Early Explorers Learning Centers DBA Early Beginners Preschool and Daycare

AAC R9-5-605.B.6. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 6. Except for a room used only for an enrolled school-age child, each unused electrical outlet is covered with a safety plug cover or insert;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the following was observed: Room 4: There were two uncovered outlets by the classroom cubbies; Room 5: There was 1 uncovered outlet by the classroom door; and Room 6: There was 1 uncovered outlet on the power strip near the water dispenser.”

AAC R9-5-603.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that the following is provided and maintained within the fall zones of swings and climbing equipment in an outdoor activity area: 1. A shock-absorbing unitary surfacing material manufactured for such use in outdoor activity areas; or 2. A minimum depth of 6 inches of a non-hazardous, resilient material such as fine loose sand or wood chips.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the metal slide on the Preschool Playground lacked 6 of the 6 inches of resilient surfacing as required.”

AAC R9-5-603.B. B. Except as provided in subsection (D) a licensee shall ensure that an outdoor activity area: 1. Is enclosed by a fence: a. A minimum of 4 feet high; b. Secured to the ground; and c. With either vertical or horizontal open spaces on the fence or gate that do not exceed 4.0 inches; 2. Is maintained free from hazards, such as exposed concrete footings and broken toys; and 3. Has gates that are kept closed while an enrolled child is in the outdoor activity area

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children in the outdoor activity areas: Preschool Playground: *The base of 2 green wooden posts was splintering cause sharp wood edging on the East wall; *2 pink bikes had cracked plastic seats, heart decals, and doll seats with sharp plastic edging; *There were 3 plastic and 1 metal dowels protruding from the side of the yellow wooden box along the East wall; *The North East side of the metal chain link fence was bent and lifted, exposing sharp metal edging, and left a 7-inch gap between the ground and fence line; *There were multiple cigarette buds scattered along the west fence line; *Trash was scattered throughout the playground, including 2 metal beer bottle caps; *1 swing was detached from the hinges, and the metal chain was wrapped around the top of the swing set pole, not properly attached; *2 swing seats were connected to the metal chain via carabiners, and not the S-hooks as originally intended; *1 S-hook connected to a swing seat was warped, leaving a gap for the seat to disconnect from the metal chain; *There were 2 rusty metal dowels protruding from the sand near the school bus climber, one dowel being 1 foot tall and the other 6 inches tall; *1 yellow scooter was missing the tire cover on 1 of 3 wheels, and both handles were melted, causing sharp plastic edging; *There was a trash can with two cracked handles exposing sharp plastic edging; *The patio roof was peeling, with chunks of paint dangling off; *There was a 1-inch metal dowel protruding from the south brick wall; Toddler Playground: *There were cigarette buds scattered along the West fence line; *There was trash scattered throughout the playground; *There was a cracked green teeter-totter with sharp plastic edging; *The blue and white little tike table was cracked, exposing sharp plastic edging; and *The plastic of the blue platform on the Step 2 climber was lifting and cracking, exposing sharp plastic edging. ***Previously cited 7/29/25, 8/7/24, and 8/17/23”

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 observation, the kitchen freezer thermometer was read at 10° F, not 0° F or below as required.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.12. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 12. The facility premises, including the buildings, are maintained free from hazards;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: Room 5: 1 of the 2 lights of the Sure-Lite was detached and hanging by a wire; and Room 4: The baseboard on the North wall was detached.”

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 an Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record that is no more than a two-page written notice, and is signed by the enrolled child’s parent containing: 1. The child’s name, home address, sex, and date of birth; 2. The date of the child’s enrollment; 3. The name, home address, email address, and 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 the nutritional and dietary needs of the child including, if applicable, the request in R9-5-509(C)(14); 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 the Compliance Officer's observation, 3 of 15 Emergency, Information, Immunization Record cards lacked the following: Child #1, Child #2, and Child #3: The home address of the second parent of the child.”

