Incident investigation·April 16, 2024

An unannounced case management visit was made to the facility by Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Y. Yang in response to a self-reported, lack of supervision incident involving child C1 and C2 and staff S1 and S2 that occurred at the facility on 03/21/24. During today\342\200\231s visit, the LPA met with the center director, Lisa Steindorf to discuss the incident. It was reported by center director Steindorf that on 03/21/24 at 05:30pm, C1 and C2 followed staff S2 inside the preschool classroom from the preschool play yard without her knowledge as S2 was ending her shift and getting ready to leave the facility after assisting staff S1 with the children on the preschool play yard. The director reported that C1 and C2 were found in the hallway children\342\200\231s bathroom by staff S1. Staff S1 was interviewed regarding the incident. S1 stated that she was supervising a total of seven children at the time (including C1 and C2). S1 stated that this incident occurred at pick up time as three children\342\200\231s authorized representatives were picking up their child from the preschool play yard. S1 stated that she performed a headcount after the three children were picked up by their authorized representatives and noticed that C1 and C2 were missing. S1 stated that she searched the preschool play yard and did not observe C1 or C2. S1 stated that she then gathered the five remaining children and walked them inside the classroom with her. S1 stated that once inside the classroom, she heard C1 and C2 playing in the children\342\200\231s bathroom down the adjacent hall. S1 stated that she located the two children and reunited them with the other children. S1 stated that she estimates that C1 and C2 were unattended for a maximum of two minutes. S1 and the director stated that C1 and C2 do not have a history of attempting to leave the play yard or classroom without staff permission. Center director Steindorf reported that the authorized representatives of both C1 and C2 were notified of this incident. This incident was also reported to Community Care Licensing as required per regulations. The director reported that a change of policy was enacted because of this incident. The director stated all preschool children will now be picked up in the afternoon from the main preschool classroom and children will be seated at their table during pick up time. Furthermore, the director stated that preschool teachers were provided verbal coaching regarding the change of policy and an all-staff meeting will be held the week of 04/22/24 to further discuss this incident and care and supervision best practices. (Continued on LIC 809-C) Although it was corroborated that C1 and C2 were left without staff supervision while inside the facility for up to two minutes, a deficiency citation was not issued today due to the facility\342\200\231s history of compliance with Title 22 regulations. Technical assistance and best practice recommendations were provided by the LPA during today\342\200\231s case management visit. This report was read and reviewed with the center director, Lisa Steindorf. Notice of site visit shall be posted for 30 days.