Brightside Academy INC

Based on interviews with staff and review of documents, it was verified that Child #1 sustained an injury on 9/29 in Room 2 at 3:36 PM. Child #1 fell onto a shelf, which resulted in a bump on the child's forehead. Staff Person #1, who was responsible for supervising the child, did not provide an incident report to the parent on the day of the injury.

The most recent Child Abuse and FBI Clearances in the file for Staff Person #1 exceeded 60 months between clearances. The NSOR Certificate in the file for Staff Person #2 was acquired after the staff person's first day working in child care (See LIS Code Sheet).

On 9/4/25 at 10:00 AM, Staff Person #7, #8 and #9 were supervising 8 older toddlers in Room #1. When asked to identify the children in their groups, Staff Person #8 and #9 each identified three children. Staff Person #7 was unable to name the two children they were supervising.

The initial emergency plan training in the file for Staff Person #3 was conducted more than 90 days after the staff person's initial day in child care (See LIS Code Sheet).

Observed an electrical outlet that lacked a protective receptacle cover in the hallway outside Room #7.

Observed a waste can, which lacked a plastic liner, and contained soiled Kleenex in Room #2.

The first aid kit in Room #3 lacked scissors. The first aid kit in Room #7 lacked tweezers and tape.

Observed a loose, broken ceiling tile in the far corner or Room #8.

Observed flaking paint and plaster under the window in Room #1. Observed peeling paint by the women's room in Room #4.

Observed Staff Person #8 lift a child up to wash the child's hands in Room #1. The sink in the room is not at proper height for children using it nor did the sink have platforms or steps for children to use.

Observed the toilet in the women's room attached to Room #4 and two sinks in the 2nd floor men's room, which lacked handwashing signs.

Observed cracks, which create sharp edges, in a clear plastic toy bin in Room #3 and a purple toy bin in the summer camp room.

Observed peeling plastic, which exposed the inner foam, of a staff chair in Room #4. Observed teeth marks in the foam blocks in Room #3. This presents a potential choking hazard for children who may still be placing objects in their mouths.

The file for Child #3 did not contain an immunization record. The parental exemption was on a pre-filled form that is not acceptable.

The most recent health assessments in the file for Staff Person #6 exceeded 24 months between assessments.

The files for Child #4 and #5, who have been enrolled for more than 60 days, did not include an initial health report.

The most recent Pediatric First Aid/CPR Certifications in the files for Staff Person #1, 5 and 6 were acquired after the previous certifications had expired.

The most recent annual fire safety trainings in the files for Staff Person #1, 4 and 6 exceeded 12 months between trainings.

The file for Staff Person #9 contained a foreign degree, which has not been evaluated by a service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE).

Emergency Contact Forms were not present in Room #1 for Child #1 or Room #4 for Child #2, who were receiving care in those rooms.

Based on conversations with staff and review of video footage, the following was verified: On 9/13/24 at 8:14 AM, Staff Person #1 and #2 were involved in a physical altercation in the lobby of the facility. At this time, Staff Person #3 and #4 were supervising 6 children (2 infants and 4 young toddlers) in Classroom 4. Staff Person #3 and #4 left these children alone and unsupervised when they left the room to deescalate the fight. At this time, Staff Person #5 was supervising 2 older toddlers in Room 1. When Staff Person #5 noticed that the children in Room #4 were left alone, Staff Person #5 left the room for approximately ten seconds, but quickly returned. This briefly left 2 older toddlers alone and unsupervised in Room #1. Upon return, Staff Person #5 took her 2 older toddlers to Room 4. This placed Staff Person #5 over ratio in Room #4 until Staff Person #3 and #4 returned. This incident resulted in non-compliance with ratio/supervision during the following times: 8:14:00-8:14:40 Six children (2 infants, 4 young toddlers) alone and unsupervised in Room #4 for forty seconds when Staff Person #3 and #4 left the room. 8:14:30-8:14:40 Two older toddlers alone and unsupervised in…

Based on conversations with staff and review of video footage, the following was verified: On 9/13/24 at 8:14 AM, Staff Person #1 and #2 were involved in a physical altercation in the lobby of the facility. At this time, Staff Person #3 and #4 were supervising 6 children (2 infants and 4 young toddlers) in Classroom 4. Staff Person #3 and #4 left these children alone and unsupervised when they left the room to deescalate the fight. At this time, Staff Person #5 was supervising 2 older toddlers in Room 1. When Staff Person #5 noticed that the children in Room #4 were left alone, Staff Person #5 left the room for approximately ten seconds, but quickly returned. This briefly left 2 older toddlers alone and unsupervised in Room #1. Upon return, Staff Person #5 took her 2 older toddlers to Room 4. This placed Staff Person #5 over ratio in Room #4 until Staff Person #3 and #4 returned. This incident resulted in non-compliance with ratio/supervision during the following times: 8:14:00-8:14:40 Six children (2 infants, 4 young toddlers) alone and unsupervised in Room #4 for forty seconds when Staff Person #3 and #4 left the room. 8:14:30-8:14:40 Two older toddlers alone and unsupervised in…

