San Tan Montessori

AAC R9-5-512.B. B. A licensee shall maintain facility premises and furnishings: 1. In a clean condition, and 2. Free from odor.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, there was a brown, dried substance at the bottom of the refrigerator and a purple liquid running down from the lower shelf to the bottom of the refrigerator in classroom #104.”

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, the medication forms lacked the following required information: Child #1: The prescription number, dosage, end date, and the times and frequency of administration. Child #2: The written authorization form. Child #3: The prescription number, end date, and the times and frequency of administration.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, the medication for Child #1 lacked the container as dispensed by the pharmacy. The medication for Child #3 lacked the container as dispensed by the pharmacy and was dispensed as a two-pack, but only one medication was present at the facility, and a physician’s authorization to separate the medications was not present.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.5. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 5. Electrical extension cords are not used;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers observation, it was determined that electrical extension cords were used in classroom #105 and classroom #106.”

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, the exhaust fans were not operable in the bathrooms of classroom #113 and classroom #114.”

AAC R9-5-603.D. D. A licensee shall ensure that the following is provided and maintained within the fall zones of swings and climbing equipment in an outdoor activity area: 1. A shock-absorbing unitary surfacing material manufactured for such use in outdoor activity areas; or 2. A minimum depth of 6 inches of a non-hazardous, resilient material such as fine loose sand or wood chips.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officers observation, there was damage to the shock-absorbing resilient materials located at the base of the slide and the stairs of the climbing structure.”

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 Officer's observation, in the outdoor activity area (garden side), the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children: *There were two holes with sharp edges on the top of a plastic picnic table. *There was a loose electrical wire running from the building to the chicken coop.”

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, it was determined that the medication for Child #2 was expired (Expiration date: 10/2025). The expired medication had not been returned to the parent.”

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, the Licensee lacked documentation of a current violation-free fire inspection report as required. The fire inspection reviewed expired 7/1/2026.”

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 Officers observation, it was determined that the roster in the classroom #103 did not reflect the number of children present (9 children present, 8 children listed on the roster).”

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, there were loose toilet seats in the bathrooms of classroom #113 and #114.”

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

“Per allegation, based on documentation, staff statements, and the Compliance Officers’ observations, Child #1 sustained an injury while on the playground that the Staff did not see until transitioning inside the facility. Staff stated the following: *I didn’t see a bump on Child #1's forehead when (child's name) arrived, but I did see it when we came inside for circle *During outside to inside transition the Staff noticed a bump and bruise on Child #1’s forehead *I observed Child #1 on the playground pushing a red bike along the fence line, but did not see any falls or bumps to the head *I never heard Child #1 cry or appear in any distress while on the playground or inside the classroom, but I did see the bump as soon as we came inside *None of us saw it happen, but we noticed it right away when we came inside for circle time and we got an ice pack on it and continued to monitor Child #1 who ate fine, took a good nap, and woke up happy.”

AAC R9-5-605.B.9. B. A licensee shall ensure that: 9. Fans are mounted and inaccessible to an enrolled child;

“Findings: Based on the CO's observation, in Room 106 (3s-6s), there was an unmounted fan located on the floor accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.19. A. A licensee shall ensure that:19. 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 CO's observation, in Room 105 (3s-5s), there was a plunger located on the toilet room floor accessible to enrolled children.”

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 CO's observation, in Room 113 (1s-3s), the toilet room exhaust fan was inoperable.”

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 (CO's) observation, in Room 105 (3s-5s), there was a toilet with a loose seat.”

AAC R9-5-601.3. A licensee shall comply with the following physical plant requirements: 3. A hand-washing sink required in R9-5-503(A)(2) or subsection (2) provides running water with a drain connected to a sanitary sewer as defined in A.R.S. § 45-101;

“Findings: Based on CO #1’s observation, Room 113 lacked a handwashing sink with a drain connected to a sanitary sewer to support the diaper changing surface.”

