Busy Bees Arizona Glendale

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: Per allegation and based on the Compliance Officer and the Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations of documentation and a video, on 9/4/2026 at 8:35am, Staff #1 entered the Toddler 2 (1s) room with 7 children, making the staff-to-child ratio 1:7. Documentation on the roster revealed that Staff #1 had 7 children from 8:16 - 8:38am.”

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 the staff statements, Staff #1 made negative statements about children in front of children. Staff stated the following: *Staff #1 pointed at a child and stated "the child keeps trying to bite, it's disgusting behavior and it needs to be fixed", in a fed up and angry tone. *Staff #1 told another staff that a child would not be served seconds of yogurt because the child "doesn't seem to know how to eat", in an annoyed tone. *Staff #1 had a conversation in the classroom in front of enrolled children and stated the child's "behavior is out of control; I don't know what to do" with the child.”

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 positive discipline, including separation; 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; 17. Field trip procedures, if applicable; 18. Infant tummy time, if applicable; 19. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and use of safe sleeping practices, if applicable; and 20. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome, pediatric abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations of 2 staff files, the file for Staff #2 (10.6.2025) lacked new staff training within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment. The training in the file was dated 10.21.2025 and was not signed by the staff who received the training.”

AAC R9-5-203.G. G. As required by A.R.S. § 8-804, before an individual’s starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee shall comply with the submission requirements in A.R.S. § 8-804(C) for the individual.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations of 2 staff files, Staff #1's (DOE 2.28.2022) file lacked the DCS submittal requirements. Staff #2's (DOE 10.6.2025) DCS submission was dated 3.6.2026. ***Previously cited 9.24.2025 & 12.11.2025”

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 of 2 staff files, Staff #1's (DOE 2.28.2022) file lacked a completed Criminal History Affidavit. ***Previously cited 12.20.2023, 12.16.2024, & 9.24.2025”

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 documentation and staff statements, on March 2, 2025, Child #1 was left alone and unsupervised in the Toddler 4 room for. Two additional children were left alone and unsupervised in the Toddler 3 room when Staff #1 went through the restroom into another classroom (Toddler 4). Staff stated the following: *Child #1 was alone in Toddler 4 when the parent came to pick the child up. *Staff #1 was unaware the child had been left alone in the room. *Staff stated when they left the Toddler 3 room to go through the restroom to Toddler 4 room, 6 children followed and 2 children remained in Toddler 3 alone. Documentation revealed Child #1 was found alone and unsupervised by the child's parent. ***Previously cited 9.11.2025, 9.24.2025, & 12.11.2025”

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: Per allegation and based on documentation and staff statements, on March 2, 2025, Child #1 was left alone in the Toddler 4 room with the lights turned off (the room was semi-dark). Additionally, 2 enrolled children were left alone in the Toddler 3 room. Staff #1 was in the Toddler 3 room with 8 children. The staff decided to go to the Toddler 4 room to get some wipes. Six children followed Staff #1, while 2 children stayed on the rug in the Toddler 3 room alone. Staff #1 returned to the Toddler 3 room with 5 of the children, leaving 1 child alone in Toddler 4. Staff #1 did not realize the child was not in the Toddler 3 room until the parent arrived to pick up Child #1. Staff #1 opened the door to the playground to ask if Child #1 was with the class outside. Once Staff #1 realized the child wasn't outside, they went to the Toddler 4 room and found the child sitting alone on the floor playing with toy dinosaurs. Staff stated the following: *I heard about a child being left alone in a room. *There was some sort of miscommunication between 2 teachers. *I am not sure who left the child alone. *Child #1's parent made me aware that the child was alone in a room. *Staff #1 went into the Toddler 4 room to obtain something in the diaper area. Some of the kids followed but they missed a kid. The lights were off, so it was dark in the room. *I went to get wipes from the other room. I had the kids gather with me, most of them came. Child #1 stepped behind me and I did not notice that I left the child. When the parent came to pick the child up, I thought the child was outside. Documentation revealed the following: * Staff #1 left Child #1 behind in another classroom. *Child #1 was self-playing with toys in the dark. ***Previously cited 12.16.2024, 9.11.2025, 9.24.2025, & 12.11.2025”

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: Per allegation and based on staff statements, on March 2, 2026, in Toddler 4 classroom, the staff to child ratio was 0:1, with a required ratio of 1:1. The staff to child ratio in Toddler 3 classroom was 0:2, with a required ratio of 1:2. ***Previously cited 12.16.2024, 9.11.2025, 10.20.2025, & 12.11.2025”

