccinated and chose to also not wear masks around the infants they care for. The quality of care has never been an issue and the center did follow all state Covid-19 mask mandates until it was lifted in July 2021, however, it is frustrating as a parent trying to navigate the lack of direction for Covid-19 in public settings to meet the safety needs of the children being cared for outside of their family homes. On September 8, 2021, I conducted an unannounced onsite inspection where I interviewed child care staff members and observed all the classrooms that were open. I arrived at 10:20 a.m. On September 8, 2021, I interviewed Patricia Schowalter, Licensee Designee. Ms. Schowalter expressed that she and her staff are doing everything possible at the center to ensure that safety protocols are followed to keep the children attending safe and protected while in their care. Ms. Schowalter expressed that she does not take Covid-19 lightly and the safety and wellbeing of the children, their families, and her staff are very important to her. Masks were worn by all staff and children two and older during the mask mandate order from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services until the end of June 2021. Once the state mask mandate was lifted, it was decided that the center was going to leave it optional to the staff and families as to whether they wished to wear masks. The parents have been comfortable with making mask-wearing an option and with the Covid-19 protocols that have been put in place since the center's reopening in July 2020. There are masks always available to staff and children if they choose to use. Also, the center is not requiring staff be vaccinated—it is up to each individual staff whether they want to get vaccinated. There are no outside visitors permitted inside the center, temperatures are taken immediately upon entry of the center, and both children and staff must wash their hands immediately upon entering the building, and staff are mindful of any change of status in the children and contact the parents immediately. When there has been any Covid-19 exposure, the center followed all recommendations made from Macomb County Health Department, and notifications are provided to all parents for all sicknesses including Covid-19 possible exposures. In addition, keeping the center clean and sanitized is equally important--every morning at 6:30 a.m. the staff also sanitize all door handles for extra precautions. Ms. Schowalter further expressed that she firmly believes she and her staff are 3 doing the best they can to maintain the safety and welfare of the children while in their care. If the State and/or County provide another order, then the center will follow it when that time comes. On September 8, 2021, I interviewed child care staff member Mary Lou Wirth. Ms. Wirth has been working at the center for eighteen years. Ms. Wirth expressed that the center followed all the State and County mandates that were put in place since the center reopened in July 2020. All child care staff and children two and older wore masks during the child care hours at the center. However, when the mask mandate was lifted at the end of June 2021, the center chose to make the mask wearing for their staff and children optional while keeping all their Covid-19 safety protocols in place. All staff are constantly washing hands, constantly cleaning the rooms, and self-monitoring. Temperature checks are a continued practice for all staff, children, and a

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