Cornerstone Preschool

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: The Secondary Compliance Officer reviewed the facility's most recent fire inspection documentation and noted that the inspection took place on February 6, 2025 and was therefore not current.”

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 and facility documentation, the prescription medication for Child #2 required a quantity of 2 and only 1 was present at the facility.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.9. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 9. Fans are mounted and inaccessible to an enrolled child;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observations, in the Butterflies room, there were two fans accessible to enrolled children.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observations and facility documentation, 2 of 3 staff files reviewed lacked verification of a valid fingerprint clearance card prior to their date of employment, Staff #1(DOE:7/13/25) and Staff #2(DOE:11/4/24).”

AAC R9-5-516.G. G. A licensee shall return all unused prescription and nonprescription medications to a parent when the medication prescription date has expired or the medication is no longer being administered to the enrolled child or dispose of the medication if unable to locate the enrolled child's parent after the child's disenrollment.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observations and facility documentation, the medication for Child #3 expired on 03/2025. The medication for Child #4 was no longer being administered.”

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 the Compliance Officer’s observations and facility documentation, the files for Staff #1(DOE:7/13/25) and Staff #2(DOE:11/4/24) lacked documentation of their Central Registry background checks.”

AAC R9-5-302. A licensee shall prepare a written statement of child care services provided by the licensee that includes the following: 1. A description of the facility’s child care services classifications in R9-5-204; 2. Hours of operation; 3. The facility’s street address, city, state, zip code, mailing address, and telephone number; 4. Child enrollment and disenrollment procedures; 5. Charges, fees, and payment requirements for child care services; 6. Child admission and release requirements; 7. Guidelines for positive discipline reflective of age-appropriate methods for children that include clear, appropriate, consistent expectations; 8. Transportation procedures; 9. Field trip requirements and procedures; 10. Responsibilities and participation of parents in facility activities; 11. A general description of activities and programs; 12. A description of the liability insurance required by R9-5-308 that is carried by the licensee and a statement that documentation of the liability insurance coverage is available for review on the facility premises; 13. Medication administration procedures; 14. Accident and emergency procedures; 15. A notice stating inspection reports are available on-site; 16. A provision stating that the facility is regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services including the Department’s local street address, city, state, zip code, and local telephone number; 17. The procedures for notifying a parent at least 48 hours before a pesticide is applied on a facility’s premises; 18. A statement that a parent has access to the areas on facility premises where the parent’s enrolled child is receiving child care services; and 19. Policies and procedures for suspension and expulsion of children to include clear, appropriate, consistent expectations, including suspension and expulsion prevention strategies.

“Findings: Based on the review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, the statement of services lacked the following required information: *The facility’s street address, city, state, zip code, mailing address, and telephone number. *Field trip requirements and procedures. *Responsibilities and participation of parents in facility activities. *Medication administration procedures. *A statement that Inspection reports are available upon request. *A statement that the facility is regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services, including the Department’s street address, city, state, zip code, and telephone number. *Pesticide policy.”

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 and facility documentation, the following rosters were not maintained in the presence of enrolled children: *Butterflies:15 children were transitioning form the outdoor activity area to the lunch area *Caterpillars: 15 children were present in the outdoor activity area *Lady Bugs: 12 children were present in the outdoor activity area Turtle Tots: There were 15 children present in the room but 18 were documented on the roster.”

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 and facility documentation, the file for Staff #3(DOE:8/8/25) lacked documentation of the 10-day new staff orientation.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.18. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 18. Except as provided in subsection (A)(20), the following are stored separate from food storage areas and are inaccessible to an enrolled child: a. All materials and chemicals labeled as a toxic or flammable substance; b. All substances that have a child warning label and may be a hazard to a child; and c. Lawn mowers, ladders, toilet brushes, plungers, and other facility equipment that may be a hazard to a child;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observations, there was a plunger in the child restroom at the end of hall accessible to enrolled children.”