AAC R9-5-208.B. B. At least 30 calendar days before the date of an intended change in a facility’s service classification, space utilization, or licensed capacity, a licensee shall submit a written request for approval of the intended change to the Department that includes: 1. The licensee’s name; 2. The facility’s name, street address, city, state, zip code, mailing address, and telephone number; 3. The name, telephone number, and fax number of a point of contact for the request; 4. The facility’s license number; 5. The type of change intended: a. Service classification, b. Space utilization, or c. Licensed capacity; 6. A narrative description of the intended change; and 7. The following additional information as applicable, if the intended change: a. Affects individual rooms, the following information about each affected activity area, as applicable: i. Identification of the activity area, ii. Current and intended square footage, iii. Current and intended operating hours, iv. Current and intended service classification, v. Current and intended licensed capacity, and vi. Whether the activity area has or will have a diaper changing area; b. Is to increase licensed capacity, the square footage of the outdoor activity area; and c. Includes an alteration or addition to the physical plant of a licensed facility, the following, as applicable, if the facility is: i. Not located in a public school or if providing child care services to infants, one-year-old children, or two-year-old children in a facility located in a public school, the information required in R9-5-201(A)(5)(g) and (A)(5)(h) showing the intended change; or ii. Located in a public school and provides child care only for three-year-old, four-year-old, or five-year-old, or school-age children, a set of final construction drawings or a school map, including the information required in R9-5-201(5)(j) showing the intended change.

“Findings: Per allegation and based on staff statements, enrolled children have been using unlicensed space (reception area). Staff stated children go to the front area for discipline and when they are sick.”

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 Compliance Officers' observations, staff statement and a review of staff files, it was determined that Staff #1 was a child educator. Staff #1 stated they work alone with children at times. The file for Staff #1 (DOE 5.20.2024) lacked documentation of the staff's education of at least a high school diploma or GED.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, in the 2's room, there were 11 children listed on the roster but only 8 children present in the room.”

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 a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, in the Toddler 3 (1s) room, the menu posted was dated for October.”

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 a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, Child #1 and Child #3's medication consent forms lacked the starting and ending dates of the dosage period for the medications. Child #2's medication lacked documentation of a medication consent form.”

AAC R9-5-512.F.8.9. F. A licensee shall ensure that: 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 observations, in the Preschool 1 (3s) room, there was a chip on one of the toilet seats.”

AAC R9-5-203.G. G. As required by A.R.S. § 8-804, before an individual’s starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee shall comply with the submission requirements in A.R.S. § 8-804(C) for the individual.

“Findings: Based on a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, Staff #2 (DOH 09-22-2025), Staff #3 (DOH 10-10-2025), and Staff #5's (DOH 10-08-2025) files lacked documentation of DCS results completed before their starting dates of employment. Staff #1 (DOH 10-27-2025) and Staff #4's (DOH 11-03-2025) files lacked documentation of DCS results.”

AAC R9-5-516.B.4. B. If prescription or nonprescription medications are administered, a licensee shall ensure that: 4. A staff member: a. Administers a prescription medication provided by a parent only from a container dispensed by a pharmacy; b. Administers a nonprescription medication provided by a parent for an enrolled child only from a container prepackaged and labeled for use by the manufacturer and labeled with the enrolled child’s name; c. Does not administer any medication that has been transferred from one container to another; and d. Does not administer a nonprescription medication to an enrolled child inconsistent with the instructions on the nonprescription medication’s label, unless the facility receives written authorization from the enrolled child’s health care provider.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, Child #2's medication contained only 1/2 of the prescription, as dispensed by the pharmacy. Child #3's medication lacked the original packaging, as dispensed by the pharmacy.”

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 a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, the following staff files lacked the following required documentation to qualify as child educator: *Staff #3 (DOH 10-10-2025)- At least 6 months of childcare experience. *Staff #5 (DOH 10-08-2025)- At least 6 months of childcare experience *Staff #4 (DOH 11-03-2025)- An evaluated foreign education document.”

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: Per allegation, based on staff statements and the Compliance Officers' observations, on the 3s playground, the staff-to-child ratio was 0:6 when 6 enrolled children were left alone outside when a staff member walked into the classroom. Staff stated: *6 children were left alone outside for a few minutes. *There were no other staff members present at the time of the incident. *They were outside for 2-3 minutes. *A staff member left the children outside to help a guardian who asked for help inside the facility.”

AAC R9-5-512.F.1. 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;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the following toilet rooms lacked the required components: *Toddler 3 (1s) and Toddler 6 (s)- The toilet paper was not mounted. *Toddler 5 (2s)- The paper towel dispenser was inoperable, and the toilet paper was not mounted. *Preschool 1 (3s)- The paper towel dispenser was inoperable.”

