Childrens Ark Creative Learning Center · 211 Nelbon Ave, Pittsburgh

The file for Staff Person #2 was missing a required FBI clearance. The file for Staff Person #3 contained a certificate of completion for Mandated Reporter Training dated 6/5/2020, which is more than 60 months old.

At 10:32am, Staff Person #1, an Assistant Group Supervisor, was alone in Room 2 with 6 young toddlers, which exceeds the 1:5 staff:child ratio.

While inspection was taking place in Room 7, Staff Person #2 brought a child in from the Pre-K room, so that the child could change out of their sweatshirt. This left only one staff person in the Pre-K room with a group of mixed age toddlers and preschoolers.

While inspection was taking place in Room 7, Staff Person #2 brought a child in from the Pre-K room, so that the child change out of their sweatshirt. While doing so, Staff Person #2 left the remaining 4 children for which they were responsible for supervision in the Pre-K room.

In the Pre-K room, an outlet was observed without a protective cover on the back orange wall. This room is utilized for young toddlers. In Room 2, an outlet behind a pack-n-play to the left of the doorway was observed without protective covers. The room was observed to be used for nap-time for young toddlers.

In Room 7, a canister of Dollar General-brand shaving cream, which is labeled "keep out of reach of children," was observed on the cube-style shelf which held art supplies. This area was within reach of the young toddlers who use the space. In Room 3, several tubes of diaper creams, which are considered toxic, were stored in lower drawers of a dresser. The drawers were not secured, and the items were therefore accessible to children. In the upstairs bathroom at the end of the hall, an odor neutralizing spray labeled "keep out of reach of children" and various ointments were stored in a bin on top of the changing table. The bin was within reach of children during diaper changes. In the Pre-K room, a bottle of hand sanitizer labeled "keep out of reach of children" was observed on the teacher's desk. The bottle was within reach of the children in the room.

In the Pre-K2 room, a spray bottle containing a clear liquid with a strong odor of bleach was observed on the top of the cabinet. The bottle was not an original container and was not labeled with the contents.

In the Pre-K room, the outlet below the mounted television was observed to have a broken faceplate. This created a sharp edge that could cause injury to a child. In the Pre-K2 room, the baseboard trim was peeling back in several places, causing dirt buildup and potential pinchpoints. In the stairwell leading from the lower level to the first floor, a screw was observed to be poking through the wood just above the top of the railing on the yellow portion of the wall. This created a sharp edge that could cause injury to a child.

In Room 8, peeling paint was observed under the large number decals on the wall. In Room 7, damaged plaster was observed on the wall in the back corner (to the right of the window). This was causing plaster to flake onto the ground. In the Office/Book Room, water damage was observed above, on both sides of and below the window above the yellow counter. This damage was causing peeling paint and crumbling plaster to fall onto the floor and the surface below the window.

Outside the bathroom on the lower level adjoining the Office/Book Room, a training chair was observed with a small amount of urine in it. At the time of this observation, no children were coming into or leaving the bathroom area, and no staff or facility person was present to empty and sanitize the chair.

In the Pre-K room, a bin of foam puzzle toys was observed. Many of the foam puzzle pieces had teeth marks on them and/or missing foam. In the same room, a yellow bin containing crayons and crayon pieces was observed. Many of the crayons had been broken into pieces that were less than 1 inch in size, creating a choking hazard. In Room 7, two open boxes of zip-top plastic bags and one loose zip-top bag were observed on top of the cube-style shelf that contained art supplies. These bags were in reach of the young toddlers who use that room and created a suffocation hazard.

In Room 2, a medication box was observed to have an albuterol inhaler in it that was not labeled with a child's name.

In Room 2, the medication box contained a package of over-the-counter Camilia Homeopathic Teething Drops. There was no accompanying written consent by the parent who provided the medication for their child.

The file for Staff Person #2 contained a health assessment dated 8/3/2025, which was after their first day caring for children (see LIS Code Sheet for date of hire). The file for Staff Person #4 contained a health assessment dated 9/5/2025, which was after their first day caring for children (see LIS Code Sheet for date of hire).

