complaint·April 13, 2022

Today, LPA discussed the allegation with the director. She stated she and her staff never put parents' conversations on the speaker phone. She said she always closes her door if she needs to discuss an issue with a parent over the phone. She also communicates with them via email. LPA interviewed 16 other staff who were present today for both infant/toddler and preschool programs. LPA asked the staff the means of communications with parents to make sure children's confidentiality are protected. Some staff stated they communicate with parents in the corner of the classroom if they need to tell them some issues regarding their children. Few staff stated they normally talk to parents at drop off time and pick up time. If they are talking about a child's issue with the child's parent and another parent walks in, they stop the conversation until the other parent leaves. Staff stated they do call from their classrooms to the office to request something they might need for the classrooms. They do not talk about children's private issues since they are not sure if they are on speaker phone or not. One staff stated when she calls the office from the classroom, she always asks the person in the office to pick the phone up and not to put the staff on speaker phone just for double protection of privacy. The staff stated they have been thought not to talk about children's issues with other parents. They stated they don't even put the other involved child's name on the incident report when they write the incident report. Staff stated most communications are done through an Smart Application which is called Bright Wheel. One staff stated she witnessed staff who answer the phone in the lobby put the caller on the speaker phone but when the caller said "Hello", the staff picked up the phone directly. One other staff stated she witnessed staff in the lobby uses the speakerphone and as soon as staff realized the caller is a parent, staff picked up the phone directly or put the caller on hold and went to the office to continue the conversation for more privacy. Staff stated the lobby is an open area and the conversations on the phone can be heard but they never heard the staff who answer the phone mention any children\342\200\231s names, children\342\200\231s medical, and account or payment information during phone conversation or on a speaker phone. Based on the interviews with discrepancies statements with 17 staff today, there is not enough proof or evidence to support the occurrence of the allegation. This agency has investigated the complaint alleging "Staff are not keeping day care children's personal information confidential"; although the allegation may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove, the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated. Notice of Site Visit was posted. 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 right (LIC 9058 1/16) and their signature on this form acknowledges receipt of these rights. Exit interview was conducted. In the area which was investigated, no deficiency was cited today. This report ends here.