AAC R9-5-501.B.5. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 5. For enrolled children 12-months and older, except as provided in subsection (C), prepares, posts, and implements 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. If weather and air quality permit, 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 following activity areas lacked the following: *Toddler 2 (1s)- The posted schedule lacked times. *Toddler 3 (1s)- A daily schedule was not posted.”

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: Per allegation, based on staff statements and the Compliance Officers' observations, the health, safety, and welfare of 6 enrolled children were placed at risk of harm when a staff member left them alone and unsupervised on the 3s playground until staff was notified. Staff stated: *6 children were left alone outside for a few minutes. *A staff member left the children outside to help a guardian who asked for help inside the facility. Previously cited: 09-11-2025 and 09-24-2025”

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 the Compliance Officer's observations, in the Activity room, there was a dark colored stain on one of the toilet seat bowls.”

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 Preschool 1 (3s) room, the paper towel dispenser located in the diaper changing area was inoperable.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observations, in the Toddler 4 (3s) room, the diaper-changing surface was not seamless and smooth. The surface lacked sufficient caulking to smooth out exposed cracks and crevices.”

AAC R9-5-501.B.6. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 6. For enrolled children five-years or younger, and except as provided in subsection (C), prepares, posts, and implements 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 the Compliance Officer's observations, all indoor activity areas lacked a dated weekly lesson plan posted.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.3. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 3. For enrolled infants and children five-years or younger, drinking water is available to meet the needs of each enrolled child;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, on the 2s/3s playground, drinking water was not available to meet the needs of the enrolled children.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observations, the following hazards were accessible to the enrolled children: *There was flaking, chipping, and exposed drywall in the Toddler 1 (2s) room. *There was a shaky and loose shelving unit in the kitchen transition area. *There was a taped section of drywall that started to peel off in the activity room.”

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

“Per allegation, based on staff statements and the Compliance Officers' observations, a staff member failed to supervise enrolled children at all times when the staff member left 6 enrolled children alone and unsupervised on the 3s playground. Staff stated: *A staff member left the children outside to help a guardian who asked for help inside the facility. *6 children were left alone outside for a few minutes. *They were outside for 2-3 minutes.”

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 observations, in the kitchen transition area, there was an extension cord attached to the wall.”

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 Officer's observations, in the toddler/preschool playground, the following hazards were accessible to the enrolled children: *There was a broken yellow toy with exposed sharp plastic edges. *There was a wooden shelf with splintery peeling wood. *The material on the storage door was peeling, exposing sharp metal, and the base of the door contained a build-up of grime and rust. *The coating on the play equipment staircase was peeling and lifted, posing a tripping hazard.”

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: Per allegation and based on staff statements, it was determined that staff-to-children ratios were not maintained at all times. Staff stated the following: *It’s been a little bit, but 1 month ago we were 1 or 2 kids over ratio. *I was out of ratio for 15 minutes, probably a month ago. *When I came in last week, I noticed PreK 3 (3s-4s) class already had 20 kids. *We were out of ratio last Tuesday. There was 1 staff with 13 one-year-olds. *I ask staff if they can go to another room because a room is over ratio, but sometimes it takes a minute or a couple of minutes for them to go. *We were out of ratio this morning for 2 - 5 minutes.”

AAC R9-5-502.A.10. A. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall: 10. Ensure that an occupied crib with a crib side that does not have a non-porous barrier is placed at least 2 feet from another occupied crib side that does not have a non porous barrier; and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, in the Infant Room, there were 2 occupied cribs placed side-to-end.”

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 observations, in the Infant room, there was a white toddler lock on the inside of the exit door. When the CO went to exit the room, a staff member was asked to open the door. When the staff opened the door, they had to open the top half of the door and open the door handle from the outside of the room.”

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 evidence (videos), Staff #1 physically restrained an enrolled child. *Staff #1 held Child #1’s wrist forcibly and walked them around the room. Staff #1 sat on the children’s couch and refrained from releasing the child. Child #1 laid on the floor and kicked at the couch trying to create distance between Staff #1 and themself. *Staff forcefully gripped Child #2’s wrist, and rapidly moved around the room with an unyielding release, while completing tasks. *Staff #1 restricted Child #3’s movement around the room by holding onto the child’s wrist firmly. After Staff #1 let go of the child's wrist, Child #3 continually looked down at their wrist and showed their wrist immediately to their mother and sibling when they entered the room. *Staff #1 refused to allow Child #4 freedom of movement by restraining the child on their cot and holding their wrist down tightly.”

