Imagination Tree Learning Center

AAC R9-5-605.B.16. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 16. The fire extinguisher required in subsection (A): a. Is serviced at least once every 12 months; and b. Has a tag attached to the fire extinguisher that specifies the date of the last servicing.

“Findings: The Compliance Officers observed that the tags service tags attached to the fire extinguishers indicated that they expired April 2025.”

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 review of three staff files the Compliance Officers noted that the facility was not able to provide documentation of Centralized Background Check results for Staff 1. Staff 1's start date is documented as 02/12/2024.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.3. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 3. For enrolled infants and children five-years or younger, drinking water is available to meet the needs of each enrolled child;

“Findings: While inspecting the Preschool Classroom (Room 3), the Secondary Compliance Officer observed that the water pitcher was empty, and there were no water cups available for the six children in the classroom. Staff stated that the class had recently come in from the playground, and the cups had been left outside.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.17. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 17. A staff member: a. Prepares a weekly menu at least one week in advance, b. Includes on the menu the specific foods to be served on each day, c. Dates each menu, d. Posts each menu at least one day before the first meal on the menu will be served, and e. Writes food substitutions on a posted menu no later than the morning of the day of meal service;

“Findings: Based on review of the posted menu the Secondary Compliance Officer noted that the menu for January 27, 2026 did not match the lunch that was served. *The menu contained: Hot dog, bun, lettuce, tomato, pineapple and milk. *The facility served: Taquitos, rice, apple, lettuce and milk.”

AAC R9-5-514. C. C. A licensee shall:1. Prepare and date a written fire and emergency plan that contains: a. The location of the first aid kit; b. The names of staff members who have the first aid training required by R9-5-403(E); c. The names of staff members who have the CPR training required by R9-5-403(E); d. The directions for: i. Initiating verbal notification of an enrolled child’s parent by telephone or other equally expeditious means within 30 minutes of a fire or emergency; and ii. Providing written notification to the enrolled child’s parent within 24 hours; and e. The facility’s street address and the emergency telephone numbers for the local fire department, police department, ambulance service, and poison control center; 2. Maintain the plan required in subsection (C)(1) in a location on facility premises that has an operable telephone service or two-way voice communication system that connects the facility with an individual who has direct access to an in-and-out operable telephone service; 3. Post the plan required in subsection (C)(1) in any indoor activity area that does not have an operable telephone service or two-way voice communication system that connects the indoor activity area with an individual who has direct access to an in-and-out operable telephone services; and 4. Update the plan in subsection (C)(1) every 12 months after the date of initial preparation of the plan or when any information changes.

“Findings: The Compliance Officers noted that the posted Accident and Emergency plan was not current, it listed an employee that is no longer employed at the facility.”

AAC R9-5-503.E. E. A licensee shall ensure that the written diaper changing procedure in subsection (D) states that an enrolled child’s diaper is changed as soon as it is soiled, and that a staff member, when diapering:1. Uses a separate washcloth and towel only once for each enrolled child; 2. Washes and dries the enrolled child using the enrolled child’s individual personal products labeled with the enrolled child’s name; 3. Uses single-use non-porous gloves; 4. Washes the staff member’s own hands with soap and running water between 86° F and 110° F before and after each diaper change; 5. Washes each enrolled child’s hands with soap and running water between 86° F and 110° F after each diaper change; 6. Cleans, sanitizes, and dries the diaper changing surface following each diaper change; and 7. Uses single-use paper towels from a dispenser to dry the diaper changing surface or the hands of the enrolled child or staff member.

“Findings: Compliance Officer 1 noted that the bleach-water spray bottle intended to sanitize the diapering surface in Classroom 3 was empty.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.19. A. A licensee shall ensure that:19. Except as provided in subsection (A)(20), the following are stored separate from food storage areas and are inaccessible to an enrolled child: a. All materials and chemicals labeled as a toxic or flammable substance; b. All substances that have a child warning label and may be a hazard to a child; and c. Lawn mowers, ladders, toilet brushes, plungers, and other facility equipment that may be a hazard to a child;

“Findings: The Compliance Officers observed a plug-in air freshener that was accessible to children in Classroom 1.”