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 Compliance Officer's observation, the facility's statement of services lacked statements on the facility's field trip requirements and procedures, and responsibilities and participation of parents in facility activities.”

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, there was a 1-year-old child present in Room 6. Room 6 is only approved for ages 2-years-old and up.”

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 following was observed: Van XSA SYW: The van's battery was dead, and the first aid kit lacked gauze rolls and scissors; and Van CK70704: The van's battery was dead.”

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 the Compliance Officers' observation, Staff #1 (DOE 2/14/26) lacked a fingerprint clearance before their starting date of employment. Staff #1 worked 2/14/26-3/13/26 without a valid fingerprint clearance card. The fingerprint clearance card application for Staff #1 was denied on 2/18/26.”

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 five years.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observation, Staff #2's (DOE unknown) fingerprint clearance card expired on 3/11/26. Staff #2 worked from 3/11/26-3/26/26 without a valid fingerprint clearance card.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observation, the health, safety, and welfare of enrolled children were put at risk when Staff #1 (DOE 2/14/26) worked with enrolled children after the staff member's fingerprint clearance card application was denied. Staff #1's application was denied on 2/18/26, and their ending date of employment was 3/13/26.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation and facility documentation, 7 of the 20 Emergency, Information, Immunization Record cards reviewed lacked the following: Child #1 and Child #2: The child's date of enrollment; Child #3: The name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child; Child #4 and Child #7: The home address, city, state, and zip code of the second parent of the child; Child #5: The contact telephone number of the second parent of the child; and Child #6: The name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child and the name and contact telephone number of the child's health care provider.”

AAC R9-5-603.C. C. Except as provided in subsection (D), a licensee shall ensure that an outdoor activity area:1. Is enclosed by a fence: a. A minimum of 4 feet high; b. Secured to the ground; and c. With either vertical or horizontal open spaces on the fence or gate that do not exceed 4.0 inches; 2. Is maintained free from hazards, such as exposed concrete footings and broken toys; and 3. Has gates that are kept closed while an enrolled child is in the outdoor activity area

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children in the outdoor activity area: Preschool/School-Age Playground: *A large number of cigarette butts were scattered throughout the back side of the playground; *A multi-level wooden shelf was deteriorating and chipping at the bottom, exposing splintering wood; *A cracked dust pan with sharp plastic edging was on the ground near the playground entrance; *1 red trike was missing both the back wheels and the handles and had a cracked seat exposing sharp plastic edging; *A green plastic basket was hanging on the south wall that was cracked and broken, exposing sharp plastic edging; *There was a puddle of standing water at the base of the gutter drain that was 3 1/2 inches deep; *Two swings were broken and wrapped around the top pole of the swing set; Toddler Playground: *The bottom of the yellow plastic refrigerator was cracked and broken, exposing sharp plastic edging; *The front light of the toy motorcycle was broken and cracked; *There was a splintering wooden plank leaning up against the South wall, and *There was trash scattered throughout the playground.”

AAC R9-5-603.E. E. A licensee shall ensure that the following is provided and maintained within the fall zones of swings and climbing equipment in an outdoor activity area:1. A shock-absorbing unitary surfacing material manufactured for such use in outdoor activity areas; or 2. A minimum depth of 6 inches of a non-hazardous, resilient material such as fine loose sand or wood chips.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the following fall zones lacked 6 inches of resilient surfacing as required: Preschool/School Age Playground: *School bus: Lacked 5 of the 6 inches required; *Yellow curve climber: Lacked 3 of the 6 inches required; *Yellow climber: Lacked 2 of the 6 inches required; *Slide: Lacked 6 of the 6 inches of resilient surfacing; and *The slide ladder: Lacked 5 of the 6 inches required. Toddler Playground: Blue slide: Lacked 5 of the 6 inches required; Red steps: Lacked 5 of the 6 inches required; Yellow slide: Lacked 5 of the 6 inches required; and Rocking horse: Lacked 5 of the 6 inches required.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.14. B. A licensee shall ensure that:14. Each smoke detector required in subsection (B)(13) is: a. Maintained in an operable condition; b. Either battery operated or, if hard wired into the electrical system of the child care facility, has a backup battery; and c. Tested monthly;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the smoke detector in the 3's classroom was chirping, indicating a low battery.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, staff failed to supervise enrolled children at all times when a School-Age child was observed walking out of the School-Age classroom into the Preschool classroom to use the restroom while unsupervised by staff.”

