Dover Educational & Community Center

OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)

“OCCL received a complaint on September 14, 2022, regarding lack of supervision and improper release of children. An investigation was conducted on September 15, 2022. The complaint is substantiated because a ten-year-old child was observed by staff leaving the center unattended and walked home without parent permission. Staff #1 stated she observed Child #1 leave the center, she went to the door to call for Child #1 to come back, but Child #1 did not respond and kept walking. The center did not go after Child #1 once she left the center, and they did not call the parent to inform her that Child #1 left the building. An additional concern noted was staff did not notify the parent, OCCL, or the proper authorities once the child went missing from the center.”

OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)

“On September 14, 2022, OCCL received a complaint regarding not having required and accessible activity areas, not having sufficient materials, mixing of age groups outside of permitted times, and unqualified staff alone with children. An investigation was conducted on September 15, 2022. The complaint is substantiated for not having activity areas and not having enough materials for the children because LS Smith observed the preschool classroom did not have enough materials and was missing a construction/block area and a manipulative area. There is no evidence to substantiate the mixing of age groups outside of permitted times and unqualified staff alone with the children because all staff interviewed denied this and attendance records did not show unqualified staff alone with the children or children of different ages being mixed outside of the permitted times. Additional concerns noted were staff and child attendance documentation were incomplete, [name] stated she did not have a new staff person start, but other staff confirmed there was a new staff person, and LS Smith observed Staff #1 alter the attendance records by making changes to attendance records from previous days.”

27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“Ensure children are being directly supervised, Ensure unqualified staff are not supervising children alone. LS Smith observed 3 children get off the school bus, and walk to the center, The children rang the door bell to be let in, and an unqualified staff member, Staff #1, opened the door to escort the children to their classroom. LS Smith observe attendance record showing Staff #1 supervising 3 toddlers alone from 1-1:30pm. This was discussed with the administrator, who agreed to have someone receive the children at the bus stop to ensure children get into the building safely.”

Corrected during the visit

OCCL Standards Complaint (Substantiated)

“On September 14, 2022, OCCL received a complaint regarding not having required and accessible activity areas, not having sufficient materials, mixing of age groups outside of permitted times, and unqualified staff alone with children. An investigation was conducted on September 15, 2022. The complaint is substantiated for not having activity areas and not having enough materials for the children because LS Smith observed the preschool classroom did not have enough materials and was missing a construction/block area and a manipulative area. There is no evidence to substantiate the mixing of age groups outside of permitted times and unqualified staff alone with the children because all staff interviewed denied this and attendance records did not show unqualified staff alone with the children or children of different ages being mixed outside of the permitted times. Additional concerns noted were staff and child attendance documentation were incomplete, [name] stated she did not have a new staff person start, but other staff confirmed there was a new staff person, and LS Smith observed Staff #1 alter the attendance records by making changes to attendance records from previous days.”

27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“Ensure children are being directly supervised, Ensure unqualified staff are not supervising children alone. LS Smith observed 3 children get off the school bus, and walk to the center, The children rang the door bell to be let in, and an unqualified staff member, Staff #1, opened the door to escort the children to their classroom. LS Smith observe attendance record showing Staff #1 supervising 3 toddlers alone from 1-1:30pm. This was discussed with the administrator, who agreed to have someone receive the children at the bus stop to ensure children get into the building safely.”

Corrected during the visit

9U Changes Affecting a License

“Ensure a plan review is submitted before changes are made to the childcare space. LS Smith observed new flooring in the pre-school classroom. This was discussed and corrected when [name] submitted a written letter discussing the changes.”

Corrected during the visit

43U Children's Attendance

“Ensure children's attendance is documented accurately and in real time. The SA and preschool classroom did not have an attendance report completed. This was discussed and corrected when an attendance report was created for the class.”

Corrected during the visit

36U Staff Attendance

“Ensure staff attendance is documented accurately and in real time. The SA and preschool classroom did not have an attendance report completed. This was discussed and corrected when an attendance report was created for the class.”

Corrected during the visit

76U Activity Schedule

“Ensure activity schedule is being followed. Upon arrival at 9:00am it was observed that all classroom were combined into SA classroom, with a ratio of 13:3 (youngest child is 2). LS Smith observed the toddler classroom and the SA classroom not following their daily activity schedule.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 20, 2022

53U Outdoor Area

“Ensure structures, fences, equipment, and the grounds are maintained and in good condition. LS Smith observed broken locks both sheds, sharp and protruding pieces on the fence, Poisonous plants by the front of the SA building, and a broken tent used for shade on the SA playground.”

