P.V.U.S.D.#69 - Desert Shadows Elementary School

AAC R9-5-301.I. I. At least once a month, and at different times of the day, a licensee shall ensure that: 1. An unannounced practice drill that includes evacuation, relocation, shelter-in place, and lock downs are conducted; 2. Each staff member, volunteer, and enrolled child at the facility participates in the practice drill; 3. If applicable, accommodations are made for an enrolled child with a special need or disability according to the enrolled child's individualized plan as specified in R9-5-507(A)(1); 4. If applicable, accommodations are made for an enrolled child or infant who is not yet walking; and 5. Document each practice drill and maintain the documentation on facility premises for 12 months after the date of the practice drill.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observation and review of facility documentation, it was determined that a fire drill was not documented for October 2025, November 2025 and December 2025.”

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 Officers' observation, it was determined that a ladder was accessible to the enrolled children in the Pre-K classroom.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.17. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 17. A staff member: a. Prepares a weekly menu at least one week in advance, b. Includes on the menu the specific foods to be served on each day, c. Dates each menu, d. Posts each menu at least one day before the first meal on the menu will be served, and e. Writes food substitutions on a posted menu no later than the morning of the day of meal service;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observation and review of facility documentation, it was determined that the menu posted in the Pre-K classroom did not specify the kind of juice that the children were served.”

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 Officers' observation and review of facility documentation, it was determined that the medication for Child #1 lacked a consent form.”

AAC R9-5-516.J. J. A staff member’s or enrolled child’s prescription medication necessary to treat life-threatening symptoms: 1. May be kept in the activity area where the staff member or enrolled child is present; and 2. Except when the prescription medication is administered to treat life-threatening symptoms, is inaccessible to an enrolled child.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observation, it was determined that the medication for Child #1 was accessible to the enrolled children in the Pre-K classroom. The medication was in the child's backpack which was hung up at the children's eye-level.”

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 the Compliance Officers' observation, it was determined that there were several Gopher holes on the School-age playground posing a tripping hazard to the enrolled children.”

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' observation, it was determined that there were 4 uncovered outlets on a power strip in the Pre-K classroom. Additionally, there were 2 uncovered outlets in the hallway boys' restroom and 2 uncovered outlets in the hallway girls' restroom.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.10. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 10. Toilet rooms are ventilated to the outside of the building, either by a screened window open to the outside air or by an exhaust fan and duct system that is operated when the toilet room is in use;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observation, it was determined that the exhaust fan was not operable in the hallway girls' restroom.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.16. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 16. The fire extinguisher required in subsection (A): a. Is serviced at least once every 12 months; and b. Has a tag attached to the fire extinguisher that specifies the date of the last servicing.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers' observation and review of facility documentation, it was determined that fire extinguisher in the Cafeteria were last serviced in July 2024.”

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' observation, it was determined that two shelves in the Pre-K classroom were not secured to the wall and could be easily tipped with minimal pressure.”

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: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation of facility video footage and staff statements, Staff #1 did not provide guidance and set expectations to enrolled children on 11/25/2025. Staff #1 was in the Cafeteria with 10 children and was seen looking down and eating a snack. A group of three children was seen playing with a shoe and running around, two children were wrestling on the ground, and another child was climbing on furniture. In addition, a child was holding a plastic bat, and per the video, Staff #1 pulled the bat away from the child in a forceful manner and displayed frustration through the staff member's body language. The children were observed taunting Staff #1 by marching around the activity area with the bat, and Staff #1 followed them, while attempting to retrieve the bat. Staff stated the following: *Staff #1 yelled, "Give it to me!" *Staff #1 stated, "Give me the bat, you need to listen to me because I am the boss." *Staff #1 stated, "You can't behave like this, I'm going to talk to your parents" in a condescending tone. *Staff #1 stated, "Come fight me".”

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 observations of facility video footage and staff statements, the health, safety, and welfare of children were placed at risk on 11/25/2025. Staff #1 was in the Cafeteria with 10 children and was seen looking down and eating a snack. Three children were seen playing with a shoe and running around, two children were wrestling on the ground, and another child was climbing on furniture. Staff #1 did not intervene with any of the children's behaviors. Staff #1 also left the Cafeteria and went to the playground, leaving the 10 children alone and unsupervised.”

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 observations of facility video footage and staff statements, ratios were not maintained at all times on 11/25/2025. The ratio was 0:10 in the Cafeteria when Staff #1 left the activity area and went to the playground. One of two staff members on the playground with 32 children realized that Staff #1 had left the children inside alone, and went around the building into the Cafeteria to maintain ratios. Staff #1 then went back into the Cafeteria, leaving the other staff member on the playground at a ratio of 1:32.”

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 Officer's observations of facility video footage and staff statements, children were not supervised at all times on 11/25/2025. Staff #1 was in the Cafeteria with 10 children and was seen looking down and eating a snack. A group of three children was seen playing with a shoe and running around, two children were wrestling on the ground, and another child was climbing on furniture. Staff #1 did not intervene with any of the children's behaviors. Staff #1 also left the Cafeteria and went to the playground, leaving the 10 children alone and unsupervised.”

AAC R9-5-305.B. B. A licensee shall attach an enrolled child’s written immunization record or exemption affidavit, required in subsection(A), to the enrolled child’s Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card, required in R9-5 304(B).

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations and review of facility documentation, it was determined that all 16 enrolled Pre-K children lacked an immunization record attached to the child’s Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card.”

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 Officer's observations, it was determined that there was an uncovered outlet in the cafeteria that was accessible to the Pre-K enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.16. B. A licensee shall ensure that:16. The fire extinguisher required in subsection (A): a. Is serviced at least once every 12 months; and b. Has a tag attached to the fire extinguisher that specifies the date of the last servicing and the identification of the person who serviced the fire extinguisher; and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations and review of facility documentation, it was determined that the tag on the fire extinguisher was dated June 2023.”

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 a Department-provided Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record card that is signed by the enrolled child’s parent containing: 1. The child’s name, home address, city, state, zip code, home telephone number, sex, and date of birth; 2. The date of the child’s enrollment; 3. The name, home address, city, state, zip code, and contact 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 nutritional and dietary needs of the child including, if applicable, the request in R9-5-509(C)(9); 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 the Compliance Officer's observations and review of facility documentation, it was determined that all of the 16 enrolled Pre-K children's Emergency, Information, and Immunization records cards lacked the parent's name, signature, and date on page 2.”

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 review of facility documentation, it was determined that the ending date on the medication consent form for Child #1 was 1/21/2025.”

AAC R9-5-516.G. G. A licensee shall return all unused prescription and nonprescription medications to a parent when the medication prescription date has expired or the medication is no longer being administered to the enrolled child or dispose of the medication if unable to locate the enrolled child's parent after the child's disenrollment

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, Child #3's prescription medications were expired and not returned to the parent. The first medication expired in April 2021, and the second expired in March 2021.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, 2 of the four medications reviewed lacked the following: Child #2's medication authorization forms for two prescription medications lacked the name of the medication, the dosage, the route the medication is to be given, the end date of administration, the times and frequency to administer the medication, and the reason for the medications.”

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, five children were present upon arriving at the facility, but only three were marked on the roster.”

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, 2 of 8 children's attendance cards lacked the following: Child #1: No release times or signatures on 1/16, 1/18, and 1/19/2024. Child #2: No release times or signatures on 2/14 and 1/25/2024.”