AAC R9-5-510.B.4. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member does not use or permit: 4. Punishment associated with eating, resting, sleeping, toileting, and withholding outdoor play;

“Findings: Based on evidence (videos), Staff #1 used physical punishment associated with resting/sleeping. Staff #1 held Child #4’s right wrist tightly down to their cot during naptime. When the child tried to move on the cot, Staff #1 repeatedly pushed the child’s wrist back down to the cot, restricting their freedom of movement. Child #4 continued kick their feet and attempt to release from Staff #1’s grip.”

AAC R9-5-510.B.2. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member does not use or permit: 2. Any form of emotional abuse, including rejecting, extended ignoring, public or private humiliation;

“Findings: Based on evidence (videos), Staff #1 used emotional abuse on enrolled children. *Staff #1 was emotionally abusive when she took a toy away from Child #1, who was playing calmly. She failed to take any positive interaction or intervention to help calm the child, ignoring the child when the child cried, threw themselves to the floor, and tried to pry their toy from under Staff #1’s leg. *Staff #1 sat on the floor next to Child #5 at the table, and proceeded to hold onto the child’s blanket and taunt the child by not releasing the blanket when the child tried to walk away. Child #5 tugged on her blanket repeatedly to release the blanket from Staff #1’s hold.”

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: Per allegation and based on evidence (videos), staff failed to ensure that physical punishment was not used. *Staff #1 grabbed Child #1’s left arm and pulled the child up by one arm to the standing position (the child’s body was limp when lifted). Staff #1 continued to firmly grip Child #1’s arm while she moved around the room and sat down on the children’s couch. Child #1 continued to flail around, fall to the floor, tug and pull away from Staff #1, and kick away from the couch to try to free themselves from her grip. *Staff #1 grabbed Child #2’s left wrist and walked swiftly around the room. Staff #1 struggled to separate chairs and place them at the tables single-handedly. She continued to grip Child #2’s wrist. Child #2 was crying and dropped to their knees, and Staff #1 proceeded to drag the child across the floor on their knees (child was wearing shorts). Upon standing up, the child spun their body, tried to pull away in the opposite direction, and failed to wrestle free from the staff's tight grip. *Staff #1 sat next to Child #4, who was crying on their cot. Staff #1 held the child’s right wrist down to the cot, restricting their movement. Child #4 kicked their feet, thrashed around on the cot, and slapped at Staff #1’s hand multiple times to try to release themselves from the staff's rough grip. Staff #1 continued to yank the child’s wrist back down to the cot repeatedly.”

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 evidence (videos), staff failed to provide appropriate guidance to help children respond to difficult situations. *Staff #1 distracted Child #1 and then took the toy the child was quietly playing with. Staff #1 placed the toy under her leg, refused to give the toy back to the child, and ignored the child’s cry for their toy for an extended period of time. She was sitting on the children's couch, eating in front of the children, not returning the child's toy, and having no reaction to the child's distress. Staff #1 did not model the desired behavior for the children. *Staff #1 grabbed Child #1’s left arm and pointed to the crayons on the floor. Child #1 tried to run away from the staff, crying when Staff #1 firmly grabbed their wrist and refused to let go. *Child #2 was crying when Staff #1 was firmly gripping the child’s left wrist and moving swiftly around the room with the child. Staff #1 ignored the child’s cry and continued to place chairs around the tables, disregarding the child’s distress. *Child #4 was laying on a cot while Staff #1 was firmly holding the child's wrist down to the cot, and not comforting the child who was clearly distressed. *Staff #1 taunted Child #5 by grabbing onto the child’s blanket and refused to release it, as the child tried to walk away. *Staff #1 was holding Child #2 by their wrist, as she was placing chairs at the table. Her movement caused her hip to bump into Child #2’s head. Child #2, visibly upset, continued to struggle to free their wrist from the staff as she continued to walk through the classroom and run the child into other furniture along the wall.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, the top half of the Infant room door was open.”

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

“Findings: Based on evidence (videos), Staff #1 failed to supervise enrolled children at all times. Evidence revealed the following: *Staff #1 was focused on removing Child #1’s toy and the reaction to the removal of their toy, while not supervising or engaging with the other children present in the room. *Children were observed swinging from a cubby shelf, and Staff #1 did not prevent the dangerous swinging. *Staff #1 was not supervising all children present in the room. She was firmly holding onto children’s wrist and moving rapidly around the room as she was completing tasks. *During nap time, a child went to the bathroom alone and another child followed them to the bathroom. Staff #1 did not supervise the children. Reference definition 101.119 Supervision”

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: Per allegation and based on evidence (videos), Staff #1 failed to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of enrolled children was not placed at risk of harm. Evidence revealed Staff #1 used abusive interactions with children, such as: Restraining, rejecting (ignoring), humiliating (taunting), dragging, and pulling children (gripping wrists).”

