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Happy Elephant Child Care
680 36th Street Southwest, Wyoming MI 49509 · License #DC410019393 · Center
Contact
- Phone
- (616) 532-4533
- Website
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- Address
- 680 36th Street Southwest, Wyoming MI 49509 · Directions
Hours
Care & schedule
When they operate
Ages served
- Licensed for 91 children
How this facility compares
Violations per inspection, 3-yrInspection history & violations
Source: Michigan MiLEAP, Child Care Licensing Bureau- Violation
R 400.8167(1) · R 400.8167(1) Indoor space. The required square footage of indoor space per child must be at least the following:
The required square footage was blocked off in the Toddler room due to shelving units being placed across the width of the rooms so that children did not have access to part of the approved space at all times.
- Violation
R 400.8125(1) · R 400.8125(1) Staff; volunteer; requirements. All staff and volunteers shall provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times.
Child care staff members were providing appropriate care and supervision to Child A on 2/28/2025 when she fell and hit her head on the side of a table.
- Violation
The means of egress for both Toddler rooms were fully blocked with shelving units across the width of the rooms.
- Violation
On 12/3012020, I spoke with the complainant. The complainant stated she recently read a past special investigation from the facility that was posted online that was concerning and is curious about what is going on with Child A when is at the center. She has noticed that Child A has multiple bruises on legs. hen asked what happened, Child A responds with "nothing" or "I don't know." The complainant explained that Child A often runs away from her and she is having a hard time communicating with Child A. The complainant stated that Child A does play hard and was recently diagnosed with 2 and is currently being for it. The complainant is also concerned about Child A being sexually abused. he complainant stated that Child A recently drew a ' " picture of what appeared to be a and said, Child A never said that anyone has touched ■ inappropriately and runs away from her when asked about the picture. On 12/30/2020, I completed an unannounced inspection at the center. During my onsite inspection, I interviewed program director Tanea Patterson. Ms. Patterson stated that she was aware of the allegations. Ms. Patterson denied that Child A has been physically hurt or sexually abused by any of the child care staff members. Ms. Patterson stated that there are always two staff members in the classroom and there is often a lot of traffic in the classroom with parents picking up and dropping off their children. The design of the classroom is open, and it would be impossible for any staff member to not be seen hurting any child. During my onsite inspection, I observed Child A's classroom. I observed an open classroom with no blind spots and two staff members in the classroom. The bathroom, located in the classroom, has a half door, allowing adults to see inside the bathroom when the door is closed. Children are only allowed in the bathroom one child at a time. I also observed Child A. ■ appeared to be happy and did not appear to be fearful of the staff members. I observed positive interactions between the staff members and the children in care. During my onsite inspection, I interviewed Child Care Staff Member (CCSM) Franis Yanez. Ms. Yanez is the lead caregiver in the classroom. She stated that she has never seen any bruises on Child A and Child A has never acted out sexually. Child A is quiet and keeps to = most of the time, but often gets very hyperactive outside. When Child A needs to be alone, will let the staff know. Ms. Yanez reported that she has never seen Child A raw anything inappropriate will often draw pictures of■ family. Ms. Yanez added that she has never seen anyone hurt or touch Child A inappropriately and since the class is so open, she would have seen it. During my onsite inspection, I interviewed CCSM, Katrina Troope. She reported that she has never seen any bruises on Child A and Child A has never reported any pain She has never seen Child A draw anything inappropriate or seen anyone hurt Child A. Ms. Troope ~re io iled that Child A is an active child and ■ bruises on 0 legs could be from being so active.
- Violation
Appropriate care and supervision have been provided to Child A while has been at the child care center.
- Violation
CCSM's did not use positive methods of discipline with Child A when he was placed in a highchair during a tantrum.
- Violation
CCSM's placed Child A in a highchair while he was having a tantrum for an unknown length of time.
- Violation
Positive methods of discipline was not provided by child care staff member Francis Yanez when: • Child A verbally reported to her mother and demonstrated how she was directed to stand against the wall or stand in the corner with her arms out in front of her because she was talking during naptime while at the center. Child A's caregiver on 8/28/20 was Ms. Yanez. • Child care staff member Rachel Walker has observed child care staff member Francis Yanez direct child care children to stand against the wall with their arms out in front of them on approximately seven occasions since January 2020. • Child care staff member Korinia Troupe observed child care staff member Francis Yanez direct Child A to stand on the wall with her arms out in front of her for not sleeping during nap time for approximately 1-2 minutes back in August 2020.
- Violation
• The center's written discipline policy does not include giving children time-outs, however assistant center director Tiffany Straight has observed Ms. Yanez direct children to "stand on the wall" when they are having a "rough time". This is considered a form of time-out. • Child care staff member Rachel Walker and Korinia Troupe have observed Francis Yanez direct children to stand against the wall with their arms out in front of them, which is not an appropriate form of discipline.
- Violation
Child care staff member Frances Yanez stated that most children do not nap in her classroom, as they are ages 4 to school age. • Assistant director Tiffany Straight and child care staff member Korinia Troupe reported that despite the children being older in Ms. Yanez's room, the children are still directed to lay down on their cots for approximately 1-1 1/2 hours without being provided quiet activities. • Child care staff member Rachel Walker reported that Ms. Yanez does not consistently give children that do not steep in her room quiet activities.
Questions to ask on your tour
Generated from this facility's specific inspection record
- 1The Jul 15, 2025 inspection noted: “The required square footage was blocked off in the Toddler room due to shelving units being placed across the width of the rooms so that children did not have a…” — what has changed since then?
- 2The Dec 30, 2020 inspection noted: “On 12/3012020, I spoke with the complainant. The complainant stated she recently read a past special investigation from the facility that was posted online that…” — what has changed since then?
- 3The Oct 26, 2020 inspection noted: “CCSM's did not use positive methods of discipline with Child A when he was placed in a highchair during a tantrum.” — what has changed since then?
Data synced from Michigan MiLEAP, Child Care Licensing Bureau · Source records · Report an error