Great Expectations Early Learning Center

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 the Compliance Officer's observations, the younger 1's classroom lacked the room capacity posting.”

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 the review of facility documentation, the medication for Child #1 did not have a current medication form on file.”

AAC R9-5-309.B. B. If there are gas pipes that run from a gas meter to an appliance or location on the facility premises, a licensee shall ensure that a licensed plumber or individual authorized by the local jurisdiction conducts a gas inspection 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 at least once every 12 months after the issue date of the license.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations and facility documentation reviewed, the most recent gas inspection had expired on May 23, 2025.”

AAC R9-5-501.B.6. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 6. For enrolled children five-years or younger, and except as provided in subsection (C), prepares, posts, and implements a dated lesson plan in each indoor activity area for each calendar week, which is maintained on facility premises for 12 months after the lesson plan date and provides opportunities for each child to: a. Gain a positive self-concept; b. Develop and practice social skills; c. Think, reason, question, and experiment; d. Acquire language skills; e. Develop physical coordination skills; f. Participate in structured large muscle physical activity; g. Develop habits that meet health, safety, and nutritional needs; h. Express creativity; i. Learn to respect cultural diversity of children and staff; j. Learn self-help skills; and k. Develop a sense of responsibility and independence;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations and the review of facility documentation, the Pre-K classroom and the Younger 1's classroom lacked dates on the posted lesson plans.”

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 infant classrooms did not have a thermometer in the freezer and the temperature could not be verified.”

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 observations, the outdoor playground area lacked the following resilient surfacing: -1/2 inch of the required 6 inches of resilient material in the fall zone in the front of the double slide. -2 inches of the required 6 inches of resilient material in the fall zone of the single slide.”

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 diapering areas of the younger 1's, older 1's and the infant's classrooms were not kept clear of items unrelated to diapering. Some items observed were a laptop, children's toys and a swiffer mop.”

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: 10/14/2025) and Staff #2 (DOE: 01/28/2026 ) lacked documentation of the Centralized Background Check results prior to their date of employment.”

AAC R9-5-503.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member does not: 1. Permit a bottle, formula, food, eating utensil, or food preparation in a diaper changing area; 2. Draw water for human consumption from a diaper changing area sink; or 3. Change diapers until food preparation duties have been completed for the day.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the older 1's classroom had sippy cups in the diapering area and the younger 1's had a folded feeding high chair seat in the diaper changing area.”

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 child educator 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 Officers' observations and documentation reviewed, it was determined that Staff #1 and Staff #2 did not have a dated attendance record.”

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;

“The Compliance Officer reviewed the postings in the Young Ones and Ones (cap 6) Classroom and observed that the lesson plan was dated 04/07/25-04/11/25; therefore, it was not maintained current.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.21. A. A licensee shall ensure that:21. Except when used as part of an activity, the following are stored in an area inaccessible to an enrolled child: a. Garden tools, such as a rake, trowel, and shovel; and b. Cleaning equipment and supplies, such as a mop and mop bucket.

“The Compliance Officer observed brooms and dustpans being stored accessible to the children in the Ones Classroom (cap 7) and the Pre K 2 Classroom.”

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.

“The Compliance Officer noted that the most recent fire inspection document available for review was not current; it had an expiration date of 06/12/2023. *Please send a current fire inspection report upon receipt*”

AAC R9-5-305.B. B. A licensee shall attach an enrolled child’s written immunization record or exemption affidavit, required in subsection(A), to the enrolled child’s Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card, required in R9-5 304(B).

“The Compliance Officer reviewed the children's emergency cards and observed that the immunization record for Children 1, 2, 3 ,4 and 5 was not filed with or attached to their emergency card.”

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.

“The Compliance Officer reviewed children’s emergency cards and observed the following: *The card for Child 1 lacked immunization records. *The card for Child 2 lacked the doctor's phone number, medical information on the back of the emergency card, and immunization records. *The card for Child 3 lacked the date of enrollment, doctor's phone number, medical information on the back of the emergency card, and immunization records. *The card for Child 4 lacked the date of enrollment, medical information on the back of the emergency card, and immunization records. *The card for Child 5 lacked the date of enrollment, medical information on the back of the emergency card, and immunization records.”