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, the diaper changing table in the Turtle Tots had exposed wood on the left side making it non sanitizable.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observations, in the Turtle Tots there was a soiled diaper pail accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.21. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 21. A refrigerator at the child care facility maintains a temperature of 41° F or below and a freezer maintains a temperature of 0° F or below, as shown by a thermometer kept in the refrigerator and in the freezer at all times;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observations, the two refrigerators in the kitchen lacked thermometers.”

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, the following restrooms were not maintained in a clean and sanitizable condition: *Turtle Tots: The floor tile behind the right toilet was cracked and becoming detached from the wall. *Butterflies: The caulking at the base of the toilets had a brown substance. *Bumblebees: There was a pack of wipes on top of the toilet tank lid and the caulking at the base of toilets had brown substance.”

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, in the Bumblebees restroom, the paper towels were not mounted.”

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 Officer’s observations and facility documentation, the medication authorization forms for Child #1 and Child #2 lacked specifics on the reason for the medication.”

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 restroom at the end of the hall, the faucet was corroded, and in the restroom by the lunch area, the toilet tank lid was cracked and had sharp edges accessible to enrolled children.”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observations and facility documentation, 3 of 6 staff files reviewed lacked the following: *Staff #1 (DOE 2-6-24): Documentation of the DCS affidavit. *Staff #2 (DOE 8-1-24): Documentation of the DCS affidavit. *Staff #3 (DOE 1-23-24): Documentation of the DCS affidavit.”

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 #2's observations and facility documentation, 12 of 25 Emergency Information and Immunization Record cards reviewed lacked the following required information: *Child #1: City, state, and zip of child and both parents, emergency contact #2 *Child #2: City, state, and zip of child and complete address of both parents *Child #3: Child phone number *Child #4: City, state, and zip of child and both parents *Child #5: City, state, and zip of both parents *Child #6: Parent signature *Child #7: City, state, and zip of child and parent *Child #8: City, state, and zip of child and both parents *Child #9: Emergency contact #2 *Child #10: City, state, and zip of child, emergency contact #1 *Child #11: City, state, and zip of child and parent *Child #12: Date of enrollment”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observations, staff interview, and facility documentation, 1 of 6 staff files reviewed lacked a valid fingerprint clearance card. *Staff #4 (DOE: 8-21-00): The fingerprint clearance card on file expired on 7-27-23. At the time of inspection, Staff worked without a valid fingerprint clearance card for 321 working days, and staff stated that a renewal application had not been submitted.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations and facility documentation, 4 of 6 staff files reviewed lacked documentation of verification with DPS of the staff members' valid fingerprint clearance cards before their starting date of employment. *Staff #1: DOE: 2-5-24 *Staff #2: DOE: 8-1-24 *Staff #3: DOE: 1-23-24 *Staff #5: DOE: 4-8-24”

AAC R9-5-203.G. G. If 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 Compliance Officer #2's observations and facility documentation, 1 of 6 staff files reviewed lacked the following: *Staff #5: Documentation of the submitted DCS affidavit to the Direct Central Registry.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations, the ratio in the Caterpillar's room was 1:15 instead of 2:15 as required for 3-year-old children.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.9. A. A licensee shall ensure that:9. If a staff member places an enrolled child in a feeding chair when feeding the enrolled child: a. The feeding chair is constructed to prevent toppling; b. The tray or feeding surface of the feeding chair is smooth and free of cracks; and c. The staff member: i Cleans the feeding chair before and after each enrolled child’s use; ii. Sanitizes the tray or feeding surface before and after each enrolled child’s use; and iii. If the feeding chair was manufactured with a safety strap, fastens the feeding chair’s safety strap while the enrolled child is in the feeding chair;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observations, the feeding chairs in the Firefly's room (1's) had slats for safety straps. The safety straps were not placed on the chairs used by enrolled children. Previously cited on 1/10/24”

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 observed and accessible to enrolled children: *Firefly's (1's): The divider wall in the middle of the room had multiple areas of peeling paint and drywall. *Bumblebee's (4's/5's): There was a white cork board with peeling paint and cork chipping off.”

