Incident investigation·May 18, 2022

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Blanca Ruiz arrived at the facility to conduct a case management inspection in response to the receipt of an unusual incident report (UIR) from the facility. The UIR was received by the licensing agency on 05/09/2022. It indicates that on 05/03/2022 at approximately 4:00 p.m. a parent/legal guardian alleged witnessing a staff scolding and hitting a child in the playground for running his/her bicycle into a brick wall. At the time of the inspection, LPA toured the facility, took census, and met with the Director, Geraldine Pineda to further discuss the incident. During the inspection, LPA toured the facility, including the area where the alleged incident took place.\302\240 LPA observed staff at the facility providing care and supervision while children where having snack and transitioning to other activities Additional interviews with pertinent parties were conducted to obtain details regarding the reported incident. Facility records were reviewed, and interviews were conducted with staff and children on site. An internal investigation was also conducted by the facility to clarify information provided by parent/legal guardian the week of the incident. Staff involved in the alleged incident was removed until center conducted an investigation and obtained findings. LPA gathered the following information:\302\240 It was disclosed that the day in question parent/legal guarding observed Staff #1 scolding and hitting Child #1 and he/she child cried.\302\240 Pertinent parties present during the incident stated that Staff#1 spoke firmly to the child about being safe when riding a bicycle to avoid hurting him/her or other children; since child crashed the bicycle\302\240 extremely hard against the wall. During the incident staff was observed holding the back rest of the bicycle and redirecting the child to another activity as staff explained to the child how crashing the bicycle hard against the wall can seriously hurt his/her body, face and head. Child then was observed walking away with his/her head down to another area, but he/she did not cry. Parent/Legal guardian was informed of the incident. Child is still attending the facility and following safety rules in the playground. Based on records reviewed and information gathered from the facility it was determined that the facility acted appropriately and no violations were identified. Exit interview was conducted with Geraldine Pineda, Director. A\302\240 Notice of Site Visit was given to the facility and must remain posted for 30 days. A copy of this report was provided to the facility and must be made available to the public for three years upon request.