Correction date in the state record: Aug 12, 2022

49U Indoor Space

“Ensure equipment used by the children is in good condition. Repair the broken cubbies in the SA classroom.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 22, 2022

48U Heating and Cooling

“Ensure the building maintains a temperature between 68-82 degrees F. LS McPhatter took the temperature of the toddler room, and it was at 82.9 degrees F. This was discussed and corrected when the air conditioner was turned up, and the temperature in the room lowered to 80 degrees F.”

Corrected during the visit

27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“Ensure supervision is being maintained at all times. Upon arrival LS Smith and LS McPhatter observed two SA children playing by the front gate unsupervised. When asked Staff #1 stated that the two children were supposed to be out back being supervised by Staff #2. Staff #2 was not aware that the children were no longer in her direct supervision. This was discussed with administrator, and corrected when the children came inside the building to join the class.”

Corrected during the visit

76U Activity Schedule

“Ensure activity schedule is accurate and followed. LS Smith and LS Vandewater observed the preschool class watching TV at 9:40am, and the scheduled stated between 9am-10am it was Academic Studies/Activities. It was also observed in the toddler room outside time was between 10am-10:30am, but instead the children were reading stories.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 13, 2022

74U Lesson Plans

“Ensure lesson plans have all required components. LS Smith observed preschool lesson plan not meeting OCCL's requirements.”

Correction date in the state record: Jul 13, 2022

53U Outdoor Area

“Ensure outdoor area is free from any hazards. LS Smith and LS Vandewater observed possible poisonous plant on the playground and around the building.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 17, 2022

49U Indoor Space

“Ensure children are not exposed to hazards. Ls Smith observed exposed baseboard heating in the SA classroom.”

Correction date in the state record: Jun 17, 2022

56U Sleeping Accommodations and Safe Sleep Environments

“Ensure children who are not napping after 30 minutes of rest, are given a quiet activity to do. LS Smith observed Staff #2 telling children, who were not napping, they needed to be quiet and lay down. [name] stated that the children had been laying down for over an hour. This was corrected when the children were offered puzzles to play with.”

Corrected during the visit

27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“Ensue ratios are maintained at al times. LS Smith observed 14 children ages 2-SA napping together in the SA classroom. This was corrected when the toddlers returned to their classroom.”

Corrected during the visit

46U Air Quality and Windows

“Ensure the centers air quality does not effect the health and safety of the children and staff. Upon entering the building LS Smith observed a strong odor in the building. LS Smith asked Staff #1 if she also could smell the odor in the building and she stated yes. LS Smith then asked Staff #1 if she knew where it was coming from, and she stated "I plead the fifth." LS Smith asked [name] if she noticed the odor, and she stated she could not smell due to her nose being stuffy. After investigating, it was found that the smell was coming from the stove. The fire department was called, and the center was evacuated to the play ground . It was determined that the stove was broken and leaking gas. There was a lock put on the propane tank temporarily, by the fire department until the stove can be replaced.”

Corrected during the visit

76U Activity Schedule

“Ensure children two and younger are not exposed to screen time, and anyone over the age of two is limited to one hour of screen time a day. LS Smith observed the pre-school class watching TV during nap time. When asked how long do the children watch TV for, Staff #1 stated they normally keep it on for about an hour and a half during nap. Staff #1 also stated that they watch TV in the morning and in the afternoon. LS Smith also observed a two year old watching a tablet instead of napping. When asked how long the child was allowed to watch the tablet, Staff #2 stated until the tablet dies. This was discussed and corrected when LS Smith reviewed the screen time regulation with the staff, and they agreed to comply.”

Corrected during the visit

67U Transportation

“Ensure children are riding in the appropriate child restraint when being transported in an OCCL approved vehicle. LS Smith observed [name] pull up in her personal car, transporting a 4 year old child in the front seat. When asked about why the child was in the front seat, [name] stated he climbed from the back seat into the front once it was parked. LS Smith asked Child #1 where did he ride while in the car with [name], and he stated in the front seat.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 30, 2022

51U Toilet Facilities

“Ensure toilet rooms are kept clean and sanitary. Boys bathroom smelled like urine, and was unsanitary.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 30, 2022

9U Changes Affecting a License

“Upon arrival LS Smith observed work being done to the playground without an approved plan review. Plan review was submitted on 3/9/22 and was denied on 3/11/22. Administrator agree to stop all work on the playground until a plan review is approved.”

