Palm Valley Montessori L L C

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, the statement of services lacked the following information: 1.Child disenrollment procedures, and 2.Policies and procedures for suspension and expulsion.”

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, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: Room 2A toilet room: The top of the paper towel dispenser was taped to the wall, and was not secured. Room 2A: There were cracks in the caulking behind the sink, and the sink was not secured to the wall.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.6. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 6. Except for a room used only for an enrolled school-age child, each unused electrical outlet is covered with a safety plug cover or insert;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, in Room C (2/3s), there were 2 uncovered outlets (one on each side of the closet).”

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 Officers' observations, the front Playground lacked: *2” of the required 6” of wood chips in the fall zones of the rock wall; and *4” of the required 6” of wood chips in the fall zones of the double slides, and the wood chips were compacted/hard-packed.”

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 the Compliance Officers' observations, on the playground, the staff to child ratio was 2:27 when the COs arrived, with three-year-old children present and a required ratio of 3:27. Later during the inspection, the staff to child ratio on the playground was 3:32 with two-year-old children present, and a required ratio of 4:32. *** Previously cited 5/16/2025, 6/19/2025 and 9/15/2025.”

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 an Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record that is no more than a two-page written notice, and is signed by the enrolled child’s parent containing: 1. The child’s name, home address, sex, and date of birth; 2. The date of the child’s enrollment; 3. The name, home address, email address, and 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 the nutritional and dietary needs of the child including, if applicable, the request in R9-5-509(C)(14); 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, it was determined that 4 out of 12 enrolled children's Emergency Information and Immunization Records reviewed lacked the following required information: Child #1: Medical information. Child #2: The name of the person to contact in case of sudden injury/illness. Child #3: The last name of the second parent, and the health care provider name and phone number. Child #4: The second parent's address, and the name of the person to contact in case of sudden injury/illness.”

AAC R9-5-601.4. A licensee shall comply with the following physical plant requirements, as applicable: 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 the Compliance Officers' observations and on a review of the Child's emergency information card, there was a two-year-old present in Room C who was wearing a pull-up. The room is not approved for diapering. ***Previously cited 9/15/25.”

AAC R9-5-512.F.7. F. A licensee shall ensure that: 7. Toys, materials, and equipment are maintained in a clean condition;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, in Room 2A toilet room, there were various open bins of uncovered items, including clothing, classroom supplies, paper and cleaning supplies stored on the floor of the shower and these items were accessible to children.”

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 Officers' observations, in Room 1A (Primary) toilet room, there was discolored baseboard with black smears on 2 sides of the toilet room.”

AAC R9-5-601.4. A licensee shall comply with the following physical plant requirements, as applicable: 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 the Compliance Officer's observation and on a discussion with staff, a child who was in a pull up was observed in Toddler room A, a non diapering room. The staff acknowledged the child was in a pull up and stated the child was not fully toilet trained.”

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, if the intended change: a. 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. Is to increase licensed capacity, the square footage of the outdoor activity area; and c. Includes an alteration or addition to the physical plant of a licensed facility, the following, as applicable, if the facility is: i. 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. 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 the Compliance Officer's observation and on a discussion with staff, a one-year-old child was observed in the Toddler A room (a 2-3 year old room). The staff and the Director acknowledged the child was 1 year old. The facility is not licensed for 1-year-old children. The licensee did not submit a modification application to request to add 1-year-old children at least 30 days prior to the change.”

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

“Per allegation Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation and on a discussion with staff, a ratio of 1:13 (youngest was 2 year old) was observed in room 1B. Staff stated a two year old was in the room. A ratio of 1:17 was observed in room 1A, the youngest children in the room were 4 years old). The second staff was observed re-entering the room. *Previously cited 5/16/25 and 6/19/25.”

AAC R9-5-602.A. A. A licensee shall ensure that the facility meets the following square footage requirements for indoor activity areas based on the child care services classifications: 1. At least 35 square feet of indoor activity space for each infant and 1-year-old child; 2. At least 25 square feet of indoor activity space for each child who is not an infant or 1-year-old child; and 3. When 1-year-old children are grouped together with children older than 1-year-old children in the same activity area, at least 35 square feet of indoor activity space for each child.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation and on a discussion with staff, 5 children were observed in Toddler Room A. The staff acknowledged one of the children was only one years old, and the room's capacity at the 1 year old calculation is 4 children. The room was over capacity due to the one-year-old child being present.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.8. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 8. Heating and cooling equipment is inaccessible to an enrolled child;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the AC unit that is located on the ground in the back playground area was accessible to children. *Previously cited on 5/16/25.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that:1. In addition to complying with the requirements in this Chapter, the health, safety, or welfare of an enrolled child is not placed at risk of harm;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of the Notice of Insurance Cancellation, the Current Certificate of Insurance, and on a discussion with the Licensee, the Notice of Insurance Cancellation for the previous Insurance Policy stated the policy was canceled on 2/22/24, due to non-payment. The Licensee acknowledged the insurance had lapsed and had stated that they had been made aware of the insurance lapse when DES informed them that their DES payment was being held due to a lack of the required insurance coverage. The current Certificate of Insurance was not effective until 6/19/25. The health, safety and welfare of enrolled children were placed at risk of harm when the licensee lacked insurance coverage for a 16-month period of time.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation and on a discussion with staff, 2 children were present in Room 1B, but the staff acknowledged they did not have a roster listing the names of the children who were present. Thirteen children were present in Room 1A, but the roster listed the names of 16 children as present. *Previously cited on 5/16/25.”

