Sharon L. Hostler Child Development Center

“Based on review of documentation and interview, the center failed to complete out of state background checks for all staff who lived out of state within the past five years. Evidence: 1. Staff #2 indicated on the sworn disclosure that they had lived in Maine within the past five years. Staff #10 confirmed that there were no out of state background checks for Maine for Staff #2 on file. 2. Staff #10 confirmed that Staff #2 at lived in New Hampshire within the past five years. Staff #10 confirmed that there was no abuse and neglect registry check and no sex offender registry check for New Hampshire for Staff #2.”

“Based on observations and interview, the center failed to ensure that hazardous substances were kept in a locked place. Evidence: 1. In the Early Preschool A classroom, there was one bottle labelled ?sanitizer? and one bottle labeled ?soapy water? in an unlocked cabinet. Staff #4 confirmed that the hazardous materials were not in a locked place. 2. In the Early Preschool B classroom, there was one bottle labelled ?sanitizer? and one bottle labeled ?soapy water? in an unlocked cabinet. Staff #12 confirmed that the hazardous materials were not in a locked place. 3. In the Kindergarten Prep 1 classroom, there was one bottle of Eco Lab sanitizer and one bottle of Fabulose in an unlocked cabinet. Staff #13 confirmed that the hazardous materials were not in a locked place.”

“Based on interview, the center failed to ensure that behavioral guidance is constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and intended to redirect child to appropriate behavior. Evidence: 1. On June 16, 2023, Staff #1 reported to the department that Staff #14 ?did not follow our positive guidance policies?. 2. During interviews, Staff #4 stated that they witnessed Staff #14 ?forcefully made (Child #11) lay down?, put a blanket over her head and when Child #11 tried to pick up her head, Staff #14 pushed her head back down. Staff #4 also stated that Staff #14 put a blanket over Child #12?s head and when he picked up his head, Staff #14 pushed his head down.”

“Based on observations and interview, the center failed to ensure that when food is brought from home, the container is clearly dated and labeled in a way that identifies the owner. Evidence: 1. In the Early Preschool B classroom, there was three water bottles without names or dates. Staff #12 confirmed that the water bottles and the contents were brought from home. 2. In the Kindergarten Prep 2 classroom, there was three water bottles without names or dates. Staff #11 confirmed that the water bottles and the contents were brought from home. 2. In the Kindergarten Prep 1 classroom, there was nine water bottles without names or dates. Staff #13 confirmed that the water bottles and the contents were brought from home.”

“Based on review of records and interview, the center failed to ensure that each child’s record contain the required information. Evidence: 1. Child #1?s record did not have a work phone number for either parent. 2. Child #2?s record did not have a work phone number for either parent. 3. Child #3?s record did not have a work phone number for either parent. 4. Child #4?s record did not have a work phone number for either parent. 5. Child #5?s record did not have a work phone number for one parent. 6. Child #6?s record did not have a work phone number for one parent. 7. Child #10?s record did not have a work phone number for either parent. 8. Staff #1 confirmed that the items were missing from the children’s records.”

“Evidence: 1. The center’s Positive Guidance Policy states: Bright Horizons implements positive guidance and does not ?discipline? or ?punish? children. Bright Horizons prohibits the following: ? Subjecting children to cruel, severe, or frightening punishment such as shaming, humiliation, threats, derogatory remarks, verbal or physical abuse, neglect, or abusive treatment including any forcible restraining, hitting, shaking, jerking, squeezing, spanking, yelling, and choking; ? Using bribes, threats, or false choices to guide behavior; 2. Interview with Staff A on 2/10/2022, revealed that on 2/8/2022, after Child 1 threw books, Staff B picked up child 1 by her shoulders, forcefully placed her on the ground, and slapped the right cheek of Child 1 several times saying ?We do not do that?. When Child 1 attempted to get up, Staff B placed her back on the ground and told her not to get up. 3. Interview with Staff A on 2/10/2022 indicated that after 3 pm on 2/8/2022, in the Toddler A classroom, Child 2 was washing his hands and struggling to turn off the water. Staff C raised her voice and asked Child 2 whether she needed him to get Staff B. Staff B stomped over to Child 2, picked him up by the shoulders, and forcefully placed him on the ground. Staff B then smacked Child 2 several times in the middle of his forehead. 4. Interview on 5/9/2022 with Staff D, the typical co teacher with Staff B, revealed that Staff D did not witness any of the incidents on 2/8/2022, but in the 5-6 months they’d worked together, she had never witnessed Staff B striking a child, but stated that on previous occasions, Staff C would threaten misbehaving children by asking them whether she should call Staff B over and that Staff B could be intimidating to the children by stomping towards them or raising voice when speaking to them.”

“Evidence: 1. Staff A stated during an interview on 2/10/2022 that during the early part of the day on 2/8/2022 in the Toddler B classroom, Child 1 did something to upset Staff B. When Child 1 noticed that Staff B was upset, the child flinched. Staff A questioned Staff B about the reaction, and Staff B stated, ?She knows I don’t play.? 2. Staff A stated during an interview on 2/10/2022, that approximately an hour after the first incident on 2/8/2022, Child 1 took some books from the bookshelf and threw them, upsetting Staff B. Staff B picked Child 1 up by her shoulders and forcefully placed her on the ground. Staff B then slapped the right cheek of Child 1 several times, while saying, ?We do not do that.? Child 1 attempted to get up while crying, but Staff B placed her back on the ground and told her not to get up. Staff A stated that Child 1?s cheek was much redder than normal after this. 3. Photographs taken on 2/9/22 by another agency showed the right cheek of Child 1 being redder than normal and redder than the other cheek. 4. Staff A stated during an interview on 2/10/2022 that after 3 pm on 2/8/2022, in the Toddler A classroom, Child 2 was washing his hands and struggling to turn off the water. Staff C raised her voice and asked Child 2 whether she needed him to get Staff B. Staff B, hearing this from the Toddler B classroom, stomped over to Child 2, picked him up by the shoulders, and forcefully placed him on the ground. Staff B then smacked Child 2 several times in the middle of his forehead. 5. Photographs taken on 2/9/2022 by another agency showed a bruise starting to form on the forehead of Child 2.”

“Evidence: 1. Interview with Staff A on 2/10/2022 indicated that mid-morning on 2/8/2022 in the Toddler B classroom, Staff B picked Child 1 up by her shoulders and forcefully placed her on the ground. Staff B then slapped the right cheek of Child 1. Child 1 attempted to get up while crying, but Staff B placed her back on the ground and told her not to get up. Staff A stated that Child 1?s cheek was much redder than normal after this. 2. Interview with Staff A on 2/10/2022 indicated that after 3 pm on 2/8/2022, in the Toddler A classroom, Child 2 was washing his hands and struggling to turn off the water. Staff C raised her voice and asked Child 2 whether she needed him to get Staff B. Staff B stomped over to Child 2, picked him up by the shoulders, and forcefully placed him on the ground. Staff B then smacked Child 2 several times in the middle of his forehead. Photographs taken on 2/9/2022 by another agency showed the right cheek of Child 1 being redder than normal and redder than the other cheek and bruise starting to form on the forehead of Child 2.”