Kids Campus

722.115n(3) Application for or renewal of license to operate child care center, group child care home, or family child care home; household member or child care staff member; criminal history check; requirements; duties of department. Each individual listed in subsection (1) shall give written consent at the time of the license application and before a group child care home or family child care home allows an individual to be a member of the household, or before becoming a child care staff member to allow the department of state police to conduct the criminal history check required under subsection (1). The department shall require the individual to submit his or her fingerprints to the department of state police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the criminal history check as required in subsection (1).

Out of the six staff records reviewed four of the consent/Disclosure forms were signed after the fingerprinting was completed.

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R 400.8525(4) · R 400.8525(4) Exits. Exit doors and all doors in the means of egress shall be side-hinged and equipped with knob, lever-type, non-locking-against-egress, or panic-type hardware.

There was panic-type hardware around the exit doors of infant room and toddler room.

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R 400.8134(4) · R 400.8134(4) Hand washing. Guidelines for hand washing must be posted in food preparation areas, in toilet rooms, and by all hand washing sinks. Technical Assistance Technical assistance is support and training given to the licensee/licensee designee on a specific rule. Technical assistance includes consultation on how the facility can best maintain compliance with a rule.

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R 400.8161(8) · R 400.8161(8) 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. Technical Assistance Technical assistance is support and training given to the licensee/licensee designee on a specific rule. Technical assistance includes consultation on how the facility can best maintain compliance with a rule.

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R 400.8176(17)(b) · R 400.8176(17)(b) Sleeping equipment. Bedding must not come in contact with other bedding. Bureau

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R 400.8365 · R 400.8365 Heating; temperature. ................................................... ....................................... (1) The temperature in child use areas must be maintained at a safe and comfortable level so that children in care do not become overheated or chilled.

On 02/09/2023 the complainant stated that in December of 2022 the center did not have heat for two or three days. The complainant did not know the exact dates that the center did not have heat. The children had to wear their coats and the parents were not informed that the heat was not working. To her knowledge the parents did not notice that the center was cold. She was not sure of the temperature, but it was cold, like a freezer, inside of the center and Ms. Pieters did not close the center. The heat was fixed on the second or third day. She was not sure of the exact date. 2 On 02/10/2023 Ms. Pieters stated that the center has always had heat and she has not had any repairs done to the furnace. She was not sure why anyone would say that the center was cold at any time. She would never have children in a freezing building. Ms. Kolpus, Ms. Chambers, Mr. Bradshaw, and Ms. Francis stated that the center has always had heat and the center has never been cold or without heat.

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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.

On 02/09/2023 the complainant stated that the program director Ms. Pieters will push the children's heads down on their cots in multiple classrooms during naptime and yells at them if they will not go to sleep. The complainant observed this during nap time when she was a floater. It occurred in several of the classrooms. The complainant did not have specific days or classrooms. There are 5 classrooms at the center. Four are used during the school year, including the infant, toddler, preschool and pre-k classrooms. The additional classroom is the school age classroom. On 02/10/2023 Ms. Pieters stated that she does not work in the classroom during naptime. She will cover breaks in the Preschool 2 classroom, but when she arrives the children are asleep. She has never pushed the children's heads down for any reason and she does not yell at the children. She tells the child care staff members that naptime is an option because there are children that do not sleep, and she tells them to provide the children with a quiet activity. There are cameras in the classrooms, but they only store the recording for two weeks. 3 Ms. Kolpus, Mr. Bradshaw, and Ms. Francis stated that they have never observed Ms. Pieters yelling or pushing the children's heads down during naptime. They stated that Ms. Pieters covers the classrooms during naptime, if needed but she does not put the children down for nap. Ms. Chambers has never worked with Ms. Pieters during naptime, and she has not heard Ms. Pieters yelling at the children. She said that Ms. Pieters has covered breaks in the past but not recently.

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R 400.8140 · R 400.8140 Discipline. (2) All of the following means of punishment are prohibited: (a) Hitting, spanking, shaking, biting, pinching, or inflicting other forms of corporal punishment. 4 I

The center did not utilize prohibited punishment. Ms. Pieters stated that she does not push the children's heads down during nap. Ms. Kolpus, Mr. Bradshaw, and Ms. Francis stated that they have never observed Ms. Pieters pushing the children's heads down during naptime.

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R 400.8176 · R 400.8176 Sleeping equipment. ........................... ... ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................... (13) 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 orta-crib with a resting or sleeping infant.

