Maricopa County Human Services - Guadalupe Head Start

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: Based on staff statements and the Compliance Officer's observations, the ratio in the Head Start Room 100 classroom was 1:17 instead of 2:17 as required, with three-year-old children present. Staff stated "a teacher just left because she had a really bad headache, and the other teacher is almost finishing their lunch".”

AAC R9-5-302. A licensee shall prepare a written statement of child care services provided by the licensee that includes the following: 1. A description of the facility’s child care services classifications in R9-5-204; 2. Hours of operation; 3. The facility’s street address, city, state, zip code, mailing address, and telephone number; 4. Child enrollment and disenrollment procedures; 5. Charges, fees, and payment requirements for child care services; 6. Child admission and release requirements; 7. Guidelines for positive discipline reflective of age-appropriate methods for children that include clear, appropriate, consistent expectations; 8. Transportation procedures; 9. Field trip requirements and procedures; 10. Responsibilities and participation of parents in facility activities; 11. A general description of activities and programs; 12. A description of the liability insurance required by R9-5-308 that is carried by the licensee and a statement that documentation of the liability insurance coverage is available for review on the facility premises; 13. Medication administration procedures; 14. Accident and emergency procedures; 15. A notice stating inspection reports are available on-site; 16. A provision stating that the facility is regulated by the Arizona Department of Health Services including the Department’s local street address, city, state, zip code, and local telephone number; 17. The procedures for notifying a parent at least 48 hours before a pesticide is applied on a facility’s premises; 18. A statement that a parent has access to the areas on facility premises where the parent’s enrolled child is receiving child care services; and 19. Policies and procedures for suspension and expulsion of children to include clear, appropriate, consistent expectations, including suspension and expulsion prevention strategies.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, it was determined that the Statement of Services lacked the following requirements: Activities and Programs, and Policies and procedures for suspension and expulsion.”

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: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, there was no documentation that the fingerprint clearance card for Staff #1 (start date 9/11/2023) was verified to be valid through the DPS website before the staff member's start date.”

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: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation and a discussion with the Director, the playground chain link fencing was not 48 inches high. The chain link fence that surrounds both the Head Start and the Early Head Start playgrounds measured 42- 46 inches high along several panels of the fence. *Previously cited 8/15/2024”

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 observation, the licensed capacity of the Early Head Start room is 8 but the capacity was not posted in the room.”

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: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, a blue vinyl mat was stored on a shelf in the Head Start room’s bathroom.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, the following bathroom storage was observed in the Headstart room bathroom stored on open shelves: a bottle of disinfectant spray, rolls of toilet paper and stacks of extra diapers.”

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 observation and on a discussion with the Assistant Director, the following areas of the playground chain link fencing was not at least 48 inches high: 1) The chain link fence that faces the gate that leads to the Sheriff's Office parking lot on both the Head Start and the Early Head Start playgrounds measured only 42- 46 inches high along several panels of the fence; and 2) The fence in the Northeast corner of the Head Start playground measured only 42 inches high. The Assistant Director stated the facility's maintenance had already been notified of the issue.”