M.U.S.D.#4 - Red Mountain Ranch Kinderu

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 a review of three staff files, the Compliance Officers' observation, and staff interview, Staff #1 lacked the a staff file. Staff stated that they did not have the required documentation available.”

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 a review of documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, the statement of services available for review lacked the following information: Guidelines for positive discipline; Field trip procedures; Parental access to the premises.”

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 a review of three medications and the Compliance Officer's observation, three medication permission forms for these enrolled children lacked the following information: Child #1: Prescription number for Medication #1. Child #2 and #3: Prescription number; start and end dates.”

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 a review of three staff files, the Compliance Officers' observation, and staff interview, Staff #1 lacked documentation of a valid fingerprint clearance card. The staff file was not available for review. Staff stated that they did not have the required documentation available.”

AAC R9-5-203.F. F. A licensee shall ensure that each staff member submits to the licensee a copy of the staff member’s valid background check document: 1. Issued under A.R.S. § 46-811(A) before the starting date of employment or volunteer service; and 2. Each time a background check is issued or renewed every five years.

“Findings: Based on a review of three staff files, the Compliance Officers' observation, and staff interview, Staff #1 lacked documentation of a background check request. The staff file was not available for review. Staff stated that they did not have the required documentation available.”

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 a review of three staff files, the Compliance Officers' observation, and staff interview, Staff #1 lacked documentation of a Criminal History Affidavit. The staff file was not available for review. Staff stated that they did not have the required documentation available.”

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 child educator 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 if working with enrolled children five years old and younger, or three months of child care experience if working with school-aged children; 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 a review of three staff files, the Compliance Officers' observation, and staff interview, Staff #1 lacked documentation of qualification as a child educator. The staff file was not available for review. Staff stated that they were substituting and did not have the required documentation available.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, the resilient surface on the playground was not a minimum depth of 6 inches in these areas: There were 3" of loose sand lacking under the slides of the large climber and around the tunnel climber. There were 4" of loose sand lacking under the ladder of the large climber.”

AAC R9-5-203.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that each staff member submits to the licensee a copy of the staff member’s valid fingerprint clearance card each time the fingerprint clearance card is issued or renewed every six years.

“Findings: Based on a review of five staff files and Compliance Officer #2's observation, the fingerprint clearance card for Staff #1 expired on 10/9/24 and the new card was issued on 12/4/24.”

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 a review of facility documentation, staff interview and Compliance Officer #2's observation, the electronic attendance records for 1/14/2025 were not available for review. Staff stated that the Aspen link was not working.”

AAC R9-5-403.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that:1. Each staff member who provides child care services completes 18 or more actual hours of training every 12 months after the effective date of this Chapter or the staff member’s starting date of employment or volunteer service in at least two topics listed in this subsection: a. Child growth and development, including: i. Infant growth and development, which may include sudden infant death syndrome prevention; ii. Developmental psychology; iii. Language development; iv. Observation and child assessment; v. Developmentally-appropriate activities; vi. Child guidance and methods of discipline which may include training on the appropriate techniques to prevent a child from harm or to prevent the child from harming others; and vii. Developmentally-appropriate activity areas; b. Health and safety issues, including: i. Accident and emergency procedures, including CPR and first aid for infants and children; ii. Recognition of signs of illness and infestation; iii. Nutrition and developmentally-appropriate eating habits; iv. Child abuse detection, reporting, and prevention; v. Safety of indoor and outdoor activity areas; and vi. Sun safety policies and procedures; c. Program administration, planning, development, or management; and d. Availability of community services and resources, including those available to children with special needs; and 2. As part of the required 18 hours of training in subsection (B)(1): a. A staff member who has less than 12 months of child care experience before the staff member’s starting date, completes at least 12 hours in one or more of the topics in subsection (B)(1)(a) in the staff member’s first 12 months at the facility; b. A staff member who has 12 months or more of child care experience, completes at least 6 hours in one or more of the topics in subsection (B)(1)(a) every 12 months after the staff member’s starting date; c. A staff member who provides child care services to an infant completes at least 6 hours in subsection (B)(1)(a)(i) every 12 months after the staff member’s starting date; and d. A facility director completes at least 6 hours in subsection (B)(1)(c) every 12 months after the facility director’s starting date.

“Findings: Based on a review of five staff files and the Compliance Officers' observation, four staff files lacked documentation for 18 hours of annual training: Staff #1: 8.5 hours lacking for 10/23-10/24. Staff #2: 18 hours lacking for 8/23-8/24. Staff #3: 17 hours lacking for 3/23-3/24. Staff #4: 9.5 hours lacking for 8/23-8/24.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, the following hazards were accessible to children: Boys' Restroom: There were large areas of exposed rust along the bottom edges of two metal stall walls. Girls' Restroom: There was a strip of missing laminate exposing raw rough wood along one edge of the base cover under the sink counter. Room 1 Restroom: The toilet seat was loose and easily moveable.”

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,the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children in the Preschool Playground: There were two areas (2" x 2" and 4" x 1.5") of missing paint exposing rough cement and sharp edges on the west wall. The plastic base of the basketball hoop toy was broken, exposing an area 4" x 3" with holes, cracks and rough edges.”

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 a review of facility documentation for the medication of three enrolled children and the Compliance Officer’s observation, the written authorization form for medication #2 for Child #2 and the form for medications #3 and #4 for Child #3 were not available, and the authorization form for medication #1 for child #1 lacked the prescription number, the dosage and the administration end date.”

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, interviews with staff, and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that the licensee did not notify the department in writing within the required time frame of a change in the facility's director. The staff member named as the designated person in charge was not the person listed as the director in the facility account. Staff members stated the individual listed in the facility account as the director was not in charge of the program this year.”

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 observation, the Girls' Hallway Restroom lacked mounted paper towels. The lid of the large trash can containing food in Room 2 was broken and did not close tightly.”

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 Preschool Playground lacked the following of the required 6" of resilient surfacing: There were 3" of sand lacking under 2 of the 4 swings. There were 2" of sand lacking under the two step ladders, 3.5" lacking under the ladder and 1" lacking under the curly slide of the big climber. There were 1.5" of sand lacking under the cave climber.”