Phoenix Children's Academy Private Preschool

AAC R9-5-605.B.1. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. All designated exits, corridors, and passageways that provide escape from the building are unobstructed and unlocked during hours of operation;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the South and East exit gates in the outdoor activity areas were locked during hours of operation.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observations and facility documentation, the medication authorization form for Child #1’s medication lacked the reason for the medication.”

AAC R9-5-513.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member: 1. Keeps all pet and animal habitats clean; 2. Prohibits reptiles, such as turtles, iguanas, snakes, and lizards, in the facility; 3. Prohibits birds in food preparation and eating areas; 4. Keeps pets and animals clean; 5. Prohibits pets and animals from endangering an enrolled child, staff member, or other individual on facility premises; and 6. Keeps birds and animals such as horses, sheep, cattle, and poultry in an enclosure that is not accessible to an enrolled child except as part of an activity.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the bunny cage in the Preschool A room was not maintained in a clean condition. There was an excessive amount of feces in the bunny cage, easily accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-512.F.1. 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;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the toilet tissue in the Preschool A, Preschool B, and 2B restrooms were placed on top of the toilet tissue mount and on top of the toilet tank lid.”

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 Officer's observations, the following restrooms were not maintained in a clean condition: *Preschool A and B: There was a brown buildup on the caulking at the base of the toilets. *Preschool A: There was an unflushed toilet.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains: 1. A nonabsorbent, sanitizable diaper changing surface that is: a. Seamless and smooth, and b. Kept clear of items not required for diaper changing;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the following diaper changing areas were not maintained in a sanitizable condition: *Toddler A, Toddler B, Infant B, and Infant A: The diapering surface lacked sealant, making it non-sanitizable. Previously Cited on 5/12/25”

AAC R9-5-501.A.18. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 18. Except as provided in subsection (A)(20), the following are stored separate from food storage areas and are inaccessible to an enrolled child: a. All materials and chemicals labeled as a toxic or flammable substance; b. All substances that have a child warning label and may be a hazard to a child; and c. Lawn mowers, ladders, toilet brushes, plungers, and other facility equipment that may be a hazard to a child;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, in the Preschool A, School-Age, 2B, and 2A restrooms, there were plungers accessible to enrolled children.”

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, in the 2A room, the water fountain had a panel on the left side that was unattached with a sharp edge accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-516.B.4. B. If prescription or nonprescription medications are administered, a licensee shall ensure that: 4. A staff member: a. Administers a prescription medication provided by a parent only from a container dispensed by a pharmacy; b. Administers a nonprescription medication provided by a parent for an enrolled child only from a container prepackaged and labeled for use by the manufacturer and labeled with the enrolled child’s name; c. Does not administer any medication that has been transferred from one container to another; and d. Does not administer a nonprescription medication to an enrolled child inconsistent with the instructions on the nonprescription medication’s label, unless the facility receives written authorization from the enrolled child’s health care provider.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations and facility documentation, the medication for Child #1 lacked authorization from a medical provider to administer the non-prescription medication. Additionally, the prescription label for Child #2's medication listed a required quantity of 6, and only 1 was available.”

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, there was a lack of supervision when an enrolled child was in the Pre-K restroom with the lights off, and staff were unaware of the child's location. The Compliance Officers observed that the roster count did not match the number of children present. One staff member walked around the classroom multiple times, unable to locate the child, and the second staff member did not assist with locating the missing child. The Compliance Officer then conducted a roll call for the present children using the current roster. When the name of the missing child was called, the child was heard in the bathroom.”

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 facility documentation and staff statements, the staff-to-child ratios were not maintained at all times. On 9/2/25, the ratio in the Two A room was 1:9 with 2-year-old children present instead of the required ratio of 2:9. On 9/5/25, the ratio in the Two B room was 1:9 with 2-year-old children present instead of the required ratio of 2:9. Staff stated the facility was out of ratio two times during the morning in the past month.”

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 observations, the following areas accessible to enrolled children were not maintained in a clean condition: *Preschool A: The window frames in the room had a buildup of dust and dirt debris. There was a brown rug with dark stains throughout. *2A and 2B: The window frames in the room had a buildup of dust and dirt debris.”

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 sleeping cots were stacked upward, making them easily tippable and accessible to enrolled children in rooms Preschool A, Preschool B, and 2B.”

AAC R9-5-502.A.8.b. A. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall: 8. Provide a crib for each infant that: b. Has a commercially waterproofed mattress; and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, 6 of 10 mattresses in the Infant B room and 8 of 11 in the Infant A room were ripped at the corners making them no longer commercially waterproof.”

