LeafSpring School Charter Colony

“1. On 08/05/2026, classroom #1 was on the playground. Staff #1 and staff #2 were supervising a group of nine children. Staff #1 and staff #2 were unaware that child #1 and child #2, both 2 years of age, exited the gate located at the back of the playground. The two children walked approximately 154 feet down the sidewalk, then turned around, walked back up the sidewalk, and entered the parking lot between two parked vehicles. A parent observed child #1 and child #2 in the parking lot and stopped their vehicle to retrieve them. The staff did not realize that child #1 was missing for approximately 3 minutes, and they did not realize that child #2 was missing until nearly the same time the parent returned both children to the side gate of the playground. The children were missing from the playground for approximately 5-6 minutes. The center is located on a busy road. 2. On 08/05/2026 child #4, 22 months, was following staff #1 into the building. Staff #1 did not realize child #4 was behind them. The door closed on the child’s hand. The child was unable to pull their hand out from the entrapment. Staff #2 freed the child’s hand after approximately 15 seconds.”

“1. The center’s “Child Accountability Agreement” policy states “In order to achieve the level of accountability required, I understand that I am responsible for: ensuring that children under my supervision are safe and accounted for at all times.” On 08/05/2026, classroom #1 was on the playground. Two staff were supervising a group of nine children, youngest child 22 months. Child #1, 2 years, and child #2, 2 years, exited the gate located at the back of the playground. Child #1 and child #2 were found in the parking lot by a parent, who stopped their vehicle to retrieve and return the children to staff. The staff did not realize that child #1 was missing for approximately 3 minutes, and they did not realize that child #2 was missing until nearly the same time the parent returned both children to the gate of the playground. 2. The center’s policy titled “behavior guidance policy agreement” states “all faculty/staff must assume a hands-off approach when disciplining children, refraining from physical intervention with the child unless absolutely necessary to safeguard all children.” On 08/05/2026, child #3, 26 months, was observed crying while standing in a stream of water during water play. Staff #1 was observed roughly grabbing child #3 by the arm while leading the child to sit on the sidewalk.”

“1. The center’s policy titled “Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement” states “Teachers are prohibited from using harsh and cruel treatment involving physical punishment, including but not limited to spanking, restraining movement, shaking/rough handling...all faculty/staff must assume a hands-off approach when discipling children, refraining from physical intervention with the child unless absolutely necessary to safeguard all children.” 2. On April 23, 2025 staff #1 was observed abruptly putting child #3, age 2 years, down on their cot while loudly saying ?It’s time for nap! Lay down now! I’m not playing!? 3. On April 23, 2025 staff #1 was observed physically hurrying child #2, age 2 years, out of the bathroom by placing their hand on the middle of the child’s upper back while loudly saying, ?Go to your cot! It’s time for nap!”. The child stumbled when pushed by staff #1.”

“1. The center’s policy titled “Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement”, signed by staff #1, states: “Teachers are prohibited from using harsh and cruel treatment involving physical punishment, including but not limited to spanking, restraining movement, shaking/rough handling, ...all faculty/staff must assume a hands-off approach when disciplining children, refraining from physical intervention with the child unless absolutely necessary to safeguard all children. 2. Staff #1 was observed on multiple occasions hitting 2-year-old children with books and pillows. 3. Staff #1 was observed forcefully pulling child #3 and child #5, both 2 years of age, on two separate occasions causing the children to fall. Staff #1 continued to drag the children across the room. 4. Staff #1 was observed forcefully sitting a 2-year-old child down. 5. Staff #1 was observed throwing a toy across the room which hit child #4, age 2 years, in the head.”

“1. Staff #1 was observed on multiple occasions hitting 2-year-old children with pillows and books when the children would not listen. 2. Staff #1 was observed forcefully pulling child #3, age 2 years, and child #5, age 2 years, on two separate occasions by the arm to re-direct them to another area of the classroom causing the children to fall. Staff #1 continued to drag the children across the room. 3. Staff #1 was observed by several staff members on multiple occasions yelling at children, age 2 years, and screaming in the children’s faces. 4. Staff #1 taped the shoes of child #2, age 2 years, to prevent the child from taking their shoes off. 5. Staff #1 was observed forcefully sitting a 2-year-old child down.”

“1. The center’s policy titled “child accountability” states that “every time the class or any part of the class moves from one area to another (e.g., classroom to Dining Room...), attendance must be verified by taking roll, matching a name with a face, at the following times: before transitioning from any area, immediately upon arrival at the destination location.” It further states that “when more than one teacher is transitioning a group of children, one teacher must lead the group, and one teacher must be immediately behind the group to ensure children remain accounted for.” 2. On 10/18/2024 staff #1 and staff #2 transitioned classroom #1 from the playground to the classroom. Staff #1 and staff #2 did not conduct a face to name attendance count upon entering the classroom and were unaware that child #1 was missing from the group. 3. Child #1, age 23 months, was left on the playground for approximately 30 minutes alone and unsupervised.”

“Repeat Violation Based on interviews, and review of written statements, the center failed to ensure when staff are supervising children they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. Written statements and interviews with staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down.”

