The Growing Garden Child Care Center LLC

Based on staff statements, Staff Person #1 and Staff Person #2 were reported to have used an aggressive tone of voice and harsh language in the presence of children. Staff Person #1 was reported to scream in children's faces, making statements such as, "I don't care what you want! I want you to do this! You're not allowed to play with the girls because you are a flirt and think you're a stud. If these were my kids, I would beat them. Get away from me! I don't want to be around you! When you guys come to my wedding, I am going to kill you all. The children will come back to stalk us." Staff Person #2 was reported to use an aggressive tone of voice in the presence of children, making statements such as, "Grow up! This is not how you're supposed to act! Get away from me! You're dirty and smell! We do not talk like that!"

Based on staff statements, it was reported that Staff Person #1 roughly yanked and swung Child #1 by their arm, resulting in Child #1 hitting the side of their head on a desk in the Preschool room. In addition, Staff Person #1 was reported to aggressively yank and pull Child #1 by the arm to remove the child from playing with other children. Based on staff statements, it was reported that Staff Person #2 struck the back of Child #1's hands several times and aggressively pushed the child while saying, "Get away from me!" Staff Person #2 was also reported to have used their hand to roughly squeeze Child #1's cheeks together while screaming in the child's face, "We don't talk like that!"

Based on staff statements, it was verified that Child #1 was lying on the floor on their back, crying and having a tantrum. Staff Person #1 was seated next to the child and placed their leg across the child's stomach, preventing the child from moving or getting up until the child stopped crying.

Based on staff statements, parents of children receiving care are not permitted to enter the facility during operating hours and are only permitted to enter the facility when receiving a tour at enrollment or if there is a medical emergency.

A fire drill has not been conducted within the last 60 days. The most recent documented fire drill on file at the facility at the time of inspection was observed to be on 6/10/25.

The fire detection system has not been tested within the last 30 days. The most recent documented testing on file at the facility at the time of inspection was observed to be on 6/10/25.

The PA Child Abuse Clearances on file for Staff Person #2 exceeded 60 months between updates. This is evidenced by PA Child Abuse Clearances dated 6.4.20 and 7.1.25.

In Classroom #4, 1 pair of adult scissors was observed in a cup on a table. In Classroom #5, 2 pairs of adult scissors were observed in an unlocked desk drawer. Classrooms #4 and #5 are intended for school age children, which made the adult scissors accessible to children who could receive care in the space.

Two cracked lids, with potential pinch points, were observed on bins in Classroom #2.

The file for Child #3, a preschool age child, lacked an immunization record within 60 days of starting at the facility (refer to LIS Code Sheet).

An expired Albuterol Inhaler was observed in the locked medication cabinet in Classroom #3.

The facility exceeded 30 days between smoke/fire alarm testing on 8.22.24 and 9.26.24, and then between 5.9.25 and 6.10.25. Verification of testing within the last 30 days was not on file at the time of the inspection. The most recent smoke/fire alarm testing occurred on 6.10.25.

The files for Children #2 and #3 lacked an initial health assessment and immunization record within 60 days of starting at the facility (refer to LIS Code Sheet).

A copy of the current insurance policy was not on file at the time of the inspection.

The updates to the Fire Safety Trainings on file for Staff Person #1 exceeded 12 months between trainings on 5.14.24 and 6.30.25.

The file for Staff Person #3 lacked completion of Part 2 of the required Health and Safety Training within 90 days of their Date of Hire at the facility. Part 2 of the required Health and Safety Training was completed 152 days after the Date of Hire for Staff Person #3.

The file for Staff Person #4, who had a foreign diploma, lacked verification that their education had been evaluated by a NACES or AICE certified evaluator.

The emergency contact form for Child #3 lacked the address and telephone number for the child's physician.

The updates to the emergency contact/financial agreement form on file for Child #1 exceeded 6 months between updates on 7.25.24 and 2.25.25. The most recent update to the emergency contact/financial agreement form on file for Child #2 occurred on 9.26.24.