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: Upon arriving at the facility the Compliance Officers observed two school-age children sitting at a table in Classroom 1. At that time the children were alone in the classroom, causing a staff-to-child ratio of 0:2.”

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 review of staff files Compliance Officer 2 noted that Staff 2's file contained documentation of only one professional reference, as the second reference listed says "sister".”

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: Compliance Officer 2 noted the most recent fire inspection document available for review was not current, it had an expiration date of 03/29/24. *Please send a current fire inspection report upon receipt*”

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: Upon arriving at the facility the Compliance Officers noted that a classroom roster was not available for two school-age children in Classroom 1.”

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

“Findings: Based on review of sign in and sign out documents Compliance Officer 1 noted the following: -Child 1 was not signed out from the facility on January 02, 03, and 07, 2025. -Child 2 was not signed out with a signature on January 27 and 28, 2025, only the times out were documented. -Child 3 was not signed in with a signature on January 03 and January 21, 2025, only the times in were documented.”

AAC R9-5-203.G. G. If 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 review of staff files Compliance Officer 2 noted that Staff1, Staff 2, and Staff 3's files did not contain documentation that DCS submission requirements had been completed upon hire.”

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

“Findings: Compliance Officer 1 noted that the exhaust fan in the restroom utilized by enrolled children was not operational during the inspection. A staff member verified that the restroom fan was not turning, nor was it emitting any sound during the inspection.”

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: Compliance Officer 1 measured the water temperature in the diaper changing area and it measured 78 degrees Fahrenheit.”

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: The Compliance Officer reviewed the files for Staff 1 (starting date of employment 3/10/17) and Staff 2 (starting date of employment 1/21/20) and observed the following: The file for Staff 1 contained 15 out of the required 18 hours of annual training between 3/10/22 - 3/10/23. The file for Staff 2 contained 14 out of the required 18 hours of annual training between 1/21/23 - 1/21/24.”

AAC R9-5-404.B. B. A licensee shall: 1. Determine and maintain the required staff-to-children ratio for each group of enrolled children based on the age of the youngest child in the group; 2. Allow a volunteer qualified as a director, teacher-caregiver, or an assistant-teacher caregiver to be counted as staff in staff-to-children ratios; and 3. Not allow a student-aide or an individual qualified as a teacher-caregiver-aide to be counted as staff in staff-to-children ratios.

“FINDINGS: The Compliance Officer observed that Staff 2 was outside and alone caring for 13 children, the youngest of whom was age 2; therefore they were out of ratio at 1:13.”

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: The Compliance Officer reviewed the children's emergency cards and observed the following: The cards for Children 1 & 2 lacked their dates of enrollment, a second emergency contact and their doctors' telephone numbers. The card for Child 3 lacked their date of enrollment, the name of the person to call first and the backside of the page. The card for Child 4 lacked the name of the person to call first and the parent did not document the date that they signed the card. The card for Child 5 lacked their date of enrollment and the name of the person to call first. The card for Child 6 lacked their doctor's name and telephone number, as well as the name of the person to call first. The card for Child 7 lacked a second emergency contact, their doctor's name & telephone number, the name of the person to call first and the backside of the page. The card for Child 8 lacked the name of the person to call first and the backside of the page. The card for Child 9 lacked their date of enrollment, their doctor's name & telephone number and the backside of the page.”

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.

“FINDINGS: The Compliance Officer reviewed the fire drill log and observed that it lacked the entry for January 2024.”

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: The Compliance requested to review the classroom roster and, per Staff 1, the roster was left in the First Classroom while they were outside on the Playground and while in the Third Classroom.”

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: The Compliance Officer reviewed the children's immunization records and observed that they were not on file for Children #1, 2, 5 and 6.”

AAC R9-5-503.F.1. F. A licensee shall ensure that in an activity area with a diaper changing area: 1. The containers required in subsections (A)(3) and (4) are inaccessible, and

“FINDINGS: The Compliance Officer inspected the diaper changing area and observed that the soiled clothing container was stored on the floor and between the diaper changing sink and the children's cubbies and was accessible to the children.”

