A Step Ahead Preschool & Montessori

AAC R9-5-603.B. B. Except as provided in subsection (D) a licensee shall ensure that an outdoor activity area: 1. Is enclosed by a fence: a. A minimum of 4 feet high; b. Secured to the ground; and c. With either vertical or horizontal open spaces on the fence or gate that do not exceed 4.0 inches; 2. Is maintained free from hazards, such as exposed concrete footings and broken toys; and 3. Has gates that are kept closed while an enrolled child is in the outdoor activity area

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, 2 of the riding wheels on the red "merry-go-round" were broken and lacking pedals.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains: 1. A nonabsorbent, sanitizable diaper changing surface that is: a. Seamless and smooth, and b. Kept clear of items not required for diaper changing;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, the Infant's diaper changing table had a seam along the diapering surface.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.21. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 21. A refrigerator at the child care facility maintains a temperature of 41° F or below and a freezer maintains a temperature of 0° F or below, as shown by a thermometer kept in the refrigerator and in the freezer at all times;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, the refrigerator in the Infant room lacked a thermometer.”

AAC R9-5-512.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that toilet bowls, lavatory fixtures, and floors in toilet rooms and kitchens are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain them in a clean and sanitized condition or at least once every 24 hours.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, the caulk at the base of the girls' hallway restroom's toilets was detaching from the base of the toilets and the flooring beneath, rendering the flooring unsanitizable.”

AAC R9-5-306.B. B. A licensee shall: 1. Develop, document, and implement policies and procedures to ensure that a staff member maintains daily documentation of the presence of an enrolled child in an activity area that includes a method to account for any temporary absences of the enrolled child from the activity area, and 2. Maintain the documentation of the presence of enrolled children in an activity area required in subsection (B)(1) on facility premises for 12 months after the date of the documentation.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation and review of facility documentation, the classroom roster in 2’s classroom reflected the presence of 8 children, however only 7 children were actually present in the classroom.”

AAC R9-5-309.C. C. A licensee shall maintain on facility premises: 1. A current fire inspection report including documentation of any repairs or corrections required by the fire inspection report; and 2. If there are gas pipes that run from a gas meter to an appliance or location on the facility premises, a current gas inspection report including documentation of any repairs or corrections required by the gas inspection report.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation and review of facility documentation, the facility lacked a current fire permit. The last permit documented the expiration date as 2/28/26.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.12. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 12. The facility premises, including the buildings, are maintained free from hazards;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, the indoor drinking fountain's metal casing was detached from the wall, exposing the internal wiring inside the fountain.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.15. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 15. In rooms used for napping, the lighting must be dim during nap time to promote an atmosphere conducive to sleep but must be bright enough for supervision of children;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, during naptime, the 1's classroom lacked adequate lighting to supervise the children in the classroom.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.9. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:9. Does the following when a parent permits or asks a staff member to apply personal products on an enrolled child, such as petroleum jelly, diaper rash ointments, sun screen or sun block preparations, toothpaste, and baby diapering preparations: a. Obtains the enrolled child’s personal products from the enrolled child’s parent or, if the licensee provides the personal products for use by the enrolled child, obtains written approval for use of the products from the enrolled child’s parent; b. Labels the personal products with the enrolled child’s name; and c. Keeps the personal products inaccessible to enrolled children;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations and review of facility documentation, the diaper wipes in the 2's classroom were not labeled with children's names as required.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.1. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Supervises each enrolled child at all times;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, there were blankets covering the sides of the cribs hindering supervision of the infants laying in the cribs.”

AAC R9-5-502.A.1. A. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall: 1. Provide a wall-enclosed room for infants that provides exits required by R9-5-601(1);

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the Infant room was not enclosed as the door had been propped open.”

