Panda Bear Learning Center

AAC R9-5-603.E. E. A licensee shall ensure that hard surfacing material such as asphalt or concrete is not installed or used under swings or climbing equipment unless used as a base for a rubber surfacing.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observation, the outdoor swing area lacked the following resilient surfacing: *2 of the required 6 inches of sand in the fall zones of the swings.”

AAC R9-5-517.A.4. A. A licensee who transports an enrolled child in a motor vehicle that the licensee owns, or acquires for use by contract, shall: 4. Maintain documentation of current motor vehicle insurance coverage inside the motor vehicle;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that school-age children were being transported to and from school when the vehicle insurance had lapsed on August 1, 2026.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, the ratio in the Preschool classroom (3-5-year-old children) was 0:5 instead of 1:5, as required for children. The lead teacher left the room. Previously cited: 6/10/2026, 6/24/2026, and 1/23/2024”

AAC R9-5-308.A. A. A licensee shall secure and maintain the following minimum insurance coverage: 1. General facility liability insurance of at least $300,000; and 2. Motor vehicle insurance coverage, required by A.R.S. Title 28, Chapter 9, Article 4, for each motor vehicle provided by a licensee to transport enrolled children.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, the Licensee lacked documentation of a current Certificate of Liability and Motor Vehicle insurance as required.”

AAC R9-5-517.A.10. A. A licensee who transports an enrolled child in a motor vehicle that the licensee owns, or acquires for use by contract, shall: 10. Ensure that the motor vehicle is: a. Maintained in a clean condition, b. In a mechanically safe condition, and c. Free from hazards; and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observation, the floor in the transportation van was dirty with a buildup of sand, cups, paper, food wrappers, debris, and pieces of paper.”

AAC R9-5-512.F.8.9. F. A licensee shall ensure that: 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 toilet room, the second toilet was loose on the floor.”

AAC R9-5-511.A.1.2.3.4.5. A. A licensee shall provide each enrolled child who naps or sleeps at the facility with a separate cot or mat or a crib that meets the requirements of R9-5-502(A)(8) and ensure that: 1. A cot, mat, or crib used by the enrolled child accommodates the enrolled child’s height and weight; 2. A staff member covers each cot, or mat with a clean sheet that is laundered when soiled, or at least once every seven days and before use by a different enrolled child; 3. A clean blanket or sheet is available for each enrolled child; 4. A rug, carpet, blanket, or towel is not used as a mat; 5. Each cot, mat, or crib is maintained in a clean and repaired condition;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s observation, in the Preschool Classroom, a school-age student was sleeping on the floor without a cot, mat, sheet, or blanket”

AAC R9-5-203.G. G. As 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 Officers' observations, the file for Staff #1 (DOH 8/19/2026) lacked documentation of the submitted DCS Registry form.”

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 School-age Classroom lacked a posted capacity.”

AAC R9-5-508.C. C. If a licensee provides food, a licensee shall prepare and serve food according to the meal pattern requirements found in Table 5.1, "Meal Pattern Requirements for Children."

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, the menu lacked 1 of the 2 components required by the meal pattern 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 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 observation, it was determined that 2 out of 8 enrolled children's Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record cards reviewed lacked the following required information: Child #2 and Child #3: Lacked an email address.”

AAC R9-5-501.B.6. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 6. For enrolled children five-years or younger, and except as provided in subsection (C), prepares, posts, and implements a dated lesson plan in each indoor activity area for each calendar week, which is maintained on facility premises for 12 months after the lesson plan date and provides opportunities for each child to: a. Gain a positive self-concept; b. Develop and practice social skills; c. Think, reason, question, and experiment; d. Acquire language skills; e. Develop physical coordination skills; f. Participate in structured large muscle physical activity; g. Develop habits that meet health, safety, and nutritional needs; h. Express creativity; i. Learn to respect cultural diversity of children and staff; j. Learn self-help skills; and k. Develop a sense of responsibility and independence;

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, the School-age Classroom lacked of a lesson plan.”

