Creative Beginnings Learning Center

AAC R9-5-605.B.10. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 10. Toilet rooms are ventilated to the outside of the building, either by a screened window open to the outside air or by an exhaust fan and duct system that is operated when the toilet room is in use;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the exhaust fans in the bathrooms of the two-year-old room and the three & four year old room were not operating.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the designated exit in the infant room that leads to the exterior of the building was locked when the Compliance Officer tried to open it.”

AAC R9-5-517.A.9. A. A licensee who transports an enrolled child in a motor vehicle that the licensee owns, or acquires for use by contract, shall: 9. Ensure that the motor vehicle has: a. A working mechanical heating system capable of maintaining a temperature throughout the motor vehicle of at least 60° F when outside air temperatures are below 60° F; b. Except as provided in subsection (E), a working air-conditioning system capable of maintaining a temperature throughout the motor vehicle at or below 86° F when outside air temperatures are above 86° F; c. Except as provided in subsection (F), a first aid kit that meets the requirements of R9-5-514(A); d. Two large, clean towels or blankets; and e. Sufficient drinking water available to meet the needs of each enrolled child in the motor vehicle and sufficient cups or other drinking receptacles so that each enrolled child can drink from a different cup or receptacle;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the first aid kit in both of the vans lacked the second required roll of gauze.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.3.4. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains: 3. At least one waterproof, sanitizable container with a waterproof liner and a tight fitting lid for soiled diapers; and 4. At least one waterproof, sanitizable container with a waterproof liner and a tight fitting lid for soiled clothing.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the diapering area in the 1-year-old room lacked the required soiled clothing container. The soiled diaper container was located in the bathroom of the 3-year-old room and was not located in the approved diapering area.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation and on a discussion with the infant room staff, the written infant feeding instructions for 4 of the infants had not been updated: *Child #1- The staff stated the child was fed table food but the form only stated the child was fed breast milk and lacked the type of food, the amount and frequencies of the feedings of the table food. The form had not been updated since 1/27/25; *Child #2- The staff stated the child was fed pureed food but the form lacked the type of pureed food, the amount and frequencies of the feedings of the food. The Form had not been updated since 4/15/25; *Child #3- The staff stated the child was fed pureed food but the form lacked the type of pureed food, the amount and frequencies of the feedings of the food. The Form had not been updated since 6/3/25; and *Child #4- The staff stated the child was fed pureed food but the form lacked the type of pureed food, the amount and frequencies of the feedings of the food. The Form had not been updated since 6/25/25.”

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: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation and on a discussion with the Director, the infant room has a licensed capacity for 18 cribs but only 17 cribs were in the infant room. The Director stated one of the cribs had broken and only 17 cribs were on the premises. The Director stated the requested capacity was intended to be reduced to 17 cribs but acknowledged the required modification application had not been submitted at least 30 days prior to the change in the capacity.”

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 Officer's observation, a ratio of 1:15 was observed in the preschool room, (the youngest children in the room were 3 years old). The second staff was observed speaking with the Director in the Director’s office when the Compliance Officer arrived and was observed re-entering the room. The staff acknowledged leaving the room to ask the Director a question.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the following was noted regarding designated exits: *3-4 year old room- the rear designated exit that leads to the exterior was obstructed by 3 occupied nap mats that were placed directly in front of the door; and *4-year-old room- the designated exit that leads to the hallway was obstructed by a toy tower, 2 plastic bins of toys, various toys scattered on the floor and a child playing with the toys. When the CO opened the door to enter the room, the door knocked the toy tower down.”

AAC R9-5-502.C.3.a. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 3. When preparing, using, or caring for an infant's feeding bottles, a staff member: a. Labels each bottle received from the parent with the infant's name;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, 5 bottles in the infant room were not labeled with the infant’s first and last name.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation and on a discussion with the Infant Room staff, the written feeding instructions lacked the following information: *Children 1, 2, and 4- The staff stated the infants were fed both food and formula but the written feeding instructions lacked the amount and frequency of the feedings; *Child 3- The staff stated the infant was fed only food but the feeding instructions lacked the frequency and amount of the food feedings; and *Child 5- The staff stated the infant was fed only formula but the feeding instructions lacked the frequency and amount of the formula feedings.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.5. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:5. Except as provided in subsection (D), prepares and posts 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 observation, the lesson plan in the School age room was dated July 2024 and was not current.”

