complaint·October 16, 2023

page 2 Allegation 1: Staff is rude and mean to children. Interview with the complainant: The complaint was submitted anonymously and without any contact information. The Department could not reach the complainant for an interview about this or any of the two allegations below. Interview with staff: On 9/7/2023, five (5) staff were interviewed about the allegations. All staff interviewed denied the allegations happened. All staff asserted they have never been rude or mean to daycare children. All staff stated they have never heard or seen staff be rude or intimidate children. All staff consistently asserted that they use redirection, talking to the child, and/or tapping children on the shoulder instead of yelling to get their attention. Interview with children: On 9/7/2023, Six (6) preschool children were selected for an interview about the allegations. Three of the four children qualified for the interview, three were disqualified. None of the three qualified children provided any information that could corroborate the allegations. Interview with Parents: On 9/8/2023, four (4) parents were called for an interview. Only one parent answered the Department\342\200\231s request for an interview. The parent interviewed did not disclose any information that could corroborate the allegation. Allegation 2: Staff intimidates children. Interview with staff: On 9/7/2023, five (5) staff were interviewed about the allegations. All staff interviewed denied the allegations happened. All staff asserted they have never intimidated daycare children. All staff stated they have never heard or seen staff intimidate children. All staff consistently asserted they use redirection, talking to the child, and/or tapping children on the shoulder instead of yelling to get their attention. continue on page 3 page 3 Interview with children: On 9/7/2023, Six (6) preschool children were selected for an interview about the allegations. Three of the four children qualified for the interview, three were disqualified. None of the three qualified children provided any information that could corroborate the allegations. Interview with Parents: On 9/8/2023, four (4) parents were called for an interview. Only one parent answered the Department\342\200\231s request for an interview. The parent interviewed did not disclose any information that could corroborate the allegation. Allegation 3: The director is allowing staff to be rude and intimidate children. Interview with staff: On 9/7/2023, five (5) staff were interviewed about the allegations. All staff interviewed denied the allegations happened. All staff consistently asserted the director addresses the staff's concerns and is involved in meeting the children\342\200\231s needs. The director stated she is involved in meeting the children\342\200\231s needs and gets the parents involved when necessary. The director denied she allows staff to be rude to children or intimidate children adding that if a teacher is rude or intimidating to the children that teacher is not a good fit for the school. Interview with children: On 9/7/2023, Six (6) preschool children were selected for an interview about the allegations. Three of the four children qualified for the interview, three were disqualified. None of the three qualified children provided any information that could corroborate the allegations. Interview with Parents: On 9/8/2023, four (4) parents were called for an interview. Only one parent answered the Department\342\200\231s request for an interview. The parent interviewed did not disclose any information that could corroborate the allegation. continue on page 4 page 4 Records review: On 10/4/2023, LPA reviewed the New Employee Handbook. Among other topics, the handbook discusses \342\200\234classroom control\342\200\235 and the \342\200\234hands off\342\200\235 policy. The Executive Preschool Director provided evidence of training topics offered to staff. Director Quaranta provided staff monthly meeting attendance sheets for July and August. Among the training given to staff are preferred strategies for managing challenging behaviors in the classroom, emotional awareness, resilience & self-regulation, and healing trauma-promoting skill development training. Based on the LPA\342\200\231s observations, interviews conducted with children, parents, and staff, and records review, the preponderance of evidence standard has not been met. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation(s) did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are unsubstantiated. An exit interview was conducted with Director Terri Quaranta. The Notice of Site Visit was posted during the visit. The director was informed that the Notice of Site Visit must be posted for 30 consecutive days. Failure to post will result in civil penalties of $100. The director was provided a copy of their appeal rights (LIC 9058 01/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. First-level appeals should be sent to the regional manager to the address listed above. end.