complaint·September 20, 2022

RP stated the director informed RP that resources were given out to the family on 05/25/2022 but from then to today child was bitten 2 more times. RP stated they never had a meeting regarding this ongoing issue, director just called RP when child is bitten. RP stated director was asked to have a one on one to discuss everything that’s been going on, and the invitation was rejected by the director. RP stated on 06/08/2022, Kindercare Risk Safety Team was contacted and on 6/9/2022 Kindercare Parent HelpLine was contacted to report these incidents. RP stated the has been removed from the daycare because of the lack of action made by Kindercare Risk Management Team, their Parent Support Team, and the faculty. During the course of the investigation, LPA Torrence interviewed six staff members. S1 stated they have a parent who has complained that their child is being bit by another child. S1 stated the toddler has gotten bitten a few times, but it wasn’t the same child doing the biting. S1 stated they have two biters in classroom #2 and one of the toddlers has stopped biting. S1 stated they are trying to do everything to prevent or manage the biting; such as, asking parent of the biters to send teething toys and to have teachers shadowing that child. S1 stated they have received resources from their headquarters to help them manage biters. S1 stated the biting child had three biting incidents in a roll and was sent home. S3 stated they shadow the biting child. Interviewed staff stated while in the classroom, they try and prevent a child from biting by giving the child more space, splitting the children up, try and notice what triggers a child, keeping the child busy, keep an eye on the child at all times, and have parents provide chewing toys for the children. Interviewed staff stated they have meetings, trainings, and a resource hotline to help them prevent and manage a child who is a biter. On 02/10/2022, RP emailed the director and asked if they had a policy in place regarding toddlers biting. Per the email, the director stated they work with the toddler and notify their parent. According to the email, RP also asked at what extent does an event need to be so repetitive that a child causing harm is unenrolled. According to RP, director did not response to the question and when RP brought up the subject director ignored RP. S1 stated there was a verbal conversation with the RP, the next day and RP was told teachers were talked to and they are aware of the child who’s doing the biting and the teachers are keeping the children separated. S1 stated at the time of the multiple biting incidents there was a teacher and an aide, and we were unable to separate the classroom. S1 stated they have moved two qualified teachers in the classroom and is able to keep the children separated. S1 also stated they noticed child was irritated mid-morning, so they implemented an earlier snack for the child. S1 stated when child transition to a new classroom and a new environment the child stopped biting because the new environment stimulated the child. S1 believed the child needed more stimulation because it was noticed the child attempted or bit other children when child did not have a lot of stimulation. This is an amended version of the original report created 09/20/2022 S1 stated there was a conference meeting with the parents of the child who’s biting, and the child was placed on a 2 weeks ABC chart, in which, they track the attempts and bites, the time of the attempts and bites, and the child’s surroundings. S1 stated the parents get the report daily. S1 also reported to the parents the possibility of disenrollment. S1 stated after the 2 weeks the child was doing much better. Based on LPAs review of the incident reports, written by staff members, and given to RP, it was confirmed the child was bitten five times. Allegation: Facility did not meet reporting requirement RP reported the first incident occurred in February and no one notified RP of the biting. RP stated while bathing child bit marks were found on child’s arm and was told the next day no one saw anything or knew anything about the biting. On 02/10/2022, RP emailed the director regarding the biting and why RP wasn’t notified. RP also included pictures of the child’s bit mark in the email. Per the email, the director stated will have the teachers let you know what happened. RP stated the teachers stated they knew nothing about the incident. Interviewed staff stated incident reports are given to both parents; the biter and the child that was bitten, at pick up. S1 stated there were no incident report written for the bite mark depicted in the pictures LPA reviewed the victim child’s file and there was no incident report regarding the child’s bit mark depicted in the pictures in the email. S1 confirmed there was no incident report written for the date of 02/10/2022. LPA Torrence contacted four parents. Interviewed parents had no issues or concerns. Based on LPAs interviews and records review the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be SUBSTANTIATED. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division & Chapter 3, 101429(a)(1) Responsibility for Providing Care and Supervision for Infants and 101212 Reporting Requirements are being cited on the attached LIC9099D. Exit interview was conducted. The Notice of Site Visit was posted. Appeal Rights was explained. A copy of appeal rights (LIC 9058 1/16) will be provided through email and their signatures on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. First level appeal is to Regional Manager, address is above on the report.