Best Of The West Academy

AAC R9-5-502.A.5.b. A. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall: 5. Develop, document, and implement tummy time policies and procedures that: b. Ensure a staff member who is supervising a non-crawling infant while the infant is flat on their stomach and on the floor: i. Is within reach of the infant; ii. Does not perform any other duties while supervising the infant; iii. Does not allow the use of pillows, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, or other soft products in the same floor space as the infant; and iv. Does not allow any product specified in subsection (A)(5)(b)(iii) to be within reach of the infant;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in the Infant room, there were 2 non-crawling infants flat on their stomachs on the floor with 3 infants crawling around them. A staff member was sitting on the floor interacting with the crawling infants. 1 of the non-crawling infants was playing with a soft book and placing a laminated sheet of paper in their mouth. The second non-crawling infant was on the far side of the carpet and the staff member was not within reach of the infant.”

ARS § 36-883.02.A. A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, child care personnel, including volunteers, shall submit the form prescribed in subsection C of this section to the employer and shall have valid fingerprint clearance cards issued pursuant to section 41-1758.07 before starting employment or volunteer work.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, it was determined that Staff #1's start date was on 04/23/2025 and the Fingerprint Clearance Card was issued on 04/24/2025. Previously cited on 09/27/2022”

ARS § 36-883.02.C. C. Applicants, licensees and child care personnel shall attest on forms that are provided by the department that: 1. They are not awaiting trial on or have never been convicted of or admitted in open court or pursuant to a plea agreement committing any of the offenses listed in section 41-1758.07, subsection B in this state or similar offenses in another state or jurisdiction. 2. They are not parents or guardians of a child adjudicated to be a dependent child as defined in section 8-201. 3. They have not been denied or had revoked a certificate to operate a child care group home or a license to operate a child care facility in this or any other state or that they have not been denied or had revoked a certification to work in a child care facility or child care group home.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, it was determined that the Criminal History Affidavit for Staff #2 (start date 08/11/2025) was incomplete, the questions were not answered.”

AAC R9-5-301.G. G. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member who has current certification in adult and pediatric first aid and CPR, as required by R9-5-403(E), is present: 1. At all times during hours of operation on facility premises, 2. On field trips, and 3. While transporting enrolled children in a facility’s motor vehicle or a vehicle designated by the licensee to transport enrolled children.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations it was determined that Staff #2 (start date 08/11/2025) transported enrolled children. The file for Staff #2 lacked documentation of current certification in adult and pediatric first aid and CPR.”

AAC R9-5-304.D. When an enrolled child is disenrolled from a facility, the licensee shall: 1. Enter the date of disenrollment on the child’s Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record; and 2. Maintain the records in subsection (D)(1) for 12 months after the date of disenrollment on facility premises in a place separate from the current Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record. If a licensee is a school governing board, a charter school, or a person operating multiple child care facilities, the licensee may maintain disenrollment records in a single central administrative office located in the same city, town, or school attendance area as the facility.

“Findings: Based on a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, Child #1's Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card lacked the date of the child's disenrollment.”

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 a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, Child #1’s Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card lacked the following required information: *The date of the child’s enrollment. *The home address of the child's parents. *The name and contact telephone number of the child’s health care provider. *The name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child.”

AAC R9-5-511.C. C. A licensee shall provide an unobstructed passageway at least 18 inches wide between each row of cots or mats to allow a staff member access to each enrolled child.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, in the 2's and 4's Rooms, the cots were not spaced 18” apart.”

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 enought for supervision of children;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the 1's Room was too dark during naptime. It was hard to see the children's faces and the staff members present in the classroom.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. In addition to complying with the requirements in this Chapter, the health, safety, or welfare of an enrolled child is not placed at risk of harm;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, in the 4's Room, a child’s face and head was covered with a blanket during naptime.”

AAC R9-5-305.A. A. A licensee shall not permit an enrolled child to attend a facility until the facility receives: 1. An immunization record for the enrolled child with the information required in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7, documenting that the enrolled child has received all current, age-appropriate immunizations required under 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7: a. Provided by a healthcare provider, or b. Generated from the Arizona State Immunization Information System, which is the Department’s child immunization reporting system established in A.R.S. § 36-135; or 2. An exemption affidavit for the enrolled child provided by the enrolled child’s parent that contains a statement, signed by the enrolled child's: a. Health care provider, that the immunizations required by 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7 would endanger the enrolled child’s health or medical condition; or b. Parent, that the enrolled child is being raised in a religion whose teachings are in opposition to immunization.

“Findings: Based on a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, Child #1’s file lacked immunization records or an exemption form.”

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 observation, in the School-age classroom's toilet room, there were 2 art canvases and 1 foam board on top of the cupboard.”

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 Director's statement and the Compliance Officer's observation, in the twos/threes (playground B) outdoor activity area, the A-frame, the tunnel, and the hippo climbing structures were located next to the cement walkway and lacked a shock-absorbing surface under the fall zones. The Director stated that the climbing structures were placed on "turf that was on top of ground".”

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 observation, it was determined that 6 out of 20 enrolled children's Emergency, Information and Immunization Record Cards reviewed lacked the following required information: Child #1 and Child #2: The name and phone number of a second individual to contact in case of an emergency. Child #3, Child #4, and Child #6: The name, address, and phone number of the second parent. Child #5: The date of enrollment.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, in the twos/threes (playground B) outdoor activity area, the receptacle used for food waste lacked a cover.”