R400.8140 Discipline. (1) Positive methods of discipline that encourage self- control, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation must be used. ................ .................... ..........................................
Child A's Mother was concerned that Child A was spray with a bottle of water in retaliation after biting another child. Child A's Mother stated she 4 was only informed about Child A being sprayed after she received a biting incident report. I obtained a copy of the incident report that involved Child A biting another child. CCSM 1 was not one of the CCSMs in the room at the time of incident. Ms. Bradybaugh said the day that Child A's Mother came to the center to sign the incident report, it was regarding Child A biting another child, so it may have caused Child A's Mother to think that CCSM 1 sprayed Child A out of retaliation for biting, however, CCSM 1 was not present in the room when the incident occurred. CCSM 1 said the time she sprayed Child A was during the summertime. She was not present in the room when Child A bit another child.
R400.8140 · Correction status not published
R 400.8125 Staff; volunteer; requirements. (1) All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.
I interviewed Child A's Mother on 2/15/2023. She stated that while she was at the center complaining about an incident report, CCSM 1 was talking to her. CCSM 1 told her, "Sometimes I spray him (Child A), and he would ball his eyes out, and sometimes he wants more. He is such a weirdo." She really didn't process the comment until after she went to her car and had a minute to think about what was just said. She contacted Ms. Holbrook, Licensee Designee on Monday and informed her of her concern and asked her to address the matter. When Ms. Holbrook got back to her, she informed her that CCSM 1 said she was talking about a dog and not spraying a child in the face. Child A's Mother also stated that she was upset that the staff would try to change everything that was said to her to make it seem that CCSM 1 did not say what she had told her. She decided to remove her child from the center because she no longer felt Child A was safe and he was suffering from the actions of CCSM 1 and being sprayed while at the center. 2 On 2/15/2023, I conducted an unannounced investigation to the center. Upon my arrival, I interviewed Ms. Laura Holbrook, the Licensee Designee and Program Director, as well as Ms. Ashley Bradybaugh, the assistant program director. Ms. Holbrook said that she was not present at the center on the day that Child A's Mother came to the center and had the conversation with CCSM 1. She was later informed about the conversation by Ms. Bradybough. She later spoke to CCSM 1, and admitted to telling Child A's Mother that she sprays Child A. CCSM 1 informed her she was joking when she made the comments to Child A's Mother. Ms. Holbrook said she was unaware of any staff member spraying children with any spray, then she said that it was "probably" water from the staff cleaning the tables. CCSM 1 was probably spraying the children with it like they do the bubbles. Ms. Holbrook said that she believes that CCSM 1 was "being funny and playing" when she had the conversation with Child A's Mother. Ms. Ashley Bradybaugh said that she was present at the front desk while Child A's Mother and CCSM 1 was talking. She briefly heard them talking, but she did hear CCCM 1 telling Child A's Mother that she sprayed Child A. She was unaware that there was a concern because Child A's Mother left happy and smiling. She was approached by Child A's Mother the following day regarding what CCSM 1s aid to her. Ms. Bradybaugh later informed Ms. Holbrook of what transpired. Ms. Bradybaugh said that she informed Ms. Holbrook that CCSM 1 informed her that she sprays Child A in the face, but that she was kidding and referring to when they are outside or when kids do bubbles, when speaking with Child A's Mother. Ms. Bradybaugh said in the wintertime while cleaning tables, the kids like the water sprayed in their faces, playfully. While at the center, I interviewed other CCSM 2 and CCSM 3. It was stated that CCSM 1 is a floater, and sometimes she works in the Bear Room (2-year-old) with CCSM 2, and CCSM 3. CCSM 2 is the lead caregiver in the room, and she said that CCSM 1 has previously told her that she sprayed water in the kids' faces and that they like it. She had not seen it happen before and was unaware of any other inappropriate activity by any CCSMs. CCSM 3 said that she has never seen anyone spray the children with any substance and was unaware of the incident. While at the center I also interviewed CCSM 4 and CCSM 5. They both are CCSM's for the Elephant Room, which CCSM 1 sometimes assist in. Both said they were unaware of any incident with children being sprayed with any substance. CCSM 4 recently started working at the center and does not know CCSM 1. CCSM 1 was out sick at the time of my visit to the center. She called me on 2/15/2023 to be interviewed. I asked about the allegation and if she said that Child A is weird. CCSM 1 denied that she spoke to Child A's Mother at all. She said she never said those words to anyone. I asked her three times if s