Teach & Care

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, in the School Age room restroom, both toilet bowls had cracked and missing pieces of caulking around the base, making them unsanitizable.”

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, in the School Age restroom, the handwashing sink's soap dispenser lacked soap.”

AAC R9-5-502.C.1.lk. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. A staff member providing child care services in an infant room: k. Obtains written, current, and dated dietary instructions from a parent or health care provider regarding the method of feeding and types of foods to be prepared or fed to an infant at the facility;

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observations, it was determined that in the Infant room, 4 of the 7 infant feeding instruction forms lacked the dietary instructions regarding the types of foods to be prepared or fed to infants at the facility.”

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, the School Age playground was not maintained in a clean condition due to animal feces scattered in multiple areas throughout.”

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 CO and BC's observations, in the 1's-2's playground, there was an area of rough, sharp cement located at the base of a white pillar on the South wall.”

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 CO and BC's observations, it was determined that Staff #4 lacked a valid fingerprint clearance card before starting employment (DOE- 3/13/2024, issue date- 3/14/2024).”

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 CO and BC's observations, in the School-Age restroom, there was dirty, cracked caulking located around the base of two toilets.”

AAC R9-5-503.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that a staff member does not:1. Permit a bottle, formula, food, eating utensil, or food preparation in a diaper changing area; 2. Draw water for human consumption from a diaper changing area sink; or 3. Except as provided in subsection (C), if responsible for food preparation, change diapers until food preparation duties have been completed for the day.

“Findings: Based on the CO and BC's observations, in the Infant room, there was a bottle and a feeding tray located in the diaper changing sink.”

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 CO and BC's observations, the following diaper changing areas were not kept seamless and smooth: *Infant room: There were 2 holes located on the diaper changing surface, and the edging of the diaper changing sink was separating from the wall. *2’s room- The ledge located on the diaper changing surface had an area of cracked, missing laminate.”

AAC R9-5-502.C.1.k. C. A licensee shall ensure that:1. A staff member providing child care services in an infant room: k. Places an infant to sleep on the infant’s back, unless the infant’s parent submits written instructions from the infant’s health care provider that states otherwise;

“Findings: Based on the CO and BC's observations, in the Infant room, a staff member placed an infant to sleep in a crib on the infant's stomach instead of the infant's back as required.”

AAC R9-5-502.B.3. B. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall not: 3. Permit an infant to use a walker; or

“Findings: Based on the CO and BC's observations, in the Infant room, there was a walker located on the floor accessible to enrolled children.”

AAC R9-5-502.A.11. A. A licensee providing child care services for infants shall: 11. Label each food container received from the parent with the infant's name.

“Findings: Based on the CO and BC's observations, in the Infant room, there were two food containers labeled with a first name only.”

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 the CO and BC's observations, in the 3's room, there was a water jug located on a counter inaccessible to enrolled children.”

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 CO and BC's observations, it was determined that 3 out 20 reviewed sign in/out records lacked the following: Child #1: The release time and signature on 5/02/2025. Child #2: The release time for 5/01/2025, 5/05/2025, 5/08/2025, 5/09/2025. Child #3: The release time and signature for 5/14/2025.”

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 facility documentation and the Compliance Officer (CO) and Bureau Chief's (BC) observations, it was determined that 2 out of 25 reviewed Emergency, Information, and Immunization Record cards lacked the following required documentation: Child #1: 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 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. Child #2: The date of the child's enrollment.”

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 the CO and BC's observations, the following was observed: *1's room: There was a bottle of Aquaphor that lacked a label. *2's room: There was a package of diaper wipes, and a diaper ointment that was labeled with a first name only.”

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, it was determined that enrolled children were not supervised at all times on the facility vehicle when children were touching each other inappropriately and staff were unaware. Staff stated they were unaware of the incident and the children did not bring it to their attention.”

