Incident investigation·April 29, 2025

An unannounced case management inspection was conducted today at 11:30 p.m. by Licensing Program Analysts (LPA) Noah Wheeler and Kiriko Lynch. LPAs met with facility representative Jesika Sheaf. In response to an Unusual Incident Report from 02/02/2025. Facility representative stated the ECE classroom was transitioning from outside to inside and the staff miscounted during transition. She stated an aide (S3) noticed one child (C1) was missing and S3 immediately called for C1 and found C1 sleeping in a pop-up play tent in the playground area. The facility representative was interviewed on 04/29/2025, and she stated that on 02/20/2025 at approximately 11:35 a.m., C1 was left outside in the exterior fenced playground area for approximately 2 to 3 minutes while the class was transitioning from outside to inside for lunch. She stated staff miscounted when transitioning because of a staff attending to another child who was being changed in the bathroom at the same time. She stated teachers S1 and S2 were on site and reported the incident when it occurred. Continued on 809-C Three staff (S1-S3) were interviewed on 04/29/2025, and stated C1 was left in playground for approximately 2 to 3 minutes during transition from outside to inside before lunch at 11:35 a.m. Staff stated C1 was found in a pop-up tent outside in the playground area where C1 was taking a nap. Staff stated C1 woke up happy and was in a good mood for lunch. Staff stated they did not properly count during transition as there was confusion because of another child being changed in the bathroom. During today’s inspection, the facility was toured and LPAs observed care and supervision to children provided by staff to children in care. LPAs observed outside playground is completely fenced with a latched lockable gate. LPAs found the staff interviews corroborated the written Unusual Incident Report that was initially submitted to Licensing. Based on interviews and record review, LPAs found staff failed to conduct accurate head counts when transitioning from outside to inside, and also failed to check the playground for children who may have been hiding or sleeping, and the following deficiency is being cited on the LIC809-D. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with the facility representative Jesika Sheaf and Appeal Rights were provided.