The last fire drill documented in the log was conducted on 6/9/2025, which was more than 60 days ago.

In Room 2, a large metal fan was observed on the floor in between the nap-time space and the eating area. The fan was accessible to small children. The openings on the fan were large enough for a small child's finger to fit in, causing potential risk of injury or harm.

The files for Staff Persons #2 and #4 did not include documentation of child care experience. The file for Staff Person #5 did not include documentation of either education or child care experience.

The Certificate of Compliance posted in the reception area expired on 6/8/2025.

The file for staff person #1 had an application for the NSOR on file but not the completed NSOR.

The emergency drill on file did not address continuity of operations.

The first aid kit in the older toddler room was missing soap. The first aid kit in the 2-year-old room was missing tweezers.

Peeling paint was present on back wall in the older toddler room, which was accessible to children in care.

The health assessment on file for child #3 had no updated health assessment or immunizations, with the most recent being from 8/4/23.

The file for child #3 did not contain updated immunizations and the child cannot return to care until updated immunizations or a note from the parent are provided.

There were three medications (albuterol) in the infant room that did not have a child's name on them.

Staff person #1 does not have an initial health assessment in their file. Staff person #2 had a health assessment on file that was not filled out. The file for staff person #4 has an initial health assessment of 7/28/22 with no updated health assessment. (SEE LIS CODE SHEET).

The current health assessment on file for Staff #3 indicates that the staff person has a communicable/contagious disease, with no additional information given

An emergency drill was conducted on 2/18/25 but no emergency drill was on file for the previous 12 months.

There was no initial or subsequent health assessment on file for child #1, only the child's immunization report. There was no initial health assessment on file for child #2.

The file for staff person #4 had CPR dated 3/21/22 and 8/19/24, which is past the required 24 months. The file for staff person #5 did not have an updated CPR in their file with the most recent CPR on file dated 3/21/22.

The file for staff person #1 contained Health and Safety training completed 2/17/25 and 2/19/25 which was not completed before their start date and within their 90 days of hire. (SEE LIS CODE SHEET). The file for staff person #2 contained Health and Safety training completed 2/11/25 and 2/15/25 which was not completed before their start date and within their 90 days of hire. The file for staff person #3 contained Health and Safety training completed 2/17/25 and 2/19/25 which was not completed before their start date and within their 90 days of hire. (SEE LIS CODE SHEET).

The child service report on file for child #3 did not have an updated child service report (7/5/23). The child service report on file for child #4 did not have an updated child service report (12/1/23). The child service report on file for child #5 did not have an updated child service report (2/2/23).

The emergency contact form on file for child #1 did not have a 6-month review. The emergency contact form on file for child #3 and child #4 were not updated within 6 months (6/3/24-1/4/25).

The State Police Clearance, in the file for Staff #1 (see IS Code Sheet), was dated 2.9.24, with no application present, and was dated after the start date. The FBI Clearance, in the file for Staff #6 (see IS Code Sheet), was dated 6.10.20, with no application present, and was dated after the start date. The NSOR Certificate, in the file for Staff #6 (see IS Code Sheet), was dated 1.29.21, with no application present, and was dated after the start date.

A Protective Outlet Cover was missing from the top outlet on the back wall, to the left of the television, in the PK-2 Room, which was accessible to child 5 years of age or younger.

On the back wall, under the window, in Room 7, wall wires which appeared to be cable lines, were not covered by a protective plate, and were accessible to children.

There was no Health Assessment in the file for Staff #1 (see IS Code Sheet), and the start date was 1.3.24. The Health Assessment, in the file for Staff #2 (see IS Code Sheet), was dated 3.13.24, which exceeded the initial start date. The Health Assessment, in the file for Staff #6 (see IS Code Sheet), was dated 6.10.20, which exceeded the initial start date.

