Leading Edge Preschool Gilbert

ARS § 36-883.02.C. C. Applicants, licensees and child care personnel shall attest on forms that are provided by the department that: 1. They are not awaiting trial on or have never been convicted of or admitted in open court or pursuant to a plea agreement committing any of the offenses listed in section 41-1758.07, subsection B in this state or similar offenses in another state or jurisdiction. 2. They are not parents or guardians of a child adjudicated to be a dependent child as defined in section 8-201. 3. They have not been denied or had revoked a certificate to operate a child care group home or a license to operate a child care facility in this or any other state or that they have not been denied or had revoked a certification to work in a child care facility or child care group home.

“Findings: Based on the facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, the file for Staff #1 lacked a Criminal History Affidavit.”

AAC R9-5-512.F.7. F. A licensee shall ensure that: 7. Toys, materials, and equipment are maintained in a clean condition;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in the Outdoor activity area, there was a heavy build-up of dirt and dark smudges on the post and handles of the climbing structure.”

AAC R9-5-512.F.1. 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;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the Pre-K 1 bathroom lacked mounted toilet paper. The roll of toilet paper was placed on top of the holder.”

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 observation, in the two-year-old classroom, the diaper changing area was not kept clear of non-diapering items. There were three paint trays and a vase with flowers on the sink used for diaper changes.”

AAC R9-5-501.B.9. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 9. Does the following when a parent permits or asks a staff member to apply personal products on an enrolled child, such as petroleum jelly, diaper rash ointments, sun screen or sun block preparations, toothpaste, and baby diapering preparations: a. Obtains the enrolled child’s personal products from the enrolled child’s parent or, if the licensee provides the personal products for use by the enrolled child, obtains written approval for use of the products from the enrolled child’s parent; b. Labels the personal products with the enrolled child’s name; and c. Keeps the personal products inaccessible to enrolled children;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in the two-year-old classroom, there were 5 packs of diaper wipes and 2 tubes of diaper cream that lacked labels with the children's first and last names.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the teachers in the Pre-K 1 classroom were unable to supervise the children at all times while in the bathroom. The bathroom door that opens to the hallway used for the school was unlocked, giving the children access to the area and out of sight/sound of the teachers.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.18. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 18. 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: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in the Pre-K bathroom, there was a toilet brush and a plunger on a shelf, accessible to enrolled children.”

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 positive discipline, including separation; 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; 17. Field trip procedures, if applicable; 18. Infant tummy time, if applicable; 19. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and use of safe sleeping practices, if applicable; and 20. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome, pediatric abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment.

“Findings: Based on the facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, the files for Staff #1 and Staff #2 lacked documentation of the 10-day new staff orientation.”

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 child educator 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; or d. Employment or service as a volunteer in a licensed child care facility for 12 months;

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, Staff #1 (date of hire 3/24/2025) was an assistant child educator in the classroom. Staff #1 lacked documentation of a high school diploma or equivalent, or 12 months of experience at a licensed child care facility”

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 child educator 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 if working with enrolled children five years old and younger, or three months of child care experience if working with school-aged children; 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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, it was determined that Staff #3 (date of hire 9/16/2025) was a child educator in the three-year-old classroom. The file for Staff #3 lacked documentation of at least 6 months of experience in a licensed child care facility.”

AAC R9-5-305.C. C. 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, required in R9-5 304(B).