AAC R9-5-502.C.4.h. C. A licensee shall ensure that:4. When feeding an infant, a staff member: h. If an infant is no longer being held for feeding, seats the infant in a feeding chair or at a table with a chair that allows the infant to reach the food while sitting.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, in the Infant room there was a infant laying on the floor drinking from a bottle.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains:1. A nonabsorbent, sanitizable diaper changing surface that is: a. Seamless and smooth, and b. Kept clear of items not required for diaper changing;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, diaper changing surfaces were not maintained in a seamless and smooth condition or kept clear of items as follows: There were seams on the surface of all diaper changing areas. Additionally, there was a plastic pig hanging off of side of the diapering sink in the 1's classroom and a package of wipes stored on the Infant diapering sink area.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.22. C. A licensee shall ensure that:22. A refrigerator at the child care facility maintains a temperature of 41° F or below, as shown by a thermometer kept in the refrigerator at all times;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the refrigerator in the Infant room lacked a thermometer.”

AAC R9-5-512.B. B. A licensee shall maintain facility premises and furnishings:1. In a clean condition, and 2. Free from odor.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the climbing equipment on the facility playground had an accumulation of dust and grime, and the toy bins in the Preschool classroom had an accumulation of dust on the surface of the bins. Additionally, toys and facility items were being stored in the restrooms of the 2’s classroom. Reference R9-5-512.F”

AAC R9-5-603.C. C. Except as provided in subsection (D), a licensee shall ensure that an outdoor activity area:1. Is enclosed by a fence: a. A minimum of 4 feet high; b. Secured to the ground; and c. With either vertical or horizontal open spaces on the fence or gate that do not exceed 4.0 inches; 2. Is maintained free from hazards, such as exposed concrete footings and broken toys; and 3. Has gates that are kept closed while an enrolled child is in the outdoor activity area

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the following hazards were observed on the facility playground: *The resilient surfacing surrounding the playground equipment had become detached from the concrete creating a tripping hazard. *The metal handrail on the southwest side of the playground had sharp, rusted holes at the base of the handrail that were accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.15. B. A licensee shall ensure that:15. If the local fire jurisdiction requires a sprinkler system, the sprinkler system is: a. Installed, b. Operable, c. Tested quarterly, and d. Serviced at least once every 12 months;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations and review of facility documentation, the sprinkler system had last been tagged in October, 2023.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.14. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 14. Temperatures are maintained between 68° F and 82° F in each room used by enrolled children;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the Infant room thermostat registered a temperature of 66 degrees F and the Large room thermostat registered a temperature of 67 degrees F.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.12. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 12. The facility premises, including the buildings, are maintained free from hazards;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, there were several areas ranging between 2" to 6" of paint chipping from the surface of the Preschool classroom wall.”

AAC R9-5-404.A. A. A licensee shall ensure that at least the following staff-to-children ratios are maintained at all times when providing child care services to enrolled children: Age Group/Staff: Children - Infants/1:5 or 2:11; 1-year-old children/1:6 or 2:13; 2-year-old children/1:8; 3-year-old children/1:13; 4-year-old children/1:15; 5-year-old children not school-age/1:20; School-age children/1:20

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations. the Infant classroom was in a staff-to-child ratio of 1:6, instead of the state mandated staff-to-child ratio of 2:6.”

AAC R9-5-403.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that:1. Each staff member who provides child care services completes 18 or more actual hours of training every 12 months after the effective date of this Chapter or the staff member’s starting date of employment or volunteer service in at least two topics listed in this subsection: a. Child growth and development, including: i. Infant growth and development, which may include sudden infant death syndrome prevention; ii. Developmental psychology; iii. Language development; iv. Observation and child assessment; v. Developmentally-appropriate activities; vi. Child guidance and methods of discipline which may include training on the appropriate techniques to prevent a child from harm or to prevent the child from harming others; and vii. Developmentally-appropriate activity areas; b. Health and safety issues, including: i. Accident and emergency procedures, including CPR and first aid for infants and children; ii. Recognition of signs of illness and infestation; iii. Nutrition and developmentally-appropriate eating habits; iv. Child abuse detection, reporting, and prevention; v. Safety of indoor and outdoor activity areas; and vi. Sun safety policies and procedures; c. Program administration, planning, development, or management; and d. Availability of community services and resources, including those available to children with special needs; and 2. As part of the required 18 hours of training in subsection (B)(1): a. A staff member who has less than 12 months of child care experience before the staff member’s starting date, completes at least 12 hours in one or more of the topics in subsection (B)(1)(a) in the staff member’s first 12 months at the facility; b. A staff member who has 12 months or more of child care experience, completes at least 6 hours in one or more of the topics in subsection (B)(1)(a) every 12 months after the staff member’s starting date; c. A staff member who provides child care services to an infant completes at least 6 hours in subsection (B)(1)(a)(i) every 12 months after the staff member’s starting date; and d. A facility director completes at least 6 hours in subsection (B)(1)(c) every 12 months after the facility director’s starting date.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations and review of facility documentation, the file for Staff #2 (start date 7/11/23) lacked documentation of 18 hours of annual training. The file documented 7 hours of training from 7/11/23 to 7/11/24.”

