Center-based programs shall not combine children younger than 24 months in a mixed age group which includes children older than 47 months, except: For time limited, specific activities, including but not limited to meals, snacks, naps, or rest time, and special occasions such as birthday or holiday celebrations or visitor presentations.

The licensing coordinator's review of program attendance records revealed that on January 20, 2026 from 9:20 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on January 23, 2026 from 8:39 a.m. to 4:14 p.m., there was a child over 47 months old in attendance with children under 24 months of age in the Older Toddlers classroom. Corrective action: This was a mistake on our behalf. The student who is 46 months old, had asked if they could help out in the older toddler classroom. This child takes great pride in being helpful. However, we now have a more clear understanding that this could not happen. The child was not placed in there as we did not have another location, however it was due to her requesting it.

He-C 4002.18(h)(1) · Correction status not published

Programs shall staff infant and toddler programs with at least one associate or lead teacher per group.

The licensing coordinator's review of attendance records revealed the following; in Infants, on January 27, 2026, there was one staff member present with five children whose average age was under 12 months from 10:04 a.m. to 10:22 a.m. In Older Infants, on January 21, 2026, there was one staff member present with five children whose average age was ten months from 8:51 a.m. to 3:46 p.m. In the same classroom on January 23, 2026, there was one staff member present with five children whose average age was seven months from 8:55 a.m. to 1:07 p.m. Finally, in Young Toddlers, on January 22, 2026, there was one staff member present with seven children whose average age was 19 months from 8:41 a.m. to 9:29 a.m. In each of these instances, a second staff member was required to be present. Corrective action: This was a miscalculation of the students combined age. We also miss understood the regulation where we are allowed to go over ratio only if we inform the state. That week we had the flu in the school and many teachers got ill. We felt we had to accommodate our families, however, now understand we must let licensing know.

Child care staff shall supervise every child in care at all times.

Program staff reported that Child A was left outside on the program's playground without supervision. Child A was left outside for approximately four minutes before they were overhead crying by a staff member and returned inside. Program staff advised that Child A had been visiting in another classroom, and there was miscommunication between staff regarding who was responsible for Child A when returning inside from the playground. Corrective action: Nature's Way of Learning owner, self-reported the issue to the state the day after the incident happened, as DHHS was closed the day the child was outside. The classrooms were combined at the end of the day. The classroom entered the building and did not properly check the number of students as they were entering inside. Our center director and center supervisor heard the child outside and quickly ran to the child. The child was brought into the infant classroom and was checked to make sure there were no injuries. The director then brought the child to the classroom and spoke to the teachers and informed them how this should never happen. For children who are visiting classrooms, teachers will be told how many students they are getting and the name of the students when combining. We will remind then to check brightwheel, and will place a message in brightwheel stating " Infants and waddlers combine, please check attendance of joining classrooms" The supervising teacher received a verbal warning. That night, the owner contacted the parents of the child via phone and in writing to inform them of what had happened. The next day, the center director did a name to face training to ensure an issue like this do not happen again. We spoke about how there should always be a teacher at the end of the line. This would help to make sure all children are inside and so they can do a visual check of the playground. The teacher no longer works for the school at the time of the corrective action plan was written. 12/22/2025 Additional information provided via email: staff will be informed the names of the kids moving over and that we would send a message via brightwheel to the class that another room is joining, along with the number of children.

The center director, site director, family child care provider, and all staff used to meet staff to child ratios shall: (1) Be certified in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid within 90 days of the first date of employment; (2) Obtain certification in (m)(1) above by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Emergency Care and Safety Institute, National Safety Council, or other nationally recognized organization; and (3) Maintain current certifications required in (m)(1) above.

The complainant reported that they had learned from the American Red Cross that their CPR and First Aid certification was invalid, and expressed concern that those of other staff may also be invalid. The licensing coordinator's review of 18 staff records revealed that 11 of the staff certificates had not been issued using the American Red Cross's Learning Management System. Representatives from the American Red Cross confirmed that any certificates issued without using the Learning Management System are considered invalid. As a result, 11 staff members who were working in the program and who were used to meet required staffing ratios did not have current certification in CPR and First Aid. Corrective action: This issue is currently under investigation

He-C 4002.20(m)(1) · Correction status not published

The applicant, licensee, permittee, or any child care staff shall not falsify any documents, other written information, or reports issued by or required by the department under He-C 4002.

