Step By Step Child Care

Regulation: 3270.14/3270.21

Description: Pertinent Laws & Regulations/General Health and Safety

Noncompliance Area: At the time of the renewal inspection the certification representative observed that the facility had a policy known as Shaken Baby policy that did not address the prevention and identification of child maltreatment.

Correction Required: A facility shall be operated in conformity with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations.State agencies whose regulations may relate to the operation of a facility include the Department of Environmental Resources, the Department of Labor and Industry, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and the Department of Transportation. Conditions at the facility may not pose a threat to the health or safety of the children.

Regulation: 3270.113(a)(1)

Description: Staff assigned to specific children

Noncompliance Area: On 3/13/23 a parent witnessed and reported to the facility's administrative team, that staff #1 threw a toy at her toddler child #1 while yelling "NO" at her. Upon review of the toddler classroom on the recorded video, children were observed unsupervised. Staff person #1 stated she was not assigned responsibility for specific children in the group. Children were observed climbing on furniture, leaving out of the activity areas and out of staff view. Per the recorded video, the additional staff person assigned to the group was not able to be observed, also preventing her from observing full view of the additional children and the newly hired staff #1 in the room.

Correction Required: Each staff person shall be assigned the responsibility for supervision of specific children. The staff person shall know the names and whereabouts of the children in his assigned group. The staff person shall be physically present with the children in his group on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the facility premises.

Regulation: 3270.113(b)/3270.113(c)

Description: No physical punishment /No ridicule or threaten harm

Noncompliance Area: On 3/13/23 a parent witnessed and reported to the facility's administrative team, that staff#1 threw a toy at her toddler child#1 while yelling "NO" at her. The allegation as reported by the parent was verified after conducting an investigation at the facility which included viewing the recorded video captured on camera, as per the parent's request. Following my facility visit the operator (LE) immediately terminated the child's enrollment. Parent was sent an email of termination effective immediately and remove all child's belongings from the facility. There was no written or verbal reason provided.

Correction Required: A facility person may not use any form of physical punishment, including spanking a child. A facility person may not single out the child for ridicule, threaten harm to the child or the child's family and may not specifically aim to degrade the child or the child's family.

Regulation: 3270.121(a)/3270.121(b)

Description: Review policies and procedures/Given parents in writing

Noncompliance Area: As a result of an investigation conducted by the DHS-OCDEL office, a parent was emailed notice of immediate termination of service for her child. No explanation was documented or verbally discussed, despite the facility's termination policy as provided and discussed with parent at the time of the child's enrollment.

Correction Required: The operator shall review with the parent, at the time of application, the facility's general daily schedule, hours for which care is provided, fees, responsibilities for meals, clothing, health policies, supervision policies, night care policies, dismissal policies, transportation and pick-up arrangements. At the time of enrollment, a parent shall receive in writing the facility's general daily schedule, hours for which care is provided, fees, responsibilities for meals, clothing, health policies, supervision policies, night care policies, dismissal policies, transportation and pick-up arrangements.

Noncompliance Area: At the time of the inspection (approximately 9:45 AM) the rear room adjacent to the entrance/exit of the basement had a total of 18 children in care including at least one group of two year old children.

Correction Required: When children are grouped in similar age levels, the following maximum child group sizes and ratios of staff persons apply: Infants 1:4 with a maximum group size of 8; Young toddlers 1:5 with a maximum group size of 10; Older toddlers 1:6 with a maximum group size of 12; Preschool children 1:10 with a maximum group size of 20; Young school-age children 1:12 with a maximum group size of 24; Older school-age children 1:15 with a maximum group size of 30.When children are grouped in mixed age levels, the age of the youngest child in the group determines the staff:child ratio and maximum group size in accordance with the requirements in 3270.51 (relating to similar age level).

Noncompliance Area: At the time of the inspection the first aid kits in the basement lacked one of the required items.

Correction Required: A first-aid kit must contain the following: soap, an assortment of adhesive bandages, sterile gauze pads, tweezers, tape, scissors and disposable, nonporous gloves.

Noncompliance Area: Floor tiles in the basement level were cracked and had jagged edges.

Correction Required: Floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces, including the facility`s outdoor play space surfaces shall be kept clean, in good repair and free from visible hazards.