AAC R9-5-308.B. B. A licensee shall maintain documentation of the insurance coverage required in subsection (A) on facility premises.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's review of the Certificate of Insurance, the Notice of Insurance Cancellation and on a discussion with the Licensee and the Insurance Agent, it was determined the Licensee failed to maintain the required insurance. The Notice of Cancellation for the previous Insurance Policy stated the policy was canceled on 2/22/24, for non-payment. The current Certificate of Insurance was not effective until 6/19/25. The licensee lacked insurance for a 16 month period of time.”

AAC R9-5-603.H. H. A licensee shall provide a shaded area for each enrolled child occupying an outdoor activity area at any time of day.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the front outdoor activity area (19287 square feet) lacked shade. *Previously cited on 5/16/25 and 8/16/22.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation and a discussion with staff, a ratio of 0 to 2 was observed in the 1B room, the youngest children in the room are 4 years old. The staff stated she stepped out of the room to answer the phone. *Previously cited on 5/16/25.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, a ratio of 1:23 (the youngest children in the group were 3 years old) in the 1B room. The second staff was observed in the front office area.”

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 observations, the wood chips measured 1 of the required 6 inches in the fall zone under the swings in the front outdoor activity area.”

AAC R9-5-603.H. H. A licensee shall provide a shaded area for each enrolled child occupying an outdoor activity area at any time of day.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation and on a discussion with the Director, the front outdoor activity area playground lacked shade. The Director stated that the shade sail was damaged in a windstorm and the structure had been removed.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.8. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 8. Heating and cooling equipment is inaccessible to an enrolled child;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, the AC unit that is located on the ground in the Back playground area was accessible to children.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.4. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:4. Except as provided in subsection (D), prepares and posts in each indoor activity area, a current schedule of children’s age-appropriate activities, including the times the following are provided: a. Meals and snacks; b. Naps; c. Indoor activities; d. Outdoor or large muscle development activities; e. Quiet and active activities; f. Teacher-directed activities; g. Self-directed activities; h. Activities for individuals, groups of five or fewer children, and groups of six or more children; and i. Activities that develop small muscles;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, Rooms 1A, 1B, 2A and 2C lacked a posted activity schedule.”

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 review of the City of Goodyear fire inspection, the fire inspection expired on 12.22.24.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's review of 4 staff files, Staff #1 (owner/director) lacked a valid fingerprint clearance card.”

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 review of 4 staff files, the files for Staff #1, Staff #2, Staff #3 lacked documentation of the 10 day training.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's review of 4 staff files, the file for Staff #3 lacked documentation of 18 hours annual training.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that:1. In addition to complying with the requirements in this Chapter, the health, safety, or welfare of an enrolled child is not placed at risk of harm;

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's review of 4 staff files, Staff #1(owner/director) worked with enrolled children on the facility premises with an invalid fingerprint clearance card.”

AAC R9-5-512.A. A. A licensee shall maintain facility premises free of insects and vermin.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, there was an infestation of black ants on the North wall in the outdoor activity area.”

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, in the outdoor activity, there was bird feces on multiple areas of the fence and sidewalk.”

ARS § 36-883.02.F. F. A child care facility shall not allow a person to be employed or volunteer in the facility in any capacity if the person has been denied a fingerprint clearance card pursuant to section 41-1758.07 or has not received an interim approval from the board of fingerprinting pursuant to section 41-619.55, subsection I.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's review of 4 staff files, Staff #1 (owner/director) was allowed to work on the facility premises with an invalid fingerprint clearance card.”

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 found in the outdoor activity area: *On the North wall, there was a large pole that was very loose and not secured to the wall, lifting up from the ground. *The 2 wooden houses had dried and splintery wood around the frames and base of the door entrance. *On the first wooden climb structure, there was a loose wooden slate that was cracked and wrapped in black tape exposing a screw. *On the second wooden climb the structure was wobbly to the touch. The first board to the slide entrance was very loose to the touch. *In the outdoor classroom, on the West wall, on the gray picnic table seat there was a large crack exposing sharp edges. *On the West door, the second door pane had flaking paint and a screw protruding outward 1 1/2 inches.”