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, the diaper table in the Turtle Tot's (2's) room had raw wood on left side and lacked caulking along the right side making the table non-sanitizable.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations, the soiled diaper container was accessible to enrolled children in the Turtle Tot's (2's) room.”

AAC R9-5-504.3. A licensee providing child care services for 1-year-old and 2-year-old children shall:3. Ensure that each activity area has a supply of age-appropriate toys, materials, and equipment that are too large for a child to swallow and free from sharp edges and points, in a quantity sufficient to meet the needs of the enrolled children in attendance including: a. Art supplies; b. Books; c. Rubber or soft plastic balls; d. Puzzles and toys to enhance manipulative skills; e. Blocks; f. Washable soft toys and dolls; g. Musical instruments; and h. Indoor and outdoor equipment to enhance large muscle development;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observations, the age-appropriate toys, materials, and equipment in the Firefly's (1's) room were not sufficient to meet the needs of the enrolled children in attendance. Items in the room were maintained on the top shelves and inaccessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.22. C. A licensee shall ensure that:22. A refrigerator at the child care facility maintains a temperature of 41° F or below, as shown by a thermometer kept in the refrigerator at all times;

“Findings Based on Compliance Officer #1's observations, the refrigerator used for the food of enrolled children lacked a thermometer to show it maintains the correct temperature.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations, the freezer used for the food of enrolled children lacked a thermometer to show it maintains the correct temperature.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations, the following floor coverings were not maintained hazard-free: *Turtle Tot's (2's): The tile on the floor by the exit door was broken, exposing the cement. *Firefly's (1's): The floor trim next to the divider wall was completely removed, exposing the drywall. *Bumblebee's (4's/5's): The floor trim was detached from the wall next to the closet. *Butterfly's (4's/5's): The floor trim was detached from the wall in the closet space.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations, the following were not maintained in a clean and sanitizable condition: *Restroom 1: There was a buildup of debris along the edges of the floor. The trim next to and behind the toilets was becoming detached. There was a lack of grout in between the tiles. *Restroom 2: There was a buildup of debris along the edges of the floor. The trim next to the bathtub was becoming detached. There was a lack of caulking around the toilet next to the bathtub. *Restrooms 3 & 4: There was a buildup of debris along the edges of the floor. The toilets lacked caulking along the base. *Restroom 5: There was a buildup of debris along the edges of the floor.”

AAC R9-5-516.B.2. B. If prescription or nonprescription medications are administered, a licensee shall ensure that:2. A facility director ensures that only one staff member in the facility at any given time is responsible for the administration of medications;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #2's observations and facility documentation, the Licensee did not assign one staff member responsible for the administration of medications. Staff stated four different staff members administer medications.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations, the medication for Child #18 lacked a container dispensed by a pharmacy.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations, the fall zones in the outdoor activity area lacked 3" of 6" of sand as used as resilient material.”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observations and facility documentation, the fingerprint clearance cards for 3 of 6 staff members whose files were reviewed were issued after the staff members' date of employment. *Staff #1: DOE: 2-6-24 Issued: 2-7-24 *Staff #3: DOE: 1-23-24 Issued: 2-2-24 *Staff #5: DOE: 4-8-24 Issued: 4-12-24”

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 and facility documentation, 4 of 6 staff files reviewed lacked the following items on the Criminal History Affidavit (CHA). *Staff #1: Applicant name, address, social security #, DOB, questions #1-3, signature and date. *Staff #2: Complete CHA *Staff #3: Complete CHA *Staff #5: Question #2 and #3b”

