Bright Ideas Childcare & Learning Center

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

“Findings: Per allegation and based on staff interviews and the Compliance Officer's observation, enrolled children are not supervised at all times. When the CO walked into the 2's Classroom, the staff member walked into the 1's classroom, leaving enrolled children alone and unsupervised. Staff Statements: " I don't see when I am helping another child." "Sometimes it's hard, scary to be over here changing a diaper and the children can be around the corner."”

AAC R9-5-510.A.1. A. A staff member shall provide guidance to help children respond to difficult situations. To develop self-regulation, children should receive adult support that is individual to the child and adapts as the child develops internal controls. This process should include: 1. Forming a positive relationship with the child, which occurs when the adult spends time talking to the child, listening to the child, following the child’s lead, playing with the child, and responding to the child’s needs; 2. Base expectations on the child’s developmental level; 3. Establishing and being proactive in teaching and supporting children in learning simple rules; 4. Modifying the learning/play environment to support the child’s appropriate behavior; 5. Creating a predictable daily routine and schedule; 6. Modeling desired behavior; 7. Showing children positive alternatives; 8.Using deliberate redirection, the staff member should encourage the child to use appropriate behavior, and provide positive feedback when the child exhibits the behavior; 9. Individualized positive discipline strategies based on the individual needs of children, such as using a buddy system, individualized schedule, special break, or another applicable positive discipline strategy; and 10. If applicable, a licensee shall develop a written plan with the enrolled child's parent to provide individualized social and emotional intervention supports for the enrolled child that includes methods for understanding the enrolled child's behavior, and developing, adopting, and implementing a team-based positive behavior support plan.

“Findings: Per allegation and based on staff statements, children's statements, and the Compliance Officer's observations, it was determined that staff did not model desired behavior for enrolled children when staff would tell children to hit children back. Children's Statements: "(Staff name) says, hit them back." "Staff tells me to hit back (children's names) "(Staff Name) tells me to hit child back. "They say hit them back really hard."”

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 observation, it was determined that Staff #1 (DOE-5/11/26) was acting as a Child Educator in the 2's classroom at the time of the inspection. Staff #1 was not qualified as a Child Educator and was not supervised by a qualified staff member.”

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 child educator 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 if working with enrolled children five years old and younger, or three months of child care experience if working with school-aged children; 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 the facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, it was determined that Staff #1 (DOE-5/11/26) was acting as a Child Educator in the 2's Classroom. The file for Staff #1 lacked documentation of 3 months of child care experience.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, the ratio in the 2's Classroom was 0:6 instead of 1:6 as required for 2-year-old children when the staff member walked into the 1's Classroom.”

AAC R9-5-514. E. E. A licensee shall post, near an activity area or a room's designated exit, a building evacuation plan that details the designated exits from the activity area or room and the facility.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observation, the exits of the facility lacked a posted building evacuation plan.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. All designated exits, corridors, and passageways that provide escape from the building are unobstructed and unlocked during hours of operation;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observation, one of the exits of the infant room was obstructed by a portable infant bouncer.”

AAC R9-5-203.A. A. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member completes, signs, dates, and submits to the licensee, before the staff member’s starting date of employment or volunteer service: 1. The form required in A.R.S. § 36-883.02(C); and 2. If required by A.R.S. § 8-804, the form in A.R.S. § 8-804(I).

“Findings: Based on the documentation review and the Compliance Officers' observation, Staff #1 (DOE: 7/25/25), Staff #2 (DOE: 3/12/26), Staff #3 (DOE: 5/20/24), and Staff #4 (DOE: 1/21/26) lacked documentation of the results of the DCS background check.”

AAC R9-5-502.A.5.d. A. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall: 5. Develop, document, and implement tummy time policies and procedures that: d. Ensure, as an infant demonstrates ability and strength to control physical movement and greater sensory perception and social interaction, an assigned staff member provide a tummy-time period to: i. A 2 - 3 month old infant of no more than 15 minutes; ii. A 3 - 4 month old infant of no more than 20 minutes; and iii. A 5 - 6 month old infant of 20 minutes; and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observation, the facility lacked documentation of tummy time for enrolled infants.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. All designated exits, corridors, and passageways that provide escape from the building are unobstructed and unlocked during hours of operation;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer and the Compliance Officer Supervisor’s observations, 3 of the 4 designated exit doors that provide escape from the building had the dead bolts locked during hours of operation.”

AAC R9-5-502.A.8.a. A. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall: 8. Provide a crib for each infant that: a. Has bars or openings spaced no more than 2-3/8 inches apart and a crib mattress measured to fit not more than 1/2 inch from the crib side;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer Supervisor’s observation, in the Infant Classroom, there was an infant asleep in a bouncer rather than in a crib as required.”