Based on conversations with staff and review of video footage, the following was verified: On 9/13/24 at 8:14 AM, Staff Person #1 and #2 were involved in a physical altercation in the lobby of the facility. At this time, Staff Person #3 and #4 were supervising 6 children (2 infants and 4 young toddlers) in Classroom 4. Staff Person #3 and #4 left these children alone and unsupervised when they left the room to deescalate the fight. At this time, Staff Person #5 was supervising 2 older toddlers in Room 1. When Staff Person #5 noticed that the children in Room #4 were left alone, Staff Person #5 left the room for approximately ten seconds, but quickly returned. This briefly left 2 older toddlers alone and unsupervised in Room #1. Upon return, Staff Person #5 took her 2 older toddlers to Room 4. This placed Staff Person #5 over ratio in Room #4 until Staff Person #3 and #4 returned. This incident resulted in non-compliance with ratio/supervision during the following times: 8:14:00-8:14:40 Six children (2 infants, 4 young toddlers) alone and unsupervised in Room #4 for forty seconds when Staff Person #3 and #4 left the room. 8:14:30-8:14:40 Two older toddlers alone and unsupervised in…

Based on conversations with staff, it was verified that Staff Person #3 and #4 were observed arguing with each other and using profanity in the presence of children on 9/24/24 and 9/25/24 in Room 4.

On 10/1/24 at approximately 9:00 AM in Room #4, Staff Person #2 and #3 were each supervising a group of 4 children (infants and young toddlers). Each staff person was only able to name three of the children in their assigned groups. Staff Person #2 failed to name Child #1 and Staff Person #3 failed to name Child #2, who were in their assigned groups.

Observed spray bottles of Lysol cleaner in Room #4 and Room #8 that were not labeled.

The first aid kit in Room #8 lacked tweezers, tape and gauze.

Observed a cracked electrical outlet cover and ceiling tiles, discolored from water damage, in the center of the ceiling in the 1st floor gym.

The hallway exit near Room #4 was blocked by car seats and broken appliances, which were to be discarded.

Observed plastic bags in the toy box on the floor in Room #4. This presents a potential hazard to children who may still be placing objects in their mouths.

The most recent updated health reports in the file for Child #3, a preschool child, exceeded 12 months between reports.

Observed a bottle for Child #1, an infant, which was not labeled.

The most recent annual fire safety trainings in the file for Staff Person #1 exceeded 12 months between trainings: 7/28/23-9/25/24.

The daily activity schedule was not posted in Room #8.

Staff person #2 and #3 were observed to be caring for children unsupervised. Staff person #2 and #3 have not completed the following pre-service training required prior to caring for children unsupervised: Pediatric First Aid/CPR in an approved curriculum from a PQAS Instructor.

The file for Staff Person #4, who has been working for more than 45 days, did not include an FBI Clearance.

The files for Staff Person #1, #5 and #6, who have been working for more than 90 days, did not include documentation of Emergency Plan Training. (See LIS Code Sheet).

Observed small multi-colored rocks, which were accessible to children, in an unlocked toy cabinet in the toddler room. This creates a potential choking hazard for children who may still be placing objects in their mouths.

The Pediatric First Aid/CPR certification in the file for Staff Person #6 was completed more than 90 days after the staff person's first day working with children. (See LIS Code Sheet).

Observed a cracked ceiling tile above the sink area in Room #7. Observed protruding staples from an open storage box in Room #9.

The most recent updated health reports in the file for Child #2, a Preschool Child, exceeded 12 months between reports.

The most recent immunization record in the file for Child #2 did not include documentation of a flu shot conducted within the past year or a letter of exemption from the parent or physician.

The most recent health report in the file for Child #1 did not include a statement that the child is able to participate in child care and appears to be free from contagious or communicable disease.

Observed two bottles in the infant room that were not labeled with the name of Child #4.

The one-hour health and safety update in the file for Staff Person #3 was conducted after the prescribed timeframe of 12/30/23. The file for Staff Person #2did not include documentation of the one-hour health and safety update.

The current pediatric CPR/FA certification in the file for Staff Person #2 was taken after the previous certification had expired.

The most recent fire safety trainings in the file for Staff Person #2 exceeded 12 months between trainings.

The fee agreement in the file for Child #3 did not specify the fee amount.

