Incident investigation·October 23, 2024

On 10/23/2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Loyce Phillips conducted a case management inspection to follow up on an Unusual Incident, reported to the department by telephone on 10/11/2024. LPA toured the facility and took a census of the children present today. LPA observed 61 total children present with 16 staff members. LPA met with Deidre Nordel, Executive Director. Description of the incident: On the morning of 10/11/2024 the parents of child 1 (C1), through an interpreter, informed the Director and the Licensee/Executive Director that their child disclosed that on several occasions in the past week she had been hit and kicked by the teachers in her classroom. Last week (week of October 1st) C1 stated that she was on top of a table because the teachers were not listening to her and a teacher hit her at that time. On another occasion, the child stated a teacher kicked her in the back. During this inspection, LPA toured the facility, interviewed children and staff, obtain a copy of the facility roster, classroom roster, staff contact information, obtain incident reports and conducted a file review. Based on the information obtained further investigation needed at this time. A notice of site visit was given and posted for 30 days. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Lydia Lemus, Assistant Director.