complaint·May 25, 2023

Staff Handled Day Care Child in Rough Manner: It was reported, on or about 03/13/2023 or 03/14/2023, while the subject child's authorized representative was getting their child’s belongings, the authorized representative witnessed a distressed child being jerked up by one arm by an assistant or teacher in the classroom located next to the office pick up area. LPAs attempted to gain more information about the alleged incident but neither a description of the two individual involved in the alleged incident nor names were provided to LPAs for the investigation. During interviews it was disclosed that the discipline policy at the facility is to utilize redirection, to talk children regarding inappropriate behavior, and to ask children to reflect on their actions. Staff denied the use of physical actions towards misbehaving children and could not recall any instances of grabbing children at the facility. Additionally, interviews revealed that children felt safe at the facility and no one saw the alleged incident occur. Although cameras were found at the facility, there was no readily available video evidence to corroborate the allegation. Day care child sustained an unexplained injury while in care: It was reported, on or about 03/13/2023 or 03/14/2023, the subject child sustained an unexplained bruise and cut on the chin. When the subject child's authorized representative asked how the subject child received the injury, staff stated that they did not know when or how it happened. During interviews, it was disclosed that no staff saw the subject child sustain an injury while in care and that the subject child gave no indication that they had gotten injured. Additionally, during interview multiple staff were able to account for where the subject child was during outside play and stated that the subject child mostly kept to themselves and did not engage with the other children. Although health checks are performed by staff at the start of the day, the health checks are not recorded and staff were unable to recall if the subject child came to the facility with the injury or not. Additionally, it was disclosed in interviews that the subject child's authorized representative picked up the subject child at approximately 05:40PM and left the facility before returning to speak with staff about the injury. According to interviews, the subject child's authorized representative was gone for roughly fifteen to twenty minutes before returning to the facility and bringing the injury to the attention of staff who were not aware of the injury before. There was no evidence available that showed if the subject child had the injury before coming into care or not, nor is it known if the injury was sustained during the period where the authorized representative left and returned to the facility. Additionally, the injury sustained by the subject child was not life threatening and did not appear to break skin. Please see LIC9099C2. Staff did not ensure day care child’s needs are being met: It was reported, on or about 03/14/2023, that the subject child had sand in their face, eyes and mouth upon pickup and that the children were not outside upon pickup. Based on the two- and three-year-olds daily schedule which was obtained during the investigation, outside play for children is from 03:45PM to 04:15PM, after which indoor activities are had, and Clean up/Diaper change is from 04:40PM to 05:00PM, which is then followed by pick up. According to the reporting party and the subject child’s sign in/sign out log, the subject child was picked up around 05:40PM. However, during interviews it was disclosed that the day of 03/14/2023, the schedule was changed to take into account the weather. According to interviews, children had outside play later in the day than usual and were in the process of entering the classroom when the subject child's authorized representative arrived to pick up the subject child. It was disclosed in interviews that children will often be picked up immediately from outside play without giving staff a chance to clean children before releasing them to their authorized representatives. Additionally, during the facility tour, LPAs toured the outside play area and observed that sand was the primary material used to cushion high climbing equipment. Interviews disclosed that due to sand being the primary material for the turf outside, it is not unusual for children to be covered in sand and have sand in places such as their diapers. Staff did not provide responsible party with incident report: It was reported, on or about 03/14/2023, that the subject child sustained an unexplained bruise and cut on the chin. When the reporting party asked how the subject child received the injury, staff stated that they did not know when or how it happened and did not provide the reporting party with an incident report. During interviews, it was disclosed that no staff saw the subject child sustain an injury while in care and that the subject child gave no indication that they had gotten injured. Additionally, during interview multiple staff were able to account for where the subject child was during outside play and stated that the subject child mostly kept to themselves and did not engage with the other children. It was also disclosed during interviews that since staff did not see or have any knowledge about the injury, they did not feel the need to write an incident report. Although health checks are performed by staff at the start of the day, the health checks are not recorded and staff were unable to recall if the subject child came to the facility with the injury or not. Please see LIC9099C3. Based on information obtained during this investigation through interviews conducted, the review of pertinent documentation, and after receiving conflicting information, the allegation(s) are UNSUBSTANTIATED. A finding that the allegation is unsubstantiated means that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the allegation occurred. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted on, or immediately adjacent to, the interior side of the main door 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 the Director, Anita Goonetilleke.