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 facility documentation and child interview, the health, safety, and welfare of enrolled children were placed at risk of harm when on the facility vehicle enrolled children were touching inappropriately and staff were unaware of the incident. Per child interview, the following was stated: *A child told me to touch another child's private area. *A child touched another child inappropriately.”

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 Officer's observation, in the Outdoor activity area, there was cracked raised plastic on on the following slides: *tan slides- 1-1.5 inch cracks *red slide- 2 inch crack *blue slide - 1.5-2 in cracks”

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 3 out of 20 enrolled children's attendance forms lacked the following information: Child #1: An admission and release signature (first name only) for 5/1/2024 - 5/3/2024 5/6/2024-5/9/2024 and 5/13/2024 and 5/22/2024. Child #2: An admission and release signature for 5/1/2024,5/2/2024, 5/15/2024-5/17/2024, 5/21/2024, and 5/22/2024. An admission signature for 5/8/2024 and 5/9/2024. Child #3: An admission and release signature for 5/1/2024, 5/2/2024, 5/6/2024, and 5/7/2024. An admission signature for 5/8/2024.”

AAC R9-5-518.A.1. A. A licensee providing a field trip for an enrolled child shall:1. Obtain written permission from a parent before the enrolled child participates in a field trip including: a. The date and description of the field trip; b. The times of departure from and return to the facility; and c. The name, street address, and telephone number, if any, of the field trip destination;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, 8 children attended a pizza field trip but lacked written permission from a parent to participate.”

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 the Compliance Officer’s observation, in the 1's classroom, the soiled diaper bin lacked a liner.”

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 observation, the health, safety, and welfare of enrolled children was placed at risk of harm when the licensee failed to maintain documentation of an updated Staffing report as required, per the agreement on 6/16/2023.”

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 Compliance Officer’s observation, it was determined that the roster in the 2's classroom did not reflect the number of children present (9 children present, 10 children listed on the roster).”

AAC R9-5-502.C.1.g. C. A licensee shall ensure that: 1. A staff member providing child care services in an infant room: g. Does not allow bumper pads, pillows, comforters, sheepskins, stuffed toys, or other soft products in a crib when an infant is in the crib;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in the Infant room, there was an infant lying in a crib with a pacifier with a strap attached.”

AAC R9-5-503.F.1. F. A licensee shall ensure that in an activity area with a diaper changing area: 1. The containers required in subsections (A)(3) and (4) are inaccessible, and

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in the Infant room, the soiled diaper bin was accessible to enrolled children.”

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 following medication forms were incomplete: Child #4: The prescription number, the end date, and the reason for the medication. Child #5: medication #1: The reason for medication medication #2: The reason for medication, the prescription number, and the times and frequency on the authorization form were not consistent with the times and frequency on the prescription label.”

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 the Compliance Officer's observation, in the Infant room, the temperature of the diaper changing sink was 80° F. rather than 86° F to 110° F. as required.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.21. A. A licensee shall ensure that:21. Except when used as part of an activity, the following are stored in an area inaccessible to an enrolled child: a. Garden tools, such as a rake, trowel, and shovel; and b. Cleaning equipment and supplies, such as a mop and mop bucket.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in the 2's classroom, there was a plunger next to the toilet 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 observation, in the 2's classroom, there was peeling plastic (2-3 inches) at the base of the wall with exposed particle board.”

AAC R9-5-501.A.9. A. A licensee shall ensure that:9. If a staff member places an enrolled child in a feeding chair when feeding the enrolled child: a. The feeding chair is constructed to prevent toppling; b. The tray or feeding surface of the feeding chair is smooth and free of cracks; and c. The staff member: i Cleans the feeding chair before and after each enrolled child’s use; ii. Sanitizes the tray or feeding surface before and after each enrolled child’s use; and iii. If the feeding chair was manufactured with a safety strap, fastens the feeding chair’s safety strap while the enrolled child is in the feeding chair;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation, in the 1's classroom, a child was sitting in a feeding chair that contained safety straps. The safety straps we were not fastened while the enrolled child was in the feeding chair.”