Guidepost Montessori At Paradise Valley

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, a 6-inch high by 8-inch wide gap was observed at the bottom of the South-facing wrought iron fence in the West corner. *NOTE: Previously cited in February 2025.”

AAC R9-5-516.B.4. B. If prescription or nonprescription medications are administered, a licensee shall ensure that:4. A staff member : a. Administers a prescription medication provided by a parent only from a container dispensed by a pharmacy; b. Administers a nonprescription medication provided by a parent for an enrolled child only from a container prepackaged and labeled for use by the manufacturer and labeled with the enrolled child’s name; c. Does not administer any medication that has been transferred from one container to another; and d. Does not administer a nonprescription medication to an enrolled child inconsistent with the instructions on the nonprescription medication’s label, unless the facility receives written authorization from the enrolled child’s health care provider.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of the children's medications, the following was noted: *Three over-the-counter medications were not labeled with the child's first and last name; and * A child's prescription inhaler was not stored in the prescription box and the inhaler lacked the prescription label. *NOTE: Previously cited in February 2025.”

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 review of the children's medications and on a discussion with the Director, the Director acknowledged the written medical permission documentation had not been obtained for Child 1's EpiPen.”

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 wood chips measured 1 inch of the required 6 inches at the base of the slide in the preschool playground. *NOTE: Previously cited in February 2025.”

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

“Findings: Per allegation (Supervision) Based on the Compliance Officer's review of the incident report, written staff statements, and interview with staff, it was determined on 3/11/25, two preschool children hid on the West side of the outside of the building on the Preschool playground, when the rest of the children and staff had moved to the Toddler playground area on the East side of the playground. . The Staff stated the following: *One of the children's parent saw the 2 children alone on the (west) side of the building (through the wrought iron fence). When the parent came to the outside playground to pick up their child, the staff acknowledged they did not know the 2 children were hiding on the side of the building; * The parent informed us, the child was on the side of the building and was hiding from the staff; *I didn't realize the children didn't come to the toddler side of the playground with the rest of the class. Staff acknowledged they could not see or hear the 2 children and were not supervising these 2 children during this time.”

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 #2’s file (DOE 2/24/25), the file contained documentation that the staff’s DPS clearance card was verified to be valid through DPS on 3/6/25, rather than before the staff’s date of employment.”

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 the Compliance Officer’s review of Staff #2’s file (DOE 2/24/25), the file contained documentation of foreign education. The file lacked documentation of the education’s equivalency verification and it could not be verified that the staff meets the minimum education requirements for a teacher. *Previously cited on 3/31/23, 3/29/24, 5/23/24 and 2/21/25.”

AAC R9-5-401.1. A licensee shall ensure that staff members meet the following qualifications for employment or volunteer service at a facility:1. A facility director is 21 years of age or older and provides the licensee with documentation of one of the following: a. At least 24 months of child care experience, a high school or high school equivalency diploma, and: i. Six credit hours or more in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field from an accredited college or university; or ii. At least 60 actual hours of instruction, provided in conferences, seminars, lectures, or workshops in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field, and an additional 12 hours of instruction, provided in conferences, seminars, lectures, or workshops in the area of program administration, planning, development, or management; b. At least 18 months of child care experience and: i. An N.A.C., C.D.A., or C.C.P. credential; or ii. At least 24 credit hours from an accredited college or university, including at least six credit hours in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; c. At least six months of child care experience and an associate degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; or d. At least three months of child care experience and a bachelor degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of Staff#1's file (The Director DOE 7/30/18), the file lacked documentation of Staff #1's education.”

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 the Compliance Officer's review of staff files, the following staff files lacked the following documentation: *Staff 1 (DOE 7/30/18)-Good faith reference checks; *Staff 4-Date of employment and good faith reference checks; and *Staff 5-(DOE 6/17/24)-Good faith reference checks.”

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 observations, the designated exit that leads to the outside in Room 1 was obstructed by a basket of nap mats and a washing table.”

