Kennedy Head Start Room

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 04/13/2022, I received a telephone call from Mrs. Sarah Smith, program director/lead child care staff member. Mrs. Smith stated she was calling to self-report that as she was returning to the classroom with children from restroom use, Child A 2 was left behind. She will be completing an incident report and will send completed report to me. On 04/13/2022, I received a copy of the incident report, written statements completed by Mrs. Smith and Ms. Joann Portalski by email from Mrs. Smith. On 04/14/2022, I interviewed Child A's Mother by telephone. Child A's Mother stated she was informed by Mrs. Smith of the incident of Child A being left behind in the restroom during the transition from the restroom back to the classroom. Child A's Mother was understanding and was not concern as Child A loves Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Smith has been a great teacher and has done a wonderful job with Child A since she has been in her classroom. Child A is known for to be a "wandering child" and will disappear in a moment. Child A's Mother is aware since this incident changes have been made. Child A's hands will be held during transitions to ensure she is not left behind. On 04/19/2022, I completed an onsite investigation at the center. I interviewed Mrs. Smith, Ms. Portalski, Ms. Jessica Maltice, Ms. Melissa Pluszczynski, and Mrs. Rashidah Hammond. Mrs. Smith stated in all of her years she had never left a child behind. This was really bothering her as she prides herself in taking care of the children in her classroom. On 04/13/2022, the scheduling was a little different, as she left earlier for her break and when she returned the children were already in the hallway for restroom use before preparing for lunch. They were behind for lunch and wanting to get the children settled as quickly as possible, it was decided Ms. Portalski would return to the classroom first. There were 15 children in total, 10 children left with Ms. Portalski and she stayed behind with five girls. Ms. Portalski returned to the classroom to get lunch on the table for the children. She waited until all of the children had finished using the restroom. Child A was on the wall in the restroom waiting to return to the room. She counted she had five children. Mrs. Smith normally walk backward when she is walking through the hallway to supervise the children but in this instance she did not and walked with her back towards the children. She entered the classroom and all of the children ran in at once. She counted and thought she had 15 children. Ms. Portalski told her they only had 14 children in the room. She had never left being near the door as soon as she opened the door. Child A and Ms. Maltice were right at the door. It was approximately two minutes that Child A was not with the class and left behind. Since this incident occurred, changes have been made. Child A is now at the front of the line, holding hands with a child care staff member, two child care staff members are always together when transitioning out of the classroom, more counting and name to face is occurring when transitioning. Mrs. Smith did not want any child left behind again. 3 I interviewed Ms. Portalski; Ms. Portalski stated the classroom was transitioning to the restroom prior to lunch beginning. Lunch preparation was running behind. In order to get lunch on the table it was decided that she would return to the classroom with the children who had completed restroom use and Mrs. Smith would stay behind with the five children that was finishing. She returned with the 10 children and prepared lunch, soon after Mrs. Smith returned with the four children. Ms. Portalski realized as she was looking at the seating one chair was empty. She told Mrs. Smith there were only 14 children in the room and not 15. Mrs. Smith again counted and realized they were short one child when she turned to go through the door to find Child A; Child A was coming through with another child care staff member. Child A came into the room and a

View state record