complaint·August 26, 2021

Throughout the course of the investigation, LPA Hogue interviewed pertinent parties and it was disclosed that there has been more than one incident involving physical and verbal altercations between children in the school-age classrooms. It was disclosed, on an unknown date and time, a child(ren) tried to bite another child(ren) in care, which resulted in the child(ren) becoming upset and pushing the child(ren) who bit him/her. On unknown dates and times, it is disclosed that more than one child(ren) has thrown items at other school-age children and staff in the classroom. It was disclosed that children are throwing “baskets, boxes, Legos, and chairs” at children and staff in the classroom. Interviews with pertinent parties disclosed, school-age children are bullying other school-age children. Children are becoming angry and upset because they’re being verbally and physically “bullied,” along with being hit, kicked, and bitten by other children. Children in the school-age Classrooms A and B are responding to the bullying by throwing items at children and staff. It is reported, there is no additional staff support in the classroom and staff are not meeting the individual needs of the children enrolled in the school-age program. It is reported that there is only one teacher assigned to one group of 10-14 school-age children. School-age program is split into two classrooms. Classroom A has one staff with an average of 13-14 children present while in care at the facility and Classroom B has one teacher with an average of 10-12 children present while in care. Additional staff will enter the classroom to relieve staff for break or lunch, then leave once the primary staff returns to the classroom. Interviews disclosed, staff in the classroom are attempting to prevent and de-escalate the physical and verbal altercations from occurring by separating the child(ren), sitting child(ren) in the corner or sitting child(ren) at separate tables or areas. However, it was disclosed, the verbal and physical altercations are continuing to arise in the classroom. LPA Hogue reviewed facility records which documents one or more physical altercation occurring Classroom A and B. LPA Hogue reviewed facility Incident/Ouch and reviewed reports documents more than one physical and/or verbal altercation occurring in school-age Classroom A and Classroom B. LPA Hogue interviewed Director and discussed the behaviors in the school-age classroom. Director admitted the school-age classroom had issues with different behaviors arising in the classroom and the school-age children were destroying the property. Director stated she is responding to these incidents by suspending the involved child(ren), then if the problems continues, a decision will be made, whether child(ren) can continue with enrollment with the school-age program. Director stated she is responding to these incidents by meeting one on one with parents, and if behaviors continue to occur, then a decision is made by the Director, whether the child(ren) will be disenrolled from the preschool program. Teachers and Administrators (Director and Assistant Director) reports incident/injury reports by telephone and text message (KinderCare app). If a child(ren) is misbehaving and/or disrupting the classroom (ex: fighting, hitting, name calling, etc.) Director Tracy will have the child sit in her office and/or have the parent pick up the child for the remainder of the day. Director Tracy stated she has met with parents and children involved in physical altercations (i.e. hitting kicking, biting, and/or choking). Based on interviews with pertinent parties, incident reports reviewed, interview disclosures, staff are not adequately trained, and the facility is not adequately staffed to prevent the physical and verbal altercations from occurring. Incident/ouch reports obtained from the facility document there has been more than one physical altercation occurring at the facility. Therefore, the department has determined the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, the above allegation is found to be SUBSTANTIATED. See LIC809D for cited deficiencies. LPA Hogue conducted an exit interview and provided a copy of this report to Director Tracy. A NOTICE OF SITE VISIT WAS ISSUED AND LPA VERIFIED THAT IT WAS POSTED IN A PROMINENT LOCATION AT THE FACILITY BEFORE LEAVING. THE LICENSEE UNDERSTANDS THAT IT MUST REMAIN POSTED FOR THE NEXT 30 DAYS ALONG WITH A COPY OF ALL TYPE A DEFICIENCIES (LIC9099D) CITED DURING THIS INSPECTION. A COPY OF ALL TYPE A DEFICIENCIES CITED DURING THIS INSPECTION MUST ALSO BE IMMEDIATELY (WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE CHILD’S NEXT DAY IN CARE) GIVEN TO THE PARENTS OF ALL CHILDREN ENROLLED IN THE CHILD CARE FACILITY AND ANY CHILDREN ENROLLED INTO THE CHILD CARE FACILITY OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS (AT THE TIME OF ENROLLMENT). Appeal rights discussed, and a copy of this report was provided to Director Tracy on this date and must be made available to the public upon request for the next 3 years.