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 the Compliance Officer's review of staff files, the following staff files lacked documentation of the staff's completion of the required new staff training: *Staff #1 (DOE 7/30/2018); *Staff #2 (DOE 6/5/2023); *Staff #3 (DOE 8/15/2022); *Staff #4 (not stated in file); and *Staff #5 (DOE 6/17/2024).”

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 Officer's review of staff files, the following staff files lacked documentation of the required annual training hours: *Staff #1 (DOE 7/30/2018)-The file lacked documentation of 18 hours of annual training for the period of 7/30/2023 through 7/30/2024; and *Staff #3 (DOE 8/15/2022)- The file lacked documentation of 18 hours of annual training for the period of 8/15/2023 through 8/15/2024.”

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 Officer's observation and a discussion with the Assistant Director and the Regional Manager, the Fire panel stated it was in " trouble mode". The Regional Manager stated that she had spoken to the Facilities Manager, who stated that an outside company is working on resolving the issue.”

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 following unrelated items were stored on the diapering sink counter: *Room 2- 2 glass jars, 2 cloth towels, a roll of tape, a label maker and 2 metal pitchers; and *Room 3- 2 sponges and a wash cloth. *Repeat deficiency cited April 2023.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observations and a discussion with staff in the diapering rooms and the Assistant Director, staff acknowledged soiled diapers are being changed in the rooms' bathrooms, rather than on the approved diapering table. Staff stated that children are given a choice if they want to have their diaper changed in the bathroom or at the diapering table, as part of toilet training. A black, metal rack of clean diapers and gloves were observed in the bathroom of Room 3. Two clean diapers were observed on the floor of the bathroom in Room #2, next to the child-sized bench.”

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 observations and on a discussion with staff in the diapering room, it was determined that the diapering areas in Rooms #2 and #3 were not equipped with the required soiled clothing containers. The staff stated that soiled clothes are put in plastic bags and placed in the child's personal bag and taken home at the end of the day. *Repeat deficiency cited in March 2024.”

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 observations, the wood chips in the fall zones at the bases of the 2 slides and under the climbing wall measured 3 of the required 6 inches of depth.”

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, the bottom of the Southwest corner of the metal fence on the Preschool playground had a 5.5 inch horizontal opening,”

AAC R9-5-516.B.4. B. If prescription or nonprescription medications are administered, a licensee shall ensure that:4. A staff member : a. Administers a prescription medication provided by a parent only from a container dispensed by a pharmacy; b. Administers a nonprescription medication provided by a parent for an enrolled child only from a container prepackaged and labeled for use by the manufacturer and labeled with the enrolled child’s name; c. Does not administer any medication that has been transferred from one container to another; and d. Does not administer a nonprescription medication to an enrolled child inconsistent with the instructions on the nonprescription medication’s label, unless the facility receives written authorization from the enrolled child’s health care provider.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, a child's over-the-counter allergy medication was not labeled with the child's first and last name. A child's Twin pack of Epipens were not stored in the manufacturer's box and the injectors did not have the child's prescription label on them.”

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 review of staff files, the following staff files lacked documentation that the required DCS clearance applications were submitted; *Staff #2 (DOE 6/5/2023); *Staff #4 (not stated in file); and *Staff #5 (DOE 6/17/2024).”

AAC R9-5-203.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that each staff member submits to the licensee a copy of the staff member’s valid fingerprint clearance card each time the fingerprint clearance card is issued or renewed every six years.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of staff files, Staff 1’s (DOE 7/30/2018) fingerprint clearance card expired on 10/9/24.”

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 files, the following staff files lacked documentation that the licensee had verified the validity of the staff's fingerprint clearance card before the staff's employment date: Staff #2 (DOE 6/5/2023); *Staff #4 (DOE -not stated in file); and *Staff #5 (DOE 6/17/2024). Note: Per the DPS website, the fingerprint clearance cards for Staff #2, #4 and #5 were determined to be valid.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of staff files, the following staff files lacked documentation of the staff's freedom from tuberculosis, *Staff #1 (DOE 7/30/18); and *Staff #4 (DOE not stated in file).”

