Incident investigation·November 21, 2024

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Lilli Babcock conducted an unannounced Case Management inspection due to an incident that occurred on 11/5/24 and was reported to the Department on 11/6/24. LPA met with Director, Maribeth Peralta to whom the reason for the visit was explained. Ms. Peralta guided LPA on a tour of the facility. Census was taken. There were five (5) staff present caring for twenty (20) children in the infant room and three (3) staff caring for seventeen (17) children on the toddler playground. The facility was observed to be operating within the license capacity limitations. On November 6, 2024, an unusual incident report was made to the Department regarding an incident that involved a child who sustained an injury. The facility reported this incident to the Department within the required 24 hours. Based on information obtained during interviews conducted with staff, LPA Babcock determined that during outdoor play a child (Child #1/C1) fell and hit their face on the artificial grass on the toddler playground and an injury was sustained to the child’s nose in the form a bloody nose. Staff administered first aid by cleaning the child's nose and an ice-pack was applied to the nose. Parent of C1 was notified of the incident, but did not pick up the child early. The injured child was at the facility during the visit, but was not verbal enough to be interviewed. At 1:30 pm, during this inspection, LPA inspected the outdoor area and did not observe any hazards near or around the area where incident took place. LPA conducted interviews with four staff during the visit and viewed live camera footage of the Toddler Playground. Pictures were taken of the footage. Additional information is needed at this time to complete the investigation. No deficiencies are being cited at this time. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for 30 days. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100. Exit interview conducted and report was reviewed with Director, Maribeth Peralta.