There was no documentation, in the file for Staff #1, of a Mantoux test, which was due at initial employment. The Mantoux test, in the file for Staff #2 (see IS Code Sheet), was dated 3.15.24, which exceeded initial employment. The Mantoux test, in the file for Staff #6 (see IS Code Sheet), was dated 10.28.22, which exceeded initial employment.

As confirmed by the Operator, an Emergency Drill had not been conducted.

As confirmed by the Operator, the Emergency Plan had not been submitted to the County Emergency Management Agency.

The files for Staff #4 and Staff #5 did not contain documentation of Fire Safety training in 2023, which was due by April of 2023. Fire Safety training was completed on 3.16.24. The file for Staff #6 did not contain any documentation of Fire Safety training in 2021, 2022, or 2023.

The file for Staff #9 (see IS Code Sheet), contained documentation of the Health and Safety training, dated 3.11.24, which was not within 90 days of hire.

The files for Staff #2, Staff #3, Staff #8, and Staff #9 (see IS Code Sheets), did not contain any documentation of Pediatric First-Aid/CPR, which has exceeded 90 days of hire.

The file for Staff #7 did not contain documentation of 12 clock hours of child care training between 12.19.22 and 12.18.23, as only 1 hour was documented in the file. The file for Staff #4 did not contain documentation of 12 clock hours of child care training between 12.19.22 and 12.18.23, as only 10 hours were documented in the file. The file for Staff #5 did not contain documentation of 12 clock hours of child care training between 12.19.22 and 12.18.23, as only 6 hours were documented in the file.

The file for staff person #8 lacked a dated disclosure statement.

The first-aid kit in Room #2 was missing soap.

The file for staff person #3 lacked a health assessment that was conducted 24 months from the previous health assessment. The health assessments in the file are dated 2/18/21 and 2/20/23.

The file for staff person #8 lacked a health assessment that included tuberculosis screening by the Mantoux method at initial employment.

The file for staff person #7 lacked an adult health assessment that included an examination for communicable diseases and the results of that examination.

The file for staff person #7 lacked an adult health assessment that included information on medical problems that might threaten the health of the children or prohibit a staff person from providing adequate care to children.

The file for staff person #7 lacked a health assessment that included the physician's or CRNP's assessment of the person's suitability to provide child care.

The Fire Drill Log was observed there were 62 days between fire drills dated 3/4/22 and 5/5/22 and 62 days between fire drills dated 9/2/22 and 11/3/22.

The files for staff persons #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, and #6 who were hired prior to October 4, 2022 lacked the Pennsylvania Health and Safety Update 2022 training. The file for staff person #8 who was hired after October 4, 2022 lacked the Pennsylvania Health and Safety Update 2022 training.

The file for staff person #5 lacked mandated reporter training.

The file for child #1 lacked a child service report that was completed within 6 months from the enrollment date on 7/12/22. The child service report in the file is dated 2/28/23. The files for children #2 and #3 lacked child service reports that were completed within 6 months from the previous child service reports. The child service reports in the files are dated 2/28/23.

The file for child #1 lacked emergency contact information that was reviewed 6-months from the previous emergency contact information. The updates in the file are dated 7/19/22 and 2/28/23. The file for child #3 lacked emergency contact information that was reviewed 6-months from the previous emergency contact information. The updates in the file are dated 12/7/21 and 2/28/23.

The file for staff person #3, hired provisionally, had proof of application for the state police clearance at their start date and lacked the state police clearance within 45 days of their start date as required for a provisional hire and requires a current state police clearance. The file for staff person #5 had a Department of Education FBI clearance dated 9-21-17 and lacked a DHS FBI clearance. The file for staff person #1 had state police clearances dated 8-22-16 and 10-7-21 and FBI clearances dated 8-23-16 and 10-12-21 that were over 60 months between clearances. The file for staff person #2 had an FBI clearance dated 10-29-21 that was after their start date.

The first-aid kit in the 2 year old room lacked gloves.

In the pre-k room on the back wall behind the desk, there was an outlet with a cover that was separated from the wall exposing wires behind the outlet.