AAC R9-5-203.G. G. As required by A.R.S. § 8-804, before an individual’s starting date of employment or volunteer service, a licensee shall comply with the submission requirements in A.R.S. § 8-804(C) for the individual.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, Staff #1's (4/28/2025) lacked documentation of their DCS submittal results.”

AAC R9-5-203.C. C. Except as provided in A.R.S. § 41-1758.03, a licensee shall ensure that each staff member, before starting date of employment or volunteer service, submits to the licensee a copy of the staff member’s valid fingerprint clearance card, front and back, issued under A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 12, Article 3.1.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, Staff #1's (4/28/2025) lacked documentation of the front and back sides of their fingerprint clearance card.”

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 the Compliance Officers' observations, Staff #1's (DOE 4.28.2025) criminal history affidavit was marked yes for question #2.”

AAC R9-5-307.2. A licensee shall ensure that the licensee or a staff member documents and reports all suspected or alleged cases of child abuse or neglect. 2. The licensee or staff member shall report the suspected or alleged child abuse by a staff member to the Department and to a local law enforcement agency as prescribed in A.R.S. § 13-3620. A licensee or staff member shall also send documentation to the Department and to any law enforcement agency previously notified within three calendar days of the initial report, and maintain documentation of a child abuse report on facility premises for 12 months after the date of a report.

“Findings: Based on staff statements, staff and the licensee were aware that Staff #2 was inappropriate with a child. Staff failed to document and report all suspected or alleged cases of child abuse or neglect to a local law enforcement agency and to the Department.”

AAC R9-5-401.1. A licensee shall ensure that staff members meet the following qualifications for employment or volunteer service at a facility: 1. A facility director is 21 years of age or older and provides the licensee with documentation of one of the following: a. At least 24 months of child care experience, a high school or high school equivalency diploma, and: i. Six credit hours or more in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field from an accredited college or university; or ii. At least 60 actual hours of instruction, provided in conferences, seminars, lectures, or workshops in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field, and an additional 12 hours of instruction, provided in conferences, seminars, lectures, or workshops in the area of program administration, planning, development, or management; b. At least 18 months of child care experience and: i. An N.A.C., C.D.A., or C.C.P. credential; or ii. At least 24 credit hours from an accredited college or university, including at least six credit hours in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; c. At least six months of child care experience and an associate degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; or d. At least three months of child care experience and a bachelor degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field;

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, it was determined that Staff #1 is the director. Staff #1 was not qualified as the director. The file lacked an additional 4.5 of the required 12 hours of instruction, provided in conferences, seminars, lectures, or workshops in the area of program administration, planning, development, or management for a facility director.”

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: Per allegation, based on staff statements, facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' review of a video, the staff-to-child ratio was 0:1 on the playground when a 2-year-old child was left outside prior to the Compliance Officers' arriving at the facility. Documentation (written staff statements) and staff statements, stated a child was left alone outside on the playground on 9/11/2025.”

AAC R9-5-404.C.3. C. A licensee shall ensure that when there are: 3. Six or more enrolled children are present in a facility, an infant is not placed for supervision with a child who is not an infant.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and staff statements, a one-year-old child was placed in the Infant room and then moved back to the Toddler 1 room while 6 or more enrolled children were present. Staff stated the child had been moved up to the 1's room and had been transitioning back and forth between the rooms.”

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: Per allegation, based on staff statements, facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' review of videos, the health, safety and welfare of an enrolled child was placed at risk of harm. Staff #2 was observed using a strong forward motion and throwing a child onto their cot. The child received the imprint of the cot on their forehead. The staff failed to provide first aid to the child once they received the injury. The child's parent (also a staff member at the facility) was notified and was not allowed to leave to render medical treatment to their child. The parent had to contact another family member to pick the child up. On 9/11/2025, a two-year-old child had been left outside on the playground. Video verified the staff and children entered the Toddler room at 8:27.56 and the Director (Staff #1) carries the child into the room through the hallway door at 8:33.15. Staff from a different room went out on a different playground and observed the child below the climber alone on the Toddler playground. The staff used the walkie talkie to notify the front desk, and Staff #1 brought the child inside and to the Toddler 5 room. Documentation (written staff statements) stated they left a child on the playground and did not realize it because staff thought their roster matched the number of children present inside.”

