Violation

One October 18, 2021, Early Childhood Quality and Support Specialist (ECQSS) Williams and Munson investigated a complaint received on Ms. Suzannah Lang. School staff mentioned in the complaint was interviewed that included Ms. Keisa Jackson (Principal), Mr. Tavarus Ward (Assistant Teacher, class #1), Ms. Erica Bryant (SPED teacher-non-Pre-K class), Ms. Kierra Payne (Assistant Teacher to Ms. Lang), Ms. Suzannah Lang (Pre-K teacher), and Ms. Beaujean Cummings (Family Engagement Specialist), were interviewed. The incident occurred at Wells Station Elementary Pre-K on October 06, 2021, on or around 1:05 p.m. resulting in a child’s finger being broken and requiring 10 stiches according to documentation provided by the parent and statements given by interviewees. Based on statements made by Ms. Lang, her assistant teacher Ms. Payne, and Ms. Bryant (SPED teacher) the program will receive a Plan of Corrective Action. The rules stated below from Chapter 0520-12-01 are related to the Ms. Lang and Ms. Payne failure to maintain adequate and safe supervisions on a child, inappropriate discipline (sending the child to the SPED class for “throwing tantrums”), failure to report a serious incident in a timely manner to the parent, and failure to call for emergency care in the event of a serious injury. 0520-12-01-.06 PROGRAM OPERATION. 1. Each program shall maintain a system that enables all children in the program’s care to receive a level of supervision that is appropriate to their age and their development, physical and mental status so as to ensure their health and safety and that allows program personnel to know the whereabouts of each child. (i) Staff shall position themselves strategically for adequate supervision and quick response. (l) Teachers shall monitor children’s toileting and be aware of their activities while respecting the privacy needs of the child. Programs must have a bathroom supervision plan to reflect the developmental needs of children in the classroom. Items in plan may include, but are not limited to, location of staff, times of bathroom breaks and locations, and emergency bathroom procedures. (m) The program shall maintain a plan, approved by the Department, that enables a teacher in an emergency situation to call a second (2nd) adult who can respond quickly while maintaining as much supervision of the children in care as is possible under the circumstances. (2) Each enrolled child shall be in a defined group based on their age and assigned to that group with a specific teacher. (c) In order to assure the continuity of care for children thirty (30) months of age to five (5) years of age and their teachers, the children shall be kept with the same group throughout the day and shall not be moved, shuffled, or promoted to a new group until required based upon the developmental needs of the child. 0520-12-01-.09 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. (5) Programs shall meet the following behavior management criteria: (a) Discipline shall be reasonable, appropriate, and in terms the children can understand. 0520-12-01-.10 HEALTH AND SAFETY. (h) In no event shall the program delay seeking emergency treatment due to a delay in making contact with the parent. (12) Program staff shall make every reasonable attempt to notify parents immediately when a child sustains serious injury/injuries, including but not limited to, massive bleeding, broken bones, head injuries, possible internal injury, etc., to arrange for emergency treatment.

Corrected Corrected by Jan 24, 2022

Category: supervision. Marked corrected in the state record.