Maricopa County Human Services - Best Years Head Start

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 observations and facility documentation, the Licensee lacked documentation of a current violation-free fire inspection report as required.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.20. A. A licensee shall ensure that:20. Hand sanitizers: a. When being stored, are stored separate from food storage areas and are inaccessible to enrolled children; and b. When being provided for use, are accessible to enrolled children; and

“Findings. Based on the Compliance Officer’s observations, in the Indoor Playroom, there was a bottle of hand sanitizer on the shelf by the door, accessible to the enrolled children.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observations, in the Head Start (3/4's) room, there was a surface disinfected spray on top of the play kitchen shelf, accessible to the enrolled children. Previously cited on 11/17/23”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, 1 of 5 staff files reviewed lacked the following: Staff #3 (DOE:2/26/24): 1 of 2 good faith effort references.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, 7 of 10 children's Emergency, Information and Immunization Record cards reviewed lacked the following: Child #1 The name and contact telephone number of the 2nd individual authorized by the chid's parent to collect the child from the facility in case of emergency. Child #2: The name, home address, city, state, zip code and contact telephone number of the 2nd parent of the child, the name and contact telephone number of the child's health care provider and the name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child. Child #3: The home address, city, state, zip code and contact telephone number of the 2nd parent of the child. Child #4: The child's contact telephone number, the name, home address, city, state, zip code and contact telephone number of the 2nd parent of the child, the name and contact telephone number of the child's health care provider and the name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child. Child #5: The date of the child's enrollment. Child #6: The child's contact telephone number, the name, home address, city, state, zip code and contact telephone number of the 2nd parent of the child and the name of the individual to be contacted in case of injury or sudden illness of the child. Child #7: The name, home address, city, state, zip code and contact telephone number of the 2nd parent of the child. Previously cited on 11/17/23”

AAC R9-5-303.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that the licensed capacity of each indoor activity area or room is posted in that activity area or room.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observations, the Indoor Playroom lacked a posted capacity.”

AAC R9-5-301.A. A licensee shall: 1. Designate a facility director who acts on behalf of the licensee and is responsible for the daily on-site operation of a facility; 2. Submit the name of the designated facility director in writing to the Department before a license is issued; 3. Except as provided in subsection (A)(4), within 10 calendar days before changing a facility director, submit written notice of the change including the new designated facility director’s name and starting date; 4. If the licensee is not aware of a change in the facility director 10 calendar days before the effective date of the change, submit written notice of the change to the Department including the new designated facility director’s name and starting date within 72 hours after becoming aware of the change.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observations, the Licensee failed to notify the department within 10 days of a director change.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, 2 of 5 staff files reviewed lacked the following: Staff #1 (DOE: 1/2/24) and Staff #2 (DOE: 4/1/24): Fingerprint clearance cards were not verified by DPS before their starting date of employment. Staff #1 and Staff #2 fingerprint clearance card were verified at the time of the inspection. Previously cited on 11/17/23”

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, in the Outdoor area, the East fence had a 5 inch space between the ground and the bottom of the fence.”

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: Staff #1 (DOE: 1/2/24), Staff #2 (DOE: 4/1/24): A completed Criminal History Affidavit, the facility address was not correct. Staff #3 (DOE: 2/26/24): A completed Criminal History Affidavit, there was no date and the facility address was not correct Staff #4 (DOE: 9/11/23) A completed Criminal History Affidavit, there was no date, the facility address was not correct, #3 was not fully addressed. Staff #5 (DOE: 9/11/23): A completed Criminal History Affidavit, the facility address was not correct and #3 was not fully addressed. Previously cited on 11/17/23”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, 3 of 5 staff files reviewed lacked the following: Staff #1 (DOE: 9/11/23), Staff #2 (DOE: 9/11/23) and Staff #3 (DOE: 10/9/23): A completed Criminal History Affidavit, the facility address was not correct and #3 was not fully addressed.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, 3 of 5 staff files reviewed lacked the following: Staff #1 (DOE: 9/11/23), Staff #2 (DOE: 9/11/23) and Staff #3 (DOE: 10/9/23): Fingerprint clearance cards were not verified before starting date of employment.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, 1 of 5 staff files reviewed the following: Staff #4 (DOE: 10/17/23): Documentation of the submission requirements.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, 2 of 10 children's Emergency, Information and Immunization Record cards reviewed lacked the following: Child #1 and Child #2: The name and contact telephone number of the 2nd individuals authorized by the child's parent to collect the child from the facility in case of emergency.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, 3 of 5 staff files reviewed lacked the following: Staff #1 (DOE: 9/11/23), Staff #2 (DOE: 9/11/23) and Staff #3 (DOE: 10/9/23): 2 of 2 good faith effort references.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, 3 of 5 staff files reviewed lacked the following: Staff #1 (DOE: 9/11/23) and Staff #2 (DOE: 9/11/23): Documentation of a completed 10-day new hire training on 10/2/23, outside the requirement 10 day timeframe. Child #4 (DOE: 10/17/23): A completed 10 day new hire training.”

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, in the Early Head Start room, there was a roll of paper towels, a sink stopper and a bag with a yellow liquid substance on the diaper changing surface.”

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 observations, in the hallway bathroom, in the big stall there was a yellow substance in the toilet bowl and a puddle of water under the right urinal.”

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 Officer's observations, in the hallway bathroom, in the big stall the toilet seat was loose and wobbly and there was a 1 inch chip on the toilet seat lid.”

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: Based on staff statements and the Compliance Officer's observation, there was a bag of pull ups in the bathroom. The staff stated there is an enrolled in the Head Start room in a pull up. The Head Start classroom is not approved for diapering.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observations, in the bathroom in the hallway, there was a plunger next to the sinks accessible to the enrolled children.”