On 05/05/2022, I received a complaint stating that children in the infant and toddler rooms are laid down for naps with blankets and bottles. No further information was obtained as the complainant did not leave any contact information. On 05/09/2022, I conducted an unannounced inspection to the center from 12:32 PM to 1:49 PM. I informed the licensee, Ms. Aiello and program director Ms. Peters about the allegations. Ms. Aiello stated that infants are never laid down with bottles and/or blankets in their cribs. On 05/09/2022, I observed the toddler and infant rooms. In the infant room, I observed four children and one child care staff member. Two infants were asleep in their crib, one child was awake on the floor, and one child was seated at a table. The infants that were in the cribs were asleep on mattresses with tightly fitted sheets, and no blankets or other objects were in the cribs. Child care staff member Ms. Radlick stated that she has never covered infants with blankets in their cribs. Ms. Radlick has worked at the child care center since 1998 and has been in the infant room practically the entire time she has worked at the child care center. Ms. Radlick stated if the infants fall asleep on the floor or in the swing, she places them in their assigned crib on their back to sleep. She has not had any parents complain to her and believes most parents like her. On 06/08/2022, I conducted an unannounced inspection to the child care center from 1:15 PM to 1:40 PM. I interviewed child care staff member Ms. Kolpus. Ms. Kolpus was on vacation during the first unannounced onsite inspection. She stated that she is aware of the ongoing investigation. While onsite, I observed the infant room, toddler room and preschool room. There were four infants and one child care center staff member present. The infants were asleep alone in their cribs. In the toddler classroom, I observed five children and two child care staff members. The children were asleep/resting on cots with appropriate bedding. In the preschool room, I observed six children and one child care staff member. The children were asleep/resting with appropriate bedding. ..........................................................................................................

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R 400.8330 · R 400.8330 Food services and nutrition generally. (22) Infants or toddlers shall not have bottles, beverage containers, or food in sleeping equipment.

On 05/09/2022, I conducted an unannounced inspection from 12:32 PM to 1:49 PM. I observed four children and one child care staff member in the toddler room. One child, Child A, was asleep on his cot with a bottle. When I asked Ms. Aiello about the child asleep with the bottle, she stated the child has recently transitioned to the preschool classroom, but due to staffing he was in the toddler classroom for the day. Child A has some special needs and does not eat food, and because she and the staff worry about his nutrition, they allow him to have a bottle throughout the day and at nap time. I informed Ms. Aiello that children cannot sleep with bottles or sippy cups. Ms. Aiello stated that she knew infants could not have bottles while in their cribs but was unaware that toddlers could not have bottles on their cots. I informed Ms. Aiello that because Child A was asleep on his cot with a bottle that it was a violation and the rules state that children cannot have bottles or other beverage containers while walking around or playing. Ms. Aiello stated that she understood the violation and wanted suggestions for Child A's feeding. I explained that the staff would have to be consistent with encouraging Child A to sit at the table with his bottle or sippy cup unless he has specific feeding instructions and/or restrictions by his doctor. Ms. Aiello stated that she understood and would work with the staff to ensure that Child A only has his bottle or sippy cup at the table. Ms. Aiello stated that she was worried because they try to do what Child A's mother does at home regarding feeding him and ensuring that he receives proper nutrition. On 05/09/2022, I interviewed child care staff member Ms. Crawford. Ms. Crawford stated that she has been working at the child care center for about six months. Ms. Crawford normally works in the preschool classrooms, but due to the number of staff that were absent she was working in the toddler classroom. Ms. Crawford stated that she was unaware that children could not have bottles on their cots. I informed Ms. Crawford that children cannot have bottles or cups on their cots. Since she has been working in the toddler classroom, she has received one complaint from a parent regarding a child having a wet diaper. On 05/13/2022, I interviewed Child A's mother via telephone. Child A's mother stated that Child A is autistic and non-verbal. She stated that she has another child 4 that attends the center and has been relatively happy with the center over the years. She stated that Child A has a hard time with eating food and does drink Pediasure from a bottle. I informed her that Child A cannot have a bottle on his cot during nap time while at the child care center. Child A's mother said that Ms. Aiello had informed her that they could not give Child A a bottle while on his cot and said they would like to try using a sippy cup with him. Child A's mother agreed and will try using a sippy cup at home as well. Child A's mother stated that she does not have any concerns regarding the child care center, however, she stated she would like the staff to change his diaper more often.

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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.

