L.E.S.D.#65 - Littleton Elementary School Preschool

AAC R9-5-510.D. D. A licensee shall not physically restrain an enrolled child, except when necessary to protect an enrolled child from physical injury, to protect persons on the premises from physical injury, or to protect property from damage. 1. When a child has an out-of-control behavior, the enrolled child may be removed from the company of other enrolled children until the enrolled child's behavior has stabilized. Removal of a child is only to be used when there is a safety concern that cannot be reduced or eliminated with reasonable accommodations; 2. After determining that an enrolled child’s behavior may result in harm, a staff member may safely hold the child until the enrolled child regains control or composure; and 4. A licensee shall develop and implement written policies and procedures on physical restraint to protect children’s safety and development.

“Findings: Based on the facility documentation and staff statements, Staff #1 failed to safely hold an enrolled child to keep them from physical injury and protect persons around them. The enrolled child had out-of-control behavior, and Staff #1 used their body to restrain them by placing them on the bean bag and sitting on top of them, making the child unable to move.”

AAC R9-5-510.A.1. A. A staff member shall provide guidance to help children respond to difficult situations. To develop self-regulation, children should receive adult support that is individual to the child and adapts as the child develops internal controls. This process should include: 1. Forming a positive relationship with the child, which occurs when the adult spends time talking to the child, listening to the child, following the child’s lead, playing with the child, and responding to the child’s needs; 2. Base expectations on the child’s developmental level; 3. Establishing and being proactive in teaching and supporting children in learning simple rules; 4. Modifying the learning/play environment to support the child’s appropriate behavior; 5. Creating a predictable daily routine and schedule; 6. Modeling desired behavior; 7. Showing children positive alternatives; 8.Using deliberate redirection, the staff member should encourage the child to use appropriate behavior, and provide positive feedback when the child exhibits the behavior; 9. Individualized positive discipline strategies based on the individual needs of children, such as using a buddy system, individualized schedule, special break, or another applicable positive discipline strategy; and 10. If applicable, a licensee shall develop a written plan with the enrolled child's parent to provide individualized social and emotional intervention supports for the enrolled child that includes methods for understanding the enrolled child's behavior, and developing, adopting, and implementing a team-based positive behavior support plan.

“Allegation Findings: Based on documentation and staff statements, Staff #1 did not help an enrolled child develop self-regulation and failed to model desired behavior. Staff stated that Staff #1 was yelling at the child while the child was having disruptive behavior in the classroom. Staff #1 grabbed the child and dropped them onto the bean bag and continued to push the front of the child's head into the bean bag while they tried to get up. Staff #1 then sat on top of the child while they were on the bean bag.”

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 documentation and staff statements, the health, safety, and welfare of an enrolled child was placed at risk of harm when Staff #1 used the weight of their body and hands to restrain an enrolled child. Staff #1 removed the child from the circle time to the library area after they were being disruptive. The child was screaming, kicking, taking their shoes off, and throwing them. Staff #1 placed the child on the bean bag, and as the child continued to get up, Staff #1 used their own hand to push the child back down into the bean bag. A staff member asked Staff #1 to leave the library area. Staff #1 was then seen grabbing the child from their arms and dropping them on the bean bag, and proceeded to sit on top of the child. Another staff member then approached Staff #1 and asked them to remove themselves from the situation. The child was crying and comforted by another staff member. Written documentation reviewed stated the following: ** "When I look up from the computer, [Staff #1] quickly pulls [Child] by the arm and places [Child] on the bean bag and sits on top of [Child]. I then yell "[Staff] no, no, no!" and run to [Staff #1] and have her get off [Child]." ** "When [Child] lifted [themselves] to stand, [Staff #1] put [their] palm on [Child's] forehead and pushed it back into the bean bag. I called [Staff #1]'s name and asked [Staff #1] to leave the library."”

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 observations and facility documentation, the following staff files lacked documentation of verification of the fingerprint clearance card via the DPS website before their starting date of employment. *Staff #1: DOE: 8/4/25, no documentation *Staff #2: DOE: 7/14/25, verified on 7/14/25 *Staff #3: DOE: 9/22/25, verified on 9/22/25 *Staff #4: DOE: 9/29/25, verified on 9/29/25 *Staff #5: DOE: 9/15/25, no documentation *Staff #6: DOE: 10/20/25, no documentation”

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 Compliance Officer's observations and a review of 7 staff files, the Criminal History Affidavits for the following staff files were not completed before the staff member's starting date of employment. *Staff #1: DOE: 8/4/25, form completed on 8/4/25 *Staff #2: DOE: 7/14/25, form completed on 7/14/25 *Staff #3: DOE: 9/22/25, form completed on 9/22/25 *Staff #4: DOE: 9/29/25, form completed on 9/29/25 *Staff #5: DOE: 9/15/25, form completed on 9/15/25”

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

“Per Allegation Findings: Based on staff statement, the health, safety, and welfare of an enrolled child was placed at risk of harm when Child #1 was left alone, asleep in a classroom. On November 21, 2025, the facility held a Turkey Trot in the library. At 7:50 AM, enrolled children in Room 22 lined up at the door and Staff #1 counted them. The students, parents, and staff left the classroom to attend the Turkey Trot. At 8:10 AM, the class gathered outside the library and Staff #1 counted the children again and found that one child was unaccounted for. Staff #2 ran back to the classroom to find Child #1 still asleep at 8:12 AM.”

