Noah’s Ark Daycare Center, Inc

“Based on record reviews the center failed to ensure that program leaders shall be at least 18 years of age, have fulfilled a high school program completion or the equivalent. Have six months of supervised programmatic experience. Within six months before being promoted or beginning work or one month after being promoted or beginning work, a minimum of 24 hours of training shall be received related to the care of children. Evidence: 1. Staff #4 (hire date 8/19/19 was promoted to lead teacher 9/1/22. The training documentation used was dated from 4/12/21-11/9/22, which exceeds the six-month time frame for completing 24 hours of training.”

“1. On June 1, 2023, six staff and 19 children, 16 months-five years, were on the playground. Child #1, two years old, left the fenced playground through an unlocked gate. Child #1 was missing for approximately 25-30 minutes when staff realized that the child was missing. 2. Child #1 was missing for approximately four hours. The child was located in a thicket of saw briers and had a few scratches about the face and arms. The conditions outside were sunny and 79 degrees. The FBI, State Police, local sheriffs? office, fire and rescue, local search and rescue, department of Game and Inland Fisheries, K-9 unit, drones, helicopter, and several community volunteers searched for child #1. Child #1 was not visibly upset when he was found.”

“Based on interviews the center failed to ensure that children under 10 years of age shall be within actual sight and sound supervision of staff. Evidence: On June 1, 2023, at approximately 9:15 A.M., there were two staff and two children, two years old on the playground. At 9:37 AM staff #3 came to the playground with her class of five children. Staff #3 reported seeing child #1 on the playground. At approximately 9:50 A.M. staff # 1 called out to her class that it was time for snack. Staff #1 did not see child #1 at that time. At 10:15 A.M. staff #1 contacted staff #6 by phone and reported that child #1 was missing. At approximately 2:00 pm, approximately four hours after the child was noticed to be missing, child #1 was found approximately .1 mile from the center.”

“Based on interviews and photographs the center failed to ensure that the following actions or threats thereof are forbidden: Enclosure in a small, confined space or any space that the child cannot freely exit himself. Evidence: 1. Staff # 10 ,9 ,7, 6, stated that child #1 (three years old) has been placed in a highchair for approximately 30 minutes while in the classroom, especially during nap time. Staff #7 and #6 stated that child #1 was placed in the highchair because the child would wake up all the other children in the classroom. 2. Staff # 6, 7, stated that child #1 has been placed in a highchair periodically throughout the day while in the ?big room?. When the child would try to go on the stage, touch a broom or hit other children, the child would be placed in the highchair. Staff # 6 & 7 stated that Child #1 would be in the highchair 15-30 minutes, most days. 3. Staff #7 stated that child #1 was placed in the highchair because the child was allergic to corn. When the center served corn staff #7 would place child #1 in the highchair so the child would not encounter the corn. There was no documentation in the record of child #1 indicating that the child had food allergies.”

“Based on observation the center failed to ensure that Areas and equipment of the center, inside and outside, shall be maintained in a clean, safe and operable condition. Unsafe conditions shall include, but not be limited to, splintered, cracked or otherwise deteriorating wood; chipped or peeling paint; visible cracks, bending or warping, rusting or breakage of any equipment; head entrapment hazards; and protruding nails, bolts or other components that could entangle clothing or snag skin. Evidence: Located on the big playground is a blue, green, orange seesaw. The top area is broken and is a pinch point that could snag skin. The PVC pipe that surrounds the playground has some areas that are cracked and has a hole. These areas could snag skin. The ground covering is showing in several places on the playground. This is a tripping hazard for the children.”

“Based on record reviews the center failed to ensure that non-prescription medication, be consistent with the manufacturer’s instructions for age, duration and dosage. Also, Duration of the parent’s authorization of medication shall expire or be renewed after 10 work days. Evidence: 1. Child #2, 3 & 4 all under the age of two years had non-prescription medications at the center for oral pain relief. The manufacturer’s instructions stated that for children under two years of age a doctor needs to authorize administration. There are no doctors authorizations on file. 2. Child #1 has a medication authorization dated 1/31/23, the medication has been administered daily since then. Child #2 has a medication authorization dated that was signed 1/24/23 and was administered on that date. Child #3 has a medication authorization dated 1/8/23 and no medication has been administered. Child #4 has a medication authorization dated 2/9/23 and was administered on that date.”

“Based on record reviews and interviews the center failed to ensure that when an authorization for medication expires, the parent shall be notified that the medication needs to be picked up within 14 days or the parent must renew the authorization. Medications that are not picked up by the parent within 14 days will be disposed of by the center by either dissolving the medication down the sink or flushing it down the toilet. Evidence: Child #1 has a signed authorization dated 1/31/23, child #2 has a signed authorization dated 1/24/23, child #3 has a signed authorization dated 1/8/23, and child #4 has a signed authorization dated 2/9/23. All four of these medications are at the center.”

“Based on interviews, center staff failed to ensure care, protection and guidance to a child they were supervising. Evidence: 1. On September 14, 2021, at approximately 5:00pm, staff 1 and staff 2 left a 14 month old child (child 1) alone in a classroom when staff and children exited the classroom and walked into the hallway. 2. The inspector interviewed staff 1. Staff 1 stated, ?Kids were all together on the playground and it was time to transition and come inside. I was in front of the line and staff 2 was also there. Staff 3 was behind getting the rest of the kids. We walked through the classroom and into the hallway and child 1?s dad was there to get him. I told child 1?s dad that child 1 was still on the playground and he went to see and came back inside and found child 1 in the classroom. Staff 3 was at the door in the classroom from the playground side. I went on into another room with the kids that I had.? 3. The inspector interviewed staff 2. Staff 2 stated, ?We all came inside from the playground. Staff 3 was still outside trying to get a couple of kids to come inside. Staff 1 was leading the kids inside and I was on the side. Staff 3 would have been in the back. We walked through the classroom and into the hall. Child 1?s dad was there and asked where child 1 was. Staff 1 told child 1?s dad that child 1 was still outside. I was still in the hallway waiting with two kids and child 1?s dad came back in. About that time, I guess child 1?s dad saw child 1 in the classroom. Staff 3 was with him.? 4. The inspector interviewed staff 3. Staff 3 stated, ?We were on the playground and everyone was coming in except two kids, one had his shoes off and I had to go and get him. The door was propped open to the classroom from the playground side while I was getting the kids in. While I was still on the playground, child 1?s dad came and asked me where child 1 was and I said he went in with the other kids. I then walked in the door and saw child 1 playing at the kitchen and child 1?s dad came in from the hallway. I walked child 1 over to his dad.?”

“Based on interviews, center staff failed to have a child under 10 years of age in actual sight and sound supervision. Evidence: 1. Staff 1, staff 2 and staff 3 reported that a 14 month old child (child 1) was left unsupervised in a classroom on September 14, 2021, at approximately 5:00pm. Staff 1 and staff 2 entered the classroom from the playground with a group of children, including child 1. Both staff 1 and 2 reported that they walked through the classroom and exited the classroom into the hallway. Child 1 did not exit the classroom and was left alone in the classroom. Staff 3 remained on the playground when staff 1, staff 2 and the group of children entered the classroom and exited the classroom into the hallway. Staff 3 entered the classroom from the playground and saw child 1 alone in the classroom. 2. The inspector interviewed staff 1, staff 2 and staff 3 and asked how long child 1 was alone in the classroom. Staff 1 stated, ?Child 1 was alone in the classroom for a few seconds.? Staff 2 stated, ?Child 1 was probably alone just a little while, a minute or a few seconds.? Staff 3 stated, ?Child 1 was in the classroom for just a few seconds.?”