Child A's Mother stated that when she picked him up on 6/21/21, he had dried up snot all over his face and clothes. She stated he does have special needs, asthma, and was congested, but they should be cleaning his nose, so it is not all over him. Child A's Mother did not know the name of the staff member who was in the room when she picked up that day. She stated she talked to the owner Angela Aiello and director Gina Pieters regarding the incident. She also sent them a picture of the snot on Child A that day. Child A's Mother also sent me the picture of 2 Child A, and it appears that dried snot is on his nose and shirt. It also appears that dried snot is on the car seat straps. Child A's Mother stated he will continue to attend the center for child care. Director Gina Pieters stated on 6/21/21, Child A did have a runny nose. She stated Child A's Mother sent her a picture she took of him after she picked him up that showed snot under his nose and she said, "Why is it always my child; the other children look fine." Ms. Pieters stated he was sleeping when his mother picked him up and she just took him out of the crib, then sent the picture. She stated she has told the staff to always make sure Child A's nose is wiped before they give him to his mother at pick up. Staff member Ashley Carver stated on 6/21/21, she was changing a child who had a blow-out diaper when Child A's Mother was buzzing the bell to get in. Child A's Mother had to wait to get in because Ms. Carver was changing the diaper and could not get to the door right away. When Child A's Mother came in, she apologized for making her wait and explained that she was changing a diaper. Ms. Carver had put Child A in his crib while she changed the diaper and he had started to fall asleep. When Child A's Mother picked him up out of his crib, Ms. Carver saw that he did have some snot on his face. Child A's Mother grabbed him and said, "My child always has snot on him and is always wet or soiled, and other children are not." Ms. Carver stated she always wipes the children up and makes sure they are presentable, but that day, Child A's Mother picked him up before she could clean him up. Staff member Wendi Radlick stated she was not at the center at the time of the incident. Owner Angela Aiello stated she did received a picture from Child A's Mother on 6/21/21 that showed dried snot on Child A. Ms. Aiello looked into the incident and called Child A's Mother back, but never got a return call from her. Ms. Aiello told the staff to make sure Child A is wiped up when his mother picks up. I left a message for Child B's Mother but did not receive a call back. I interviewed Child C's (12-month-old, female) Mother via telephone. She stated they have used the center for four years for child care. Their oldest son has been going to the center since he was two years old, and he is now six. She stated they love it there and the staff are amazing with her children. She stated she gets a daily sheet with a lot of information regarding her daughter's day including information on diapering, feeding, and naps. She does not have any concerns. 3

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R 400.8137 · R 400.8137 Diapering; toileting. (6) Diapers and training pants must be checked frequently and changed when wet or soiled.

Child A's Mother stated Child A has attended the center since he was 8 months old. In the last month, whenever Child A is picked up from the center, he has a wet or soiled diaper. Once, it was to the point where he had a diaper rash. Feces were stuck to his skin and his bottom was raw. This has not been a problem previously. Child A's Mother has talked to the owner Ms. Aiello and director Ms. Pieters regarding the concerns more than once and they say they will take care of it, but it continues to be an issue. Child A will continue to attend the center for child care. Director Ms. Pieters stated Child A has special needs and sleeps a lot while at the center. He is usually sleeping when his mother picks him up between 4:00-5:30 pm. He feels safe in his crib. He cries when he is out of his crib. Ms. Pieters stated they will change him before his mother picks up, but she does remember one time when he was wet when his mother picked him up. She stated this happened months ago and that Child A's Mother has not brought any recent wet/soiled diapers to her attention. Child A's Mother also did not talk to her about a diaper rash and she did not see a diaper rash on Child A either. The center changes the children's diapers every two hours or when soiled and they record them on the children's daily sheets. Staff member Ms. Carver stated she has not seen a diaper rash on Child A and that she is not aware of Child A having a wet or soiled diaper when his mother picked him up. She stated she is the diaper "police" and changes the children every 1 to 1/2 2 hours or when needed. Staff member Wendi Radlick stated Child A's Mother usually comes to her with concerns and they talk every morning when she drops Child A off. Child A's Mother has told Ms. Radlick that she feels Child A is the only child with snot on him and diaper issues. She complained about soiled diapers about 2-3 weeks ago. Ms. 4 Radlick states child A is at the center from 6:30 am to 3:30 or 5:30 pm daily. They check or change his diaper every hour since his mother complained, and they now wake him up to change him too. Ms. Radlick stated Child A did come back from Florida with a minor diaper rash. They put diaper cream on it, and it soon went away. She was not aware of him getting a diaper rash at the center. Owner Angela Aiello stated Child A has special needs and they really try to provide accommodations for him, including working with his mother and his therapist. Ms. Aiello stated Child A's Mother only came to her once with a diaper issue. She received a text message from Child A's Mother on May 6, 2021, that said she picked Child A up and he had feces on him and was not wiped well. Ms. Aiello stated she messaged Child A's Mother back and she told the staff to make sure his diaper is changed, and that he is wiped well before his mother picks him up. Ms. Aiello stated they check the children every 1 to 2 hours and sooner if they smell poop. '/2 I was given the center's diapering policy and it says they check/change the children's diapers between 8:30-9:00 am, 10:45-11:15 am, before nap at 12:00 pm, after nap between 2:30-3:00 pm, and as needed throughout the day. I left a message for Child B's Mother but did not receive a call back. I interviewed Child C's (12-month-old, female) Mother via telephone. She stated they have used the center for four years for child care. Their oldest son has been going to the center since he was two years old, and he is now six. She stated they love it there and the staff are amazing with her children. She stated she gets a daily sheet with a lot of information regarding her daughter's day including information on diapering, feeding, and naps. She does not have any concerns.

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