ARS § 36-882.C. C. An application for an initial license shall include:1. The form that is required pursuant to section 36-883.02, subsection C and that is completed by the applicant. 2. A copy of a valid fingerprint clearance card issued to the applicant pursuant to section 41-1758.07. 3. If the applicant's facility is located within one-fourth mile of any agricultural land, the names and addresses of the owners and lessees of the agricultural land and a copy of the agreement required pursuant to subsection D of this section.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of staff files, the following staff files lacked documentation of the staff's completed criminal history affidavit: *Staff #2 (DOE 6/5/2023); and *Staff #4 (not stated in file).”

AAC R9-5-303.A. A. A licensee shall post in a place that can be conspicuously viewed by individuals entering or leaving the facility or activity area, the:1. Facility’s license; 2. Name of the facility director; 3. Name of the individual designated to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility, as prescribed by R9-5-301(B)(1); 4. Schedule of child care services fees and policy for refunding fees as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-882(P); 5. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack menus for each calendar week at the beginning of the calendar week; 6. Notice of the presence of any communicable disease or infestation listed in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 2, Table 2, from the date of discovery through the incubation period of the communicable disease or infestation; 7. Notice of the Department’s intent to deny, revoke, or suspend as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-888 at the expiration of time in the notice for the licensee to respond; 8. Notice of an intermediate sanction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-891.01 within 10 calendar days after the licensee received notice of the intermediate sanction; 9. Notice of a legal injunction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-886.01 when the licensee receives the legal injunction; and 10. Notice of the availability of facility inspection reports for public viewing at the facility premises.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the main posting board in the foyer lacked the name of the current director. The name of the previous director was listed.”

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 review of the City of Phoenix fire permit, it was determined the fire permit had expired in May 2024.”

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 Officers' interview with staff and a review of the facility's documentation including the incident report regarding the injury, the accident and injury log and an email from the child's parent to the school, regarding the outside medical attention that was sought after the injury occurred, it was determined that the health, safety and welfare of 2 enrolled children were placed at risk of harm on 10/29/24, when 2 children received second degree burns during a class activity. Staff Stated: A staff acknowledged heating approximately 1-1.5 cups of water in the microwave in the kitchen area for approximately 90 seconds, as per a recipe instructions to make playdough. The water was then transferred to a thermos and brought to the classroom and the thermos was placed on the floor on a mat. The children were seated on the floor and some of the children were approximately a foot away from the thermos of water. When the thermos tipped over and spilled, the hot water spilled on 2 children. The pants leg of one of the children was wet and the water was hot to the touch when one of the staff picked the child up who was screaming. The child's leg was immediately red and blistering before the child was picked up by the child's parent. That child was treated at a burn unit at a medical facility for second degree burns. Per discussion with staff, the water also spilled on a second child and resulted in blistering on the child's skin the following day.”

AAC R9-5-514. G. G. If an enrolled child’s parent informs a staff member at the facility that the enrolled child’s parent obtained medical treatment from a health care provider for an accident, injury, or emergency the enrolled child had while attending the facility, a licensee shall ensure that a staff member:1. Documents any information about the enrolled child’s accident, injury, or emergency received from the enrolled child’s parent; and 2. Maintains documentation required in subsection (G)(1) on facility premises for 12 months after the date of the child’s disenrollment.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' review of the facility's documentation including the incident report regarding the injury, the accident and injury log and an email from the child's parent to the school, regarding the outside medical attention that was sought after the injury occurred and on an interview with the Director and staff, the facility's documentation of the incident did not include the information that the child was taken to a burn unit of a medical center for treatment of the child's second degree burn to the child's leg and foot.”

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 a review of rosters, the following rosters were not accurate: *Room #3- 11 children were present but the roster listed 12 children as present; and *Room #4- 19 children were present but the roster listed 20 children as present.”

ARS § 36-882.M. M. The licensee shall notify the department in writing within ten days of any change in the child care facility's director.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations and on a discussion with the current Director, the Director stated she had become the Director in May 2024. The Licensee failed to update the LMS portal to the new director within 10 days of this change.”

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 the Compliance Officer's review of Staff #1's file (DOE 8/8/23), the file lacked documentation of the staff's completion of the new staff orientation training,”

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 review of Staff #1's file (a teacher), the file lacked a copy of the staff's level of education and it could not be determined if the staff met the minimum qualifications required of a teacher caregiver.”