“Findings: Based on the facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, a written immunization record or exemption affidavit was not attached to the Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record for Child #2, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, # 9, and #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 an Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record that is no more than a two-page written notice, and is signed by the enrolled child’s parent containing: 1. The child’s name, home address, sex, and date of birth; 2. The date of the child’s enrollment; 3. The name, home address, email address, and telephone number of each parent of the child; 4. The name and contact telephone number of at least two individuals authorized by the child’s parent to collect the child from the facility in case of emergency, or if the child’s parent cannot be contacted; 5. The name and contact telephone number of the child’s health care provider; 6. The written authorization for emergency medical care of the enrolled child when the parent cannot be contacted at the time of the emergency; 7. The name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child; 8. The written instructions of a child’s parent or health care provider for the nutritional and dietary needs of the child including, if applicable, the request in R9-5-509(C)(14); and 9. A written record completed by the child’s parent or health care provider noting the child’s susceptibility to illness, physical conditions of which a staff member should be aware, and any individual requirements for health maintenance.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, it was determined that 8 out of 11 Emergency, Information, and Immunization Records reviewed lacked the following information: *Child #1, #4, and #5: The date of enrollment. *Child #2: The date of enrollment, and a second emergency contact to collect the child in case of emergency or if the child's parent can not be contacted. *Child #3: The date of enrollment and the signature of the enrolling parent. *Child #8: The name and contact information for each parent. *Child #9: The date of enrollment and the name and contact information for the child's health care provider. *Child #10: The date of enrollment, the address and telephone number for each parent, and the name and contact information for at least two emergency contacts to collect the child in case of emergency or if the child's parent can not be contacted.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, the files for Staff #1, 2, 4, and 5 lacked a copy of the results of the Centralized Background check.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.22. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 22. Foods are prepared as close as possible to serving time and, if prepared in advance, are either: a. Cold held at a temperature of 45° F or below or hot held at a temperature of 130° F or above until served; or b. Cold held at a temperature of 45° F or below and then reheated to a temperature of at least 165° F before being served.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in the After Care classroom, there was no thermometer in the refrigerator used to store food for enrolled children.”

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

“Finding: Per allegation and based on staff statements, there was a lack of supervision while enrolled children were in the bathroom. Staff members were unaware of enrolled children's activities while in the bathroom. Based on staff statements, Child #1 and Child #2 were in the bathroom together when the staff heard the children giggling. Per staff, Child #1 placed a finger in Child #2's butt and said they were "wiping Child #2's butt" but had no toilet paper in their hand. In another staff statement, Child #1 had put toilet paper "in her butt" and told Child #2 to take it out.”

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 and based on staff statements, the health, safety, and welfare of a child was placed at risk of harm when Child #1 put their hand on Child #2's bare butt while in the bathroom together. Based on staff statements, Child #1 and Child #2 were in the bathroom together when the staff heard the children giggling. Per staff, Child #1 placed a finger in Child #2's butt and said they were "wiping Child #2's butt" but had no toilet paper in their hand. In another staff statement, Child #1 put toilet paper "in her butt" and told Child #2 to take it out.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, in the Preschool classroom, there were art materials (paint brushes, trays, paper, and ornaments) on the diaper changing surface.”

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.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, in the Teen Center, there was an uncovered trash can with food waste (Gatorade bottles and snack wrappers), and there was debris and dark matter on the shelves and surfaces in a refrigerator containing food for enrolled children. In the Preschool classroom, there was an area with red sticky matter on a toy doll bed. In the outdoor activity area, there was a heavy build-up of dirt on the water fountain and the aluminum benches, and a broken wooden slat with rough edges on the top of a white gate accessible to children.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, in the Preschool 2 classroom, there was ripped fabric with exposed foam on 2 child-sized sofas. In the Preschool classroom, there was missing laminate on the top edge with exposed rough wood on the 1/2 door leading to the activity area. In the Pre-K 1 classroom bathroom, there were 11 holes in the wall between two of three toilets. In the Teen Center, there were loose cords under & around the television, there was rough exposed raw wood on the corners of the cabinet, and areas of exposed raw fiberboard on the wall.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.13. A. A licensee shall ensure that:13. Toys and play equipment, required in this Article, are maintained: a. Free from hazards, and b. In a condition that allows the toy or play equipment to be used for the original purpose of the toy or play equipment;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observation, in the Pre-K 1 classroom, there was an unstable base and exposed rough wood along one side of a standing mirror that was accessible to enrolled children. There was a whiteboard with a loose cross board and splintered wood in one corner.”