Upon Certifications Reps arrival to the facility at approximately 10:15am, Staff Person #1 had left Classroom #2 to answer the front door. Staff Person #1 left the classroom of 10 preschool age children unsupervised. Upon entrance to the second floor, Staff Person #2 was observed to be performing first aid with a child in the restroom. Staff Person #2 has left 7 school age children unsupervised in the indoor gross motor room.

Upon Certifications Reps arrival to the facility at approximately 10:15am, Staff Person #1 had left Classroom #2 to answer the front door. Staff Person #1 left the classroom of 10 preschool age children unsupervised. Upon entrance to the second floor, Staff Person #2 was observed to be performing first aid with a child in the restroom. Staff Person #2 has left 7 school age children unsupervised in the indoor gross motor room. Staff Person #1 and #2 leaving the children unsupervised did not allow for a Staff Person to be present to meet the required Staff:Child Ratio requirements.

Upon Certifications Reps arrival to the facility at approximately 10:15am, Staff Person #1 had left Classroom #2 to answer the front door. Staff Person #1 left the classroom of 10 preschool age children unsupervised. Upon entrance to the second floor, Staff Person #2 was observed to be performing first aid with a child in the restroom. Staff Person #2 has left 7 school age children unsupervised in the indoor gross motor room. Staff Person #1 and #2 leaving the children unsupervised did not allow for a Staff Person to be physically present with the children in their groups.

The emergency plan lacked information related to the facility's plan for Continuity of Operations.

The hot water at the sink in the back restroom through the Kitchen area was measured at 131.8° F.

A window in Classroom #4 was observed to be missing the restriction allowing the window to open more than 6 inches.

One cracked bin, causing a sharp edge, was observed in Classroom #3.

The file for Children #2 and #3 lacked an immunization record within 60 days of starting at the facility. A completed immunization record was not on file for Child #2 until 241 days after starting and 321 days after starting for Child #3.

At approximately 9:30am, one hand towel was observed to be hanging from a clip on the wall and another hand towel was observed on the floor outside the restroom in Classroom #2. At the time 5 preschool age children were receiving care in the space. This did not allow for each child to have their own hand towel available for drying their hands after hand washing. It was reported that the hand towels were in the dryer.

The file for Staff Person #3 lacked a current health assessment. The most recent health report on file was dated 6.28.22.

The emergency plan lacked information related to accommodations for children with disabilities and chronic medical conditions. An EpiPen was observed for a child in care indicating this information is applicable at this time.

The facility lacked documentation that an annual emergency drill had been completed prior to 6.13.24.

The files for Children #2, #3 and #4 lacked initial health reports within 60 days of starting. The initial health report on file for Child #2 was completed 241 days after starting at the facility. The initial health report on file for Child #3 was completed 321 days after starting at the facility. The initial health report on file for Child #4 was completed 563 after starting at the facility.

The annual fire safety trainings on file for Staff Person's #1, #2 and #3 exceeded 12 months between trainings completed in April 2023 and on May 14, 2024.

The agreement forms for Children #1 and #3 lacked a parent signature.

The agreement forms for Children #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 lacked information to specify the date on which the fee is to be paid.

The updates to the emergency contact form and financial agreements for Children #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 have exceeded 6 months since their last review and update. The most recent reviews were completed on 9.5.2023 for Children #1, #3 and #5, on 10.25.23 for Child #2, and on 1.31.22 for Child #4.

The file for Staff Person #3 lacked 5 of their 12 hours of annual child care training in their respective training year.

At approximately 11:02am, staff person #1 and staff person #2 were observed sitting on a picnic table about 15 feet away from where the children were playing on the playground at Tarentum Park. Staff person #1 and staff person #2 were not supervising the children for approximately 9 minutes while they were talking and on their phones. Staff person #2 walked away from the park with her phone at 11:23am. The children were left alone with staff person #1 for approximately 6 minutes. The 6 young school-age children were assigned to staff person #1 and the two preschool children were assigned to staff person #2.

At approximately 11:02am, staff person #1 and staff person #2 were observed sitting on a picnic table about 15 feet away from where the children were playing on the playground at Tarentum Park. Staff person #1 and staff person #2 were not supervising the children for approximately 9 minutes while they were talking and on their phones. Staff person #2 walked away from the park with her phone at 11:23am. The children were left alone with staff person #1 for approximately 6 minutes. The 6 young school-age children were assigned to staff person #1 and the two preschool children were assigned to staff person #2.

