Complaint·July 31, 2024

During the interview with the Director, the Director denied unqualified staff providing care to children. According to the Director, Staff 1 is a qualified teacher and works with Staff 2 (Assistant/Aid) during the AM shift, from 7:30AM - 12:30PM and Staff 2 is replaced by Staff 3 (Assistant/Aid) during the PM shift, from 12:30PM - 4:30PM. The only time an Assistant will stay alone with children is when children are napping. The Director is also available at the center to provide coverage when needed. LPA Katrdzhyan reviewed staff records and confirmed that the Director and Staff 1 are qualified to provide care to children. In regards to the allegation of Staff does not ensure medications are centrally stored, t he Director denied leaving medications accessible to children and stated that medications are stored on top of the fridge and made inaccessible to children at all times. During a walk through of the facility conducted on 7/24/24, LPA observed medications were centrally stored on top of the refrigerator, making them inaccessible to children. During the visit, the Director removed the medications and stored/locked them in the Director's office. In regards to the allegation of Staff does not ensure chemicals are secured away from children, the Director denied ever leaving chemicals accessible to children and stated that all chemicals are stored/locked underneath the sink. During the visit conducted on 7/24/24, LPA observed chemicals were stored underneath the sink and locked with a child safety mechanism, making them inaccessible to children. In regards to the allegation of Staff does not ensure children are supervised during naps, the Director denied the allegation and stated that there is always a staff member available and supervising the children during nap time. Per the Director, Staff 2 will stay with the children in the Circle Room (during nap time) until 12:30PM and is relieved by Staff 3 at 12:30PM. In regards to the allegation of Staff does ensure clean dishes are used for food service to children, the Director denied the allegation and stated that children are always served meals in clean plates or new/disposable paper plates. During the visit conducted on 7/24/24, LPA did not observe dirty dishes at the facility. LPA observed an ample supply of unused paper plates (large/small) available for children to use. During the interview with staff, staff made no disclosures about observing any of the allegations stated above and denied the allegations to be true. The statements obtained were consistent and corroborated with the statements obtained from the Director. During the interview with children, the children stated that their teacher is Staff 1. The children stated that they are not left alone during nap time and Staff members 2 and 3 are available and take turns in keeping an eye on them while children nap. The children did not present concerns and were happy with the care provided by staff. Parents interviewed did not present concerns related to the above-mentioned allegations and were pleased with the services and care being provided to their children. Based on the investigation conducted, there is insufficient evidence to support the above-mentioned allegations to be true. Therefore, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are Unsubstantiated. The Notice of Site Visit was provided and must remain posted for 30 days during the hours of operation after each site visit by a licensing representative. Failure to maintain posting as required will result in a civil penalty of $100.00. Exit interview was conducted and report was reviewed with the Director and Appeals Rights provided.