Maricopa County Human Services - Hughes Head Start

AAC R9-5-603.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that the following is provided and maintained within the fall zones of swings and climbing equipment in an outdoor activity area: 1. A shock-absorbing unitary surfacing material manufactured for such use in outdoor activity areas; or 2. A minimum depth of 6 inches of a non-hazardous, resilient material such as fine loose sand or wood chips.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, there were 4" of loose sand (of the required 6") lacking in the fall zones of the large climber, the geo-dome climber and the swings on the Playground.”

AAC R9-5-509.A. A. A licensee that prepares food for enrolled children on facility premises shall, if required by 9 A.A.C. 8, Article 1, andthe local ordinances of the local health department where the facility is located, obtain a food establishment permit issued under 9 A.A.C. 8, Article 1, and: 1. Provide the Department with a copy of the facility’s food establishment permit before the Department issues a license to the facility, 2. Maintain the facility’s current food establishment permit on the facility’s premises, and 3 Provide a copy of the facility’s current food establishment permit to the Department upon request.

“Findings: Based on a review of facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, the sanitation report available for review was not current (expired on 11/30/24).”

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 a review of three staff files and the Compliance Officer's observation, the file for Staff #1 lacked documentation of contact with DPS to determine the fingerprint clearance card was valid at the time of employment.”

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, there was a large plastic toy box accessible to children on the playground that was broken and falling apart and the hinges were torn exposing sharp edges.”

AAC R9-5-603.E. E. A licensee shall ensure that the following is provided and maintained within the fall zones of swings and climbing equipment in an outdoor activity area:1. A shock-absorbing unitary surfacing material manufactured for such use in outdoor activity areas; or 2. A minimum depth of 6 inches of a non-hazardous, resilient material such as fine loose sand or wood chips.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the playground lacked the required 6" of resilient material in the following areas: There were 3" of loose sand lacking under the curved slide and the step ladder of the large climber. There were 2" of loose sand lacking under two (of four) swings. There were 2"-4" of loose sand lacking around the outside of the geo-climber.”

AAC R9-5-208.B. B. At least 30 calendar days before the date of an intended change in a facility’s service classification, space utilization, or licensed capacity, a licensee shall submit a written request for approval of the intended change to the Department that includes:1. The licensee’s name; 2. The facility’s name, street address, city, state, zip code, mailing address, and telephone number; 3. The name, telephone number, and fax number of a point of contact for the request; 4. The facility’s license number; 5. The type of change intended: a. Service classification, b. Space utilization, or c. Licensed capacity; 6. A narrative description of the intended change; and 7. The following additional information, as applicable: a. If the intended change affects individual rooms, the following information about each affected activity area, as applicable: i. Identification of the activity area, ii. Current and intended square footage, iii. Current and intended operating hours, iv. Current and intended service classification, v. Current and intended licensed capacity, and vi. Whether the activity area has or will have a diaper changing area; b. If the intended change is to increase licensed capacity, the square footage of the outdoor activity area; and c. If the intended change includes an alteration or addition to the physical plant of a licensed facility, the following, as applicable: i. If the facility is not located in a public school or if providing child care services to infants, one-year-old children, or two-year-old children in a facility located in a public school, the information required in R9-5-201(A)(5)(g) and (A)(5)(h) showing the intended change; or ii. If the facility is located in a public school and provides child care only for three-year-old, four-year-old, or five-year-old, or school-age children, a set of final construction drawings or a school map, including the information required in R9-5-201(5)(j) showing the intended change.

“Findings: Based on a review of facility documentation, Department documentation, staff statements and the Compliance Officers' observation, the licensee did not submit an application indicating a change in space utilization. The classrooms in use at the time of the inspection were #21 and #22, and the rooms licensed for use are #25 and #26. Staff stated that Room 22 has been used since the beginning of the school year; Room #21 just opened this January.”

AAC R9-5-603.E. E. A licensee shall ensure that the following is provided and maintained within the fall zones of swings and climbing equipment in an outdoor activity area:1. A shock-absorbing unitary surfacing material manufactured for such use in outdoor activity areas; or 2. A minimum depth of 6 inches of a non-hazardous, resilient material such as fine loose sand or wood chips.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers’ observation, there were 2" of loose sand (of the required 6") lacking under the step ladder, and 1" of loose sand lacking under the geodome climber.”

AAC R9-5-512.C. C. A licensee shall ensure that floor coverings are:1. Clean; and 2. Free from: a. Dampness, b. Odors, and c. Hazards.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers’ observations, the floor tile grout was cracked at the base of the wall exposing a gap in the Girls' Restroom.”

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, there was one 2" rusty metal bolt accessible to children on the base of one toilet (of six) in the Girls' Restroom.”

AAC R9-5-306.A. A. A licensee shall maintain a dated attendance form containing an enrolled child’s name with the time of each admission and release of the enrolled child. 1. Except as provided in subsection (A)(2), a licensee shall ensure that the attendance form is signed with at least a first initial of an individual’s first name and the individual’s last name by each enrolled child’s parent or individual designated by the enrolled child’s parent, each time the enrolled child is admitted or released. 2. An electronic fingerprint verification or an electronic signature may be used in place of a signature of the enrolled child’s parent or designated individual to admit or release the enrolled child. 3. If an electronic signature is used to admit or release the enrolled child, the licensee shall adopt policies and procedures to ensure that the individual whose signature the electronic or digital method of identification represents is accountable for the use of the electronic or digital method; 4. A licensee shall develop, document, and implement policies and procedures to ensure that the identity of an individual is known to the staff member or is verified with picture identification before releasing an enrolled child to the individual. 5. A licensee shall not release the enrolled child to an individual other than the enrolled child’s parent or other individual designated in writing by the enrolled child’s parent except when the enrolled child’s parent is unable to collect the enrolled child and authorizes the licensee by telephone to release the enrolled child to an individual not so designated. a. The licensee shall verify the telephone authorization using a means of verification that has been agreed upon between the licensee and the enrolled child’s parent at the time of enrollment. b. The licensee shall document the means of verification in subsection (A)(5)(a) on the enrolled child’s Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card. 6. A licensee shall not permit the self-admission or self-release of an enrolled child unless the enrolled child is of school age and the licensee has obtained and verified written permission from the enrolled child’s parent. 7. A licensee shall maintain the attendance form on facility premises for 12 months after the date of attendance.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer #2’s observation, it was determined that 4 out of 20 enrolled children's attendance forms lacked the following: Child #1: Release signatures for 1/16/24, 1/17/24, 1/18/24, 1/22/24, 1/25/24 and 1/26/24; Admission signatures for 1/17/24, and 1/8/24. Child #2: Admission signatures for 1/3/24, 1/5/24, 1/16/24, 1/17/24, 1/18/24, 1/24/24, 1/25/24, 1/26/24 and 1/29/24; Release signatures for 1/16/24, 1/17/24, 1/18/24, and 1/26/24. Child #3: Admission signatures for 1/3/24, 1/5/24, 1/8/24, 1/9/24, 1/10/24, 1/11/24, 1/12/24, 1/16/24, 1/17/24, 1/18/24, 1/22/24, 1/25/24, 1/26/24 and 1/29/24; Release signatures for 1/3/24, 1/5/24, 1/24/24, 1/25/24 and 1/26/24. Child #4: Admission and release signatures for 1/8/24, 1/9/24, 1/10/24, 1/11/24, 1/12/24, 1/16/24, 1/17/24, 1/22/24, 1/25/24, 1/26/24 and 1/29/24.”