Aldea Montessori School

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 the Compliance Officers' observations, there was a wooden bridge with splintered wood on the posts and protruding bolts, accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-603.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that the following is provided and maintained within the fall zones of swings and climbing equipment in an outdoor activity area: 1. A shock-absorbing unitary surfacing material manufactured for such use in outdoor activity areas; or 2. A minimum depth of 6 inches of a non-hazardous, resilient material such as fine loose sand or wood chips.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the following fall zones lacked sufficient resilient surfacing (pea gravel) as required: Preschool Playground: *3" of the required 6" of pea gravel in the fall zones of the parallel bars and dome structure; 2s Playground: *5" of the required 6" of pea gravel in the fall zone of the slide; *4" of the required 6" of pea gravel in the fall zones of the dome structure and wooden bridge.”

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 child educator 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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, staff attendance records lacked the following: Staff #1 - times of departure for 4/28/26 - 5/1/26 and 5/4/26; Staff #2 and #3 - times of departure for 5/4/26; Staff #4 and #5 - times of departure for 5/5/26.”

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 an Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record that is no more than a two-page written notice, and is signed by the enrolled child’s parent containing: 1. The child’s name, home address, sex, and date of birth; 2. The date of the child’s enrollment; 3. The name, home address, email address, and 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 the nutritional and dietary needs of the child including, if applicable, the request in R9-5-509(C)(14); 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 the Compliance Officer's observation, 3 out of 15 Emergency, Information, and Immunization Records reviewed lacked the following: Child #1 and #2 - the name and contact telephone number of the child's health care provider; Child #3 - 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.”

AAC R9-5-306.A. A. A licensee shall: 1. Maintain a dated attendance form containing an enrolled child’s name with the time of each admission and release, and the parent or staff member's signature or other unique identifier. 2. If an electronic signature is used to admit or release the enrolled child, 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; 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. Maintain the attendance form on facility premises for 12 months after the date of attendance.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, 3 out of 10 enrolled children's attendance forms reviewed lacked the following required information or unique identifier: Child #4 - a release signature for 5/6/26; Child #5 - release signatures for 5/1/26, 5/4/26, and 5/6/26; Child #6 - admission and release signatures for 5/1/26, 5/4/26, and 5/8/26.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.2. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains: 2. A hand-washing sink next to the diaper changing surface for staff use when changing diapers and for washing an enrolled child during or after diapering that provides: a. Running water between 86° F and 110° F, b. Soap from a dispenser, and c. Single-use paper hand towels from a dispenser;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, in the 2s room, the water temperature of the diaper-changing sink measured 81 degrees F., rather than between 86 - 110 degrees F as required.”

AAC R9-5-403.A. A. Within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee shall provide, and each staff member who provides child care services shall complete, training for new staff members that includes all of the following:1. Facility philosophy and goals; 2. Names and ages of and developmental expectations for enrolled children for whom the staff member will provide child care services; 3. Health needs, nutritional requirements, any known allergies, and information about adaptive devices of enrolled children for whom the staff member will provide child care services; 4. Lesson plans; 5. Child guidance and methods of discipline; 6. Hand washing techniques; 7. Diapering techniques and toileting, if assigned to diaper changing duties; 8. Food preparation, service, sanitation, and storage, if assigned to food preparation; 9. If a staff member is assigned to feeding infants, the preparation, handling, and storage of infant formula and breast milk; 10. Recognition of signs of illness and infestation; 11. Child abuse or neglect detection, prevention, and reporting; 12. Accident and emergency procedures; 13. Staff responsibilities as required by A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 7.1, Article 1 and this Chapter; 14. Sun safety policies and procedures; 15. Safety in outdoor activity areas; 16. Transportation procedures, if applicable; and 17. Field trip procedures, if applicable.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations of 4 staff files, the file for Staff #1 (DOH 8/7/2024) lacked new staff training within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.4. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:4. Except as provided in subsection (D), prepares and posts in each indoor activity area, a current schedule of children’s age-appropriate activities, including the times the following are provided: a. Meals and snacks; b. Naps; c. Indoor activities; d. Outdoor or large muscle development activities; e. Quiet and active activities; f. Teacher-directed activities; g. Self-directed activities; h. Activities for individuals, groups of five or fewer children, and groups of six or more children; and i. Activities that develop small muscles;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the Toddler room and the Preschool room lacked a posted activity schedule.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.18. C. A licensee shall ensure that:18. A staff member: a. Prepares a weekly menu at least one week in advance, b. Includes on the menu the specific foods to be served on each day, c. Dates each menu, d. Posts each menu at least one day before the first meal on the menu will be served, and e. Writes food substitutions on a posted menu no later than the morning of the day of meal service;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observations, the posted menu lacked the specific type/flavor of crackers, dip and yogurt to be served to enrolled children.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observations of the outdoor activity areas, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children on the Preschool Playground: * There was sharp metal on the bottom of the North side of the chain link fence. * There were exposed black irrigation lines protruding up from the ground. * There was sharp metal protruding upward on the bottom of the South chain link fence.”

