|
On July 12, 2024, The Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that Child A, 3 years old, was left outside unsupervised for more than 30 seconds. Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer conducted an unannounced investigation and found the allegation to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. which states, "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent supervision."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3. which states, "Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises."
On July 17, 2024, CI Greer interviewed Owner Kelsey Davis, Caregiver Vivian Kaiser, Caregiver Alize Swanson, Caregiver Sherry Marshall, and Child A.
Owner Kelsey stated the incident occurred July 11, 2024. Caregivers Angie Williams and Alize Swanson came to her with concerns about Caregiver Bridgett Nimmo. Caregiver Angie had observed Child A (3 years old) outside. Caregiver Bridgett had intentionally left Child A outside. When Caregiver Bridgett was asked by Owner Kelsey if she was aware Child A was outside alone, she stated yes. Caregiver Vivian stated at approximately 10:30 a.m. on July 11, 2024, she was taking her class outside on the playground. She could hear crying on the other playground. She informed Caregiver Angie that she could hear crying on the other playground. Caregiver Vivian stayed with the children, while Caregiver Angie went to investigate the source of the crying. She knows Child A was outside longer than 30 seconds. She heard the crying outside for at least a couple minutes. Caregiver Alize stated she was in the classroom July 11, 2024, with Caregiver Bridgett. Caregiver Bridgett was struggling with Child A not listening during an outdoor shadow activity. The class was having a party later that day and Caregiver Bridgett told Child A that if she didn't listen, she would not participate in the party. The class went back inside, and Child A started throwing a temper tantrum in the classroom. Child A was upset and crying loudly. Caregiver Alize went over to help Child A try to calm down. She talked with Child A about earning back her party, but Child A was struggling to calm down. Caregiver Bridgett got upset and said, "I'm done." She grabbed Child A by the arm and took her outside. She closed the door on Child A and stood on the other side of the door with her hand on the handle. It was definitely more than 30 seconds that Child A was outside. Caregiver Sherry stated on July 11, 2024, she was working in the classroom next to Caregiver Bridgett's classroom. She could hear screaming and crying inside the classroom and recognized it as being Child A. The crying immediately stopped. She saw Caregiver Angie go across the playground a couple minutes later and she saw Child A outside on the playground. Child A stated her teacher is Ms. Bridgett. Ms. Bridgett made her stay outside alone. She had to go outside because she wasn't listening. It made her feel scared and sad. She cried because it made her feel sad. Ms. Bridgett made her stay outside and it felt like a long time. The door was a little bit open, but she couldn't see Ms. Bridgett. Ms. Bridgett would not let her come inside.
On September 9, 2024, CI Greer interviewed Caregiver Angie, who stated she was working on July 11, 2024. Caregiver Vivian came to her and said she heard crying on the other playground. Caregiver Vivian watched the children, while Caregiver Angie went to find out who was on the playground. It took her a couple minutes to get over and see Child A on the playground alone. She was standing outside of Caregiver Bridgett's classroom door crying. Caregiver Angie knocked on the door and Caregiver Bridgett answered. Caregiver Bridgett stated she knew Child A was outside.
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)3. which states, "Only constructive, age-appropriate methods of discipline shall be used to help children develop self-control and assume responsibility for their own actions."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)8. which states, "No discipline technique which is humiliating, threatening, or frightening to children shall be used. Children shall not be shamed, ridiculed, or spoken to harshly, abusively, or with profanity."
On July 17, 2024, CI Greer interviewed Caregiver Alize Swanson and Child A. Child A stated her teacher is Ms. Bridgett. Ms. Bridgett made her stay outside alone. She had to go outside because she wasn't listening. It made her feel scared and sad. She cried because it made her feel sad. Ms. Bridgett made her stay outside and it felt like a long time. The door was a little bit open, but she couldn't see Ms. Bridgett. Ms. Bridgett would not let her come inside. Caregiver Alize stated she was in the classroom July 11, 2024, with Caregiver Bridgett. Caregiver Bridgett was struggling with Child A not listening during an outdoor shadow activity. The class was having a party later that day and Caregiver Bridgett told Child A that if she didn't listen, she would not participate in the party. The class went back inside, and Child A started throwing a temper tantrum in the classroom. She was upset and crying loudly. Caregiver Alize went over to help Child A try to calm down. She talked with Child A about earning back her party, but Child A was struggling to calm down. Caregiver Bridgett got upset and said, "I'm done." She grabbed Child A by the arm and took her outside. She closed the door on Child A and stood on the other side of the door with her hand on the handle.
|