Buckeye Elementary Head Start

AAC R9-5-510.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member does not use or permit: 1. The use of physical punishment including: a. Hitting, spanking, shaking, slapping, twisting, pulling, squeezing, or biting; b. Demanding excessive physical excercise or excessive rest; and c. Forcing a child to eat or consume soap, food, or foreign substances;

“Findings: Based on Staff statement and the Compliance Officer's observation, it was determined that Staff #1 used an inappropriate method of discipline on an enrolled child when the child would not stop crying. Staff stated: -Staff grabbed the child by both arms. -Staff pushed the children to hurry almost every day if they would not listen.”

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: Based on Staff Statement and the Compliance Officer's observation, Staff #1 failed to teach and model the desired behavior when staff witnessed Staff #1 grab an enrolled child by the arms and said, get the demons out.”

AAC R9-5-510.B.3. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member does not use or permit: 3. Abusive, profane, sarcastic language, verbal abuse, threats, or derogatory remarks about the child or child’s family;

“Findings: Based on staff statement and the Compliance Officer's observation, it was determined that Staff #1 used abusive remarks toward enrolled children when the children did not listen. Staff statements: -You are ugly -Your head is so big -You are never going to learn -Don't touch me”

AAC R9-5-510.D. D. A licensee shall not physically restrain an enrolled child, except when necessary to protect an enrolled child from physical injury, to protect persons on the premises from physical injury, or to protect property from damage. 1. When a child has an out-of-control behavior, the enrolled child may be removed from the company of other enrolled children until the enrolled child's behavior has stabilized. Removal of a child is only to be used when there is a safety concern that cannot be reduced or eliminated with reasonable accommodations; 2. After determining that an enrolled child’s behavior may result in harm, a staff member may safely hold the child until the enrolled child regains control or composure; and 4. A licensee shall develop and implement written policies and procedures on physical restraint to protect children’s safety and development.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation, staff statements, and the Compliance Officers’ observations, Staff #1 braced their leg against the child’s chair to prevent the child from moving the chair back from the table. Staff statements included the following: *Yes, I have seen staff use their leg behind a child’s chair during meal service *Staff #1 did have their leg behind the child’s chair. *The child’s chair was pushed so their chest was flush with the table and Staff #1 put their leg behind the chair. *The child was trying to get up but they couldn’t move the chair. *Staff members do place their legs behind the children’s chairs regularly to help children stay at the table for meal service.”

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 observation, on the Preschool Playground, there was peeling paint with exposed raw wood located at the base of the storage shed accessible to enrolled children.”