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: The Compliance Officer reviewed the file for Staff 2 (starting date of employment 1/21/20) and observed that it lacked a copy of the backside of their fingerprint card.”

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: The Compliance Officer reviewed the file for Staff 2 (starting date of employment 1/21/20) and observed that it lacked their Direct Service Central Registry Clearance Form.”

AAC R9-5-511.F. F. A licensee shall ensure that storage space is provided in the facility for cots, mats, sheets, and blankets, that is:1. Accessible to an area used for naptime or sleeping; and 2. Separate from food service and preparation areas, toilet rooms, and laundry rooms.

“FINDINGS: The Compliance Officer inspected the children's restroom and observed that a set of stacked cots were stored on the restroom floor adjacent to a toilet.”

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: The Compliance Officer inspected the children's restroom and observed that one toilet contained unflushed urine.”

AAC R9-5-517.A.4. A. A licensee who transports an enrolled child in a motor vehicle that the licensee owns, or acquires for use by contract, shall: 4. Maintain documentation of current motor vehicle insurance coverage inside the motor vehicle;

“FINDINGS: The Compliance Officer inspected the van and observed that the insurance was not maintained in the vehicle.”

AAC R9-5-517.A.10. A. A licensee who transports an enrolled child in a motor vehicle that the licensee owns, or acquires for use by contract, shall:10. Ensure that the motor vehicle is: a. Maintained in a clean condition, b. In a mechanically safe condition, and c. Free from hazards; and

“FINDINGS: The Compliance Officer inspected the van and observed multiple food wrappers, dirt and debris on the floor.”

AAC R9-5-517.B.3. B. A licensee shall ensure that an individual who drives a motor vehicle used to transport an enrolled child:3. Carries a list stating the name of each enrolled child being transported and a copy of each enrolled child’s Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card including the attached immunization record or exemption affidavit, in the motor vehicle;

“FINDINGS: The Compliance Officer reviewed the emergency cards in the van and observed the following: The card for Child 10 lacked the name of the person to call first and the backside of the page. The card for Child 11 lacked the backside of the page. The card for Child 12 lacked the name of the person to call first. The card for Child 13 lacked their date of enrollment, their doctor's name & telephone number and the backside of the page. The card for Child 14 lacked their doctor's telephone number and the backside of the page. The immunization records were not on file for Children 10, 12-14.”

AAC R9-5-601.4. A licensee shall comply with the following physical plant requirements:4. Except as provided in subsection (5), when providing child care services for infants or children who require diapering, a diaper changing area that meets the requirements in R9-5-503 is available in each infant room or indoor activity area used by an enrolled infant or child who wears diapers or disposable training pants;

“FINDINGS: The Compliance Officer observed that the Third Classroom, which is the only classroom equipped for diaper changing, was not in use for the day. When she asked the Director and Staff 1 how old the youngest child was in their care, they stated that the youngest was age 2. When asked if they used diapers both stated that the child wore diapers. Staff 1 stated that 4 of the children present were in diapers and they were being cared for in the Second Classroom.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.2.a. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains: 2. A hand-washing sink next to the diaper changing surface for staff use when changing diapers and for washing an enrolled child during or after diapering that provides: a. Running water between 86° F and 110° F, b. Soap from a dispenser, and c. Single-use paper hand towels from a dispenser;

“FINDINGS: The Compliance Officer inspected the diaper changing area and the water measured 74 degrees Fahrenheit.”

ARS § 36-883.02.D. D. Employers of child care personnel shall make documented, good faith efforts to contact previous employers of child care personnel to obtain information or recommendations that may be relevant to an individual's fitness for employment in a child care facility.

“FINDINGS: The Compliance Officer reviewed the file for Staff 1 (starting date of employment 3/10/17) and observed that it lacked dates on both references checks. It was observed that the file for Staff 2 (starting date of employment 1/21/20) lacked a date for 1 reference check and it lacked a second reference check.”