AAC R9-5-501.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Supervises each enrolled child at all times;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observations, upon arrival at the facility, the lead teacher for the Preschool Classroom (3-5-year-old-children) left the children unsupervised to answer the phone and go to the front door. Previously cited: 6/10/2026, 6/4/2026, 9/9/2025, 9/4/2025, 6/12/2024, 1/23/2024, and 9/11/2023”

AAC R9-5-305.A. A. A licensee shall not permit an enrolled child to attend a facility until the facility receives: 1. An immunization record for the enrolled child with the information required in 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7, documenting that the enrolled child has received all current, age-appropriate immunizations required under 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7: a. Provided by a healthcare provider, or b. Generated from the Arizona State Immunization Information System, which is the Department’s child immunization reporting system established in A.R.S. § 36-135; or 2. An exemption affidavit for the enrolled child provided by the enrolled child’s parent that contains a statement, signed by the enrolled child's: a. Health care provider, that the immunizations required by 9 A.A.C. 6, Article 7 would endanger the enrolled child’s health or medical condition; or b. Parent, that the enrolled child is being raised in a religion whose teachings are in opposition to immunization.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and Compliance Officer #1's observation, it was determined that Child #1 and Child #4 lacked a written immunization record.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that the roster in the Preschool classroom did not reflect the number of children present (4 children present, 5 children listed on the roster). The School-Age Classroom roster did not reflect the number of children present (9 children present, 5 children listed on the roster)”

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 Compliance Officers' observations, the following hazards were observed on the facility playground: *There was blue paint and raw, splintery wood located on the north side of the playground area. *There was a broken bicycle wheel located in the square blue sand area. * There was peeling vinyl located on the steps of the climbing equipment. *There was a long green garden hose spread throughout the area near the laundry room. *The laundry doors were open, and the water heater, laundry soap, rakes, and other equipment were accessible to enrolled children. *There was peeling paint located on the laundry door. * There was peeling stucco located on the wall near the drinking fountain. *There was a broken broom head located near the back door. *There was peeling paint and raw, splintery wood located all around the door frame of the exit door. *There was a van parked in the playground area accessible to enrolled children.”

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 and the Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, in the hall bathroom room, the staff to child ratio was 0:1 with a required of ratio 1:1. In the School-age room, the staff to child ratio was 0:5, with a required ratio of 1:5. Repeat Deficiency: 1/23/2024; 6/4/2026; 6/10/2026”

AAC R9-5-404.E. E. In addition to maintaining the required staff-to-children ratios, a licensee shall ensure that: 1. Staff members are present on facility premises to perform facility administration, food preparation, food service, and maintenance responsibilities; and 2. Facility maintenance does not depend on the work of enrolled children.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer’s and the Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the licensee lacked staff members to perform administrative duties. At the time of the inspection, there were two staff present who were necessary for ratios only.”

AAC R9-5-510.A.1. A. A staff member shall provide guidance to help children respond to difficult situations. To develop self-regulation, children should receive adult support that is individual to the child and adapts as the child develops internal controls. This process should include: 1. Forming a positive relationship with the child, which occurs when the adult spends time talking to the child, listening to the child, following the child’s lead, playing with the child, and responding to the child’s needs; 2. Base expectations on the child’s developmental level; 3. Establishing and being proactive in teaching and supporting children in learning simple rules; 4. Modifying the learning/play environment to support the child’s appropriate behavior; 5. Creating a predictable daily routine and schedule; 6. Modeling desired behavior; 7. Showing children positive alternatives; 8.Using deliberate redirection, the staff member should encourage the child to use appropriate behavior, and provide positive feedback when the child exhibits the behavior; 9. Individualized positive discipline strategies based on the individual needs of children, such as using a buddy system, individualized schedule, special break, or another applicable positive discipline strategy; and 10. If applicable, a licensee shall develop a written plan with the enrolled child's parent to provide individualized social and emotional intervention supports for the enrolled child that includes methods for understanding the enrolled child's behavior, and developing, adopting, and implementing a team-based positive behavior support plan.