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 statements and the Compliance Officers' (COs) review of videos, staff failed to supervise enrolled children at all times. In a video, the COs observed a child standing on a chair and staff never asked the child to get down from the chair. Staff #2 was observed gathering blankets from children's cubbies and covering children with the blankets. Prior to the COs arriving at the facility, a two-year-old child was left alone and unsupervised on the playground. Staff stated the child was outside alone before another class went outside and observed the child alone.”

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 the Compliance Officers' review of a video, a staff member failed to establish and be proactive in teaching and supporting a child when Staff #2 was observed using a strong forward motion and throwing a child onto their cot. Staff #2 did not model desired behavior and showing the child a positive alternative. The child had been observed standing on a chair and did not appear to want to lay down on their cot. Staff #2 was also observed pushing the same child forward to their cot in an aggressive manner.”

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: Per allegation and based on the Compliance Officers' review of a video and staff statements, a staff member used physical punishment on a child. In a video, Staff #2 was observed using a forward motion and threw a child onto their cot in a rough manner. The child started crying and the staff bent over the child and then picked the child up, sat in a chair with them, and comforted the child by rubbing the child's head since it was injured in the drop. Staff stated the imprint of the cot was observed on the child's forehead.”

AAC R9-5-510.B.4. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member does not use or permit: 4. Punishment associated with eating, resting, sleeping, toileting, and withholding outdoor play;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' review of a video, Staff #2 used punishment associated with resting and sleeping. Staff #2 was observed using a forward motion and threw a child onto their cot to get the child to lay down. The forceful impact left the fabric print of the cot on the child's forehead.”

AAC R9-5-514. G.1. G. If while attending a facility an enrolled child has an accident, injury, or emergency that, based on an evaluation by a staff member, requires medical treatment by a health care provider, a licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Notifies the enrolled child's parent and the Department immediately after the accident, serious physical injury, as defined in A.R.S. § 8-201, or emergency;

“Findings: Based on staff statement, the Department was not notified immediately after a child received an injury requiring medical treatment by a health care provider. Staff stated a child received a head injury while attending the facility.”

AAC R9-5-514. G.2. G. If while attending a facility an enrolled child has an accident, serious physical injury, or emergency that, based on an evaluation by a staff member, requires medical treatment by a health care provider, a licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 2. Documents: a. A description of the accident, serious physical injury, or emergency, including the date, time, and location of the accident, serious physical injury, or emergency; b. The method used to notify the enrolled child’s parent; and c. The time the enrolled child’s parent was notified; and

“Findings: Per allegation and based on the Compliance Officers' review of a video and facility documentation, a staff member failed to document the method used to notify the enrolled child's parent and the time the parent was notified of the injury. A Child Incident Report stated a child fell out of Staff #2's arms onto their mat. The video documented Staff #2 used a strong forward motion and threw the child onto their cot forcefully. The report's documentation was inconsistent with the video.”

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 observations, in the PreK (3/4s) room, there were 10 enrolled children present and 8 children were marked on the roster.”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observations, the files for Staff #1 (DOE 10/14/2024) and Staff #2 (DOE 8/12/24) lacked a 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 Officers' observations, the emergency exits were locked in the Toddler 2 (1's) room and Toddler 3 (2's) room.”

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 Officers' observations, the following fall zones lacked 6 inches of resilient surfacing as required: 4's/5's/School-Age Playground: *The fall zone of the steps of the playground lacked 4 of the 6 inches required; 2's Playground: *The blue short slide lacked 2 of the 6 inches required; *The red bridge lacked 1 of the 6 inches required; 1's Playground: *The green walk-up of the play structure lacked 3 of the 6 inches required; *The red bridge lacked 3 of the 6 inches required; 3's Playground: *The 2 blue slides lacked 3 of the 6 inches required; and *The swings lacked 3 of the 6 inches required.”

AAC R9-5-203.C. C. Except as provided in A.R.S. § 41-1758.03, a licensee shall ensure that each staff member, before starting date of employment or volunteer service, submits to the licensee a copy of the staff member’s valid fingerprint clearance card,front and back, issued under A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 12, Article 3.1.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations and facility documentation, the files for Staff #1 (DOE 10/14/2024), Staff #3 (10/31/2022), Staff #4 (DOE 9/16/2024), and Staff #5 (DOE 5/20/2024) lacked a copy of the back side of the fingerprint clearance card.”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observation, Staff #4's (DOE 9/16/24) fingerprint clearance card was not validated until 10/8/2024.”