The most recent parental updates for the emergency contact forms and fee agreements in the files for Child #1 and #2 exceeded 6 months between updates.

The pediatric first aid/CPR certification in the file for Staff Person #1 was conducted more than 90 days after the staff person's start date (See LIS Code Sheet).

Based on conversation with Brightside Regional Manager, it was confirmed that the following incident took place on May 15, 2023, at 4:11 p.m.; it was observed that Staff Person #1 was washing Child #1's hands after the child had dug into their soiled diaper. Then while holding the Child #1 hands under the water, Staff Person #1 flicked Child #1's hand.

Based on conversation with Brightside Regional Manager, it was confirmed that the following incident took place, on May 15, 2023, at 4:11 p.m.; it was observed that a Staff Person #1 was washing Child #1's hands after the child had dug into their soiled diaper. Then while holding Child's # 1 hands under the water, Staff Person #1 flicked Child #1's hand.

Based on conversations, it was confirmed that Child #1 received a scratch on the back as a result of a shirt tag that had not been removed. Copies of this incident were not in the child's file or the facility's accident file.

Originally cited on 8/9/22, On 11/10/22, between 12:45 and 1:15 PM (naptime), identification cards system was not being properly implemented in five of the six rooms where children were in care. In the Young Toddler Room: Staff Person #1 was supervising a group of five young toddlers. Staff Person #1 had cards on her lanyard for only two of the five children in care. The other three cards were located in a desk drawer in the room. In the Infant Room: Staff Person #2 and #3 were supervising a group of five infants. Staff Person #2 had two of the cards on her lanyard. Staff Person #3 had two of the cards on her lanyard. The other card was located with another staff person who was on break outside of the room. In the Older Toddler Room: Staff Person #4 was supervising nine younger/older toddlers who were napping. Staff Person #4 had only four of the cards on her lanyard. Staff Person #5, who was on break and not in the room, had three of the cards on her lanyard. Two of the cards were located in a desk drawer. In the Young Toddler, Infant, and Older Toddler Rooms, Staff also had additional cards on their lanyards for children who were not currently in attendance. Preschool #1: Staff…

The Out-of-State Clearance Application in the file for Staff Person #1 was dated 8/9/22. The NSOR Application in the file for Staff Person #1 was dated 8/24/22. Each of these were after the staff person's first day in child care. The file for Staff Person #1 does not yet include Our of State Child Abuse Clearance for WV. The required Out-of-State Child Abuse application for Staff Person #2 was dated 9/19/22. The required state sex offender check (Georgia) for Staff Person #2 was dated 9/2/22. Each of these was after the staff persons' first day working in child care. The disclosure statement in the file for Staff Person #3 was not dated.

The emergency plan for the facility did not include requirements for continuity of operations (backing up or retrieving health and other key records/files and managing financial issues such as paying employees and bills during the aftermath of the disaster).

The ceiling vents and surrounding ceiling tiles in Room #8 and Room #9 were dirty.

Observed two broken crayons, which were smaller than 1 inch in diameter, in the Toddler Room. This creates a potential choking hazard for children who are still placing objects in their mouths.

The most recent immunization records in the files for Child #1 and #2 did not contain documentation of a flu shot administered within the past 12 months or a letter of exemption from the parent or physician.

The most recent health assessments in the file for Staff Person #4 exceeded 24 months between assessments.

The fee agreement in the file for Child #1did not include the child's departure time.

According to staff statements during complaint investigation, it was verified that on 5/25/22 at approximately 4:30PM, Staff Person #1 left Child #1 alone and unsupervised in Classroom 7 (PreK Counts) for approximately 2-3 minutes when staff #1 took 4 preschool children in her group to another classroom. The child was found in the classroom alone and unsupervised sitting on the couch by another staff person.

According to staff statements during complaint investigation, it was verified that on 5/25/22 at approximately 4:30PM, Staff Person #1 left Child #1 alone and unsupervised in Classroom 7 (PreK Counts) for approximately 2-3 minutes when staff #1 took 4 preschool children in her group to another classroom. The child was found in the classroom alone and unsupervised sitting on the couch by another staff person.

According to staff statements during complaint investigation, it was verified that on 5/25/22 at approximately 4:30PM, Staff Person #1 left Child #1 alone and unsupervised in Classroom 7 (PreK Counts) for approximately 2-3 minutes when staff #1 took 4 preschool children in her group to another classroom. The child was found in the classroom alone and unsupervised sitting on the couch by another staff person.

Based on statements made by staff, on 1/25/22 a preschool child was alone for 3-5 minutes in room 4.

Based on statements made by staff, on 1/25/22 a preschool child was alone for 3-5 minutes in room 4.