Complaint·May 26, 2022

Some Staff reported there were a few instances were some staff were observed not wearing their face mask correctly, where their nose was not covered, and on another occasion, it was only on their chin. Some children stated they remember when teachers wore masks and they remember wearing masks too. There was one instance between January and March 2022 where LPA Hernandez Torres arrived at the facility and some staff and some children were not wearing masks while indoors. During that visit LPA Hernandez Torres reminded Center Director Masks were required for children 2 years and older and all staff while indoors. Center Director immediately went around telling all staff to put on their masks and to help children with theirs. Some guardians stated they remember seeing staff with masks on from January 2022- March 2022 while dropping off children, however they couldn’t determine if staff kept them on or wore them over their nose throughout the day. LPA Hernandez Torre reminded all interviewees, face masks are currently not required to be worn. Center Director reported if children demonstrate they can’t wipe after using the bathroom then I wipe them. We practice with dolls and baby wipes. She further stated if children say they need help and ask for help in the bathroom, staff will help the child wipe. If a child doesn’t ask for help and staff notice the child needs additional support staff will ask the child if they need help, if the child refuses help staff will offer more toilet paper and baby wipes but will not physically wipe the child. Staff corroborated the Center Director’s statements, reporting they encourage children to ask for help if they need help wiping in the bathroom and if they notice a child needs to wipe extra, they offer baby wipes. Center Director reported she is not aware if children have skid marks on their underwear, but if they pooped in their pants they are cleaned and changed. Staff also stated accidents are usually pee accidents, and the child is cleaned and changed. Center Director did mention there were a few children whose guardians had come forward and asked for additional support in wiping. Center Director then created a list and reminded staff to take extra notice of those children during bathroom breaks to offer additional support in wiping. Staff corroborated the statement and added with those children we ask if they need help and encourage them to wipe, but again if they decline the offer then we do not physically wipe the child. Some guardians stated their children had gotten ill due to not wiping, and they noticed their children were not wiping at home they were using the bathroom then putting their underwear up without wiping. When they asked the center about their policy, center director relayed the center does not physically wipe the child if the child is potty trained and declined verbally for the additional support. Furthermore, when children are in the bathroom, in the stalls the doors are closed so if a child pulls their pants up the staff would not notice, unless the child smelled like poop. Some guardians stated their children are potty trained, and don’t want the staff to wipe their child. Continued on 9099-C Some children stated they use the potty by themselves, and stated their guardians wipe them at home. Some stated they don’t poop at the center they only pee and they go alone. They mentioned the teachers only wipe the babies, not the big kids who use the potty. Some Guardians expressed concerns about staff not wiping their child after using the bathroom and the center no longer wearing masks. Center director and staff members stated they offer help wiping and remind the children to wipe, but if the child refuses help the staff will not physically wipe them. Center Director and Staff stated masks were worn when required. Children expressed staff do ask if children need help wiping in the bathroom, but only babies have accidents and need help wiping. Based on interviews conducted and records reviewed, although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the alleged violations occurred, therefore the allegations are Unsubstantiated. This report was reviewed and discussed with Center Director, She was provided with a copy of this CIR; and Appeal Rights. All licensing reports are public information and must be made available upon request for at least three years. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited during today’s inspection.