AAC R9-5-309.C. C. A licensee shall maintain on facility premises: 1. A current fire inspection report including documentation of any repairs or corrections required by the fire inspection report; and 2. If there are gas pipes that run from a gas meter to an appliance or location on the facility premises, a current gas inspection report including documentation of any repairs or corrections required by the gas inspection report.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations and review of facility documentation, the facility's fire permit had expired on 2/28/25.”

AAC R9-5-306.B. B. A licensee shall: 1. Develop, document, and implement policies and procedures to ensure that a staff member maintains daily documentation of the presence of an enrolled child in an activity area that includes a method to account for any temporary absences of the enrolled child from the activity area, and 2. Maintain the documentation of the presence of enrolled children in an activity area required in subsection (B)(1) on facility premises for 12 months after the date of the documentation.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations and review of facility documentation, the 2's roster on the playground reflected the presence of 12 children, however there were actually 8 children present.”

AAC R9-5-304.B. B. Except as required in A.R.S. § 36-3009, before an enrolled child receives child care services, a licensee shall require the enrolled child’s parent to complete a Department-provided Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card that is signed by the enrolled child’s parent containing: 1. The child’s name, home address, city, state, zip code, home telephone number, sex, and date of birth; 2. The date of the child’s enrollment; 3. The name, home address, city, state, zip code, and contact telephone number of each parent of the child; 4. The name and contact telephone number of at least two individuals authorized by the child’s parent to collect the child from the facility in case of emergency, or if the child’s parent cannot be contacted; 5. The name and contact telephone number of the child’s health care provider; 6. The written authorization for emergency medical care of the enrolled child when the parent cannot be contacted at the time of the emergency; 7. The name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child; 8. The written instructions of a child’s parent or health care provider for nutritional and dietary needs of the child including, if applicable, the request in R9-5-509(C)(9); and 9. A written record completed by the child’s parent or health care provider noting the child’s susceptibility to illness, physical conditions of which a staff member should be aware, and any individual requirements for health maintenance.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations and review of facility documentation, 9 of 50 Emergency Information and Immunization record cards reviewed lacked the following documentation: Child #1: Health care provider's contact information. Child #2, #3, #7, #8: The name of the individual to be contacted in case of sudden injury or illness. Child #4: Parent/guardian contact information. Child #5, #6: The name of the individual to be contacted in case of sudden injury or illness; the written record of health maintenance for the enrolled child; parent/guardian's signature. Child #9: Health care provider's phone number.”

AAC R9-5-301.F. F. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member submits, on or before the starting date of employment or volunteer services, one of the following as evidence of freedom from infectious active tuberculosis: 1. Documentation of a negative Mantoux skin test or other tuberculosis screening test recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, administered within 12 months before the starting date of employment or volunteer service, that includes the date and the type of tuberculosis screening test; or 2. If the staff member has had a positive Mantoux skin test or other tuberculosis screening test, a written statement that the staff member is free from infectious active tuberculosis that is signed and dated by a health care provider within six months before the starting date of employment or volunteer service.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations and review of facility documentation, the file for Staff #1 (start date 12/17/24) had a negative TB test read after the starting date on 12/22/24.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.5. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:5. Except as provided in subsection (D), prepares and posts a dated lesson plan in each indoor activity area for each calendar week, which is maintained on facility premises for 12 months after the lesson plan date and provides opportunities for each child to: a. Gain a positive self-concept; b. Develop and practice social skills; c. Think, reason, question, and experiment; d. Acquire language skills; e. Develop physical coordination skills; f. Participate in structured large muscle physical activity; g. Develop habits that meet health, safety, and nutritional needs; h. Express creativity; i. Learn to respect cultural diversity of children and staff; j. Learn self-help skills; and k. Develop a sense of responsibility and independence;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations and review of facility documentation, the lesson plan posted in the Preschool 3/4's classroom was for the week of 3/3-3/7/25.”