The complainant stated that they had reason to believe that multiple staff members' CPR and First Aid certificates were invalid. Staff A stated that they provided CPR training to several staff members and provided certificates for this training. Staff A stated they were unable to access the American Red Cross's Learning Management System, and stated that they created and issued certificates for training they conducted on the recommendation of their American Red Cross representative. When asked to provide documentation to the department to verify that the American Red Cross representative had approved this method of providing certificates, Staff A stated that they would provide the documentation, but failed to do so. Staff A provided an email chain between Staff A and the American Red Cross's Quality Assurance program, in which that American Red Cross employee noted that Staff A never received a recommendation or approval to issue these certificates in any alternative manner. Further, department staff reviewed the American Red Cross Instructor Agreement provided by Staff A, which explicitly stated, "You shall not: Modify Red Cross course materials or reproduce the materials except according to the rules for accessing and downloading the materials or as included in hard copy materials." It is the determination of the department that Staff A provided false documentation when they issued invalid CPR and First Aid certifications to program staff. Corrective action: This issue is currently under investigation

Except for nature-based programs that operate solely outside, programs shall conduct fire drills in accordance with the following: (1) Programs that operate continuously throughout the year shall conduct at least one drill each month of operation; (2) Programs that operate only during the school year shall conduct a drill within 14 days of opening each year and monthly thereafter; (3) Programs that operate only during the summer months shall conduct one fire drill in each month of operation; (4) Child care personnel shall conduct fire drills at varying times during operating hours, including night time hours, if applicable, to ensure that each child attending the program experiences fire drills; (5) Child care staff shall activate the actual fire alarm system for the building for at least 2 of the required monthly fire drills required each year and use a fire alarm or smoke detector to signal all other fire drills; (6) All children and child care staff shall evacuate the building during each fire drill; and (7) Child care staff shall check daily attendance records to ensure that all children and staff are accounted for, after the building is evacuated.

The licensing coordinator's review of the fire drill log revealed there was no fire drill conducted in April of 2025 when monthly fire drills are required. Corrective action: Fire drills will be conducted on a monthly basis and recorded in the binder located in the office. All staff members have been told that they can complete practice drills with their class only, and to notify the director of such drills, which will be recorded in binder located in the office. Fire drills will be pre-scheduled, to occur on the 15th day of each month, or the closest day after should the 15th fall on a weekend or holiday.

He-C 4002.17(a) · Correction status not published

Child care staff shall supervise every child in care at all times.

The complainant stated that a child was left unsupervised in the hallway outside of their classroom for approximately 10 to 15 minutes before a staff member noticed and returned her to her classroom. Staff C stated that they heard crying and opened their classroom door to find Child A alone in the hallway. After checking on Child A, they immediately sent a message to program staff explaining that Child A was unsupervised in the hallway, and Staff E immediately came to retrieve Child A and bring them back to their classroom. Staff C stated that there was less than a minute occurring between hearing the crying and Staff E responding. Staff E stated that upon receiving the message from Staff C, they left their classroom to assist, and located Child A and returned Child A to their assigned classroom. Staff F, who works in Child A's classroom, reported that they were working with another group of children at the time and had not observed Child A leaving the classroom behind a parent. Staff F's co-teacher, who was present at the time of the incident, was not reachable for comment. The licensing coordinator's review of video footage confirmed that Child A left their classroom and was in the hallway unsupervised for two minutes and 31 seconds. Corrective action: 3/13/2025 Upon review of video footage we noticed that a parent had opened the classroom door leaving it open. Staff A was reading stories to students, staff E was speaking with the parent. It was noted on the video footage that child A did in fact walk out of the classroom due to the door being left open. The child walked to another classroom where the teacher heard child A. Staff C took child A and brought them back to their classroom. A message was sent to all families about shutting classrooms doors. We addressed the issues with all staff reminding them to ensure doors are shut and all children are accounted for. We are looking into better door options to ensure no child is able to leave their classroom.

He-C 4002.20(a) · Correction status not published