Incident investigation·December 19, 2024

On December 19, 2024, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Lea Habtom arrived at Vineland Preschool to conduct an unannounced case management inspection. LPA met with Jeannie Gardner, ECE coordinator, and Reem Zaidan, Site Supervisor. Upon arrival, LPA observed 6 napping children and 1 awake being supervised by 6 staff. The purpose of today's inspection is to address the unusual incident that was self reported on December 18, 2024. LPA learned through staff interview, that 2 children ran out of the classroom and into the kitchen that is connected between the two licensed classrooms. A child in the classroom then quickly notified the teacher of the children hiding in the kitchen who then retrieved the children to come back into the classrooms. Based on interviews, the facility was cited a Type A deficiency for lack of supervision due to the staff member following the children and the children being in the licensed facility. This report was reviewed with Jeanie Gardner & Reem Zaidan. A notice of site visit was provided to be posted for 30 days. LPA Lea Habtom informed licensee Jeannie Gardner that this report dated December 19, 2024, documents 1 Type A citation(s) which shall be posted for 30 consecutive days as there is/are immediate risk(s) to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care. Also, LPA Lea Habtom informed the licensee Jeannie Gardner to provide a copy of this licensing report dated December 19, 2024, that documents any Type A citation(s) to parents/guardians of all children currently enrolled by the next business day or the next day the children are in care, and to any newly enrolled parents/guardians for 12 months from the date of this report. A signed Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Report (LIC 9224), or other written statement, must be placed in the child's file for verification.