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;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation and on a discussion with the Preschool Room staff, there was no drinking water available to the children in the preschool room. The staff acknowledged that the water pitcher had not been brought into the room earlier that day when the room opened.”

AAC R9-5-512.B. B. A licensee shall maintain facility premises and furnishings:1. In a clean condition, and 2. Free from odor.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the wooden bench in the school age room was covered in a build-up of brown smudges and grime.”

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 observations, 5 panels of the chain link fence near the toddler playground were not secured to the posts at the bottom of the fence. The fencing in these areas was rolling upwards, exposing areas of sharp metal.”

AAC R9-5-517.A.9. A. A licensee who transports an enrolled child in a motor vehicle that the licensee owns, or acquires for use by contract, shall:9. Ensure that the motor vehicle has: a. A working mechanical heating system capable of maintaining a temperature throughout the motor vehicle of at least 60° F when outside air temperatures are below 60° F; b. Except as provided in subsection (E), a working air-conditioning system capable of maintaining a temperature throughout the motor vehicle at or below 86° F when outside air temperatures are above 86° F; c. Except as provided in subsection (F), a first aid kit that meets the requirements of R9-5-514(A); d. Two large, clean towels or blankets; and e. Sufficient drinking water available to meet the needs of each enrolled child in the motor vehicle and sufficient cups or other drinking receptacles so that each enrolled child can drink from a different cup or receptacle;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, both of the van’s first aid kits lacked the second roll of required gauze.”

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 Officers' observations, in the Infant Room and 1's Room, there was a pile of toys drying on the counter next to the diaper changing sink.”

AAC R9-5-514. F.1. F. 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 immediately after the accident, injury, or emergency;

“Per allegation findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations and facility documentation, an enrolled child fell and injured their arm, but the parents were not notified immediately. The incident occurred at 10:40 AM and the parent was contacted at 11:50 AM.”

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 2's Room, the roster documented 11 children and 10 children were present.”

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 review of Staff #1's (DOE 4/2/24) and #2's (DOE 4/5/24)files, the documentation of the licensee's verification of the staff's fingerprint clearance card's validity was not dated. It could not be verified that the fingerprint cards were verified before the staff's date of employment.”

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 the Compliance Officer's interview of staff and on a review of incident reports, the accident & injury log, Child #1's attendance log, and Child #1's bite reports, it was determined that Child #1 bit other children 7 times on 8/14/24. The bite reports and accident reports stated the bites happened at 8:44 am, 9:38 am, 10:35 am, 10:40 am, 11:02 am and twice at 2:44 pm. In addition, Child #1 scratched another child in the face that day at 9:05 am. The center's bite policy states "When a child bites three times on a given day, the child's parents will be called and the child must be picked up from the center immediately. The Director acknowledged she did not have documentation that Child #1's parent was called immediately after the 3rd bite on 8/14/2024. Child #1's attendance sheet indicated Child #1 was not signed out until 3:39 PM that day. The licensee failed to ensure the health and safety of the enrolled children with a child biting other children 7 times on 8/14/2024.”