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 air conditioning in the white Ford van was inoperable.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the soiled clothing container in the 2's room lacked a liner.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, the facility lacked a current violation-free fire inspection conducted by the local jurisdiction.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, the file for Staff #2 (DOE 6/16/25) lacked documentation of 6 months experience in a licensed child care facility to qualify as a teacher-caregiver. Staff #2 was working alone in a classroom in the capacity of a teacher-caregiver.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, the following Criminal History Affidavits were incomplete: Staff #1 (DOE 4/9/25): One question on the affidavit was unanswered. Staff #2 (DOE 6/16/25) and Staff #3 (DOE 6/2/25): Lacked the back side of the affidavit.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, Staff #2 (DOE 6/16/25) was working alone and unsupervised in the 3-year-old classroom while the file lacked the qualifications to be a teacher-caregiver.”

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, there was a build up of smeared dirt on the North wall in the School-Age room.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, in the School-Aged room, the East designated exit door was locked.”

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 facility documentation and Compliance Officer #2's review of the children's Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record cards, 7 of 30 cards lacked the following: Child #1 and Child #2: The name, home address, city, state, and zip code of the second parent of the child. Child #3 and Child #4: The contact telephone number of the second parent of the child. Child #5: The name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child. Child #6: The name and contact telephone number of the child’s health care provider. Child #7: The child's date of birth.”

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 observation, the outdoor activity area fall zones lacked the following inches of sand: Older Playground: *North Swings lacked 5 of 6 inches. *South Swings lacked 4 of 6 inches. *Yellow circle climber lacked 4 of 6 inches. *Yellow worm climber lacked 5 of 6 inches. *Blue merry-go-round lacked 5 of 6 inches. Toddler Playground: *Yellow and blue slides both lacked 4 of 6 inches.”

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 Compliance Officers' observations, in the School-Age room there were 4 fans not mounted. There were 2 blue fans on air hockey table (East wall), on the South wall there was a blue fan sitting on an orange chair, and on the West wall in front of the doll house, there was a tower fan.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, the following outdoor hazards were accessible to children: *In the middle of the Toddler playground, there was a large hole measuring 26 inches deep x21 inches wide. *On the West end corner of the patio wall, there was exposed splintering and sharp edged wood. *On the covered patio, there were 3 areas where the ceiling was peeling and hanging down. *On the older and toddler playgrounds, there were weeds throughout the grass area. *On the West sidewalk, there was a red tricycle with a broken back right wheel and there was exposed sharp, rusted metal.”

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 the facility documentation and Compliance Officer #2's observation, the facility lacked a fire inspection by a local fire department.”

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 observation, in room 3, the baseboards were separating from the Northeast wall. In the bathroom in room 4 there was a gap in the wood floor, to the left of the toilet.”

AAC R9-5-401.4. A licensee shall ensure that staff members meet the following qualifications for employment or volunteer service at a facility:4. An assistant teacher-caregiver is 16 years of age or older and provides the licensee with documentation of one of the following: a. Current and continuous enrollment in high school or a high school equivalency class; b. High school or high school equivalency diploma; c. Enrollment in vocational rehabilitation, as defined in A.R.S. § 23-501; d. Employment as a teacher-caregiver aide for 12 months; or e. Service as a volunteer in a child care facility for 12 months;

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and Compliance Officer #2's observation, Staff #1 (DOE: 7/23/24) and Staff #2 (DOE: 7/16/24) lacked documentation of a translated and an evaluated diploma issued in a foreign country that is equivalent to a high school diploma in the United States.”