AAC R9-5-603.E. E. A licensee shall ensure that the following is provided and maintained within the fall zones of swings and climbing equipment in an outdoor activity area:1. A shock-absorbing unitary surfacing material manufactured for such use in outdoor activity areas; or 2. A minimum depth of 6 inches of a non-hazardous, resilient material such as fine loose sand or wood chips.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations of 2 outdoor activity areas, the following was observed: Preschool Playground lacked: * 3” of the required 6” of resilient surface (pea gravel) in the fall zones of the rock climber, spider climber, and parallel bars. * 5,5” of the required 6” of pea gravel in the fall zones of the tire structure, balance beams, and double slides. Toddler Playground lacked: * 4” - 5” of the required 6” of pea gravel in the fall zones of 2 Simplay climbers. *3” of the required 6” of pea gravel in the fall zones of the climbing dome. *5.5” of the required 6” of pea gravel in the fall zones of the single green slide.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, it was determined that 6 out of 12 enrolled children's Emergency Information and Immunization Record Cards reviewed lacked the following required information: Child #1: The name of the person to contact in case of sudden injury/illness. Child #2, Child #3, & Child #5: Dates of enrollment. Child #4: Medical information. Child #6: Date of enrollment and parent signature.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, 2 portable pools (one plastic and one blow up) were filled with water on the toddler playground.”

AAC R9-5-511.F. F. A licensee shall ensure that storage space is provided in the facility for cots, mats, sheets, and blankets, that is:1. Accessible to an area used for naptime or sleeping; and 2. Separate from food service and preparation areas, toilet rooms, and laundry rooms.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, a stack of Blue nap mats were stored on a shelf in the toddler room bathroom.”

AAC R9-5-603.E. E. A licensee shall ensure that the following is provided and maintained within the fall zones of swings and climbing equipment in an outdoor activity area:1. A shock-absorbing unitary surfacing material manufactured for such use in outdoor activity areas; or 2. A minimum depth of 6 inches of a non-hazardous, resilient material such as fine loose sand or wood chips.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the pea gravel measured the following depths in the fall zones: *3 inches of the required 6 inches under the climbing globe and at the bases of 2 of the slides; and *4 inches of the required 6 inches under the faux rock climber.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observations, the following items were stored in bathrooms: *Toddler room bathroom-16 individualized covered bins of clothing were stored on a shelf on the floor and the bins were accessible to children; *Casa 2 bathroom- A cloth, string mop head was stored on a towel rack and was accessible to children. Due to reasons of sanitation, items stored in a bathroom are required to be stored inaccessible to children and stored in a cabinet or in a waterproof, covered container.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.5. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 5. Electrical extension cords are not used;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, a white extension cord was plugged into the refrigerator in the Casa 1 room.”

AAC R9-5-203.E. E. If a staff member possesses a fingerprint clearance card that was issued before the staff member became a staff member at the facility, a licensee shall:1. Contact the Department of Public Safety before the individual becomes a staff member to determine whether the fingerprint clearance card is valid; and 2. Document this determination, including the name of the staff member, the date of contact with the Department of Public Safety, and whether the fingerprint clearance card is valid.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of staff files, the following was determined regarding staff fingerprint clearance card validity verification: *Staff #2 (DOE 4/15/24)- The staff's file lacked documentation that the licensee had verified the card's validity through DPS for the staff 's fingerprint clearance card that was issued prior to the staff's employment date and expires 8/2/2027; and *Staff #3 (DOE 8/3/2023) -The staff's file lacked documentation that the licensee had verified the card's validity through DPS for the staff 's fingerprint clearance card that was issued prior to the staff's employment date and expires 6/2025.”