AAC R9-5-604.B.3. B. A licensee that uses a private pool for an enrolled child shall ensure that the swimming pool and its equipment meet the following requirements: 3. A portable pool that does not meet the requirements of subsection (B)(1) or (2) is prohibited;

“Findings: Based on COs' observations, a portable splash pad was being used by enrolled children in the Preschool playground. The splash pad had a 4" rim causing the water to pool at the bottom.”

AAC R9-5-301.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that a facility director: 1. Designates, in writing, an individual who meets the requirements of R9-5-401(2) to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility; 2. Supervises or assigns a teacher-caregiver to supervise each staff member who does not meet the qualifications of R9-5-401(3); 3. Prepares a dated attendance record for each day and ensures that each staff member documents on the attendance record the time of each arrival and departure of the staff member; and 4. Maintains on the facility premises, the dated attendance record required in subsection (B)(3) for 12 months after the date on the attendance record.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer (CO) #2's observations and a review of 5 staff files, Staff #1 (DOE 02/19/2024), Staff #2 (DOE 02/26/2024), and Staff #3 (DOE 10/15/2018)* were unsupervised and alone with children. Staff lacked documentation to meet the qualifications of teacher and caregivers. *Previously cited 12/05/2023 and 07/26/2023; *Repeat cited on 12/05/2023 and 07/26/2023”

AAC R9-5-306.A. A. A licensee shall maintain a dated attendance form containing an enrolled child’s name with the time of each admission and release of the enrolled child. 1. Except as provided in subsection (A)(2), a licensee shall ensure that the attendance form is signed with at least a first initial of an individual’s first name and the individual’s last name by each enrolled child’s parent or individual designated by the enrolled child’s parent, each time the enrolled child is admitted or released. 2. An electronic fingerprint verification or an electronic signature may be used in place of a signature of the enrolled child’s parent or designated individual to admit or release the enrolled child. 3. If an electronic signature is used to admit or release the enrolled child, the licensee shall adopt policies and procedures to ensure that the individual whose signature the electronic or digital method of identification represents is accountable for the use of the electronic or digital method; 4. A licensee shall develop, document, and implement policies and procedures to ensure that the identity of an individual is known to the staff member or is verified with picture identification before releasing an enrolled child to the individual. 5. A licensee shall not release the enrolled child to an individual other than the enrolled child’s parent or other individual designated in writing by the enrolled child’s parent except when the enrolled child’s parent is unable to collect the enrolled child and authorizes the licensee by telephone to release the enrolled child to an individual not so designated. a. The licensee shall verify the telephone authorization using a means of verification that has been agreed upon between the licensee and the enrolled child’s parent at the time of enrollment. b. The licensee shall document the means of verification in subsection (A)(5)(a) on the enrolled child’s Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card. 6. A licensee shall not permit the self-admission or self-release of an enrolled child unless the enrolled child is of school age and the licensee has obtained and verified written permission from the enrolled child’s parent. 7. A licensee shall maintain the attendance form on facility premises for 12 months after the date of attendance.

“Findings: Based on CO #1's observations and a review of facility documentation, children's attendance records reviewed lacked signatures with at least a first initial of an individual’s first name and the individual’s last name: **Child #1 - Arrival and departure signatures signed with a line (03/25/2024) **Child #2, Child #3, Child #4, Child #5, Child #6, Child #7- Arrival and departure signatures signed with initials only (03/25/2024)”

AAC R9-5-306.B. B. A licensee shall: 1. Develop, document, and implement policies and procedures to ensure that a staff member maintains daily documentation of the presence of an enrolled child in an activity area that includes a method to account for any temporary absences of the enrolled child from the activity area, and 2. Maintain the documentation of the presence of enrolled children in an activity area required in subsection (B)(1) on facility premises for 12 months after the date of the documentation.

