complaint·May 13, 2022

LPA conducted unannounced visits to the facility on 04/01/2022, 04/12/2022, 04/18/2022 and 04/26/2022 for other purposes and found the Facility’s staff to child ratios to be in compliance. LPA reviewed Facility attendance records via ‘Bright wheel” for the preschool program and observed documented staff to child ratios. LPA’s direct observations of staff to child ratios and statements from those interviewed do not support the allegation the facility is operating out of ratio during bus runs. This agency has investigated the complaint alleging Facility is out of ratio. Although the allegations may have happened, or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. The following was alleged: Facility commingles day care children. It was alleged school age is mixed in during bus runs because there is not enough staff. LPA was unable to obtain any further information regarding when the allegation occurred, the frequency or parties involved. LPA reviewed facility records, interviewed the Director, facility staff directly involved in the operations and supervision of children enrolled in the Facility’s preschool program, as well as 4 preschool aged children. The facility operates under an approved “commingling” waiver issued by the Licensing office allowing day care children ages 2 to Kindergarten as well as School Aged children to be commingled and occupy the same classroom space the first hour and last hour of business hours. Outside of the time period granted in the waiver, day care children are to be physically separated from other programs offered in the facility. LPA recorded conflicting information from individuals interviewed from what is being alleged. Statements made deny that school age children have ever been mixed with other age groups outside of their respected classroom when not operating under the approved waiver. Staff acknowledge the ability to commingle day care and school age children at specific times of the day. LPA conducted unannounced visits to the facility on 04/01/2022, 04/12/2022, 04/18/2022 and 04/26/2022 for other purposes. During these unannounced visits, LPA toured all functioning areas and classrooms of the facility. LPA was present at times staff left to make bus runs for after school pick up and did not observe children commingled outside of their perspective age groups or programs outside of the times stated in the approved waiver. This agency has investigated the complaint alleging Facility commingles day care children. Although the allegations may have happened, or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. The following was alleged: Staff yells at day care children. It was alleged that staff yell at Child #1 and others in the 4-5’s classroom. LPA was unable to obtain any further information regarding when the allegation occurred or the frequency of its events. On 4/26/2022 LPA made an unannounced visit to the facility and conducted interviews with Child #1 and 3 additional children that attend the 4-5’s room. Additionally, LPA interviewed the Director and 6 staff members. Statements made by Child #1 and others do not name any teaching staff that have yelled directly at them or in the 4-5’s classroom. Children state staff tell them to “clean up” and “not to run” while in the classroom. Children stated they liked coming to school and that their teachers were nice. Staff statements deny that Child #1 or others are yelled at while in care. Staff interviewed state that on occasion they have to raise their voices to get the attention of children, but it is made in a clear firm tone and never directed at an individual child. There was conflicting information received during the investigation from what was alleged. This agency has investigated the complaint alleging a Staff yells at day care children. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. A NOTICE OF SITE VISIT WAS GIVEN. DIRECTOR WAS INSTRUCTED TO POSTED IT IN A PROMINENT LOCATION AT THE FACILITY. THE DIRECTOR UNDERSTANDS THAT IT MUST REMAIN POSTED FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS. An exit interview was conducted, A copy of this report and appeal rights were given to the Director during this inspection on 05/13/2022.