complaint·December 7, 2022

The LPA met with the facility’s center director, Erika today to discuss the investigation findings and a tour of the facility was conducted at 8:45 AM. During the initial investigation visit on 09/16/22, the LPA M. Trinh met with the facility’s center director, Erika Silva to discuss the allegations. During the initial investigation visit on 09/16/22 and follow-up investigation interviews of parents, complainant, and staff by the LPA M.Trinh on 9/14, 9/16, and 10/25/22, LPA learned that facility had an incident that occurred on 08/17/2022 in which child C1 was bitten by another child while in care. Facility center director, Erika Silva was interviewed by the LPA and stated that she acknowledges that child C1 was bitten by another child in the toddler room, did not break the skin, and parent was informed immediately. During the investigation, the LPA obtained completed “Incident/Accident Report for Parent/Guardian” that were filled out on child C1’s behalf. According to center director Erika and other interviews conducted, there were 3 teachers and 13 children in the classroom that day. Per teacher S1 at the time of incident on 08/17/22 teacher was conducting a “circle time” while children are invited to participate, participation is not required and children who do not participate play while teachers work in the classroom. In addition, center director stated that Adult (A1) “was never prohibited from entering into facility” and that A1 “was asked to go into the Preschool class”. It was alleged that on 08/17/22 parent P1 was “stopped at the door and told that parents are no longer able to come into the room to retrieve their children.” LPA M. Trinh interviewed 3 parents and 3 out of 3 stated that there were no concerns with the school. Moreover, in regard to staff not meeting diapering and hygiene needs, all staff interviewed stated that facility procedure is to change children’s diapers every 2 hours or as needed. Center director Erika stated that child C1 was changed every hour and staff S2 stated “every diaper change we had put on cream” on child C1 and that there were weeks that Adult 2 (A2) would state to “not put on cream”. Center director and staff stated that children’s faces are wiped as needed when children allow staff to do so. It was reported that “facility has an app that allows the teachers to notate, electronically, what/how each child’s day is going” and that it only shows a few diaper changes through the day. Facility app is not part of licensing regulations. Children’s records are maintained in the facility and available for the Department to review when necessary. Center Director Erika Silva stated during interview on 9/16/22 that child C1 was treated well and not discriminated against. In addition, child C’1s sweater had child’s name written on it to ensure that sweater wouldn’t be lost and Staff S3 didn’t see memo from child C1’s parent to not do this per center director. During the investigation, interviews were conducted with staff members S1-S5 on 09/16/22 and parents P1 – P3 on 10/25/22. The staff members that were interviewed corroborated the former center director’s statements affirming the statements above. Parents interviewed at this time had no concerns or complaints regarding the service been provided by this facility. Although it was corroborated that child C1 was bitten by another child while in care and might have had diaper rashes, based on available information and interviews conducted, there was not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the incident occurred due to staff not being competent and/or diaper rashes were due to diapers not being changed and lack of hygiene or any other violation of regulations. Therefore, the allegations are unsubstantiated. All licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years. This report was read and reviewed with the center director, Erika Silva. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited during today's inspection. Appeal rights were provided. The Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for at least 30 days.