“Findings: Based on COS's observations and a review of facility documentation, in the Pre-K room, there were 11 children present in the activity area with 10 children noted on the roster as in attendance. *Previously cited 12/05/2023, 07/26/2023, 07/14/2022 and 04/08/22”

AAC R9-5-309.C. C. A licensee shall maintain on facility premises: 1. A current fire inspection report including documentation of any repairs or corrections required by the fire inspection report; and 2. If there are gas pipes that run from a gas meter to an appliance or location on the facility premises, a current gas inspection report including documentation of any repairs or corrections required by the gas inspection report.

“Findings: Based on CO #2's observations and a review of facility documentation, the facility lacked documentation of a current, violation-free fire inspection. The fire inspection reviewed expired in February 2024. *Previously cited 04/08/22 and 05/26/2021”

AAC R9-5-401.3. A licensee shall ensure that staff members meet the following qualifications for employment or volunteer service at a facility:3. A teacher-caregiver is 18 years of age or older and provides the licensee with documentation of one of the following: a. Six months of child care experience and: i. A high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma; or ii. At least 12 credit hours from an accredited college or university, including at least six credit hours in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; b. Associate or bachelor degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; or c. N.A.C., C.D.A., or C.C.P. credential;

“Findings: Based on CO #2's and a review of 5 staff files, Staff #1 (DOE 02/19/2024), Staff #2 (DOE 02/26/2024), and Staff #3's (DOE 10/15/2018)* foreign education lacked documentation of evaluation of a high school equivalency in the United States. *Previously cited 12/05/2023, 07/26/2023, 07/14/2022, 04/08/22 and 05/26/2021; Repeat cited 07/26/2023 and 04/08/2022”

AAC R9-5-404.A. A. A licensee shall ensure that at least the following staff-to-children ratios are maintained at all times when providing child care services to enrolled children: Age Group/Staff: Children - Infants/1:5 or 2:11; 1-year-old children/1:6 or 2:13; 2-year-old children/1:8; 3-year-old children/1:13; 4-year-old children/1:15; 5-year-old children not school-age/1:20; School-age children/1:20

“Findings: Based on COs' observations, the ratio in the 1's room was 0:1, with a required ratio of 1:1, when a child was left alone in the Toddler room. Upon entry into the room, the COs observed 1 child standing in the middle of the room with no staff in the activity area. COs could hear, but could not see the Staff outside around the corner of the door with other children bringing them into the classroom from the playground.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.2. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 2. Except for an enrolled school-age child, drinking water is provided sufficient for the needs of and accessible to each enrolled child in both indoor and outdoor activity areas;

“Findings: Based on CO #1's observations, drinking water was not accessible to enrolled children in the Toddler room.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.14. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 14. Temperatures are maintained between 68° F and 82° F in each room used by enrolled children;

“Findings: Based on COs' observations, the temperatures in the following classrooms were measured below 68° F: **1's - 62° F **2's - 60° F”

AAC R9-5-501.C.1. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Supervises each enrolled child at all times;

“Findings: Based on COs' observations, a child was left alone, unsupervised, in the 1's room. Upon entry into the room, the COs observed 1 child standing in the middle of the room with no staff in the activity area. COs could hear, but could not see the Staff outside around the corner of the door with other children bringing them into the classroom from the playground. *Previously cited 04/04/2023”

AAC R9-5-501.C.5. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:5. Except as provided in subsection (D), prepares and posts a dated lesson plan in each indoor activity area for each calendar week, which is maintained on facility premises for 12 months after the lesson plan date and provides opportunities for each child to: a. Gain a positive self-concept; b. Develop and practice social skills; c. Think, reason, question, and experiment; d. Acquire language skills; e. Develop physical coordination skills; f. Participate in structured large muscle physical activity; g. Develop habits that meet health, safety, and nutritional needs; h. Express creativity; i. Learn to respect cultural diversity of children and staff; j. Learn self-help skills; and k. Develop a sense of responsibility and independence;

“Findings: Based on CO #1's observations and a review of facility documentation, the lesson plan in the Transition room was dated March 4-8/March 11-15. *Previously cited 04/08/22”

