| Conclusion Summary |
|
Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegation that on June 30, 2023, the reporter found Child A sleeping in a chair in the housekeeping area by the door. The reporter asked her where her teachers were and Child A said "they left me in here". The reporter took Child A outside to her teachers Vince and Josh and notified her supervisor. The allegation is substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. - Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent adult supervision.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3. - Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises.
On July 7, 2023, CI Radney conducted interviews with Vince Leo, Carrie Griffin and Child A. Caregiver Vince reported that Child A fell asleep on the couch in the classroom after breakfast when they were washing hands and preparing to go outside. Caregiver Vince stated they began their transition outside at 8:55-9:00 a.m. Caregiver Carrie reported she walked into the classroom at approximately 9:05 a.m. and Child A was sitting on a chair in the housekeeping area. She looked for the teachers, said "Where are your teachers?" Child A said "They left me in here." Child A was not crying, she was not upset. She took Child A's hand and opened the door to the hallway and let her supervisor know. Then she took Child A outside and told Vince that she was left in the classroom. Vince was visibly upset and turned to Josh and said "We left Child A in the room." Caregiver Josh said "That was on me." Child A reported she is 3-years-old, and she likes to eat oatmeal at school. "My school went outside without me. I just stayed inside." She was taking a nap on the couch. Ms. Carrie found her. She was scared.
On July 7, 2023, CI Radney received and reviewed two statements from Caregiver Josh Bell and Caregiver Carrie Griffin. Caregiver Josh Bell's statement reads "On 6/30/2023 at approximately 0905 hours, with, what I believed were all the children in line, I began calling their names and sending them outside using the check sheet. At approximately 0908 hours, I closed the door leading outside, with only 9 of the 10 children. At approximately 0910 hours, Ms. Carrie informed me that one child was left inside. Due to my failure to check the classroom and ensure 10 children were check on the list, Child A was left unattended in doors." Caregiver Carrie Griffin's statement reads "I arrived at work at 9:00 am. I stopped and talked to Shawnel in the classroom by classroom 5. Approximately 9:05 I went into classroom 4 to check on attendance and found Child A sleeping in a chair in the housekeeping section by the door. I asked her where her teachers were as I looked behind the bookcase, the office and the bathroom. She said 'they left me in here.' I took her by the hand and was going to get my supervisor but she was right in the hallway as soon as I opened the door. I told her what happen and then took Child A outside to her teachers Vince and Josh."
On July 7, 2023, CI Radney received and reviewed the Active Supervision Checklist from June 30, 2023. Ten children had arrival times completed, including Child A. Nine children had "A.M. Out" check marks marked, Child A did not have "A.M. Out" marked. Ten children had "A.M. In" check marks marked, including Child A.
On November 9, 2023, CI Radney conducted a telephone interview with Parent A (Child A's mother). She reported they called her right away to let her know that they went outside and Child A was asleep inside the classroom. They went outside to play, they did their count and realized she was left inside. They told her she wasn't alone inside very long. Child A told her she was sleeping and didn't really know what happened. Child A didn't really say she was scared or anything. She wasn't hurt. It made her upset but she is glad they let her know and Child A didn't really notice. She has no other concerns with the facility or supervision.
On November 9, 2023, CI Radney conducted a telephone interview with Director Shawnel Thompson. She is the center director. Carrie poked her head out of the classroom and told her Child A was left inside. Child A was asleep inside and her teachers didn't realize she was in the classroom alone until Carrie woke her up to get her to her teachers. Child A was asleep and she is one to fall asleep or for Parent A to bring Child A in asleep. She contacted Parent A immediately. Immediately following the incident, her supervisor went over their whiteboard procedure to ensure caregivers know how to mark in children as they come and go. They use the dry erase boards to keep the numbers as well as the active supervision list and make eye contact with the children as they are marking them in. They also require teacher communicate with each other when they come and go. She and her supervisor step into classrooms randomly to observe that and ask them how many children they have. Josh has since resigned his position with their facility.
On November 9, 2023, CI Radney attempted to reach Caregiver Josh Bell by phone. A voicemail was left but no return call was received.
|