“Findings: Per allegations, based on the staff statements, documentation, and the Compliance Officer's and the Compliance Officer's Supervisor's observations, Staff #1 failed to model and encourage orderly conduct and maintain personal control with enrolled children. Staff #1 stated they got mad at (Child's name) and called her a "Little shit" under their breath, and (Child's name) heard. Then Staff #1 stated they threw the water table out of the way and pushed the door onto (Child's name) and slammed (Child's name) into the wall and kept pushing for about 10 seconds, and then let go of the door.”

AAC R9-5-501.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Supervises each enrolled child at all times;

“Findings: Based on staff statements, the Compliance Officer's and the Compliance Officer's Supervisor's observations, the staff failed to supervise enrolled children at all times. In the hall bathroom, there was an enrolled child alone and unsupervised in the bathroom with the door closed. In the School-age room, there were 5 enrolled children alone and unsupervised when the staff left the classroom to open the door for parents. Staff stated they leave enrolled children unsupervised through the morning and afternoon to open the door for the parents regularly. Repeat Deficiency: 1/24/2024; 6/12/24; 6/4/26; 6/10/2026 (reference 501.C)”

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 and the Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the health, safety and welfare of an enrolled child was placed at risk of harm when Staff #1 pushed a door onto an enrolled child, slamming them into the wall in an aggressive manner. Repeat Deficiencies: 1/23/2024; 6/12/24; 6/4/26”

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 and the Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, in the Preschool room (3-7 year-old children), there was dirt, trash, and food remnants in piles on the classroom floor.”

AAC R9-5-501.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Supervises each enrolled child at all times;

“Findings: Per allegation, based on staff statements, children statements, documentation, the Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the staff failed to supervise an enrolled child at all times when Child #1 obtained a knife from the kitchen. Staff Statement: I don't know when (Child name) got the knife and went into the School-age room. (Child name) runs from the staff all the time and goes outside. At the time of the inspection, in the Pre-K room, there were 9 enrolled children alone and unsupervised.”

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: Per allegation, based on staff statements, children statements, documentation, the Compliance Officer and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the health, safety, or welfare of an enrolled children were placed at risk of harm when Child #1 obtained a knife. Staff stated Child #1 was in the front office with the Director, ran into the Pre-K room, then into the kitchen, and was rummaging for a knife in the drawers. Child #1 got hold of a knife, and went into the School-age classroom and threatened another child by putting the knife up to the child's throat and saying, "Boo Bitch. Then Child #1 returned to the Pre-K room and stabbed tables, walls, and equipment with the knife. Child #1 then went outside and buried the knife in the wood chips. Staff/Child Stated: (Child's name) went into the kitchen and got a large knife. (Child's name) was mad because I told (Child name) not to hit another child. (Child's name) went up to (Child's name) because they were staring at (Child's name). (Child's name) turns and puts the knife to (Child name) throat, saying "Boo Bitch. There were 29 discipline reports for Child #1 documenting they were being physically and verbally abusive (throwing toys, sand, hitting with brooms, slamming doors, screaming) towards staff and children. The documentation also states Child #1 runs throughout the center, outside, and kitchen.”

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 and the Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, the ratio in the Preschool classroom (3-7 year old children) was 0:9 instead of 1:9 as required for 3-year-old children.”

AAC R9-5-512.F.8.9. F. A licensee shall ensure that: 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 and Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations, in the toilet room, the 1st toilet was not in working condition. The toilet had several large pieces of duct tape wrapped around the toilet and toilet seat.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that the Licensee lacked documentation of a current violation-free fire and gas inspection report as required.”

