Complaint·December 11, 2025

The Department received a Complaint on 10/7/2025 alleging limitations on capacity. During the investigation, LPA interviewed 8 staff members, 9 children, and 4 parents, obtained documents LIC500, LIC9040, Sign in and out (children/staff) for July 2025, July Ouch report, October 9, 2025, sample ratio report. Ratio Report July 1-30, 2025 Reporting Party (RP) stated staff bring their 13-year old daughter to school and stays in the classroom or run around the playground with preschool children. During staff interview, 7 of 8 staff stated they witnessed a child 1 (C1) over the age of 6 who is present in the facility during operating hours. Staff 1 (S1) admitt ed to taking C1 (over 6yrs) at the facility during operating hours and would stay at the patio area doing homework. S1 stated children in care would talk to C1. Staff 2 (S2) stated C1 used to come on Fridays and would stay outside. Children in care would swarm to C1 and talk to C1. Staff 3 (S3) stated C1 stays in the outdoor yard and talks to children in care. Staff 5 (S5) stated C1 is in the facility on Fridays and will be out in the yard. Staff 6 (S6) stated C1 would play with the children outside and would run with the children and throw wood chips. S6 stated C1 stays in the facility the whole day during Summer. Staff 7 (S7) stated they witnessed C1 in the classroom with S1 and would hang out with the children and play with them. Staff 8 (S8) stated C1 would be in the facility and plays with the children in care and children go to C1 because they know C1. During children’s interview , 9 of 9 children did not disclose information that supports the allegation. During parent interviews, 4 out of 4 parents did not disclose information that could support the allegation. Based on interviews conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. See LIC9099D for a Type B deficiency cited. An exit interview was conducted, and report and deficiency were reviewed and discussed with Director Amber Welch. 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. Appeal Rights Provided. Page 2 of 2 During the investigation, LPA interviewed 8 staff members, 9 children, and 4 parents, obtained documents LIC500, LIC9040, Sign in and out (children/staff) for July 2025, July Ouch report, October 9, 2025 sample ratio report. Ratio Report July 1-30, 2025 Regarding allegation (1) Out of Ratio Reporting Party (RP) stated staff is left out of ratio during the Summer. During staff interview, 7 of 8 staff stated they have not witnessed staff being out of ratio. 8 of 8 staff stated they will send a group message if help is needed in the classroom. Staff 5 (S5) stated they help cover the classroom to be in ratio. Staff 8 (S8) stated they have issues with ratio in the Summer. LPA reviewed Ratio Report printed from the facility’s Bright Wheel app for July 1-30, 2025. The report showed in increments of 30 minutes showing staff count and student count. The report did not show classrooms being out of ratio. Regarding allegation (2) Lack of supervision resulting to injury RP stated there are unexplained injuries due to staff taking personal calls while supervising children. During staff interview staff stated they have not witnessed staff taking personal calls while supervising children. Staff 1(S1) stated, no issues with phone use now, but S1 stated last year there was an issue with staff overly using phone and issue was resolved. Staff 2 (S2) stated they use their personal phone to access Bright Wheel and to log diaper changes, food, and to communicate with other teachers. Staff 3 (S3) stated they use their personal phones for Bright Wheel. Staff 4 (S4) stated they use their personal phones to log to bright wheel for snacks and bathroom breaks for children. S4 also stated they use personal phones during staff breaks and lunches. Staff 5 (S5) stated they use their personal phones for Bright Wheel. Staff 6 (S6) stated they use personal phones in updating parents, accidents on Bright Wheel. Staff 7 (S7) stated they only use personal phones for bright wheel and group chat. Staff 8 (S8) stated they only use it for emergency, group chat and Bright Wheel. S8 stated they have witnessed a staff use personal phone for facetime. Page 2 of 3 During children interview, 2 of 9 children stated they see their teachers using their cellphone. Child 1 (C1) stated they have seen their teacher (S1) use their phone for a little bit. Child 2 (C2) stated they have seen their teacher (S8) use their phone for a minute . 7 of 9 children interview did not disclose information that supports the allegation. LPA did not observe staff taking personal calls while supervising children. LPA interviewed 4 parents and none of the parents interviewed disclosed any information that could support the allegations. Based on observation, interviews conducted and record reviews, 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 violations of being out of ratio, and lack of supervision resulting to injury did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED. Exit interview was conducted with Director Amber Welch Report and were discussed. The Notice of Site Visit was posted and must remain posted for 30 consecutive days. Appeal Rights were provided. Page 2 of 2