AAC R9-5-203.C. C. Except as provided in A.R.S. § 41-1758.03, a licensee shall ensure that each staff member, before starting date of employment or volunteer service, submits to the licensee a copy of the staff member’s valid fingerprint clearance card,front and back, issued under A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 12, Article 3.1.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of Staff #1's file (DOE 8/8/23), the file lacked a copy of the Staff's fingerprint clearance card. Note: Per the DPS website, the staff does have a valid fingerprint clearance card that expires in July 2029.”

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 review of Staff #1's file (DOE 8/8/23), the file lacked documentation of the submittal of the required DCS background clearance application.”

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- Teaches, models, and encourages orderly conduct, personal control, and age-appropriate behavior Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's interview of staff, it was determined that the alleged staff failed to teach, model and encourage orderly personal control and age appropriate behavior to the children. Staff stated the following: *She's too verbally stern with the children; *At times, her voice sounds aggressive; *Her tone is too strong when she becomes frustrated; *When a child hit another child, she yelled in the child's face and the child was crying.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of Staff #5's file (DOE 4/8/23), the TB test form indicated that it was completed on 5/3/23, rather than on or before the staff's date of employment.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.2. 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 the Compliance Officer's observations, the water temperature at the diapering sinks in rooms 2 and 3, measured only 80 degrees F. **Repeat Deficiency also cited 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 the Compliance Officer's review of Staff #5's file (DOE 4/8/23)and on a discussion with the Director, the Staff's file contained documentation of a foreign degree from the Country of India. The Director acknowledged that the foreign education's equivalency had not been verified by a credentialing agency.”

AAC R9-5-305.A. A. A licensee shall not permit an enrolled child to attend a facility until the facility receives: 1. An immunization record for the enrolled child with the information required in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7, documenting that the enrolled child has received all current, age-appropriate immunizations required under 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7: a. Provided by a healthcare provider, or b. Generated from the Arizona State Immunization Information System, which is the Department’s child immunization reporting system established in A.R.S. § 36-135; or 2. An exemption affidavit for the enrolled child provided by the enrolled child’s parent that contains: a. A statement, signed by the enrolled child’s health care provider, that the immunizations required by 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7 would endanger the enrolled child’s health or medical condition; or b. A statement, signed by the enrolled child’s parent, that the enrolled child is being raised in a religion whose teachings are in opposition to immunization.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of 15 Child files, the file for Child 1 lacked either the child's immunization record or the child's signed religious or medical immunization exemption.”

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 review of 15 Child Emergency and Information cards, 2 of the cards lacked the following required information: *Child #2- the date of enrollment, the name, address and telephone number of the child's father, the name and telephone number of at least 2 emergency contacts and the telephone number of the child’s health care provider; and *Child #3- the name and telephone number of a second emergency contact.”

AAC R9-5-303.A. A. A licensee shall post in a place that can be conspicuously viewed by individuals entering or leaving the facility or activity area, the:1. Facility’s license; 2. Name of the facility director; 3. Name of the individual designated to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility, as prescribed by R9-5-301(B)(1); 4. Schedule of child care services fees and policy for refunding fees as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-882(P); 5. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack menus for each calendar week at the beginning of the calendar week; 6. Notice of the presence of any communicable disease or infestation listed in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 2, Table 2, from the date of discovery through the incubation period of the communicable disease or infestation; 7. Notice of the Department’s intent to deny, revoke, or suspend as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-888 at the expiration of time in the notice for the licensee to respond; 8. Notice of an intermediate sanction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-891.01 within 10 calendar days after the licensee received notice of the intermediate sanction; 9. Notice of a legal injunction imposed as prescribed by A.R.S. § 36-886.01 when the licensee receives the legal injunction; and 10. Notice of the availability of facility inspection reports for public viewing at the facility premises.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of the Parent Posting board that is located in the front foyer, the snack menu was not posted on the board.”

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 observations, the diapering areas in Rooms 2 and 3 were not equipped with the required soiled clothing container.”