AAC R9-5-501.C.9. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:9. Does the following when a parent permits or asks a staff member to apply personal products on an enrolled child, such as petroleum jelly, diaper rash ointments, sun screen or sun block preparations, toothpaste, and baby diapering preparations: a. Obtains the enrolled child’s personal products from the enrolled child’s parent or, if the licensee provides the personal products for use by the enrolled child, obtains written approval for use of the products from the enrolled child’s parent; b. Labels the personal products with the enrolled child’s name; and c. Keeps the personal products inaccessible to enrolled children;

“Findings: Based on CO #1's observations, enrolled children's personal products were not labeled with the child's first and last name: **Infant - Diaper ointments labeled with a first name only or were unlabeled; wipes labeled with a first name only **1's - Wipes labeled with a first name and last initial only *Previously cited 07/14/2022, 04/08/22 and 05/26/2021”

AAC R9-5-502.C.1.m. C. A licensee shall ensure that:1. A staff member providing child care services in an infant room: m. Posts the current written dietary instructions in the infant room and the kitchen and maintains the instructions on facility premises for 12 months after the date of the instructions; and

“Findings: Based on CO #1's observations, the Kitchen lacked posted infant feeding instructions. *Previously cited 04/04/23”

AAC R9-5-503.A.3. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains:3. At least one waterproof, sanitizable container with a waterproof liner and a tight fitting lid for soiled diapers; and

“Findings: Based on CO #1's observations, the soiled diaper containers in the Infant, 1's and 2's rooms lacked tight-fitting lids. *Previously cited 07/14/2022 and 05/26/2021”

AAC R9-5-509.C.22. C. A licensee shall ensure that:22. A refrigerator at the child care facility maintains a temperature of 41° F or below, as shown by a thermometer kept in the refrigerator at all times;

“Findings: Based on CO #1's observations, in the Infant room, the thermometer in the refrigerator used to store enrolled children's food was at 8° F.”

AAC R9-5-512.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that toilet bowls, lavatory fixtures, and floors in toilet rooms and kitchens are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain them in a clean and sanitized condition or at least once every 24 hours.

“Findings: Based on CO #1's observations, in the Pre-K Girls' and Boys' restrooms: **Caulking at the base of toilets in both areas had dark build-up **Old toilet paper stuck to the side of a toilet and on the floor in the Boys' restroom **3 of 3 toilet room sinks for the Girls' and Boys' restrooms with dark build-up around the sink fixtures”

AAC R9-5-512.F. F. A licensee shall ensure that:1. Each toilet room in a facility contains, within easy reach of enrolled children: a. Mounted toilet tissue; and b. Except as provided in subsection (G): i. A sink with running water; ii. Soap contained in a dispenser; and iii. Disposable, single-use paper towels in a mounted dispenser, or a mechanical air hand dryer; 2. Staff members wash their hands with soap and running water after toileting; 3. An enrolled child’s hands are washed with soap and running water after toileting; 4. Except for a cup or receptacle used only for water, food waste is stored in a covered container and the container is clean and lined with a plastic bag; 5. Food waste and other refuse is removed from the facility building at least once every 24 hours or more often as necessary to maintain a clean condition and avoid odors; 6. A staff member or an enrolled child does not draw water for human consumption from a toilet room handwashing sink; 7. Toys, materials, and equipment are maintained in a clean condition; 8. Plumbing fixtures are maintained in a clean and working condition; and 9. Chipped or cracked sinks and toilets are replaced or repaired.

“Findings: Based on CO #1's observations and staff interview, 1 of 2 toilet room sinks in the 1's room, lacked running water. Staff stated the water is turned off as the 1-year-olds like to play with it.”

