complaint·March 20, 2023

Based on LPAs direct observations and interviews conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations, Licensee is using garage as primary care area for day care children and Licensee does not provide comfortable accommodation for day care children, are found to be SUBSTANTIATED. Please see attached LIC9099D for Type A deficiency cited. An exit interview was conducted, A copy of this report and appeal rights were given to the Licensee during this inspection on 03/20/2023. LPA issued a Notice of Site Visit and verified it was posted in a prominent location at the facility. Licensee understands that the Notice of Site Visit must remain posted for the next 30 days along with a copy of all Type A deficiencies cited during this inspection. A copy of all Type A deficiencies cited during this inspection must also be immediately (within 24 hours of child’s next day in care) given to the parents of all children enrolled in the childcare facility and any children enrolled into the childcare facility over the next 12 months (at the time of enrollment). Licensees are required to have all parents sign and date the Acknowledgement of Receipt of Licensing Reports (LIC9224) and maintain a copy in each child’s file. A copy of this report, LIC9224 and Appeal Rights (LIC9058) were provided during this inspection. During this initial visit, it was disclosed by Licensee and facility staff the facility utilizes its attached garage as the primary care area for all of the children in attendance. Staff stated the downstairs of the home is accessible to the children in care; however, the garage is the area of the home that has all of the day care items such as toys, activities, art supplies, television, and video games. It was further disclosed that children will eat and nap in the garage area as well. LPA interviewed four school aged children at time of this visit. Children interviewed corroborate statements from Licensee and staff that the garage is the primary care location of the facility. Children stated the interior of the home is only utilized in the morning prior to the children going to school. Upon returning to the facility after school, children stated they stay in the garage area with the other children in attendance until they are picked up by their parent/guardians. Children stated the younger children in care stay in the garage all day. Children interviews further disclosed the garage area of the home can get be uncomfortable at times due to how load the noise levels can get and its temperature depending on the weather. Children disclosed the garage offers games, art supplies, a television and video games; however, children often sit on the floor/ground during these activities. LPA made a subsequent unannounced visit to the facility on 02/07/2023. At time of this visit, LPA was granted entry by Licensee and observed eight children in care. LPA toured the facility and made direct observations of the facility’s garage area. During this visit and previous visit 01/18/2023, LPA observed children in care in the garage area only and not in the interior of the home. LPA observed children exit the garage area, use the restroom adjacent to the garage entrance, and return to the garage area. At time of both visits, children were observed walking about the interior of the garage or sitting on the floor. The entire flooring area of the garage is epoxy coated concrete, the only soft surfaces observed in the garage available for children to utilize are rugs and small padded floor mat, the padded mat observed to be too small to accommodate all of the children in care to stand or sit on at once. LPA also observed the noise levels of the garage. When approaching the facility entrance from the driveway LPA could hear children within the garage and while conducting a walk through of the facility noise levels in the garage would be audible throughout the home.