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.

“The Compliance Officer observed that a licensed capacity was not posted in the infant rooms.”

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;

“During the inspection, the Compliance Officer observed that the countertops of the diaper changing sinks in the Infant Classrooms and two of the Ones Classrooms contained items that were not diapering related.”

AAC R9-5-515.F. F. A licensee shall ensure that:1. A dated, written notice of the communicable disease or infestation is prepared and posted in the facility’s entrance as required by R9-5-303; 2. Documentation of the notification is maintained on facility premises for 12 months from the date of the notification; and 3. Documentation of the absences of staff members and enrolled children due to a communicable disease or infestation listed in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 2, Table 2, is prepared and maintained on facility premises for 12 months from the first date of absence.

“Based on staff interviews and review of documentation, it was determined that the facility has not maintained documentation of staff and children's absences due to communicable diseases or infestation.”

AAC R9-5-510.B.4. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member does not use or permit:4. Discipline associated with: a. Eating, napping, sleeping, or toileting; b. Medication; or c. Mechanical restraint; or

“Per Allegation FINDINGS: Staff 1 used a karate belt to restrain Child 1 in their toddler chair during lunch times. Staff 1 tied the karate belt across the waist of Child 1 to keep them seated while serving meals and removed the belt once all children were served. According to Staff 1, they did this on 3 separate occasions and for 5 minutes each time.”

AAC R9-5-502.C.2.b. C. A licensee shall ensure that:2. A staff member providing child care services in an infant room does not: b. Place an infant to sleep using a positioning device that restricts movement, unless the infant’s health care provider has instructed otherwise in writing;

“Per allegation: Based on interviews with staff, a staff member placed Child 1 in a sleep sack on their back in a crib with their arms inside the sleep sack. The sleep sack has arm holes but the child's arms were not put through them, leaving the child with restricted movement.”

AAC R9-5-301.I. I. At least once a month, and at different times of the day, a licensee shall ensure that an unannounced fire and emergency evacuation drill is conducted and each staff member and enrolled child at the facility participates in the fire and emergency evacuation drill. 1. If child care services for a child with special needs are provided at a facility, the licensee shall provide for the enrolled child’s participation in each fire and emergency evacuation drill according to the enrolled child’s individualized plan as specified in R9-5-507(A)(1). 2. A licensee shall document each fire and emergency evacuation drill and maintain the documentation on facility premises for 12 months after the date of the fire and emergency evacuation drill.

“Compliance Officer 2 reviewed the fire drill log for the past 12 months and observed that there was no documentation of a fire drill conducted in March or April 2024.”

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.

“Compliance Officer 1 reviewed the medications and medication forms and observed the following: * There was no medication box for the six droppers in a Ziploc bag for Child 15 (younger infant room). * The box for the nonprescription medication for Child 17 says "under two ask a doctor", the staff did not have written authorization form the health care provider to administer it (older infant room). * The box for the nonprescription medication for Child 11 says "under two ask a doctor", the staff did not have written authorization form the health care provider to administer it (older infant room). * There were two tubes of Baby Orajel with no name on them in the older infant room.”

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.

“During the inspection of the diaper changing area in room #9 (two year-olds), Compliance Officer 1 observed that the soiled clothes container was missing a waterproof liner in it.”

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;

“During the inspection of the (older) infant room, Compliance Officer 1 observed that there were four children sitting in the four high chairs. All four children did not have on the safety strap on while in the chair as the straps all appeared to be behind the chair covers.”

AAC R9-5-309.B. B. If there are gas pipes that run from a gas meter to an appliance or location on the facility premises, a licensee shall ensure that a licensed plumber or individual authorized by the local jurisdiction conducts a gas inspection 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 at least once every 12 months after the issue date of the license.

“Compliance Officer 2 reviewed the gas inspection and observed that it was not current as it was over 12 months old as it was dated 06/13/22.”

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.

“During the inspection of the outdoor activity area, Compliance Officer 2 observed that there was a garbage can with no lid on it that contained food waste.”

AAC R9-5-514. D. D. A licensee shall post, near an activity area or a room's designated exit, a building evacuation plan that details the designated exits from the activity area or room and the facility.