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

“Per Allegation Findings: Based on staff statement, enrolled children were not supervised at all times when Child #1 was left alone in Room 22 when the rest of the classroom left to join the school’s Turkey Trot. Staff stated the following: *We left the class at 7:50. *I was told to go to the door of the classroom and line the children at the front. (Staff #1) did the headcount for the children and parents. *I met the class outside of the library where the Turkey Trot was happening. (Staff #1) did a head count and the number was short by one. *I ran back to the classroom and found (Child #1) at 8:12 AM.”

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

“Per Allegation Findings: Based on staff statement, the staff-to-children ratio in Room 22 was 0:1 when Child #1 was left alone in the classroom asleep. Staff stated the following: *At 8:10 am, we did a headcount and noticed a student was missing. *(Staff #1) was retracing (their) steps to figure out where (Child #1) was. *One of the parents asked "Was (Child #1) the one sleeping?" *(Staff #2) ran back to the classroom and found (Child #1) between 8:12 am and 8:15 am.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations and facility documentation, the medication for Child #7 lacked documentation of the starting and ending dates of the dosage period on the written authorization form.”

ARS § 36-883.02.A. A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, child care personnel, including volunteers, shall submit the form prescribed in subsection C of this section to the employer and shall have valid fingerprint clearance cards issued pursuant to section 41-1758.07 before starting employment or volunteer work.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observations and facility documentation, the file for Staff #2 (DOE:10/24/24) lacked a Criminal History Affidavit form.”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observation and facility documentation, Staff #1 (DOE: 7/22/24) lacked documentation of a negative Mantoux skin test on or before the starting date of employment.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations and facility documentation, 6 of 15 Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record cards reviewed lacked the following: **Child #1: Date of enrollment, health care provider phone #, 2nd parent address **Child #2: Date of enrollment, 2nd parent information **Child #3: 2nd parent information, written name and signature of parent **Child #4: Date of enrollment, date of birth, 2nd parent information **Child #5: Date of enrollment **Child #6: Healthcare provider information”

AAC R9-5-509.C.18. C. A licensee shall ensure that:18. 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 the Compliance Officers' observations and facility documentation, the posted menu lacked specifics on the days when assorted fresh/canned fruit was served.”

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 and the identification of the person who serviced the fire extinguisher; and

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, the fire extinguisher tags in the F building documented the last servicing as November, 2022.”

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 Compliance Officer's observation and review of facility documentation, the files for the following staff members lacked documentation of negative TB test results within the required time frames: *Staff #1 (start date 7/21/23) had documentation of a TB test read negative on 7/28/23. *Staff #2 (start date 7/20/23) had documentation of a TB test read negative on 7/26/23. *Staff #3 (start date 7/12/23) had documentation of a TB test read negative on 7/18/23.”

AAC R9-5-403.C. C. A licensee shall ensure that documentation of a staff member's completion of training required by subsection (A) is signed by the facility director and dated.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation and review of facility documentation, the file for Staff #3 (start date 7/12/23) lacked documentation of a 10 day training form signed by the facility director.”

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: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, there were 4 "Bic" white out pens and 2 bottles of "Bic" white out fluid that were labeled "keep out of reach of children" that were accessible to enrolled children in a drawer in Room 22.”

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 Compliance Officer's observation and review of facility documentation, 4 of 20 Emergency Information and Immunization record cards reviewed lacked the following required documentation: Child #1: Parent/guardian's contact information. Child #2: Parent/guardian's contact information; Health care provider's contact information. Child #3: Parent/guardian's contact information. Child #4: Health care provider's contact information.”

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).

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation and review of facility documentation, the children's immunization records were not attached to the Emergency Information and Immunization record cards in Room 22.”

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 Compliance Officer's observation and review of facility documentation, the classroom rosters in the following areas lacked required documentation: *In room F19 there were 10 children present, but only 8 children documented on the classroom roster. *In room F1A there were 9 children present, but only 7 children documented on the classroom roster.”

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 Compliance Officer's observation and review of facility documentation, the files for Staff #1 (start date 7/21/23) and Staff #4 (start date 7/12/23) both lacked documentation of completed 10 day training forms.”

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 Compliance Officer's observation and review of facility documentation, the file for Staff #1 (start date 7/21/23) lacked documentation of the educational requirements and experience to qualify the staff member as a teacher/caregiver.”

AAC R9-5-512.B. B. A licensee shall maintain facility premises and furnishings:1. In a clean condition, and 2. Free from odor.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, the facility was using the restrooms in Room 26 and Room F11 to store items not related to toileting.”

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

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, the facility playground had exposed concrete footings at the base of the shade structure.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that:1. All designated exits, corridors, and passageways that provide escape from the building are unobstructed and unlocked during hours of operation;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, there was an obstructed exit in Room F11 due to a cabinet being placed in front of the exit door.”

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

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, the following areas had outlets that lacked safety covers: *In Room 7--along the surge protector and on the wall above the surge protector. *In Room F19--on the surge protector on the teacher's desk.”

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: Based on Compliance Officer's observation, the exhaust fans were not operable in the F building restrooms.”