On the outdoor play space, there was a blue chair that had the seat broken with a piece of plastic coming apart with sharp edges and a brown chair with holes in a couple places on the seat cushion and had the stuffing exposed.

The files for child #1, an infant, and child #2, a young toddler, lacked a current health assessment updated within the last 6 months.

The file for child #3 lacked an immunization record within 60 days of their start date and requires a current immunization record.

The file for child #1, an 11 month old, had an immunization record that lacked documentation of the 2nd and 3rd doses of the DTAP and Pneumococcal vaccinations by age 6 months and the 2nd dose of the HIB and Polio vaccinations by age 4 months in accordance with the schedule recommended by the ACIP and lacked exemption documentation. The file for child #2, a 21 month old, had an immunization record that lacked documentation of the 4th dose of the DTAP vaccination by age 18 months and the 4th dose of the Pneumococcal vaccination by age 15 months in accordance with the schedule recommended by the ACIP and lacked exemption documentation.

The files for staff person #3 and #5 had a health assessment that was dated after their start date providing initial service at the facility.

The file for staff person #1 had a health assessment that lacked a physical examination.

The files for staff person #3 and #5 had a tuberculosis screening by the Mantoux method that was dated after initial employment at the facility.

According to the fire drill log, a fire drill was not conducted every 60 days between 4-14-21 to 7-21-21, 9-15-21 to 12-13-21, and 12-13-21 to 2-17-22.

According to the smoke detector log, the operator did not manually test the smoke detectors in the facility at least once every 30 days between 4-22-21 to 6-3-21, 6-3-21 to 7-15-21, 7-15-21 to 8-26-21, 8-26-21 to 10-7-21, 10-7-21 to 11-18-21, 11-18-21 to 12-30-21, and 12-30-21 to 2-10-22.

The file for child #3 lacked an initial health assessment within 60 days of their start date and requires a current health assessment.

The file for staff person #6 had pediatric first-aid and CPR training that expired in March 2022 and lacked current training.

The file for staff person #6 had fire safety training that exceeded a year between trainings.

The files for staff person #2, #3, and #4 lacked health and safety training, covering topics #1-9, within 90 days of their start date and require current training.

The files for staff person #2, #4, and #5, functioning as assistant group supervisors, lacked verification of 2 years of experience working with children to qualify as an assistant group supervisor.

The files for child #3 and #4 had an agreement that lacked the fee amount.

The files for child #1, #3, and #4 had an agreement that lacked the date on which the fee is to be paid.

The files for child #3 and #4 had an agreement that lacked the child's admission date.

In the pre-k room, there were 2 children receiving care in the room that lacked emergency contact forms in the room.

The files for staff person #4 and #5 lacked pediatric first-aid and CPR training within 90 days of their start date and require current training.

The file for staff person #1, with a start date prior to 12-20-20, lacked 9 of the 12 annual hours of child care training between 12-19-20 and 12-18-21 as required by regulations for staff persons with a start date prior to 12-20-20. The file for staff person #6, with a start date prior to 12-20-20, lacked 12 annual hours of child care training between 12-19-20 and 12-18-21 as required by regulations for staff persons with a start date prior to 12-20-20.

According to staff statements, staff person #1, who worked in the infant room, was observed using physical punishment multiple times towards multiple infants/children.

At approximately 3:06 p.m., staff person #1 was observed in the nap room next to the 1 year old room with 6 young toddlers, resulting in staff person #1 being out of ratio.

At approximately 3:06 p.m. with a total of 7 young toddlers, including 6 young toddlers in the nap room & 1 young toddler in the young toddler room, staff person #1, who was changing diapers in the nap room, named 4 young toddlers in their group, and staff person #2, who was in the young toddler room next door, named 2 young toddlers in their group, resulting in 6 out of 7 children being named in a group and 1 child not being named in a group.

According to staff statements, staff person #3 was observed using physical punishment towards multiple children in the infant room resulting in visible injuries to the children. The incidents occurred in October and November of 2021. No incident reports were completed for the injuries, and the parents were verbally informed.