AAC R9-5-403.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. Each staff member who provides child care services completes 24 or more clock 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 below: a. Child growth and development, including: i. Infant growth and development, including sudden infant death syndrome prevention and safe sleeping practices; ii. Brain development; iii. Basic child development, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical, as well as approaches to learning; iv. Language development; v. Observation and child assessment; vi. Developmentally-appropriate activities; vii. Child guidance and methods of positive discipline which may include techniques to promote healthy social-emotional development and reduce challenging behaviors; or viii. 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; vii. Water safety; viii. Prevention and control of infections diseases, including immunizations; ix: Prevention and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock; x. Building and physical premises safety, including identification of and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injury such as electrical hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic; xi. Emergency preparedness, response, and recovery planning for emergencies resulting from a natural disaster or a human-caused event; xii. Administration of medication, consistent with standards for parental or guardian consent; xiii. Handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of biocontaminants; xiii. Handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of biocontaminants; xiiii. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome, pediatric abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment; or xv. Physical restraint techniques. c. Program administration, planning, development, or management; and d. Availability of community services and resources, including those available to children with a special health care need or a disability; and 2. As part of the required 24 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 six hours in subsection (B)(1)(c) every 12 months after the facility director’s starting date. e. A child educator for school-aged children shall complete six of the 24 hours of training within the first three months of hire.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that 2 out of 4 staff files reviewed lacked the required training documentation: Staff #1: An additional 11 hours of annual training for the time period of 5/20/2024-5/30/2025. Staff #2: An additional 5 hours of annual training for the time period of 6/24/2024 - 6/24/2025..”

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 Officer’s observations, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: Preschool Classroom: *There was exposed plaster near the exit door frame located on the East wall. Toilet Room Hall: *There was exposed plaster in a three-inch hole located on the South wall across from the toilet room. School-age Classroom: There was a broken door hanging from one hinge located on the large storage shelf near the kitchen. hanging”

AAC R9-5-509.B. B. If a licensee contracts with a food establishment to prepare and deliver food to the facility, the licensee shall obtain and provide the Department with a copy of the food establishment’s permit, issued under 9 A.A.C. 8, Article 1, at the following times: 1. Before the Department issues a license to the facility, 2. Upon contracting with the food establishment, and 3. Every 12 months after the date the contract is entered into while the contract is in effect

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that the Licensee lacked documentation of a current Sanitation inspection report as required.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that Staff #1 (Date of employment-5/3/2023) had a lapse in her fingerprint card. Finger print card expired on 1/10/2025, and a new card was issued on 1/21/2025.”

AAC R9-5-306.A. A. A licensee shall: 1. Maintain a dated attendance form containing an enrolled child’s name with the time of each admission and release, and the parent or staff member's signature or other unique identifier. 2. If an electronic signature is used to admit or release the enrolled child, 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; 3. 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. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. Maintain the attendance form on facility premises for 12 months after the date of attendance.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that 3 out of 7 enrolled children's attendance forms lacked the following information: Child #1: A release signature and time for 9/3/2025.. Child #2: An admission signature on 9/2/2025 and 9/3/2025. Child #3: A release signature and time for 9/3/0225.”

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 Officer’s observations, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: Preschool Classroom: *There was a 3/4 inch screw protruding from the West wall just above the blue chair in the reading corner. School-Age Classroom: *There peeling paint located on the mantel of the the fireplace.”

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 Officers' observations, in the outdoor activity area, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: *There was peeling paint with exposed rust on a red metal fire truck.”

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 outdoor activity area lacked the following resilient surfacing: *6 of the required 6 inches of sand/woodchips in the fall zones of two red slides located on the large climber”

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’s observation, it was determined that 4 out of 20 enrolled children's attendance forms lacked the following information: Child #1: A release signature and time for 9/5/204. Child #2: An admission signature and time for 9/4/2024. Child #3: A release signature and time for riding the bus to school on 9/6/2024. Child #4: A release signature and time for 9/4/2024.”

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 director's statement, documentation, and the Compliance Officer’s observation, the health, safety, and welfare of enrolled children were placed at risk of harm. In the corner of the playground, a child was daring 3 other children to pull their pants down and one child did pulled down the child's pants.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.1. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Supervises each enrolled child at all times;

“Findings: Per the allegation, based on staff statements, the staff did not supervise enrolled children at all times. Staff stated, that in the corner of the playground, there was a child who had their pants pulled down by another child.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that the roster in the School-age classroom did not reflect the number of children present (7 children present, 4 children listed on the roster).”

