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On July 1, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that on June 30, 2025 during nap time, staff member Jerry Long forced Child A (3 years old) down on their cot for nap, causing abrasions to the nose and eyebrow. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Curtis West finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of a licensing rule violation 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."
And
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."
And
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)9, which states "Punishment or threat of punishment shall not be associated with food, rest, or toilet training."
On July 1, 2025, CI West observed the video footage from June 30, 2025, of the preschool classroom during nap time. The camera was angled down from the top corner of the classroom. Caregiver Geri Long lifted the cot while Child A was still holding onto it. Child A released his grip and fell to the floor. Geri placed the cot closer to her position in the classroom. Geri pointed in the direction of the cot, indicating to Child A that he should go over there. Child A stood up on his cot. Geri then walked over to Child A and held his hand while he was lying on his cot. At the 12:17:40 p.m. mark on the footage, Geri stood up, turned Child A over onto his stomach, and placed her body over Child A, restraining him onto his cot. Child A tried using his feet to get from under Geri. Geri pushed away Child A's feet, then pulled one of Child A's feet towards his body. When Child A would get a little wiggle room from under Geri, Geri pulled Child A back into her restraints. At the 12:19:26 p.m. mark, Geri released her restraint on Child A. On the other side of the room at the 12:17:31 p.m. mark, Caregiver Rochelle Walters restrained a different child from the waist down, placing her body on that child at the 12:18:23 p.m. mark to keep them on their cot. Rochelle restrained the child until the video ends.
On July 1, 2025, CI West interviewed Director Christina Foster, who stated that on June 30, 2025, at 12:45 p.m., there was an incident in the preschool classroom involving Geri and Child A. She reviewed the video from the classroom during nap time with Parent A. She saw that Geri wasn't following the discipline strategy of the daycare. She saw Geri inappropriately physically restraining Child A. She saw the co-teacher Rochelle inappropriately restraining a child on the other side of the classroom.
During the course of this investigation, CI West also found the following rule violations:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)6, which states "Preschool children who do not sleep shall rest on cots or beds at least thirty (30) minutes, but shall not be forced to remain on cots or beds for longer than one (1) hour. They shall then be permitted to leave the napping area to engage in quiet play."
On July 1, 2025, CI West interviewed Christina, Rochelle and Sharon. Christina stated that the children are required to lie down on their cots during nap time, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. A short film is usually played for the children from 12:30 p.m. until about 1:00 p.m. Rochelle and Sharon both stated that the children are required to remain on their cots for two hours during nap time.
And
5 CSR 25-500.192(5)(A), which states "In case of accident or injury to a child, the provider shall notify the parent(s) immediately. If the child requires emergency medical care, the provider shall follow the parent's(s') written instructions."
On July 1, 2025, CI West observed the incident report from June 30, 2025. The report was written at 12:45 p.m.
On July 1, 2025, CI West interviewed Christina and Geri. Geri stated that Child A had a red mark on his face after nap time. She wrote the incident report and left it on the counter for Christina. Christina or a member of management is responsible for notifying parents after an incident if a child is injured. Christina stated that she found out about the incident at 4:00 p.m. She didn't upload the incident report to the Brightwheel app before speaking with Parent A. She decided to notify Parent A at pick-up. She provided the incident report to Parent A around 4:30 p.m. and discussed the incident.
On July 7, 2025, CI West interviewed Parent A, who stated that she came to pick up Child A on June 30, 2025, around 4:30 p.m. She saw a red mark on Child A's face. She spoke with Christina about the incident report and asked to see the video. Christina told her that she had just found out about the incident and decided not to call and that she would discuss the incident with her at pick-up.
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