AAC R9-5-602.C.2. C. To provide activities that develop large muscles and an opportunity to participate in structured large muscle physical activities, a licensee shall:2. Comply with one of the following: a. If no enrolled child attends the facility for more than four hours per day, provide at least 50 square feet of indoor activity area for each child, based on the facility’s licensed capacity; b. If no enrolled child attends the facility for more than six hours per day, provide at least 75 square feet of indoor activity area per child for at least 50% of the facility’s licensed capacity in addition to the indoor activity area required in subsection (A); or c. Provide at least 37.5 square feet of outdoor activity area and 37.5 square feet of indoor activity area per child for at least 50% of the facility’s licensed capacity in addition to the indoor activity area required in subsection (A).

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, the capacity in the Toddler 2 (1's) room is 13 and there were 15 children present.”

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 the Compliance Officers' observations, 2 medication forms reviewed lacked the following: *Child #20: An ending date and the prescription number listed on the medication authorization form did not match the prescription number on the medication; and Child #21: A prescription number and an ending date.”

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, the following was observed: Activity Room: There was food waste in an uncovered trash can; Pre K 3 (3's): The light in the toilet room was dim and flickering; and Pre K 2 (3's and up): The paper towel dispenser in the toilet room was empty.”

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 Officers' observations, in Toddler 3 (2's) toilet room, there was a two-tiered storage shelf containing paper towels and soap stored under the handwashing sink.”

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 Officers' observations, the following soiled clothing containers lacked: Toddler 4 (2's) and Infant 1: Lacked a soiled clothing container.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, the following diaper changing sink temperatures were not between 86°F and 110°F as required: Infant 2: The diaper changing sink temperature was 119.9°F; Toddler 5 (1's): The diaper changing sink temperature was 66.1°F; and Preschool 1 (3's): The diaper changing sink temperature was 73.4°F.”

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 observation, the diaper changing surface in Preschool 1 (3's) there was a gap along the perimeter of the table.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, 5 of 5 Infant Feeding instructions reviewed lacked the following: Child #15: Lacked a parent signature; Child #16, Child #17, Child #18, and Child #19: The time and frequency of feedings.”

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 the Compliance Officers' observations, the following items lacked a label of the child's first and last name as required: Toddler 1 (1's): 1 diaper cream was labeled with the child's first name only and 2 diaper creams were labeled with the child's first name and last initial only; Toddler 2 (1's): 4 diaper creams were labeled with the child's first and last initial only; and Toddler 4 (2's): There was 1 unlabeled diaper cream.”

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 #2's observations, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: Toddler 5 (2's): The edge of the wooden cube was cracked and splintered; Preschool 1 (3's) Toilet Room: There was a missing wall plate between the toilets that was chipped and exposed drywall.”

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 Infant room, an infant sitting in a baby swing was only secured with the bottom security strap and not the top.”

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 the Compliance Officers' observations, the ratio in the PreK room (3's and up) was 1:15 , instead of 1:13 as required.”

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 #1's observation, 12 of 30 Emergency, Information, Immunization Record cards lacked the following: Child #1, Child #2, Child #3, Child #4, and Child #5: The child's date of enrollment; Child #6, Child #7, and Child #8: The back side of the card was incomplete; Child #9: The contact telephone number of the child's health care provider; Child #10: The child's date of enrollment and the name, home address, city, state, and zip code of the second parent of the child; Child #11: The name, home address, city, state, and zip code of the second parent of the child, the child's city, state, and zip code, and the city, state, and zip code of the first parent of the child; and Child #12: The child's city, state, and zip code and the name, home address, city, state, zip code, and contact telephone number of each parent of the child.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, 3 of 6 admission and release forms lacked the following: *Child #12: A release signature for 12/10/2024 and 12/11/2024; *Child #13: A release time and signature for 12/4/2024; and *Child #14: A release signature for 12/2/2024 and 12/9/2024.”

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 the Compliance Officers' observations, in the Toddler 2 room (1's) the roster listed 7 children and 10 children were present.”

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 #1's observations and facility documentation, the file for Staff #3 (DOE 10/31/2022) lacked 4.4 of the 18 hours of annual training required for 10/31/2023-10/31/2024.”

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 #2's observations, the facility lacked a current violation-free fire inspection. The last fire inspection report expired on 12/15/2024.”

