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On January 8, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that Child A (2 years old) was picked up on December 31, 2024, and her mom noticed that her cheeks were very red. Mom was told by a staff member (unknown) that she had acted up and that another staff member, Nicki Goodall (reporter wasn't sure of Nicki's last name and spelling), had taken one of Child A's shoes, after the child took it off, and used it to hit the child on each cheek. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Curtis West found the allegation substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations that occurred at the facility:
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."
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5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)7. which states: "Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited."
On January 8, 2025, CI West interviewed Parent A (Parent of Child A), who stated she picked up Child A (2 years old) from daycare on December 31, 2024, just before 5:00 p.m. Caregiver Carly Sprong told her that she should ask Child A about her day and that she should ask Child A why her face is red, so she did. Child A's response was "cheeks red" and "hit." She asked Child A who hit. Child A responded "Niki." "Niki hit." She sent a text to Carly requesting an explanation. Carly responded that around 4:30 p.m. on December 31, 2024, Caregiver Nicole (Niki) Goodale hit Child A in the mouth twice with Child A's shoe.
On January 8, 2025, CI West conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Director Janet Plackemeier, Caregiver Destiny Idom, Carly, and Caregiver Alexis Swearingin. Janet stated she received a text from Parent A on January 1, 2025, about an incident at the daycare. Parent A stated in the text that Child A had been struck in the mouth with a shoe by Caregiver Nicole (Niki) Goodale on December 31, 2024. She spoke with Kristen on January 2, 2025. Kristen stated Parent A advised her that Niki struck Child A in the mouth with Child A's shoe on December 31, 2024. She spoke with Niki who admitted she lost her cool, took Child A's shoe, and bopped Child A in the mouth with it. Destiny stated she heard Niki telling Child A to go to time-out. She heard Child A crying over being put in time-out. She heard a slapping noise, like the sound of skin being slapped. She heard the slapping noise twice, but she could not see what Child A was hit with. She heard Niki say, "I wonder how much trouble I'm in for this one."
Carly stated on December 31, 2024, Child A was taking toys from the other children, so Niki put Child A in time-out. She saw Niki sit Child A down on the ground. She heard Child A cry about the time-out and saw Child A kick off her shoes. She saw Niki hit Child A but could not see what Child A was hit with. She heard Niki say to Child A "If you don't be quiet, I'll do it again" in an aggressive tone. She could no longer hear Child A crying. She notified Parent A at pick-up to speak with Child A about the red mark on her face. Alexis stated that she was in the room when Niki placed Child A in time-out. She heard Child A begin to cry as soon as Child A was placed in time-out. She heard Niki say, "I hope that a parent did not see me bop that child in the face." She saw Child A had a red mark on her face just before Parent A came to pick up Child A.
On January 10, 2025, CI West interviewed Caregiver Niki, who stated she tried redirecting Child A on December 31, 2024, and ended up placing Child A in time-out. Child A began to cry as soon as she was placed in time-out. Child A kicked off her shoes and screamed out loud. She lost control of her emotions, took the shoe Child A kicked off, and hit Child A in the mouth twice with it. She stated to the other caregivers in the room that she was probably going to get in trouble for bopping Child A in the mouth.
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