Corrected during the visit

27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“On 3/8/22 LS Smith called the center to speak with Juliette. I was informed by staff #2 that she was out of the building picking up children. LS Smith then asked to speak to Staff #1, and staff #2 informed LS Smith that she left the building for the day, and that Staff #2 and staff #3 was in the building alone. Staff #1 is a qualified as a teacher, staff #2 is qualified as an intern, and staff #3 is qualified as an assistant teacher. After reviewing tracking sheets for 3/8/22, it shows that an intern and an assistant teacher alone in the building from 2:30pm- 4:00pm”

Corrected during the visit

67U Transportation

“Ensure the driver does not transport more children and adults than the vehicles capacity. LS Smith observed 6 children exit the vehicle that is only designed to seat 5 passengers safely in the back. LS Smith also observed the children were not riding in the appropriate child safety restraints. There were no child safety restraints installed in the car for any of the children.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 11, 2022

27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“Ensure children are being supervised at all times. Upon arrival Staff #1 was preparing snack in the kitchenette, leaving five preschool aged children in the classroom with an unqualified foster-grandparent. This was discussed and corrected when Juliette, the administrator, entered the classroom as the qualified staff member while Staff #1 prepared the snack. A two-year-old was observed standing in the hallway alone. Once Staff #1 notices the child alone, she then sends the unqualified foster-grandparent to supervise the child in the bathroom. This was discussed with Juliette, and corrected when the child was returned to the classroom.”

Corrected during the visit

27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“Ensure children are being supervised at all times. Upon arrival a staff member came to open the door, leaving four pre-school aged children in the classroom alone.”

Corrected during the visit

74U Lesson Plans

“Ensure lesson plans are complete and meet OCCL's requirements. Preschool's lesson plan did have all the required components.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 28, 2022

66U Emergency Planning

“Ensure monthly fire drill and inspection is completed monthly. Ensure there is fire extinguisher in the vehicle used for transporting children.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 10, 2022

65U First Aid Kits

“Ensure first aid kit is complete. Indoor kit was missing bandage tape, an instant cold pack, and tweezers.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 11, 2022

53U Outdoor Area

“Ensure anything where children's feet leave the ground is protected with a fall zone. There were serval large climbing tires that need fall zones. Repair or remove broken basketball hoop on the school age program.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 11, 2022

49U Indoor Space

“Ensure all electrical outlets are covered and power strips are out of reach from children. Ensure all garbage can have lids. Trash can in the toddler room, does not have a lid. Ensure all sinks provide both hot and cold water. The sinks in the school age building does not provide hot water. ensure all food that is prepared is stored and labeled properly, with the contents and the expiration date.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 24, 2022

45U Hazardous Materials

“Ensure there in no exposure to hazardous materials. There was exposed wires hanging from the ceiling and walls. An an infestation of spiders and spider eggs in the school age building.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 28, 2022

40U Child Files

“Ensure child files are complete. Child #2 needs emergency transportation, and permission to transport to school. Child #3 needs a lead test on the health appraisal, developmental plan, and emergency transportation permission. Child #4 needs permission to transport to school. Child #5 needs hours and days that the attend care, an immunization record, emergency transportation, and permission to transport to school. Child # 7 needs hours and days attending acre, a health appraisal with immunization records, lead test, and a developmental plan. Child #8 needs hours day days attending care, emergency transportation, and permission to transport to school. Child #9 needs a health appraisal, and permission to transport to school. Child # 10 need a a health appraisal with immunization records, lead test. Child #11 needs a developmental plan and emergency transportation. Child #12 needs a health appraisal with immunization records, lead test, and permission to transport to school.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 11, 2022

38U Parents Right to Know

“Ensure parents right to know log is complete with all children enrolled and anyone who tours.”

Correction date in the state record: Feb 10, 2022

30U Personnel Files

“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs administration of medication certification. Staff #3 needs administration of medication certification. Staff #6 needs administration of medication certification, a professional development plan, and an adult abuse registry check.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2022

27U Ratios, Group Size, and Supervision

“Ensure staff to child ratios and supervised are maintained all times. LS Sommer observed staff #2 leave the school-age classroom to take one child to their cubby. When staff #2 left, this left staff #4, and aide, alone with three pre-school aged children. This was discussed and corrected when staff #2 returned to the classroom. LS Sommer observed staff #3 send one two-year-old child to the bathroom alone. Staff #3 remained in the toddler classroom doorway observing two spaces at one time. This was discussed and corrected when staff #6 assisted the child in the bathroom.”

Correction date in the state record: Mar 1, 2022