AAC R9-5-301.F. F. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member submits, on or before the starting date of employment or volunteer services, one of the following as evidence of freedom from infectious active tuberculosis: 1. Documentation of a negative Mantoux skin test or other tuberculosis screening test recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, administered within 12 months before the starting date of employment or volunteer service, that includes the date and the type of tuberculosis screening test; or 2. If the staff member has had a positive Mantoux skin test or other tuberculosis screening test, a written statement that the staff member is free from infectious active tuberculosis that is signed and dated by a health care provider within six months before the starting date of employment or volunteer service.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #2's observations and facility documentation, 3 of 6 staff files reviewed lacked documentation of freedom from infectious active tuberculosis on or before the starting date of employment: *Staff #1: DOE: 2-6-24 Date of negative result: 2-8-24 *Staff #3: DOE: 1-23-24 Date of negative result: 10-31-24 *Staff #5: DOE: 4-8-24 Date of negative result: 4-21-24”

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 #2's observations and facility documentation, 7 of 15 enrolled children's attendance forms lacked the following: *Child #6: No sign-in and no sign-out on 10-28-24 due to the use of only initials as the signature. No sign-out on 11-1-24 due to the use of only initials as the signature. *Child #8: No sign-in and no sign-out on 10-28-24 due to the use of only initials as the signature. *Child #13: No sign-in and no sign-out on 10-28-24 due to the use of only initials as the signature. *Child #14: No sign-in on 10-28-24 due to the use of only initials as the signature. No sign-out on 11-1-24 due to the use of only initials as the signature. *Child #15: No sign-in and no sign-out on 10-28-24 due to the use of only initials as the signature. *Child #16: No sign-in and no sign-out on 10-28-24 due to the use of only initials as the signature. No sign-in and no sign-out on 11-1-24 due to the use of only initials as the signature. *Child #17: No sign-in and no sign-out on 11-4-24 due to the use of only initials as the signature.”

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 and facility documentation, the Licensee lacked a violation-free fire inspection report. The fire inspection report on file was dated 8-31-24 with a violation.”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observations and facility documentation, the 4 of 6 staff files reviewed lacked the following: *Staff #1: Emergency contact, statement of immunity against measles, rubella, diphtheria, mumps, and pertussis, 2 good faith efforts contacting staff's previous employment for recommendations *Staff #3: 1 of 2 good faith efforts contacting staff's previous employment for recommendations *Staff #4: 2 good faith efforts contacting staff's previous employment for recommendations *Staff #5: 2 good faith efforts contacting staff's previous employment for recommendations”

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

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #2's observations and facility documentation, 2 of 6 staff files reviewed lacked the following: *Staff #1: Lacked documentation of completion on 15 of the 18 topics on the 10-day training form. *Staff #2: Lacked documentation of the 10-day training form.”

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 the Compliance Officers' observations and facility documentation, 2 of 6 staff files reviewed lacked the following: *Staff #4: Documentation of 18 hours of required annual training in the staff file for the period of 8-21-23 to 8-21-24. *Staff #6: An additional 6 hours of the 18 required hours of annual training for the period of 6-12-23 to 6-12-24.”

AAC R9-5-403.C. C. A licensee shall ensure that documentation of a staff member's completion of training required by subsection (A) is signed by the facility director and dated.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #2's observations and facility documentation, 1 of 6 staff files reviewed lacked the following: *Staff #1: 10-day training form lacked the director's signature and date.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.2. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 2. Except for an enrolled school-age child, drinking water is provided sufficient for the needs of and accessible to each enrolled child in both indoor and outdoor activity areas;

“Compliance Officer 1 observed that the water was not accessible in ones classroom and outside on the playground.”

AAC R9-5-203.B. B. A licensee shall maintain documentation of a valid fingerprint clearance card issued under A.R.S. § 41-1758.03 and valid background check document issued under in A.R.S. § 46-811.

“Upon review of 2 staff files, it was found that Staff 1 did not have a copy of the back side of the fingerprint clearance card.”

