Incident investigation·April 30, 2024

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Amy Strother made an unannounced Case Management visit to the facility and met with facility representative, Center Director, Marycarmen Olivares (D1). On 03/26/24 the Department received an Unusual Incident Report, reporting that on 03/25/24 around 11:30am, following a transition with the children in room #17 from outside to inside, D1 conducted a head count and realized that one child (C1) was left outside on the fully fenced play yard. It was reported that D1 immediately went outside and C1 was found on the play yard and brought back inside. The report states that C1 was left unattended for about 3 minutes and that Head Start Area Supervisor as well as C1\342\200\231s parent were notified immediately. The facility reported that immediate action was taken, to include a staff training on the same day that the incident occurred. The staff training included how to use the transition forms, how to transition from outside to inside and inside to outside, and a review of the Active Supervision Policy. On 04/22/24 LPA received copies of Head Start/Early Head Start Transition Safety and Supervision Child Tracking Sheet, Transitions and Transition Safety & Supervision Child Checklist, and the Active Supervision Policy from the ECE Assistant Director of Head Start/Early Head Start in an email. This facility is a preschool with a toddler component. The preschool children are located in room #17 and toddlers in room #18. During today\342\200\231s visit, the children in rooms #17 and #18 were sleeping when LPA arrived. Room #17 had 9 children, supervised by 3 staff and room #18 had 6 children, supervised by 2 staff. D1 informed LPA that no transitions from the classroom would occur for the remainder of the day, stating that children are picked up after nap time. LPA asked D1 for a detailed explanation on how transitions from inside to outside and outside to inside are conducted. D1 stated that the children line up at the door, are counted and then marked off on the Transitions and Transition Safety & Supervision Child Checklist located in a binder, as they exit or enter the classroom and the total number recorded at the bottom of the list. D1 stated that the group of children only have one transition as a group from inside to outside and one transition from outside, back indoors. D1 explained that she uses the additional in/out columns to track when a student leaves the group for services or to use the bathroom with a staff person, accounting for the children at all times. Continue on LIC809-C D1 stated that one teacher will be ready to receive the children inside or outside, one teacher will stand at the door putting a mark next to the child's name as they enter or exit and a third teacher will check that no child is left inside or outside and then close the door. LPA reviewed the completed Transitions and Transition Safety & Supervision Child Checklists in the binder, providing technical assistance to D1 regarding consistency on recording the in/out section and total count when children return to the classroom. D1 stated that they use a white board to record the total number of children inside, but do not have a white board outside, but use the binder for counts. D1 stated that the binder is located on the water bottle cart while outdoors. D1 demonstrated a clear understanding of how to conduct transitions with children, stating that she feels confident with the way that transitions are being conducted and is happy to have the system in place. There were no Title 22 deficiencies cited during today's inspection. This report was reviewed and discussed with Facility Representative, Marycarmen Olivares. Appeal Rights were provided. Notice of Site Visit shall be posted for 30 days from today's visit. Failure to comply with posting requirements shall result in an immediate civil penalty of $100.