Little Scholars Academy

AAC R9-5-512.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that toilet bowls, lavatory fixtures, and floors in toilet rooms and kitchens are cleaned and sanitized as often as necessary to maintain them in a clean and sanitized condition or at least once every 24 hours.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in the 2s and 4s toilet rooms, there were scuff marks located on the toilet seat. In the 4s classroom, there was chipped laminate and caulking on the handwashing sink vanity.”

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 Officers' observations, the designated exit that provides escape from the main corridor of the building was obstructed with office chairs, stacks of children's books, and cardboard boxes.”

AAC R9-5-603.B. B. 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: Per allegation, based on the Compliance Officers' observations, in the outdoor activity areas, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: Younger Playground: *There was exposed splintery wood located on the blue playhouse *There was exposed splintery wood and exposed nails located on the green playhouse *There was a 2 inch by 7 foot gap in the turf located near the tree. Older Playground: *There was splintery wood located on the green playhouse *There was torn carpet located at the entrance of the green playhouse *There was a 3 inch crack with exposed loose granules located in the resilient rubber surface under the swing *There was exposed sharp plastic located at the bottom of the slide”

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 Officer’s (CO’s) observation, in the 3’s toilet room there was exposed rust (rough to the touch) located at the base of the toilet stall partition accessible to enrolled children.”

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 CO’s observation, in the 2’s classroom, the diaper changing surface was not seamless and smooth, there was a nick located on the laminate countertop.”

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 facility documentation and Compliance Officer #2’s observation, Staff #1 (DOE: 08/05/2024) was observed as a teacher-caregiver in the 1's classroom. Staff #1 was not qualified as a teacher-caregiver because the staff file lacked documentation of six months of childcare experience.”

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 facility documentation and Compliance Officer #2’s observation, the 2’s classroom lacked a current roster: 8 children present and 7 listed on the roster.”

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 CO's observation, in the outdoor activity area, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: Toddler Playground: *There was exposed sharp plastic on a Little Tikes grill located under the window. *There was peeling paint with exposed rough wood located under the window. *There was a 3 inch by 4 inch sinkhole located in the turf on the East side. Preschool Playground: *There was exposed sharp plastic located at the bottom of the tunnel slide. *There was exposed sharp laminate on the top of the gray table located near the water fountain. *There was peeling paint with exposed splintery wood located at the base of six posts of the gazebo.”

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 CO’s observation, in Room 106, there was peeling paint with exposed raw wood located under the window on the West wall accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-308.A. A. A licensee shall secure and maintain the following minimum insurance coverage: 1. General facility liability insurance of at least $300,000; and 2. Motor vehicle insurance coverage, required by A.R.S. Title 28, Chapter 9, Article 4, for each motor vehicle provided by a licensee to transport enrolled children.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s (CO's) observation, the Licensee had a Liability Release Form for parent signature. Insurance liability waivers are not acceptable.”

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 facility documentation and the CO's observation, the medication for Child #1 lacked a written authorization form. The written authorization form for Child #2 lacked a prescription number.”

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 the CO’s observation, the exhaust fan was not operable in Room 115's toilet room.”

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 CO's observation, in Room 105, the temperature of the diaper changing sink was 80° F. rather than 86° F to 110° F. as required. In Room 106, the temperature of the diaper changing sink was 78° F. rather than 86° F to 110° F. as required.”

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 CO’s observation, in Room 115, there were two pillows with discolored stains located in the cozy book corner.”