Incident investigation·January 4, 2024

On January 4, 2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Michelle Perez, made an unannounced visit for the purpose of a case management, unusual incident report. Upon arrival, LPA observed 11 of the school-aged children supervised by one (1) teacher, inside the classroom and the remaining children were supervised by two (2) additional teachers in a separate classroom. The Center Manager was also present. During the visit, LPA spoke to a couple of children, regarding the incident that occurred when a child was playing soccer, and became injured. LPA also spoke to the center manager, to find further information about the incident. LPA found that a child had fallen, while playing soccer, and utilized their hand to brace themselves to avoid injury. Upon falling the child's wrist was injured. The child and the remaining children, stopped playing soccer and came into the classroom shortly after. LPA found that those children who played soccer with the injured child, explained that the child did not cry, and only indicated that their wrist hurt. LPA also found there were no outwards signs of an injury, no swelling nor was the child crying and that the child's hand was inspected and no signs of injury were found. LPA found through interviews with other children, that the child came inside the classroom, and was acting normal, but did not use their hand to do anything. Further, LPA found through an interview with the center manager, the child did not indicate they wanted to have a guardian called. When staff asked why the child had their hands inside their sleeves, the child responded in a joking manner "I broke my hand." Staff responded with "really?" and proceeded to inspect the hand, while the child said, "you know kids," in a joking manner and laughed with friends. LPA also found that when the child was picked up from the facility, the guardian asked the child if they had pain, after learning they fell, and the child indicated they did. Guardian, explained to center manager, that they were baffled the child showed no outward signs of pain and the hand looked normal. Upon visiting the doctor's, it was confirmed the child did break their hand. Center manager spoke to the guardian in the evening, who indicated the child still had no pain and did not want any medication. center manager spoke to the child on the phone and explained that the facility would have contacted the guardian, had the child indicated there was pain or a desire to speak to the guardian. Facility understands protocol, and reports unusual incident reports to guardians often, and to licensing when medical attention is sought, if a child has been injured, as well as inspects children for injury when an incident occurs. LPA did not find evidence of the facility not inspecting the child for injury after the fall. LPA found the staff spoke to the child about the fall to find if the child sustained an injury and could not find any evidence of injury.