“During the inspection of room #10, Compliance Officer 1 observed that one of the two back doors was missing an evacuation map.”

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;

“During the inspection of the diaper changing area in room #4 (one year-olds), Compliance Officer 1 observed that there are two sinks behind the diaper changing table. The sink that should be used for diapering, as it is where the soap dispenser is located, was filled with toys.”

AAC R9-5-518.C. C. A staff member shall verify the presence of each enrolled child and place a checkmark next to the enrolled child’s name on the list required in subsection (B)(3) for each enrolled child who is present at the following times:1. At the beginning of the field trip or when boarding the motor vehicle, 2. Upon arrival and each hour while at the field trip destination, 3. When preparing to leave the field trip destination or when boarding the motor vehicle to return to the facility, and 4. When reentering the facility at the conclusion of the field trip.

“Compliance Officer 2 reviewed the field trip form for 10/31/23 to the fire station and observed that there was no attendance documented at any of the required times (beginning, upon arrival, each hour, leaving, reentering the facility at end).”

AAC R9-5-502.C.1.d. C. A licensee shall ensure that:1. A staff member providing child care services in an infant room: d. Keeps dated, daily, documentation of each infant including: i. A description of any activities the infant participated in, ii. The infant’s food consumption, iii. Diaper changes, and iv. Tummy time;

“During the inspection of the younger infants side of the room, Compliance Officer 1 observed that the staff member had not recorded any activities in the activity journal since 05/09/24 and they did not record the amount of time any child spent in tummy time.”

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;

“During the inspection of room #4, Compliance Officer 1 observed that the posted lesson plan was not dated.”

AAC R9-5-518.A.2. A. A licensee providing a field trip for an enrolled child shall:2. Prepare a written field trip plan including: a. The name of each participating enrolled child, staff member, and other individuals on the field trip; b. The times of departure from and return to the facility; c. If applicable, license plate number of any motor vehicle used on the field trip; and d. The name, street address, and telephone number, if any, of the field trip destination; and

“Compliance Officer 2 reviewed the field trip form for 10/31/23 to the fire station and observed that it was missing the names of the staff members that attended and the address and phone number of the field trip destination.”

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

“Compliance Officer 1 reviewed medications and medication forms and observed the following: * The medication form for Child 8 was missing the dosage, route, and end date, and listed "as needed per label" for time and frequency (younger infant room). * The medication form for Child 9 was missing the dosage, route, and end date (room #2). * The medication form for Child 10 was missing the end date (room #2). * There was no medication form for Child 11 (older infant room). * The medication form for Child 12 for prescription zinc oxide was missing an end date. The medication form for Child 12 for teething tablets was not properly filled out as the parent listed "indefinite" for an end date and "as directed by bottle" for the time and frequency (young infant room). * The two medication forms for Child 13 for teething tablets and teething gel were both missing an end date (mm/dd/yy) (young infant room). * The medication form for Child 14 was no properly filled out as the parent listed "as needed on box" for dosage, "as recommended" for the route, "none" for the end date, and "as needed" for the time and frequency (older infant room). * The medication form for Child 15 was missing an end date (younger infant room). * Compliance Officer 2 reviewed the medication and medication form for Child 16 and observed that the form had not been updated with the new medication as the prescription number and dates were no longer correct.”

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.

“Compliance Officer 2 reviewed the sign-in and out logs for May 2024 and observed the following: * Child 3 was not signed-out on 05/17. * Child 6 was not signed-out on 05/16. * Child 7 was not signed-out on 05/16. * Child 8 was not signed-out on 05/10.”

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.

“Compliance Officer 2 reviewed the children’s emergency cards and observed the following: * Child 1 was missing the name and phone number to a health care provider. * Child 2 and Child 3 were missing the name of the first person to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child. * Child 4 was missing the date of enrollment. * Three of the four questions on the backside of the card were not acknowledged for Child 5.”

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).

“Compliance Officer 2 reviewed the personnel file for Staff 1 and observed the following: * Staff 1 did not have a complete Criminal History Affidavit as she did to answer questions #3A and 3B (starting date of employment 05/13/24). * Staff 1 did not complete the DCS background check form as she did not answer the questions on the backside of the form (starting date of employment 05/13/24).”