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 of 2 outdoor activity areas, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: Toddler playground: * The rubberized surface was bubbled and lifted outside of the School-age room door, posing a tripping hazard. *There was sharp metal on the inside of the 2’s door where the door handle was missing. * There was broken plastic on the Panda climber Platform. * There was peeling paint and rust on the bottom of 2 shade posts. * There was rust on the bottom of 1 shade post. Preschool Playground: * There was rust and peeling paint on the bottom of a shade post. * There was a lifted edge on the rubber surfacing near a black gate. * There was rust at the base of 2 yellow slides. ***Previously cited 1/12/22, 3/29/2022, & 1/5/2023”

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, toilet rooms lacked the following: Hallway toilet room: Lacked mounted toilet tissue. School-age south toilet room: Lacked mounted toilet tissue. School-age north toilet room: The soap dispenser was inoperable. 1’s toilet room: Lacked soap in a dispenser. ***Previously cited 1/12/022 & 1/5/2023”

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 Officers' observations, toilet rooms in the following areas were not maintained in a clean condition: 2 toilet rooms in the school-age room: There were discolored stains and smudges on the walls with the doors. 3’s toilet room: There was a brown fluffy substance on the ceiling vent, and there was a sharp edge on the Formica on top of the warped wood on the left side. School-age north toilet room: There was a brown fluffy substance on the ceiling vent. 4’s toilet room: There was a brown fluffy substance on the ceiling vent, there was rust on the floor behind the left toilet. 1’s toilet room: There was a blue liquid on the floor behind the right side of the toilet. ***Previously cited 1/12/22, 1/5/23, & 8/9/2023”

AAC R9-5-512.B. B. A licensee shall maintain facility premises and furnishings: 1. In a clean condition, and 2. Free from odor.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observation, in the 2’s room, there was a dried substance on the left side of the bottom shelf of the red and white cabinet. ***Previously cited 1/12/22, 3/29/2022, & 1/5/2023”

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 #2's observation, the 1's room small refrigerator lacked a thermometer.”

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 observation, in the 3's room, the soiled diaper container was on the floor in the toilet room, accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-503.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that a written diaper changing procedure is posted and implemented in each diaper changing area.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #2's observation, the 3's room lacked a posted diaper changing procedure.”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observations, in the Infant room and in the 1's room, the soiled clothing containers lacked a liner. ***Previously cited 1/12/2022”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observation, the water temperature in the 3's room diaper changing sink measured 76 degrees F, rather than between 86 - 110 degrees F as required. ***Previously cited 1/12/2022”

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 #2's observation, the diaper changing area in the 2's room was not seamless and smooth. There was peeling paint near the diaper handwashing sink. ***Previously cited 3/29/2022, 1/5/23, 8/9/23, & 11/27/2023”

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 Officers' observations, the kitchen lacked posted written dietary instructions for 1 of 5 infants. ***Previously cited 1/12/22, 3/9/2022, & 1/5/2023”

AAC R9-5-501.C.5. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 5. Except as provided in subsection (D), prepares and posts 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 Compliance Officer #1's observations, the 1's room lacked a dated lesson plan for the current week. The posted plan stated Christmas and was not dated. ***Previously cited 1/12/2022 ***Technical assistance given on 11/3/2023”

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 Officers' observations, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: PreK room: There were broken blinds with sharp edges. 4’s: 1” hole in the closet door, and peeling blue paint on the door near a small hole. 4’s toilet room: 3 toilets missing both toilet caps with screws protruding upward. 1’s room: There were loose staples in the north and west walls and 1 staple on a home living structure. 2’s room: There was exposed wood on the edges and a hole on a white and red shelf, and rolled and frayed edges on an alphabet and number rug. School-age room: There were dangling black cords protruding down from the television on the east wall. North school-age toilet room: The wall appeared to be kicked in with sharp edges on the coating on the wall. ***Previously cited 1/12/22, 3/29/2022, & 1/5/2023”

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;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, in the 3's and in the 4's rooms, drinking water was not accessible to enrolled children. The water was located on a high shelf. ***Previously cited 1/5/2023”

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 #1's observations of 6 staff files, the file for Staff #2 (DOH 10/25/2023) lacked new staff training within 10 calendar days of the starting date of employment.”