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 staff statements, and facility documentation, the health, safety, and welfare of enrolled children was placed at risk of harm. In the 3/4-year-old classroom, at 8:33am, Child #1 had unsupervised access to hot water resulting in a burn to the right index finger. (water tested at 124.8 degrees on the day of the investigation). During outside play time, the staff put ice and a band aid on the child's finger because the lower section of the finger had a blister that popped from where the child received the burn. The staff members did not evaluate the child's finger after 9:30am. During the day, the upper portion of the finger also developed a large blister and the entire finger was red and swollen. Medical attention was sought after the parent picked up the child from the facility. The child was diagnosed with a partial thickness burn. Staff stated: *The child knew better and was not supposed to touch the button. Documentation stated: **Hot water burn on right hand finger. **The child was getting a drink of water, when the staff turned their back the child stood on a chair and unlocked the hot water. **The child knows not to touch the red button. The staff asked the child why they did it and they just starred at the staff member. **Checked the child's finger and applied an ice pack. **Staff asked the child again why did they touch the button and the child responded they didn't know.”

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, upon arrival to the facility, the ratio in the 3/4-year-old Classroom was 0:7 instead of 1:7 as required for 3-year-old children.”

AAC R9-5-301.G. G. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member who has current training in first aid and CPR, as required by R9-5-403(E), is present: 1. At all times during hours of operation on facility premises, 2. On field trips, and 3. While transporting enrolled children in a facility’s motor vehicle or a vehicle designated by the licensee to transport enrolled children.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers’ observations, Staff #2 transported children in the facility's motor vehicle and lacked documentation of current first aid and CPR. In addition, the facility lacked a staff member who had current first aid and CPR at all times during the facility's hours of operation.”

AAC R9-5-301.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that a facility director: 1. Designates, in writing, an individual who meets the requirements of R9-5-401(2) to act on behalf of the facility director when the facility director is not present in the facility; 2. Supervises or assigns a teacher-caregiver to supervise each staff member who does not meet the qualifications of R9-5-401(3); 3. Prepares a dated attendance record for each day and ensures that each staff member documents on the attendance record the time of each arrival and departure of the staff member; and 4. Maintains on the facility premises, the dated attendance record required in subsection (B)(3) for 12 months after the date on the attendance record.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officers' observations, it was determined that Staff #3 worked in the capacity of a director designee. Staff #3's file lacked qualifications of a director designee.”

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 #1's observation, it was determined that Staff #3 lacked proof of the submittal of the DCS documentation.”

AAC R9-5-514. F.1. F. If while attending a facility an enrolled child has an accident, injury, or emergency that, based on an evaluation by a staff member, requires medical treatment by a health care provider, a licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Notifies the enrolled child's parent immediately after the accident, injury, or emergency;

“Findings: Per allegation, based on facility documentation, and staff statements, on 01/19/2024, Child #1 received an injury requiring medical attention. Staff #1 did not notify the child's parent until the parent picked up the child from the facility. The incident resulted in a burn that occurred at 8:33am. Staff stated: *At the time of the injury the child's finger only looked red. *During outside play time, the child was sitting at the picnic table because their finger hurt. Staff got the child an ice pack and a band aid.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.1. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Supervises each enrolled child at all times;

“Findings: Per allegation, based on facility documentation and staff statements, in the 3/4's classroom, Staff #1 gave Child #1 permission to get a drink of water but did not supervise the child at the water cooler. While the child was at the water cooler unsupervised, the child dispensed hot water. The child received a partial thickness burn on the right index finger. Staff stated: *When they turned their back, the child stood on a chair and unlocked the hot water. Documentation stated: **The child was getting a drink of water, when the staff member turned their back, the child stood on a chair and unlocked the hot water.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.1. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Supervises each enrolled child at all times;

“Findings: Per allegation and based on the Compliance Officers' observations, upon arrival to the facility, there were 7 children in the 3/4-year-old classroom, that were sleeping alone and unsupervised while the staff member was assisting an individual in the director's office.”