AAC R9-5-404.A. A. A licensee shall ensure that at least the following staff-to-children ratios are maintained at all times when providing child care services to enrolled children: Age Group/Staff: Children - Infants/1:5 or 2:11; 1-year-old children/1:6 or 2:13; 2-year-old children/1:8; 3-year-old children/1:13; 4-year-old children/1:15; 5-year-old children not school-age/1:20; School-age children/1:20

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, it was determined that the ratio in the 4's/5'/School-age classroom with 4 yr old, 5 yr old and School-age children was 1:18 instead of the required ratio of 2:18.”

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 review of facility documentation, it was determined that Staff #1 (start date: 9/19/2022) lacked 5.5 hours of the required 18 hours of annual training for the time period 9/19/2022-9/19/2023 and Staff #2 (start date: 5/26/2020) lacked 11 hours of the required 18 hours of annual training for the time period 5/26/2022-5/26/2023.”

AAC R9-5-510.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member does not use or permit: 1. A method of discipline that could cause harm to the health, safety, or welfare of an enrolled child;

“Per allegation findings Case #81575 and Case #81688 Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, interview with facility staff and review of 2 video footage, it was determined that a staff member used a method of discipline that could cause harm to the health, safety, and welfare of a school-aged child. Video footage 1: The staff was seen walking up to a school-aged child and grabbing the child by their shirt and the yelling "I am telling you, you better go and clean up now." Video footage 2: The staff was seen walking up to a school-aged child who was sitting on the floor and crying, and yelling into their face. The staff then tells the children in the class "Everybody look at (the Child), now!". Staff #1 stated: "I was giving a break in the School-age classroom but I had my headache going on, cause I wasn’t eating well, some kids were not listening to me. ... I don’t know what happened but I grabbed the (Child) and told the (Child) you gonna come with me and sit. And then I said to everyone to look at the (Child) cause they are making fun of the (Child)..."”

AAC R9-5-510.A.2. A. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 2. Teaches, models, and encourages orderly conduct, personal control, and age-appropriate behavior;

“Per allegation findings Case #81688 Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, interview with facility staff and review of 2 video footages, it was determined that a staff member did not teach, model, and encourage orderly conduct, personal control when Staff #1 grabbed a child by their shirt and yelled at the child in their face and also told the other children in the class to look at the child while the child was crying. Staff #1 stated: "I was giving a break in the School-age classroom but I had my headache going on, cause I wasn’t eating well, some kids were not listening to me. To be honest for me I do not like the way I acted. The kids were screaming and yelling and responding back. The little (Child) was crying that they were bothering the (Child), I asked the (Child) to ignore, then I turn around to look at other kids and the (Child) said the kids bother me. I turned and helped another kid and at that moment my head hurt more. I don’t know what happened but I grabbed the (Child) and told the (Child) you gonna come with me and sit. And then I said to everyone to look at the (Child) cause they are making fun of the (Child) and when they showed me the video they didn't show the part when I’m explaining why I am saying that. "”

AAC R9-5-605.B.5. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 5. Electrical extension cords are not used;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, it was determined that an extension cord was plugged into a daisy chain of 3 electrical bricks and cords on the front porch outside of the 4's/5's/School-age classroom. The extension cord extended across the front porch, under the classroom door, and to an outlet next to the air hockey table in the 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;

“Per allegation findings Case #81688 Based on the Compliance Officers' observations and review of 2 video footages, it was determined that the health, safety, and welfare of a school-age child was placed at risk of harm when Staff #1 grabbed the child by the arm, yelled in the face of the child, and then told the children in the classroom to look at the child while the child was crying.”

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 review of facility documentation, it was determined that the rosters were not accurate in the following classrooms: 1's/2's classroom: There were 6 children present in the classroom but the roster reflected the presence of 7 children. 3's classroom: There were 13 children present in the classroom but the roster reflected the presence of 11 children. 4's/5's/School-age: There were 18 children present in the classroom but the roster reflected the presence of 20 children.”