Springfield Academy

“Based on staff interview and documentation, the center failed to report a suspected incident of child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services immediately as required. Evidence: 1. On March 15, 2024, Inspector viewed video camera footage of an incident recorded on February 15, 2024 that showed Staff 2 present in the classroom when Child #1 (three-year-old) was hit with Staff 1?s croc shoe. 2. Staff 2 was interviewed and confirmed that they did not report the incident to administration. 3. The center administration staff also stated they did not contact CPS about the allegations of abuse and stated they conducted their own internal investigation.”

“Evidence: 1. Staff Handbook states ?Please do not discipline the children by yelling. There shall be no physical punishment or disciplinary action administered to the body such as spanking.? 2. Staff 1 did not follow the center’s policies and procedures as determined by video camera footage. Staff 1 was observed hitting Child #1 (three-year-old) with her croc shoe three times on February 14, 2024, on the bottom and once on the back. 3. Handbook states ?Anytime any school employee receives information or observes a child as being abused or neglected, the school employee must report this situation to the Designated School Personnel (DSP) immediately. The DSP must report ALL incidents to Child Protective Services ( CPS ) immediately! No exceptions! The report must be made to CPS regardless of whether or not the DSP believes the reported incident is factual. The report can and shall be made even if no physical evidence is present. The incident must be documented on the attached CPS Reporting form.? 4. Staff 2 was in the three year old classroom on February 14, 2024, and observed Staff 1 hit Child #1, and stated they did not report the incidents to administration.”

“Based on observation and interviews, staff did not follow operational responsibilities of the licensee by ensuring that the center’s activities, services, and facilities are maintained in compliance with these standards, the center’s own policies and procedures. Evidence: 1. Staff did not follow the center’s policies and procedures that Infants, who cannot turn themselves over and are awake shall be placed on their stomachs a total of 30 minutes each day to facilitate upper body strength and to address misshapen head concerns. Time is to be broken up into 2 or 3 times a day to obtain that total amount per day. 2. In review of 9 infant daily communication forms, staff did not document 30 mins and 15 minutes of tummy time on the form. Staff did document bottle feeding and diaper changing.”