• Compliant

  Violation

  Observation: Two new educator files did not have staff orientation form completed, form verifies trainings are conducted prior to educator assuming duties as required. 1240-04-01-.06 STAFF. Corrective Action: Agency will complete staff orientation form and have form in employee file documenting trainings are completed prior to the educator assuming duties.

  Corrected Corrected by Jan 15, 2020

  Category: other. Marked corrected in the state record.

• Compliant

  Violation

  Observation:Educators and children did not wash hands before and after afternoon snack as required. 1240-04-01-.13 FOOD AND FOOD SERVICE. Corrective Action: Before and after all meals the agency shall have educators and children wash hands to reduce the spread of illness, bacteria, and germs.

  Corrected Corrected by Jan 15, 2020

  Category: nutrition. Marked corrected in the state record.

• Compliant

  Violation

  Observation: The educator in the two year old classroom did not have children's daily communication sheets for parent's to review. 1240-04-01-.08 RECORD KEEPING. Corrective Action: The director implemented toddler daily communication sheets.

  Corrected Corrected by Jan 25, 2019

  Category: recordkeeping. Marked corrected in the state record.

• Compliant

  Violation

  Observation: Parents not informed in writing of children's scheduled media program viewing . Violation: 1240-04-01-.15 Program, Language, and Literacy Development Corrective Action: List of Age Appropriate TV/movies implemented for parents to review.

  Corrected Corrected by Jan 24, 2019

  Category: other. Marked corrected in the state record.

Summary of Complaint Investigation Visit Today's visit included monitoring the agency's compliance with Licensing Rules and Regulations and investigating a complaint. No Violations. If any violations were received, details can be observed in the compliance details section of the visit along with corresponding corrective action plans.

Disposition: Not Applicable

Summary of complaint investigation visit Today's visit included monitoring the agency's compliance with Licensing Rules and Regulations, investigating complaint. If any violations were received, details can be observed in the compliance details section of the visit along with corresponding corrective action plans.

Disposition: Not Applicable

Summary of Complaint Investigation/Safety Plan Monitoring Visit The visit conducted today included monitoring of the agency's compliance with Licensing Rules and Regulations, high risk areas and Complaint Investigation/Safety Plan Monitoring. LC Collier observed staff interviews with DCS SUI Steuart. Technical Assistance Provided: 1. LC Collier will be available as needed. 2. LC Collier discussed with the agency when to report incidents to DHS. If the center ever felt that a child was injured by a staff member, the agency is required to report this incident to DHS Licensing via the provider portal. LC Collier also reminded agency to report as suspicions of child abuse or neglect to the Department of Children's Services. 3. LC Collier will make a referral for individual on the safety plan to complete Handle with Care training with CCR&R. 4. LC Collier reminded agency of Licensing Rules regarding physical restraint. Rule 1240-04-01-.15 PROGRAM, LANGUAGE, AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT. (5) (l) Physical Restraint and Seclusion. The following is not considered physical restraint and is considered acceptable: 1. Physical touch associated with prompting, comforting, or assisting that does not prevent the service recipient's freedom of movement or normal access to his or her body. 2. Physical restraint and seclusion are emergency safety interventions, not therapeutic techniques, and are implemented in a manner designed to protect the child/youth's safety, dignity, and emotional well-being. 3. The use of physical restraint is allowed only in the case of an emergency when the child/youth is at imminent danger of self-harm or of harming others and no other option exists to protect the safety of the child/youth and staff members. 4. Clothing may not be removed from a child/youth in conjunction with the use of physical restraint or seclusion, other than that which has been determined to place the child/youth or others at risk. 5. Meal Service Policy – Owner Christie asked LC Collier how the center should handle parents that send sugary drinks for lunch, which is against the center's policy. LC suggested to serve water to the children and remind parents of the meal service policy. 6. Naptime solutions were dicussed with the agency. LC Collier suggested using "napping bags" with quiet toys for the children to play with once they have rested their bodies. LC Collier also reviewed licensing rule regarding naptime. Rule 1240-04-01-.15, Rule 1240-04-01-.15 PROGRAM, LANGUAGE, AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT. (4) (e) No child shall be forced to lie down or nap or be forced to stay on a cot or on a mat for an extended period of time. 1. Children shall be allowed to participate in a quiet activity if not asleep within a reasonable time or if they wake up prior to the end of the rest period. If any violations were received, details can be observed in the compliance details section of the visit along with corresponding corrective action plans.

Disposition: Not Applicable

Summary of Complaint Investigation Visit The visit conducted today included monitoring of the agency's compliance with Licensing Rules and Regulations, monitoring all high risk areas, and a safety plan served. On May 4, 2023, CACL and DCS received a complaint, and an investigation has been initiated involving one (1) Educator. Accordingly, Safety Plans have been implemented during the investigative period. Safety Plan, initiated on May 4, 2023, will remain in effect until DHS Child Care Licensing and the Department of Children's Services complaint investigation is completed, and the outcome is determined. Small Steps Children's Academy understands that it must abide by the terms of the Safety Plans until it is lifted in writing by TDHS. Small Steps Children's Academy understands that the failure to abide by the terms of the Safety Plans will result in legal enforcement action against the Agency license, including the summary suspension of the license to operate. Technical Assistance Provided: 1. LC Collier will be available as needed. 2. Supervision logs were emailed to the educator and the agency. LC Collier explained that the individual should never be alone with children and is to record hours on the supervision log. Weekly visits will be made to ensure compliance with the safety plan requirements. If any violations were received, details can be observed in the compliance details section of the visit along with corresponding corrective action plans.

Disposition: Not Applicable

This is a new option that is available for visits conducted after 12/20/2022.

Disposition: Not Applicable

See Below for Detailed Information

Disposition: Not Applicable

See Below for Detailed Information

Disposition: Not Applicable

See Below for Detailed Information Observation: The educator in the two year old classroom did not have children's daily communication sheets for parent's to review. 1240-04-01-.08 RECORD KEEPING. Corrective Action: The director implemented toddler daily communication sheets. Observation: Parents not informed in writing of children's scheduled media program viewing . Violation: 1240-04-01-.15 Program, Language, and Literacy Development Corrective Action: List of Age Appropriate TV/movies implemented for parents to review.

Disposition: Yes

See Below for Detailed Information

Disposition: Not Applicable