ST James Lutheran Church Early Learning Center

Upon inspection of each childcare space, it was observed in the School-Aged childcare space that a jug of material labeled 'keep out of reach of children' was accessible in the unlocked cabinet under the sink area.

Upon inspection of all childcare spaces, it was found that a first aid kit was missing from childcare space labeled as Room #106.

Upon inspection of each childcare space, it was observed that in the School-aged childcare space that soap was missing from the first aid kit.

Upon inspection of all childcare spaces, it was found that a small area of wall damage was evident on the lower wall near the exit of the large group play space.

Upon inspection of all childcare spaces, it was found that a written plan of daily activities was missing from the space labeled as Rm #106.

Upon completion of an investigation, it was found that Staff Person #1 did act in a manner that did not facilitate the de-escalation of the situation with Child #1, which would have potentially permitted the child the opportunity to develop more age-appropriate coping, self-control and management skills.

Upon inspection of each of the physical childcare spaces, it was found that 2 electrical outlets in Rm 106 did not have protective receptacle covers in place in electrical outlets accessible to children in care.

Upon inspection of each of the physical childcare spaces, it was found that there were damaged ceiling tiles in the following childcare spaces: PreK [1] and Preschool [9].

Upon inspection of each of the physical childcare spaces, it was found that there was a small area of peeling paint in the School Aged childcare space under the bulletin board.

Upon inspection of children's files, it was found that the agreement on file for Child #1 - #6 did not contain any reference to the services which are to be considered as extra.

Upon inspection of personnel files, it was found that the documentation on file for Staff Person #1 did not attest to the person's suitability to serve as a facility person.

Upon inspection of the facility letter to parents regarding the emergency plan, it was found that a specific procedure for lock-down types of emergency planning was not included.

Upon inspection of all childcare spaces, it was found that emergency telephone numbers were not posted in room #105.

Upon inspection of all childcare spaces, it was found that a first aid kit was not present in room #105.

Upon inspection of all childcare spaces, it was found that there were damaged ceiling tiles in the following spaces: PreK room [2]; room #105 [1]; school-aged [2]; and the large group play space [1].

Upon inspection of all the childcare spaces, it was found that there was damaged plaster/wall material on the central pillar in the large group play space/dining area.

Upon inspection of the children's files, it was found that the most recent health assessment for child #2 was dated 2.10.23, and therefore expired on 8.10.23.

Upon inspection of the children's files, it was found that the most recent immunization record for child #2 was missing two Pneumococcal vaccinations [as indicated by the CDC immunization schedule], was missing one polio vaccination [as indicated by the CDC immunization schedule] AND had no influenza immunization on record. No exemptions were on file.

Upon inspection of the facility emergency plan, it was found that specific planning for lock-down emergencies [as opposed to shelter-in-place], was not detailed in the plan.

Upon inspection of the regulatory compliance documents on file at the facility, it was found that the operator had not notified the local traffic authorities in writing of the location of the facility and the program's use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the childcare facility within the past year.

Upon inspection of all childcare spaces, it was found that a written plan of daily activities was not posted in the school-aged space and room #105.

Upon inspection of the children's files, it was found that the admission date for the child was missing from the Agreement document for child #2 - #6.

Upon inspection of the children's files, it was found that an original signed copy of the Agreement document was on file for child #1 - #6.

Upon inspection of the childcare spaces, it was found that a written plan identifying the means of transporting a child to emergency care and staffing provisions in the event of an emergency was not displayed in room #105.

Staff person #1 did single out and engage in discussions with a school-aged child about sensitive mental health issues outside of the qualifications of her childcare position and without approval from the child's parents and the director of the facility, causing the child to become confused and troubled.

Upon inspection of the physical site childcare areas, it was observed that a small area of drywall was damaged and pulling free of the wall in Room 103 [corner area near thermostat].

Upon completion of the fire safety inspection, it was observed that the fire detection logs indicated testing on the following dates, which exceed the regulatory maximum of 30 days between the tests: 1.5.23; 2.7.23; 3.21.23; 4.19.23; 5.25.23; 6.13.23; 7.17.23; 8.9.23.

Staff person #1 did single out and engage in discussions with a school-aged child about sensitive mental health issues outside of the qualifications of her childcare position and without approval from the child's parents and the director of the facility, causing the child to become confused and troubled.

Child #1 was left unsupervised by Staff person #1 in the hallway area during a transition time for time not to exceed five minutes, until Staff person #2 became aware of the child in the hallway unsupervised. When directly asked about the children in her primary care group, Staff Person #1 stated she had nine, but it was confirmed that she only had eight present because Child #1 was missing.

Upon inspection of the outdoor play space, a hole in the plastic fencing was observed which exhibited sharp edges.

Upon inspection of the physical site, it was found that the carpeting in the 2-year-old space and the preschool aged space was pulling up at the edges AND the flooring in the sensory room was bubbled/wavy, creating potential trip hazards. It was also observed that the baseboard coverings in the sensory room and the cafeteria were either not firmly affixed to the walls or were nonexistent. Lastly, a shelf/bookcase in the sensory room was found to be damaged near the bottom, exposing rough/sharp edges.

Upon inspection of the physical site, it was found that peeling paint was exposed in the large muscle play area/cafeteria in the pillar area.

It was verified by both staff person #1 and #2 that a physically threatening verbal statement had been made out of frustration, but that no physical action accompanied this statement, nor was there concern that it would happen.

During an investigation of a complaint, it was found that Staff Person #2 did witness Child #1 being struck by Staff Person #1. Further, per her verbal and written statements, it was found that an injury to the child was observed at the time of the event and one hour later. Finally, per Staff Person #2 verbal statement, it was found that she did not report the incident and injury to Childline, as required by law.

Based on specific verbal and written statements, as well as the signed and dated Corrective Action document, it was found that Staff Person #1 did use physical punishment with Child #2.

Based on verbal statements collected from Staff Person #2, #3 and #4, it is found that no parent was informed of the incidents involving child #1 or #2 and Staff Person #1.

Following an investigation of a complaint for supervision concerns, it was found that two children were in fact out of direct supervision while on playground equipment, despite staff positioning themselves appropriately. At time of the incident, staff person #1 acknowledged that she did not have direct supervision of either child. As a result of the incident, it was stated by the staff persons that the children had been able to expose their genitals to each other.

Staff person #1 was observed to be caring for children unsupervised. Staff person #1 has not completed the following pre-service training required prior to caring for children unsupervised: Health and Safety Basics course completed on 9.12.16.

The file of facility person #1 does not contain a valid PA State Police Criminal Clearance.

Upon inspection of the fire drill logs, it was found that there was a drill recorded on 7.13.21 and next on 9.30.21, which exceeds the 60 day drill threshold.

Upon inspection of the facility documents on file, it was found that an annual notification to local traffic safety authorities in writing of the location of the facility and the program's use of pedestrian and vehicular routes around the child care facility was not sent in 2022.

During the investigation, it was stated that child #1 was specifically singled out for this behavior to the exclusion of other children. Further, it was stated that this incident occurred in the presence of other children/staff, which potentially increased the child experience of being ridiculed.

During the investigation, it was stated directly that staff person #1 utilized a physically and verbally confrontative approach with child #1 without full knowledge of the circumstances and responses of the child prior to her arrival on the scene.

Upon inspection of each child care space for compliance with ratio and supervision, it was observed that six children were not identified or assigned to a specific staff person for supervision in the Prekindergarten child care space.