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

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and Compliance Officer #1's observations, it was determined that 1 out of 6 staff files reviewed lacked the following required information: Staff #2: 1 of 2 required good faith effort references. ***Previously cited 1/12/22, 3/29/2022, 4/13/23, 8/9/23, & 11/3/2023 ***Technical assistance given on 11/3/2023”

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 teacher-caregiver 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 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 facility documentation and Compliance Officer #1's observations of 6 staff files, it was determined that Staff #1 was a teacher caregiver in the 3's & 4's room at the time of the inspection. Staff #1 was not qualified as a teacher caregiver because their file lacked documentation of a high school/ high school equivalency diploma. There was a note in the file dated 2022 that Staff #1 was working on a high school equivalency. ***Previously cited 8/9/23”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations, in the School-age room, there were 4 children listed on the roster by their first name only. ***Previously cited 1/5/223, 5/23/23, 8/9/23, & 11/3/2023”

AAC R9-5-306.A. A. A licensee shall maintain a dated attendance form containing an enrolled child’s name with the time of each admission and release of the enrolled child. 1. Except as provided in subsection (A)(2), a licensee shall ensure that the attendance form is signed with at least a first initial of an individual’s first name and the individual’s last name by each enrolled child’s parent or individual designated by the enrolled child’s parent, each time the enrolled child is admitted or released. 2. An electronic fingerprint verification or an electronic signature may be used in place of a signature of the enrolled child’s parent or designated individual to admit or release the enrolled child. 3. If an electronic signature is used to admit or release the enrolled child, the licensee shall adopt policies and procedures to ensure that the individual whose signature the electronic or digital method of identification represents is accountable for the use of the electronic or digital method; 4. A licensee shall develop, document, and implement policies and procedures to ensure that the identity of an individual is known to the staff member or is verified with picture identification before releasing an enrolled child to the individual. 5. A licensee shall not release the enrolled child to an individual other than the enrolled child’s parent or other individual designated in writing by the enrolled child’s parent except when the enrolled child’s parent is unable to collect the enrolled child and authorizes the licensee by telephone to release the enrolled child to an individual not so designated. a. The licensee shall verify the telephone authorization using a means of verification that has been agreed upon between the licensee and the enrolled child’s parent at the time of enrollment. b. The licensee shall document the means of verification in subsection (A)(5)(a) on the enrolled child’s Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card. 6. A licensee shall not permit the self-admission or self-release of an enrolled child unless the enrolled child is of school age and the licensee has obtained and verified written permission from the enrolled child’s parent. 7. A licensee shall maintain the attendance form on facility premises for 12 months after the date of attendance.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and Compliance Officer #2's observations, it was determined that 3 out of 15 enrolled children's attendance forms reviewed lacked the following required information: Child #1: Release time and signature on 1/2/2024. Child #2: Arrival time and signature on 1/2/2024. Child #3: Release time and signature on 1/2/2024. ***Previously cited 1/12/2022 & 1/5/2023”

AAC R9-5-303.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that the licensed capacity of each indoor activity area or room is posted in that activity area or room.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observations, the School-age room lacked the posted capacity. ***Technical assistance given 1/5/2023”

AAC R9-5-301.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that a facility director: 1. Designates, in writing, an individual who meets the requirements of R9-5-401(2) to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility; 2. Supervises or assigns a teacher-caregiver to supervise each staff member who does not meet the qualifications of R9-5-401(3); 3. Prepares a dated attendance record for each day and ensures that each staff member documents on the attendance record the time of each arrival and departure of the staff member; and 4. Maintains on the facility premises, the dated attendance record required in subsection (B)(3) for 12 months after the date on the attendance record.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and Compliance Officer #2's observations, it was determined that Staff #1 was a teacher caregiver alone with a group of children in the 3's & 4's room at the time of the inspection. Staff #1 was not qualified as a teacher-caregiver and was not supervised by a qualified staff member. ***Previously cited 8/9/2023”

AAC R9-5-605.B.10. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 10. Toilet rooms are ventilated to the outside of the building, either by a screened window open to the outside air or by an exhaust fan and duct system that is operated when the toilet room is in use;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observation, in the south School-age restroom, the ceiling fan vent was not operable.”