AAC R9-5-516.B.3. B. If prescription or nonprescription medications are administered, a licensee shall ensure that:3. A facility director, or a staff member designated in writing by the facility director, does not administer a medication to an enrolled child unless the facility receives written authorization signed by the enrolled child’s parent or health care provider that includes the: a. Name of the enrolled child; b. Type of the medication; c. Prescription number, if any; d. Instructions for administration specifying the: i. Dosage and route of administration; ii. If indicated, starting and ending dates of the dosage period; and iii. Times and frequency of administration; e. Reason for the medication; and f. Date of authorization; and

“Findings: Based on CO #1's observations and a review of facility documentation, the medication for Child #7 lacked written authorization from the child's parent/health care provider to administer.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains:1. A nonabsorbent, sanitizable diaper changing surface that is: a. Seamless and smooth, and b. Kept clear of items not required for diaper changing;

“Findings: Based on CO #1's observations, a basket of toys was in the diaper-changing sink in the Infant room. *Previously cited 12/05/2023, 07/26/2023, 04/04/2023, 07/14/2022, 04/08/22 and 05/26/2021”

AAC R9-5-603.C. C. Except as provided in subsection (D), a licensee shall ensure that an outdoor activity area: 1. Is enclosed by a fence: a. A minimum of 4 feet high; b. Secured to the ground; and c. With either vertical or horizontal open spaces on the fence or gate that do not exceed 4.0 inches; 2. Is maintained free from hazards, such as exposed concrete footings and broken toys; and 3. Has gates that are kept closed while an enrolled child is in the outdoor activity area

“Findings: Based on CO and COS's observations, on the Preschool playground, there were 4-1/2" - 5" spacing between several of the iron fence pickets, and the fence on the west side was unstable and moved back and forth when pushed on.”

AAC R9-5-306.B. B. A licensee shall: 1. Develop, document, and implement policies and procedures to ensure that a staff member maintains daily documentation of the presence of an enrolled child in an activity area that includes a method to account for any temporary absences of the enrolled child from the activity area, and 2. Maintain the documentation of the presence of enrolled children in an activity area required in subsection (B)(1) on facility premises for 12 months after the date of the documentation.

“Findings: Based on COS's observations and a review of facility documentation, in the Pre-K room, there were 9 children present in the activity area with 8 children noted on the roster as in attendance.”

AAC R9-5-401.3. A licensee shall ensure that staff members meet the following qualifications for employment or volunteer service at a facility: 3. A teacher-caregiver is 18 years of age or older and provides the licensee with documentation of one of the following: a. Six months of child care experience and: i. A high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma; or ii. At least 12 credit hours from an accredited college or university, including at least six credit hours in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; b. Associate or bachelor degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; or c. N.A.C., C.D.A., or C.C.P. credential;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer (CO) and Compliance Officer Supervisor's (COS) observations and a review of 5 staff files, Staff #1 (date of hire 07/28/2022) and Staff #2 (date of hire 10/15/2018), and Staff #3 (date of hire 07/10/2023) lacked documentation to meet the qualifications of teacher caregivers. **Staff #1 and Staff #2 - foreign education lacked documentation of evaluation of a high school equivalency in the United States **Staff #3 - lacked documentation of education and related work experience”

AAC R9-5-301.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that a facility director: 1. Designates, in writing, an individual who meets the requirements of R9-5-401(2) to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility; 2. Supervises or assigns a teacher-caregiver to supervise each staff member who does not meet the qualifications of R9-5-401(3); 3. Prepares a dated attendance record for each day and ensures that each staff member documents on the attendance record the time of each arrival and departure of the staff member; and 4. Maintains on the facility premises, the dated attendance record required in subsection (B)(3) for 12 months after the date on the attendance record.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer (CO) and Compliance Officer Supervisor's (COS) observations and a review of 5 staff files, Staff #1 (date of hire 07/28/2022) and Staff #2 (date of hire 10/15/2018), and Staff #3 (date of hire 07/10/2023) were unsupervised and alone with children. Staff lacked documentation to meet the qualifications of teacher caregivers.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains: 1. A nonabsorbent, sanitizable diaper changing surface that is: a. Seamless and smooth, and b. Kept clear of items not required for diaper changing;

“Findings: Based on CO and COS's observations, the following diaper changing surfaces were not seamless and smooth: **Infant room - laminate edging missing from the ledge at the top of the surface; unsealed gaps at the perimeter of the surface; 2-inch crack in the surface; laminate and caulking detached from the surface at the back of the sink fixture **Twos room - laminate edging detached from the ledge at the top of the surface; cracked caulking at the perimeter seams; cracked raised border at the front; unsealed gaps behind the sink fixture **Transition room - 1" holes in the surface from previous straps; unsealed gaps around the perimeter of the surface”