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 observation, it was determined that the licensee lacked documentation of the individual to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility. Staff #1 was in charge but not listed.”

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: Per allegation and based on Compliance Officer’s observation, the Playground areas were not maintained in a clean condition when there was an abundance of feathers through out all playgrounds. On the big playground there was a 2 foot by 4 foot area covered with a thick accumulation of bird feces roughly covering the rubber surfacing 1 inch deep.”

AAC R9-5-303.A. A. A licensee shall post in a place that can be conspicuously viewed by individuals entering or leaving the facility or activity area, the: 1. Facility’s license; 2. Name of the facility director; 3. Name of the individual designated to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility, as prescribed by R9-5-301(B)(1); 4. Schedule of child care services fees and policy for refunding fees as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-882(P); 5. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack menus for each calendar week at the beginning of the calendar week; 6. Notice of the presence of any communicable disease or infestation listed in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 2, Table 2.2, from the date of discovery through the incubation period of the communicable disease or infestation; 7. Notice of the Department’s intent to deny, revoke, or suspend as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-888 at the expiration of time in the notice for the licensee to respond; 8. Notice of an intermediate sanction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-891.01 within 10 calendar days after the licensee received notice of the intermediate sanction; 9. Notice of a legal injunction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-886.01 when the licensee receives the legal injunction; and 10. Notice of the availability of facility inspection reports for public viewing at the facility premises.

“Findings: Based on the facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that the main posting board lacked the name of the individual designated to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility.”

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 Officers' observations, on the Preschool Playground, the two receptacles used for water and food waste lacked a lid.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.23. C. A licensee shall ensure that:23. A freezer at the child care facility maintains a temperature of 0° F or below, as shown by a thermometer kept in the freezer at all times; and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in the Infant Classroom, the freezer lacked a thermometer and had a 2 -3 inch layer of ice built up.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observation, the following soiled clothing containers lacked: Infant Classroom: *A waterproof liner. Threes Classroom: *Soiled clothes were on the shelf next to the classroom door and not contained in a container as required.”

AAC R9-5-503.F.1. F. A licensee shall ensure that in an activity area with a diaper changing area: 1. The containers required in subsections (A)(3) and (4) are inaccessible, and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, in the hallway, the Infant, Twos, and Threes' soiled clothing containers were accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-402.A. A. A licensee shall maintain a file for each staff member containing:1. The staff member’s name, date of birth, home address, and telephone number; 2. The staff member’s starting date of employment or volunteer service; 3. The staff member’s ending date of employment or volunteer service, if applicable; 4. The name and telephone number of an individual to be notified in case of an emergency; 5. The staff member’s written statement attesting to current immunity against measles, rubella, diphtheria, mumps, and pertussis; 6. The form required in A.R.S. § 36-883.02(C); 7. Documents required by R9-5-203; 8. Documents required by R9-5-301; 9. Documents required by R9-5-401, if applicable; 10. If applicable: a. The form required in A.R.S. § 8-804(I), b. Documentation of the submission required in A.R.S. § 8-804 and the information received as a result of the submission, and c. Documentation of training provided by a licensee as required by R9-5-403, if applicable; 11. A copy of any current license or certification required by A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 7.1, Article 1. or this Chapter; and 12. Documentation of the requirements in A.R.S. § 36-883.02(D).

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that the files for Staff #4(DOE-8/21/24) and Staff #5 (DOE-5/20/24) lacked documentation of 2 good-faith effort professional references.”

AAC R9-5-502.A.8.c. A. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall: 8. Provide a crib for each infant that: c. Is furnished with clean, sanitized, crib-size bedding, including a fitted sheet and top sheet or a blanket;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observation, in the Infant Classroom, 2 crib sheets were loose/not tight-fitting to the mattresses.”

AAC R9-5-502.C.1.l. C. A licensee shall ensure that:1. A staff member providing child care services in an infant room: l. Obtains written, current, and dated dietary instructions from a parent or health care provider regarding the method of feeding and types of foods to be prepared or fed to an infant at the facility;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observation, in the Infant Classroom, the written dietary instructions lacked the following: Child #1 and Child #2: The amount, types, and frequency of foods to be fed. Child #3, Child #4, and Child #5: The amount and frequency of foods to be fed.”

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 the Compliance Officer’s observation, in the Infant Classroom, the written dietary instructions were in a binder rather than posted as required.”