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 Officer's observations, the following restrooms were not maintained in a clean condition: *Preschool A and Pre-K: There was a buildup of grey smudges on the floor around the base of the toilets. *2B: There was an unflushed toilet.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.1. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains:1. A nonabsorbent, sanitizable diaper changing surface that is: a. Seamless and smooth, and b. Kept clear of items not required for diaper changing;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, the following diaper changing areas were not maintained in a sanitizable condition: *Toddler B: The diapering surface lacked sealant and caulking along the edges of the table and the sink. *Toddler A, Infant B, and Infant A: The diapering surface lacked sealant and caulking along the edges of the table and the sink. There was debris buildup under the plastic divider, and it lacked caulking.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations and facility documentation, the roster in Toddler A room did not reflect the number of children preset. There were 11 children present and 10 were documented on the roster.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.4. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains:4. At least one waterproof, sanitizable container with a waterproof liner and a tight fitting lid for soiled clothing.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observation, the Toddler B classroom lacked a tight fitting lid on the soiled clothing container.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, in the Toddler A classroom, there was a white, crusty ring around the walls of the diaper changing area's handwashing sink. In Pre-K classroom's toilet room, there was a roll of toilet paper on top of the toilet tank.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.3. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains:3. At least one waterproof, sanitizable container with a waterproof liner and a tight fitting lid for soiled diapers; and

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observation, the Infant room B, Toddler A, and Toddler B classrooms lacked tight fitting lids on the soiled diaper containers.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.9. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:9. Does the following when a parent permits or asks a staff member to apply personal products on an enrolled child, such as petroleum jelly, diaper rash ointments, sun screen or sun block preparations, toothpaste, and baby diapering preparations: a. Obtains the enrolled child’s personal products from the enrolled child’s parent or, if the licensee provides the personal products for use by the enrolled child, obtains written approval for use of the products from the enrolled child’s parent; b. Labels the personal products with the enrolled child’s name; and c. Keeps the personal products inaccessible to enrolled children;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observation, in the following rooms, enrolled children's personal products lacked a first and last name as required: Infant A room: There were 2 packages of wipes without a label and 1 package of wipes labeled with the first name and last initial. There was 1 ointment labeled with initials, 1 ointment labeled with the first name and 1 ointment labeled with the first name and last initial. Infant B room: There were 2 packages of wipes labeled with the first name and last initial and 2 package of wipes labeled with the first name. Toddler A classroom: There were 2 packages of wipes labeled with the first name and 1 package of wipes labeled with first name and last initial. Toddler B classroom: There were 3 packages of wipes labeled with the first name and last initial and 1 package of wipes without a label. Twos A classroom: There were 2 packages of wipes labeled with the first name and last initial. Twos B classroom: There were 3 packages of wipes labeled with the first name.”

AAC R9-5-501.C.5. C. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member:5. Except as provided in subsection (D), prepares and posts 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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, the Toddler B classroom lacked a dated lesson plan.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.13. A. A licensee shall ensure that:13. Toys and play equipment, required in this Article, are maintained: a. Free from hazards, and b. In a condition that allows the toy or play equipment to be used for the original purpose of the toy or play equipment;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observation, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: In the Toddler B classroom, there was torn vinyl with exposed foam on the book nook in the reading center. In the Preschool B classroom, there was rough splintered wood on the cover of the sensory table.”

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, in the Toddler A classroom, there were three 1-inch pieces of missing drywall with exposed metal beading on the wall next to the cot storage area.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.2. A. A licensee shall ensure that: 2. Except for an enrolled school-age child, drinking water is provided sufficient for the needs of and accessible to each enrolled child in both indoor and outdoor activity areas;

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #1's observation, the Toddler A and Toddler B classrooms lacked accessible water. The water and cups were located out of the children's reach on a counter and high shelf.”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observation, there was trash and debris on the floor of the facility bus.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, upon arrival in Infant room A, the roster indicated 8 children, but there were 9 children present.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, the Pre-K classroom lacked outlet covers on the electrical outlet on the wall in the block center and on the wall next to the sink.”

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 facility documentation and Compliance Officer #2's observation, after a review of 5 children's medications, 1 lacked the following: There was no medication authorization for Child #5's prescription medication.”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observation, In the Two A classroom's toilet room, there was a large pillow leaning against the wall. In the Preschool A classroom's toilet room, there was U-Haul box with a Christmas tree on top of a shelf. In the Pre-K classroom's toilet room, there was 1 blue chair and a clear plastic storage tub on top of 6 stacked tan colored chairs.”

AAC R9-5-301.F. F. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member submits, on or before the starting date of employment or volunteer services, one of the following as evidence of freedom from infectious active tuberculosis: 1. Documentation of a negative Mantoux skin test or other tuberculosis screening test recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, administered within 12 months before the starting date of employment or volunteer service, that includes the date and the type of tuberculosis screening test; or 2. If the staff member has had a positive Mantoux skin test or other tuberculosis screening test, a written statement that the staff member is free from infectious active tuberculosis that is signed and dated by a health care provider within six months before the starting date of employment or volunteer service.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and Compliance Officer #2's observation, after a review of 5 staff files, 1 lacked the following: Staff #1's (start date 4/8/2024) statement that they are free from infectious active tuberculosis that is signed and dated by a health care provider was not within the six months before their stating date of employment. The doctor's statement was dated 8/21/2023.”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observation, 4 of the 20 children's attendance forms lacked the following: Child #1: No time of arrival or signature on 5/1/2024. Child #2: No time of arrival or signature on 5/10/2024. Child #3: No release times or signatures on 5/8 and 5/10/2024. Child #4: No release times or signatures on 5/8 and 5/9/2024.”

AAC R9-5-516.I. I. Except as specified in A.R.S. § 36-2229(B) through (D), a licensee shall ensure that a facility does not stock a supply of medications for administration to enrolled children, including:1. Any prescription medication; or 2. A nonprescription medication such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or cough syrup.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #2's observation, in the bus first aid kit, there were two packets of Tylenol.”