Incident investigation·January 13, 2023

On 01/13/2023, Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Rachel Zeron arrived at the facility to conduct a case management to investigate an incident that was filed by the facility on 12/19.2022, . During the visit, LPAs took a census of the children present, and met with the director, Charlene Bunnell Mcalister to discuss the incident that occurred on 12/16/2022. During the investigation, LPAs made observations, conducted interviews with staff . The incident report received indicated that a child was left unattended on the playground while the children were transitioning back to the classroom. The child was unsupervised for approximately 15 minutes. The teacher returned to the classroom, began to change diapers and noticed that a child was missing. The teacher called for help and when another staff came to the classroom, teacher returned outside to find the child at the picnic bench sitting quietly. The Director called the responsible party and Incident Report was given when the child was picked up. The director indicated that the teacher resigned when the director told the teacher that the teacher would be put on administrative leave. Based upon the information gathered and interviews conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, and therefore, the allegation, Staff left infant unattended in classroom is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. See LIC 9099D for deficiency cited. A an "Immediate $500" civil penalty was assessed for Lack of Supervision. An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of this report was reviewed and provided to the Director, Charlene Bunnell Mcalister . Appeal rights were discussed and provided during the exit interview. A notice of site visit was given and must remain posted for the next 30 days. Director must have parents of all current and any newly enrolled clients within the next 12 months, complete the Parent Notification Requirements form LIC 9224, and place the completed form in the child’s facility file. A civil penalty of $100 per violation will be assessed for noncompliance