Pathfinder Early Learning Center

470 IAC 3-4.7-66(6) The specific guidelines of the most current, Handbook for Public Playground Safety, as published by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207, shall be used to determine compliance with the following safety rules: The center shall install a shock absorbing surface with required depth for the critical height of the equipment and covering the appropriate fall zone area under and around all playground equipment

“Large playground equipment does not have a shock absorbing surface with required depth for the critical height of the equipment installed”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 9, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-67 The center shall use the reference table located in the Handbook for Public Playground Safety published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the manufacturers guidelines to determine the depth of loose fill materials that will provide the necessary safety for equipment of various heights

“Climbing equipment placed on concrete surface without appropriate depth of loose fill.”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 9, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-66(7) The specific guidelines of the most current, Handbook for Public Playground Safety, as published by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207, shall be used to determine compliance with the following safety rules: The fall zones of adjacent equipment, two (2) feet or higher, shall not overlap

“Large playground contains fall zones around equipment 2 feet or higher that overlap”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 9, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-66(17) The specific guidelines of the most current, Handbook for Public Playground Safety, as published by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207, shall be used to determine compliance with the following safety rules: Balance beams shall be less than twelve (12) inches high

“Equipment on playground (without a place for a child to hold onto while using/crossing the span from platform to platform) is more than 12 inches off the ground”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 9, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-66(12) The specific guidelines of the most current, Handbook for Public Playground Safety, as published by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207, shall be used to determine compliance with the following safety rules: Equipment components shall not form openings that could entrap a childs head

“Large Playground contains equipment components that contain openings that could entrap a child's head”

Correction date in the state record: Oct 9, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-55(e)(3)(a) Caregivers shall not: physically restrain children except: when it is necessary to ensure their own safety or that of others

“The program self-reported that on 06/09/2026, staff were observed wrapping children in a manner that restricted their movement, which constitutes a form of physical restraint. The program additionally reported that staff applied force while a child was on their cot, causing the child observable distress. Staff present in the room stated that the restraint continued for approximately 10 minutes.”

470 IAC 3-4.7-53(c)(4) The center shall assure that a cover is provided as follows for each child: Childrens faces and heads shall be free from covering

“On 06/09/2026, staff who observed interactions with the accused staff member reported that the child’s head was completely covered during rest time, and that when the child eventually fell asleep, the staff member removed the covering from the child’s head. This practice further reflects unsafe and inappropriate nap-time practices.”

470 IAC 3-4.7-55(a)(2) Any person, while on child care center premises, shall not engage in or direct any of the following actions toward children: Hit, spank, beat, shake, pinch, or any other measure that produces physical discomfort

“Regarding the incident on 05/12/2026, based on the DCS substantiation and the nature of the injury, the program is cited for failing to ensure staff only use safe, appropriate, and non-harmful discipline and physical interactions with children in care. A citation is aslo issued for inappropriate discipline based on the incident reported on 06/09/2026, in which multiple staff were observed handling children in a manner inconsistent with safe, developmentally appropriate practices. Staff were reported to have pulled children by the arms in an aggressive manner, lifted a child by the back of their shirt, and engaged in overly forceful jostling motions when interacting with children. These actions do not align with required standards for safe physical handling and appropriate guidance. Staff actions, as described in the investigation, do not meet required health and safety standards and constitute inappropriate discipline.”

470 IAC 3-4.7-41(a)(3) Records, kept at the child care center, shall document the following for all current staff, substitutes, and volunteers: A statewide limited criminal history check completed by the Indiana state police

“The provider does not have the documentation of a criminal history check for the following caregivers: R.M, J.S. & J.H.”

Validated complaint

470 IAC 3-4.7-100(e) The center must store cleaning equipment, cleaning agents, aerosol cans, and any other item that states keep out of the reach of children in a place that is inaccessible to children

“Unlocked areas accessible to children with chemicals and other hazards accessible to children. Spray paint (school age classroom), laundry soap (laundry areas)”

470 IAC 3-4.7-99(a) The administrator or director is responsible for keeping the building, premises, and equipment in safe repair and structurally sound

“Multiple rooms with damaged baseboards and flooring components (water damage, unsealed edges, missing baseboard pieces). Broken concrete (door jam) at door 7 creating tripping hazard and sharp point. Broken window knob (Creators) creating exposed sharp metal edges.”

410 IAC 7-24 Current BCC approved food service training for at least one staff member responsible for the operation of the kitchen. A person with BCC approved food service training will be present whenever meals or snacks are served.

“Program is operating and serving food without someone on site with current food handler certificate. Only staff member with certification not present in program at time of inspection.”

470 IAC 3-4.7-99(i)(2) Staff shall take the following steps to maintain the child care center: Keep the child care center in a sanitary condition at all times

“General sanitation issues in most rooms -- particularly high traffic/"splash zones" around sinks, trash cans, art areas, baseboards with visible staining/debris/dried liquids. Vents in multiple restrooms coated/covered in layer of visible dust. Ripped diaper changing pads in multiple classrooms, rocking chair cushions visibly stained.”

