| Conclusion Summary |
|
On August 5, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on 8/2/24 Child A(age 2-years-old) and another child, climbed over a gate and ended up on the other side of the daycare building that was being painted. There was paint and paint thinner by the building that was within the reach of Child A and the other child. Child A had redness and swelling on her cheeks and chest. The redness and swelling is likely from Child A coming into contact with the paint thinner. It is unknown how long Child A and the other child were gone before staff noticed. Staff did not notify the parents. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
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."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(I) ., which states: "All flammable liquids, matches, cleaning supplies, poisonous materials, medicines, alcoholic beverages, hazardous personal care items or other hazardous items shall be inaccessible to children."
On August 5, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed director TaLisha Franklin, maintenance worker Eric Brown, and teachers: LaRonda Lewis and Jeanette Johnson. On August 2, 2024, Child A (age 2-years-old) and Child B (age 2-years-old) were outside for their morning recess with their teacher Ms. Lewis. There were three other classrooms outside at the time with their teachers. Each teacher has a post where they are responsible for supervising children. Ms. Johnson's post was on the stage area on August 2, 2024. Ms. Johnson went inside around 10:00 A.M., leaving her post unattended. Ms. Lewis's post was the art area. Child A and Child B were with Ms. Lewis until approximately 10:00 A.M., she then allowed them to run for the rest of their recess to get out their energy. During this time, Mr. Brown the maintenance worker was painting an area of the fence behind the stage area with Kilz. None of the staff interviewed realized he was present or that he was painting on August 2, 2024. Mr. Brown had to leave to go get a paint scrapper from his car. When he returned, he saw Child A and Child B elbow deep in the Kilz, which he was using for a primer. Mr. Brown walked the children and found the nearest teacher. All staff interviewed were unsure of how long the children were left unsupervised with the Kilz. Ms. Lewis attended to the children and cleaned them up. She wrote incident reports and attempted to contact parents but was unsuccessful. There were no cameras on the playground, so CI Stewart-Martin was unable to review any footage from August 2, 2024.
On August 5, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin observed Child A and Child B's enrollment form. Incident reports from August 2, 2024, for Child A and Child B were observed. The call log from August 2, 2024, was observed and this indicated that LaRonda Lewis did attempt to contact the parents. The area where the fence was getting painted was observed and photographed. The Kilz primer that was being used on the fence was observed and photographed. The area where the children were found is still within the approved fenced area of the outdoor playground.
On September 30, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin attempted to contact Parent A(parent of Child A) but the number had been disconnected. Parent B (parent of Child B) was contacted. Parent B stated she has no concerns with the facility. The incident seemed like it was a mistake. Child B was fine and needed no medical attention. Ms. Lewis did attempt to contact her, but her phone was off. Child B is still enrolled at the facility.
|