At approximately 11:02am when they arrived at Tarentum Park staff person #1 was vaping for about 5 minutes. At approximately 11:23am staff person #2 was vaping and then walked away from the group.

At 11:23am staff person #2 picked up her phone and walked away from the park leaving staff person #1 alone with the children on an excursion away from the facility for approximately 6 minutes.

The file for staff person #3, whom was hired as an assistant group supervisor on (See LIS Code Sheet), lacked a dated disclosure statement.

In the science classroom a table was observed to be broken causing rough edges, sharp corners, and pinch and crush points.

The file for child #2 who was a preschool child lacked a child health report that was dated no more than 1 year prior to the first day of attendance at the facility. The first day of attendance at the facility was (see LIS code sheet) and the child health report was dated 3/31/21.

The file for child #2 lacked a child health report that was completed within the past 12 months. The child health report in the file is dated 3/31/21.

The Fire Drill and Fire Detection Log was observed the last documented fire drill was held on 7/13/22.

The Fire Drill and Fire Detection Log was observed the last documented 30 day smoke detector check was completed on 7/13/22.

The file for child #1 lacked an agreement that specified the child's arrival and departure times.

The file for child #1 lacked an agreement that specified the date of the child's admission.

The file for child #1 lacked emergency contact information that included the health insurance policy number.

The file for staff person #1 lacked 12 clock hours of child care training between 12/19/21 and 12/19/22. Staff person #1 had 10 clock hours of child care training. The file for staff person #2 lacked 12 clock hours of child care training between 12/19/21 and 12/19/22. Staff person #2 had 9 clock hours of child care training.

The file for staff person #2 lacked emergency plan training that was completed one year from the previous emergency plan training. The emergency plan trainings in the file are dated 6/22/21 and 6/24/22. The file for staff person #3 lacked emergency plan training that was completed within the last year. The emergency plan training in the file is dated 7/12/21.

It was observed in the Preschool Room that the blue outlet by the teacher's desk was missing a protective receptacle cover in an outlet accessible to children 5 years of age or younger.

In the Science Classroom Valspar Interior Paint & General Use Multi-Floor Adhesive were observed to be accessible to the children. Both containers were labeled "Keep Out of Reach of Children".

In the Art Room the 2nd window on the right above the ground floor that opened directly to the outdoors and was accessible to children was observed to not be constructed, modified or adapted to limit the opening to 6 or fewer inches.

In the Welcome Center on the back wall the baseboard was observed to have rough edges causing a visible hazard.

In the Welcome Center on the back wall the baseboard was observed to have peeling paint on it.

The restroom in the preschool room was observed to be missing a handwashing sign being posted above the toilet.

In the Art Room the right side of the piano was observed to have splintering wood. In the Indoor Play Area a purple foam toy die was observed to be torn and missing pieces of the die.

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 4/2/20 and 6/28/22.

The fire drill log was observed. There were 61 days between 10/15/21 and 12/15/21; 62 days between 12/15/21 and 2/15/22; and 90 days between 4/14/22 and 7/13/22.

The file for child #2 lacked an initial health report.

It was observed that the operator did not notify 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 within the past year.

The file for staff person #1 lacked health and safety training that was completed by 6/17/21. The health and safety training in the file is dated 6/19/22. The file for staff person #3 lacked health and safety training that was completed by 6/17/21. The health and safety training in the file is dated 8/23/21.

The file for child #3 lacked emergency contact information that included the name, address, and telephone number of the child's physician or source of medical care.

The file for child #2 lacked emergency contact information that included information on the child's special needs, as specified by the child's parent, physician, physician's assistant or CRNP, which is needed in an emergency situation.

The files for children #1, #2, and #3 lacked emergency contact information that included a policy number for a child under a family policy or Medical Assistance benefits, if applicable. The file for child #3 lacked emergency contact information that included health insurance coverage.

The files for staff persons #1, #2, and #3 lacked 12 clock hours of child care training for 2021.