Validated complaint

470 IAC 3-4.7-141 Infant/Toddler Sleeping

“Eleven (11) month old male asleep on a cot. Safe Sleep recommended practices require all infants under twelve (12) months to sleep in a crib.”

470 IAC 3-4.7-53(f) After thirty (30) minutes, caregivers shall provide supervised alternate activities for nonsleeping children

“During discussion with the Creator classroom, the staff explained that children are not offered a non-sleeping activity after 30 minutes”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 6, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-100(f) The center must store hazardous articles, sharp scissors, knives, latches, lighters, flammable liquids, power tools, cleaning supplies, and any other items that might be harmful to children in a place inaccessible to children

“Swifter mop with cleaning solution was stored within the reach of children in several classrooms. Discoverers room had a first aid kit within reach. The explorers room has cleaning solutuion within reach. The Bunny room had aquafor within reach. The Buttlerfly room had aquafor on the bathroom floor. The unlocked staff room had laundry detergent within reach of children. The hallway laundry area had laundry detergent within reach of children.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 7, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-48(a) Child/staff ratios shall be maintained during all hours of operation

“The teacher in the school age classroom, did not have a qualified background check, so she does not meet the caregiver requirements and can not count in the classroom ratio.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 6, 2026

IC 12-17.2-4-3(e)(1) Subject to section 3.3 of this chapter, the applicant must, at no expense to the state, do the following: Require an employee or volunteer of the applicant who may be present on the premises of the child care center during operating hours of the child care center to submit fingerprints for a national criminal history background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“One present staff member who was alone with the school agers has not submitted a consent form. Consent forms and fingerprints must be submitted and cleared before being with children in ratio.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 6, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-128(f) All electrical cords shall be inaccessible to children

“In the Catepillar room, there was a child on a cot under the teachers counter area. He was playing with an electrical cord.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 6, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-113(n) All items in the restroom must be sanitizable

“A plunger with a wooden handle was in the Discover bathroom. Bunny classroom had open diapers and toys stored in the bathroom. Butterfly room had open diapers. Bee room had sand and open diapers. The Wigglers room had plastic bibs and toy barns stored in the bathroom. All items must be sanitizable or in sanitizable container that prevents contamination.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 8, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-141 Infant/Toddler Sleeping

“Eleven (11) month old male asleep on a cot. Safe Sleep recommended practices require all infants under twelve (12) months to sleep in a crib.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 1, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-141 Infant/Toddler Sleeping

“Eleven (11) month old male asleep on a cot. Safe Sleep recommended practices require all infants under twelve (12) months to sleep in a crib.”

470 IAC 3-4.7-53(f) After thirty (30) minutes, caregivers shall provide supervised alternate activities for nonsleeping children

“During discussion with the Creator classroom, the staff explained that children are not offered a non-sleeping activity after 30 minutes”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 6, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-100(f) The center must store hazardous articles, sharp scissors, knives, latches, lighters, flammable liquids, power tools, cleaning supplies, and any other items that might be harmful to children in a place inaccessible to children

“Swifter mop with cleaning solution was stored within the reach of children in several classrooms. Discoverers room had a first aid kit within reach. The explorers room has cleaning solutuion within reach. The Bunny room had aquafor within reach. The Buttlerfly room had aquafor on the bathroom floor. The unlocked staff room had laundry detergent within reach of children. The hallway laundry area had laundry detergent within reach of children.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 7, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-48(a) Child/staff ratios shall be maintained during all hours of operation

“The teacher in the school age classroom, did not have a qualified background check, so she does not meet the caregiver requirements and can not count in the classroom ratio.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 6, 2026

IC 12-17.2-4-3(e)(1) Subject to section 3.3 of this chapter, the applicant must, at no expense to the state, do the following: Require an employee or volunteer of the applicant who may be present on the premises of the child care center during operating hours of the child care center to submit fingerprints for a national criminal history background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“One present staff member who was alone with the school agers has not submitted a consent form. Consent forms and fingerprints must be submitted and cleared before being with children in ratio.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 6, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-128(f) All electrical cords shall be inaccessible to children

“In the Catepillar room, there was a child on a cot under the teachers counter area. He was playing with an electrical cord.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 6, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-113(n) All items in the restroom must be sanitizable

“A plunger with a wooden handle was in the Discover bathroom. Bunny classroom had open diapers and toys stored in the bathroom. Butterfly room had open diapers. Bee room had sand and open diapers. The Wigglers room had plastic bibs and toy barns stored in the bathroom. All items must be sanitizable or in sanitizable container that prevents contamination.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 8, 2026

470 IAC 3-4.7-141 Infant/Toddler Sleeping

“Eleven (11) month old male asleep on a cot. Safe Sleep recommended practices require all infants under twelve (12) months to sleep in a crib.”

Correction date in the state record: Apr 1, 2026