“Repeat Violation Based on interviews, review of written statements, and documentation review, the center failed to follow the centers own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1. Written statements, and interviews with staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down. 2. The centers policy titled “Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement”, signed by staff #1 states “teachers are prohibited from using harsh and cruel treatment involving physical punishment, including but not limited to spanking, restraining movement, shaking/rough handling, ...all faculty/staff must assume a hands-off approach when disciplining children, refraining from physical intervention with the child unless absolutely necessary to safeguard all children.””

“Repeat Violation Based on interviews, and review of written statements, the center failed to ensure that behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. Interviews and written statements from staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down.”

“Repeat Violation Based on interviews, and review of written statements, the center failed to ensure that physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child, as punishment is not allowed. Evidence: 1. Written statements and Interviews with staff #2 and staff #3 revealed that on 08/9/2024 staff #1 was observed grabbing child #1, age 2 years, by the arm directly above the elbow and then by the shirt to force the child to sit in time-out because the child was throwing mulch. The child began crying when the child was grabbed and forced to sit down.”

“Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure when staff are supervising children, they shall always ensure their care, protection, and guidance. Evidence: 1. Interviews on 12/06/23 with staff #1, and staff #2 revealed that on 11/28/23 staff #1 hit child #1, age 2 years, on the back which caused child #1 to fall out of their chair and hit their head on the table. When child #1 hit their head on the table child #1 began to cry. Child #1 had a raised red mark on their forehead and stated to their parent that staff #1 had hurt them.”

“Based on interviews, the center failed to follow the centers own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1. Interviews on 12/06/23 and 12/11/23 with staff #2 and staff #1 revealed that staff #1 hit child #1, age two years, on the back out of frustration because child #1 would not put their shoes on. When staff #1 hit child #1, child #1 fell out of their chair and hit their head on the table. 2. Interview with staff #3 on 12/15/23 revealed that on 11/28/23 staff #1 was observed hitting a child on the hand and yelling “stop!” while in the lunch room. 2. The centers policy titled “Behavior Guidance Policy Agreement”, signed by staff #1 on 10/30/23, states “teachers are prohibited from using harsh and cruel treatment involving physical punishment, including but not limited to spanking, restraining movement, shaking/rough handling, ..all faculty/staff must assume a hands-off approach when disciplining children, refraining from physical intervention with the child unless absolutely necessary to safeguard all children.””

“Based on interviews, and review of written statements, the center failed to ensure that behavioral guidance shall be constructive in nature, age and stage appropriate, and shall be intended to redirect children to appropriate behavior and resolve conflicts. Evidence: 1. Review of written statement from staff #2 dated 11/28/23, and interview with staff #2 on 12/6/23, revealed staff #1 was observed intentionally hitting child #1, age 2 years, in the back which caused child #1 to fall out of a chair and hit their head on the table. Child #1 began crying and had a raised red mark on their forehead. 2. During interview on 12/11/23, staff #1 acknowledged that they hit child #1 on the back causing child #1 to fall out of the chair and hit their head on the table. 3. Interview with staff #3 on 12/15/23 revealed that on 11/28/23 staff #1 was observed hitting a child on the hand and yelling “stop!” while in the lunch room. 4. Coaching form for staff #1 dated 11/13/23 revealed that staff #1 had been observed telling the children “no” often and was heard from the office yelling at the children. The coaching form also stated that staff #1 was observed grabbing a child by the arm and putting them in a chair as well as grabbing a toy out of a child’s hand with enough force that the child “wobbled.””

“Based on interviews, the center failed to ensure that physical punishment, striking a child, roughly handling or shaking a child, as punishment is not allowed. Evidence: 1. Interview with staff #2 on 12/06/23 revealed that staff #1 was observed on 11/28/23 hitting child #1, age two years, on the back because child #1 would not put their shoes on. When staff #1 hit child #1 this caused them to fall out of the chair and hit their head on the table. Child #1 began crying and had a raised red mark on their forehead. 2. During an interview on 12/11/23 staff #1 acknowledged that they hit child #1 on the back out of frustration because child #1 would not put their shoes on.”

“2. Interviews with staff #1, staff #2, staff #3, and staff #4, and review of written statements from staff #2, staff #3, and staff #4 revealed that on 10/02/2023 staff #3 transitioned 10 children from classroom #1 to the dining room. Staff #2 arrived in the dining room approximately 20 minutes later. At approximately 8:45 am there were 17 children signed into the weekly sign in/sign out sheet. Staff #2 and staff #3 transitioned the group of children from the dining room to classroom #1 at approximately 8:50 am. Staff #3 was at the front of the line and staff #2 was at the back of the line. 3. Interviews with staff #2 and staff #3, and review of written statements, revealed that staff #2 and staff #3 did not conduct a name to face attendance verification when they transitioned the class from the dining room to the classroom and did not conduct a name to face attendance verification when they entered the classroom. 4. Staff #4 went into the dining room with a group of children at approximately 9:00 am. Child #1, age 3 years, was found alone in the dining room eating food. Staff #4 alerted staff #1 that the child was alone in the dining room. Staff #1 escorted child #1 to the classroom.”