AAC R9-5-309.A. A. An applicant shall obtain the following inspections of a facility and make any repairs or corrections stated on an inspection report before a license is issued by the Department: 1. If there are gas pipes that run from a gas meter to an appliance or location on the facility premises, a gas inspection by a licensed plumber or individual authorized by the local jurisdiction that verifies there are no gas leaks in the gas pipes that run from the gas meter to any appliance or location on facility premises; and 2. A fire inspection by a local fire department.

“The facility's last fire inspection was on 7/31/22.”

AAC R9-5-305.C. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member updates an enrolled child’s written immunization record required in subsection (A)(1)(a) each time the enrolled child’s parent provides the licensee with a written statement from the enrolled child’s health care provider that the enrolled child has received an age-appropriate immunization required by 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7.

“Upon review of the Emergency Information and Immunization Record cards, it was found that Child 1 did not have up to date immunizations. The record form from ASIIS had 7 immunizations that showed they were due now.”

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.

“Upon review of 2 staff files, it was found that Staff 2 was laid off on 3/17/20 and returned on 7/27/20. DPS was not contacted to verify that the fingerprint clearance card was valid upon return to employment.”

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

“Compliance Officer 1 observed that the menu did not list the specific foods being served.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.14. C. A licensee shall ensure that:14. Each staff member is informed of a modified diet prescribed for an enrolled child by the child’s parent or health care provider, and the modified diet is posted in the kitchen and in the child’s activity area;

“Compliance Officer 2 observed that the modified diet for Child 2 was not posted in the kitchen or the child’s activity area.”

AAC R9-5-504.5.a. A licensee providing child care services for 1-year-old and 2-year-old children shall: 5. Ensure that: a. If finger food is served, the food is of a size and texture that does not present a choking hazard;

“Compliance Officer 1 observed food being served to the one year olds that was too big and could pose a choking hazard.”

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;

“Compliance Officer 1 observed a rag, a binder and a sippy cup on the diaper surface in the one year old classroom..”

AAC R9-5-501.A.19. A. A licensee shall ensure that:19. Except as provided in subsection (A)(20), the following are stored separate from food storage areas and are inaccessible to an enrolled child: a. All materials and chemicals labeled as a toxic or flammable substance; b. All substances that have a child warning label and may be a hazard to a child; and c. Lawn mowers, ladders, toilet brushes, plungers, and other facility equipment that may be a hazard to a child;

“Compliance Officer 1 observed a bottle of Clorox accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.9. A. A licensee shall ensure that:9. If a staff member places an enrolled child in a feeding chair when feeding the enrolled child: a. The feeding chair is constructed to prevent toppling; b. The tray or feeding surface of the feeding chair is smooth and free of cracks; and c. The staff member: i Cleans the feeding chair before and after each enrolled child’s use; ii. Sanitizes the tray or feeding surface before and after each enrolled child’s use; and iii. If the feeding chair was manufactured with a safety strap, fastens the feeding chair’s safety strap while the enrolled child is in the feeding chair;

“Compliance Officer 1 observed that there were no safety straps on the the feeding table in the one year old classroom. The table had slats for the straps.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.19. C. A licensee shall ensure that:19. Non-single-use utensils and equipment used in preparing, eating, or drinking food are: a. After each use: i. Washed in an automatic dishwasher and air dried or heat dried; or ii. Washed in hot soapy water, rinsed in clean water, sanitized, and air dried or heat dried; and b. Stored in a clean area protected from contamination;

“Compliance Officer 1 was told by staff that they were rinsing the sippy cups that had milk for lunch in the diapering sink and then reusing the cups for water for the children.”

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.

“Compliance Officer 1 observed that the diaper sink had built up dirt and grime in the Firefly classroom.”

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

“Compliance Officer 1 observed that staff were washing sippy cups in the diaper sink.”

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.

“Compliance Officer 1 observed that some classrooms' rosters were inaccurate.”