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, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children in the outdoor activity area: 4's/5's/School-Age Playground: *There was a bookshelf that was splintering; *There were multiple large holes throughout the asphalt, one 18" by 13", 27" by 8", 19" by 11", 16" by 7", and 10" by 12"; 3's Playground: *There was exposed concrete footing on 4 of 4 shade structure poles; 2's Playground: *There was a 4-inch by 4-inch hole in the asphalt; *There was an exposed concrete footing by the chain link fence; *3, 1 1/2 inch bolts were protruding upward from the cement post; *2, 1-inch bolts were exposed in the concrete footing of 4 of 4 shade posts; 1's Playground: *The Room 4 exit door was warped; *There were 2 exposed concrete footings; and *The Step 2 climber with a yellow slide was unsecured.”

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 and the Director's observations and a discussion with the infant room staff, 5 of the enrolled infant's written feeding instructions had not been updated: 1) Staff stated that Children #2 and #3, were eating food but the type of food, quantity of food and the frequency of feedings were not stated on the instructions; and 2) The feeding instructions for Children #4, #5 and #6 did not state the quantity of food to be fed.”

AAC R9-5-404.C.3. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 3. When six or more enrolled children are present in a facility, an infant is not placed for supervision with a child who is not an infant.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's and the Director's observations and a discussion with the infant room staff, a child who was 13 months old was observed in the Infant room (room #2). The infant room staff acknowledged the child was walking”

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 and the Director's observations and a discussion with the infant room staff, the written feeding instructions were not posted in infant rooms (rooms 1 and 2) or in the kitchen. Instead, the feeding instructions were kept in a binder on a shelf.”

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 the Compliance Officer's and the Director's observations, the following unrelated diapering items were stored in the diapering areas: *Infant room- a strainer was stored in the diapering sink; and *Room 5- a clip board and a marker were stored in the diapering area.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.2.a. 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 and the Director's observations, the water temperature measured 120 degrees F in Infant Room 1 and Infant Room 2.”

AAC R9-5-512.C. C. A licensee shall ensure that floor coverings are: 1. Clean; and 2. Free from: a. Dampness, b. Odors, and c. Hazards.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's and the Director's observations. the following was observed: *Room 4 -the 2 Alphabet rugs had numerous brown stains on them; and *Room 6- Three floor tiles were missing in the bathroom near the door.”

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 the Compliance Officer's and the Director's observations, the following was noted: *Bathroom in Room 8- both of the toilets had a yellow dried substance on the back of the toilet near the seats; and *Bathroom in Room 7 -a yellow dried substance was on the base of the toilet.”

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 and the Director's observations, the toilet in the bathroom in Room 6 was wrapped in black plastic. The director stated the toilet was not working.”

AAC R9-5-516.B.4. B. If prescription or nonprescription medications are administered, a licensee shall ensure that: 4. A staff member : a. Administers a prescription medication provided by a parent only from a container dispensed by a pharmacy; b. Administers a nonprescription medication provided by a parent for an enrolled child only from a container prepackaged and labeled for use by the manufacturer and labeled with the enrolled child’s name; c. Does not administer any medication that has been transferred from one container to another; and d. Does not administer a nonprescription medication to an enrolled child inconsistent with the instructions on the nonprescription medication’s label, unless the facility receives written authorization from the enrolled child’s health care provider.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's and the Director's observations, Child #7's twin pack box of Epi-pens contained only 1 of the injectors. The Director acknowledged they had not obtained written authorization from the child's health care provider that allows the Epi-pens to be separated.”

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 and the Director's observations, the following hazards were observed in the outdoor activity area: 1) Five exposed metal bolts protruding 2 inches above the ground along the wooden playground border; 2) Exposed bolts protruding from the bases of 3 of the shade structures where the asphalt had chipped away; and 3) Seven River rocks were found in the hard, compacted ground area, in the fall zones under the swings and at the base of the toddler slide.”

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 and the Director's observations, the wood chips measured the following depths: *1 of the required 6 inches under the swings; and *3 of the required 6 inches at the base of one of the slides in the preschool area.”

ARS § 36-882.C. C. An application for an initial license shall include: 1. The form that is required pursuant to section 36-883.02, subsection C and that is completed by the applicant. 2. A copy of a valid fingerprint clearance card issued to the applicant pursuant to section 41-1758.07. 3. If the applicant's facility is located within one-fourth mile of any agricultural land, the names and addresses of the owners and lessees of the agricultural land and a copy of the agreement required pursuant to subsection D of this section.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of Staff #3's file, it was determined that the Staff failed to answer question #2 on the criminal history affidavit.”

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 the Compliance Officer's and the Director's observations and a discussion with staff, the following rooms had personal products that were not labeled with the child’s first and last name: *Room #3- a jar of petroleum jelly; *Room #5-6 tubes of diaper cream; and *Room 6- 6 tubes of diapering cream.”