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 files for staff lacked the following Staff #2(DOE-9/1/10): 2 questions not completed on the Criminal History Affidavit. Staff #4 (DOE-8/24/24): 1 question not completed and the back copy of the Criminal History Affidavit. Staff #1(DOE-3/21/25) Staff #3 (DOE-11/12/24) Staff #5(DOE-7/29/24) lacked the back copy of the Criminal History Affidavit.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that:1. All designated exits, corridors, and passageways that provide escape from the building are unobstructed and unlocked during hours of operation;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observation, in the Twos and the Threes Classrooms, the designated exits that provide escape from the building were locked.”

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 the Compliance Officer’s observation, in the Infant Classroom, the soiled diaper container lacked a tight-fitting lid.”

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 Officers' observations, in the outdoor activity area, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: Preschool Playground: *There was a metal gutter with sharp edges behind the shed. Little Playground: *There was a metal gutter with a sharp edge next to the door.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that the roster in the One's Classroom did not reflect the number of children present (8 children present, 7 children listed on the roster).”

AAC R9-5-502.B.4. B. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall not: 4. Allow screen time in an infant room.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, in the infant room, there was an iPad showing a children's video for the infants to watch.”

AAC R9-5-404.C.1. C. A licensee shall ensure that:1. When there are six or more enrolled children present in a facility, the following individuals are present in the facility: a. A facility director or a director’s designee who meets the requirements in R9-5-401 for a director’s designee; and b. One additional staff member;

“Findings: Per allegation and based on Compliance Officers' observations and staff statements, enrolled infants are transitioned between the infant room and 1’s room for a week. Staff stated: *Infants are transitioned up to the 1-year-old classroom for a couple of hours a day before turning 1. *Infants are transitioned daily before they turn 1 so that they can adjust to the new routines.”

AAC R9-5-402.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that, for a staff member who is currently working at the facility, the staff member’s information required by:1. Subsections (A)(1) through (11) is maintained in a single location on facility premises, and 2. Subsection (A)(12) is maintained and provided to the Department within two hours of the Department’s request.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, it was determined that Staff #2 and Staff #3's files were not on the premises for review.”

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 Compliance Officer #1’s observation, it was determined that the file for Staff #1 (DOE-02/23/2023) lacked documentation of a valid fingerprint clearance card. The card was issued on 02/28/2023.”

AAC R9-5-502.C.3.b. C. A licensee shall ensure that:3. When preparing, using, or caring for an infant’s feeding bottles, a staff member: b. Ensures that a bottle is not: i. Heated in a microwave oven; ii. Propped for an infant feeding; or iii. Permitted in an infant’s crib unless the written instructions required by subsection (C)(1)(l) state otherwise;

“Findings: Per allegations and based on Compliance Officers' observations and staff statements, a bottle was permitted in an infant's crib. Staff Stated: *There was a time when a child was in the crib with the bottle. *There was a day, I can recall where I saw an infant had a bottle in the crib.”

AAC R9-5-203.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that each staff member submits to the licensee a copy of the staff member’s valid fingerprint clearance card each time the fingerprint clearance card is issued or renewed every six years.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and Compliance Officer #2's observation, the file for Staff #2 lacked documentation of a valid fingerprint clearance card. (Card expired on 08/31/2023).”

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 #1's observations, in the Infant Classroom, there was a build-up of dirt around the diaper changing sink. In the One's Classroom, the diaper changing surface next to the sink was rough and had a build-up of dirt. ***Previously cited 04/25/2023”

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 #1’s observation, the following areas were not maintained in a clean condition: 3's Classroom: *There were black floor chairs that were torn and exposing foam. *The ceiling vent had a build-up of fuzzy gray debris. 4's Classroom: *There were 3 light blue floor chairs that had a build-up of dark gray spots. *The ceiling vent had a build-up of fuzzy gray debris.”

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 Compliance Officer #2’s observation, it was determined that the file for Staff #1 (DOE-11/07/2023) lacked documentation of a valid fingerprint clearance card. The application was received on 11/03/2023, the card was issued on 11/14/2023. Staff #1 worked 6 days without a fingerprint clearance card from 11/07/23-11/14/23.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that:1. All designated exits, corridors, and passageways that provide escape from the building are unobstructed and unlocked during hours of operation;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observation, in the Infant room, 2 feeding chairs blocked a designated exit that provides escape to the outside of the building.”

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 #1’s observations, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: 3's Classroom: *The sink next to the toilet room was loose and detached from the wall. 4's Classroom: *The vent grate was loose and detached from the ceiling.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that 3 out of 20 enrolled children's attendance forms lacked the following information: Child #1: A release signature and time for 04/08/2024. Child #2: A release signature and time for 04/02/2024. Child #3: A release signature and time for 04/09/2024.”