AAC R9-5-509.C.18. C. A licensee shall ensure that:18. 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 facility documentation and CO #2's observation, the posted menu lacked the specific foods to be served each day. On 07/31/2024, the menu stated blueberries and a tub of yogurt. On 08/16/2024 the menu stated watermelon and crackers.”

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 CO #1’s observation, Room 111, Room 113, and Room 116 lacked a waterproof liner in the soiled clothes container.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.2. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains:2. A hand-washing sink next to the diaper changing surface for staff use when changing diapers and for washing an enrolled child during or after diapering that provides: a. Running water between 86° F and 110° F, b. Soap from a dispenser, and c. Single-use paper hand towels from a dispenser;

“Findings: Based on CO #1’s observation, Room 113 lacked single-use paper towels from a dispenser in the diaper changing area.”

AAC R9-5-503.A.2. A. A licensee shall ensure that each diaper changing area required in R9-5-601(4) contains:2. A hand-washing sink next to the diaper changing surface for staff use when changing diapers and for washing an enrolled child during or after diapering that provides: a. Running water between 86° F and 110° F, b. Soap from a dispenser, and c. Single-use paper hand towels from a dispenser;

“Findings: Based on CO #1’s observation, the running water at the handwashing sinks next to the diaper changing area did not meet the minimum temperature requirement: Room 111 and Room 112: Water temperature measured 75° F. rather than 86° F to 110° F. as required. Room 114: Water temperature measured 70° F. rather than 86° F to 110° F. as required. *Previously cited: 08/09/2023”

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 CO #1's observation, in Room 104 there was a hole (size of a ping pong ball) in the wall with exposed drywall accessible to enrolled children near the library.”

AAC R9-5-208.B. B. At least 30 calendar days before the date of an intended change in a facility’s service classification, space utilization, or licensed capacity, a licensee shall submit a written request for approval of the intended change to the Department that includes:1. The licensee’s name; 2. The facility’s name, street address, city, state, zip code, mailing address, and telephone number; 3. The name, telephone number, and fax number of a point of contact for the request; 4. The facility’s license number; 5. The type of change intended: a. Service classification, b. Space utilization, or c. Licensed capacity; 6. A narrative description of the intended change; and 7. The following additional information, as applicable: a. If the intended change affects individual rooms, the following information about each affected activity area, as applicable: i. Identification of the activity area, ii. Current and intended square footage, iii. Current and intended operating hours, iv. Current and intended service classification, v. Current and intended licensed capacity, and vi. Whether the activity area has or will have a diaper changing area; b. If the intended change is to increase licensed capacity, the square footage of the outdoor activity area; and c. If the intended change includes an alteration or addition to the physical plant of a licensed facility, the following, as applicable: i. If the facility is not located in a public school or if providing child care services to infants, one-year-old children, or two-year-old children in a facility located in a public school, the information required in R9-5-201(A)(5)(g) and (A)(5)(h) showing the intended change; or ii. If the facility is located in a public school and provides child care only for three-year-old, four-year-old, or five-year-old, or school-age children, a set of final construction drawings or a school map, including the information required in R9-5-201(5)(j) showing the intended change.

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and Compliance Officer (CO) #1’s observation, in Room 113, a diaper changing area was added to the classroom without an application for approval.”

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 CO #1's observation, in Room 112 and Room 114, there were 2 containers of diaper wipes that lacked a last name.”

AAC R9-5-601.4. A licensee shall comply with the following physical plant requirements: 4. Except as provided in subsection (5), when providing child care services for infants or children who require diapering, a diaper changing area that meets the requirements in R9-5-503 is available in each infant room or indoor activity area used by an enrolled infant or child who wears diapers or disposable training pants;

“Findings: Per allegation, based on the classroom roster and staff statements, an enrolled child in the 3-5 year old classroom was walked to the 1 year old classroom to be diapered.”

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 COs' observations, in the 1's classroom, there was a clip board, a pen, a container of wipes, a box and facial tissue and a bottle of hand sanitizer located on the diaper changing surface.”

