W.A.C.O.G. - Head Start - Helping Hand

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 Officer Supervisor's observations, the exhaust fan in the girls' restroom was not maintained in working condition.”

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 Supervisor's observations, the following hazards were observed in the outdoor area: *There were areas of peeling paint along the base of the West brick wall. *The South wall of the building had loose wires from the electrical telephone box. *The base of the shed had concrete footings that were exposed with rough edges.”

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 Officer Supervisor's observations, there was 1-2" of resilient material in the fall zone of the blue climber.”

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 #2's observations, the boys' restroom had 2 loose toilet seats and the girls' restroom had 1 loose toilet seat.”

AAC R9-5-402.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that, for a staff member who is currently working at the facility, the staff member’s information required by:1. Subsections (A)(1) through (11) is maintained in a single location on facility premises, and 2. Subsection (A)(12) is maintained and provided to the Department within two hours of the Department’s request.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer Supervisor's observations and a review of facility documentation, 4 of the 4 staff files reviewed lacked the following information in their staff files kept on the premises: Staff #1: Transcripts, training documentation, 2 references Staff #2: Statement of immunity, proof of negative TB test, training documentation, 2 references Staff #3: Statement of immunity, proof of negative TB test, training documentation, 2 references Staff #4: Statement of immunity, proof of negative TB test, 2 references”

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 Compliance Officer #1's observations and a review of facility documentation, 8 of 15 enrolled children's attendance record signatures reviewed lacked at least the first initial and full last name: **Child #1 - Departure signature on 09/30/2024 signed with a first name and last initial **Child #2, Child #8 - Arrival and departure signatures on 09/30/2024 signed with a first name and last initial **Child #3 - Arrival and departure signatures on 09/30/2024 signed with squiggly lines **Child #4, Child #6 - Arrival and departure signatures on 09/30/2024 signed with a first name **Child #5 - Arrival signature signed with first name, and departure signature signed with initials on 09/30/2024 **Child #7 - Arrival signature signed with first name on 09/30/2024”

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 Compliance Officer #2's observations, the following hazards were accessible to enrolled children in the outdoor activity area: **There was a box with peeling paint exposing rust next to the kitchen door. **There was a hole next to the box approximately 2-3 inch in diameter.”

AAC R9-5-512.C. C. A licensee shall ensure that floor coverings are:1. Clean; and 2. Free from: a. Dampness, b. Odors, and c. Hazards.

“Findings: Based on Compliance Officer #2's observations, there were broken tiles in front of the exit door inside classroom B.”