AAC R9-5-404.B. B. A licensee shall: 1. Determine and maintain the required staff-to-children ratio for each group of enrolled children based on the age of the youngest child in the group; 2. Allow a volunteer qualified as a director, teacher-caregiver, or an assistant-teacher caregiver to be counted as staff in staff-to-children ratios; and 3. Not allow a student-aide or an individual qualified as a teacher-caregiver-aide to be counted as staff in staff-to-children ratios.

“Findings: Per allegation, based on classroom rosters and staff statements a one year old child was enrolled in the 3-5 year old classroom and the ratio was not calculated by the age of the youngest child in the group. Staff stated a 1-year-old child was enrolled in the 3-5 year old classroom and the ratio remained 1:13. *The classroom roster (Room 105) for 9/18/2023 documented the ratio was 1:17 instead of the required 3:17 for one year old children. *The classroom roster (Room 105) for 9/19/2023 documented the ratio was 2:15 instead of the required 3:15 for one year old children. *The classroom roster (Room 105) for 9/20/2023 documented the ratio was 1:13 instead of the required 2:13 for one year old 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: Per allegation, based on facility documentation and the COs' observations, the ratio in the 2-4 year old classroom (Room 103) was 2:17 instead of 3:17 as required for 2-year-old children.”

AAC R9-5-402.A. A. A licensee shall maintain a file for each staff member containing: 1. The staff member’s name, date of birth, home address, and telephone number; 2. The staff member’s starting date of employment or volunteer service; 3. The staff member’s ending date of employment or volunteer service, if applicable; 4. The name and telephone number of an individual to be notified in case of an emergency; 5. The staff member’s written statement attesting to current immunity against measles, rubella, diphtheria, mumps, and pertussis; 6. The form required in A.R.S. § 36-883.02(C); 7. Documents required by R9-5-203; 8. Documents required by R9-5-301; 9. Documents required by R9-5-401, if applicable; 10. If applicable: a. The form required in A.R.S. § 8-804(I), b. Documentation of the submission required in A.R.S. § 8-804 and the information received as a result of the submission, and c. Documentation of training provided by a licensee as required by R9-5-403, if applicable; 11. A copy of any current license or certification required by A.R.S. Title 36, Chapter 7.1, Article 1. or this Chapter; and 12. Documentation of the requirements in A.R.S. § 36-883.02(D).

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and CO #2’s observation, it was determined that the file for Staff #1 lacked documentation of the name and telephone number of an individual to be notified in case of an emergency and the staff member's written statement attesting to current immunity against measles, rubella, diphtheria, mumps, and pertussis as required.”

AAC R9-5-401.3. A licensee shall ensure that staff members meet the following qualifications for employment or volunteer service at a facility: 3. A teacher-caregiver is 18 years of age or older and provides the licensee with documentation of one of the following: a. Six months of child care experience and: i. A high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma; or ii. At least 12 credit hours from an accredited college or university, including at least six credit hours in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; b. Associate or bachelor degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood, child development, or a closely-related field; or c. N.A.C., C.D.A., or C.C.P. credential;

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and CO #2's observation, it was determined that Staff #1 was a teacher-caregiver in the 1's classroom. Staff #1 was not qualified as a teacher-caregiver because the staff file lacked documentation of a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma.”

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 Compliance Officer (CO) #2's observation, the file for Staff #1 lacked documentation of the submitted DCS Registry form.”

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

“Findings: Per allegation, based on CO #2’s observation and staff statements, the 1’s classroom lacked a posted lesson plan. Staff stated that they just started work and the lesson plan has not yet been completed.”

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 CO #2’s observation, it was determined that the Mantoux skin test for Staff #1 was not administered on or before the starting date of employment (Date of employment- 10/11/2023, date of TB test (read)- 10/12/2023).”

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 COs' observations, it was determined that the roster in the 1's classroom did not reflect the number of children present (10 children present, 8 children listed on the roster). In the 3's-4's classroom there were 17 children present, 18 children on the roster. In the outdoor Garden there were 7 children (3-4 years old) present, and no roster.”