W.U.S.D.#9 - Festival Foothills Elementary School

AAC R9-5-512.F.7. F. A licensee shall ensure that: 7. Toys, materials, and equipment are maintained in a clean condition;

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observation in room B113's toilet room, there was a tote bag with soft toys, a blanket, and a folded up plastic rolling crate in the corner near the sinks.”

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 child educator 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 if working with enrolled children five years old and younger, or three months of child care experience if working with school-aged children; 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 the Compliance Officer's observation, it was determined that staff #1 (start date 07/28/2025) and Staff #2 (start date 07/28/2024) were child educator's. Staff #1 and Staff #2 were not qualified as a child educator's because the staff file lacked documentation of a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma and at least 6 months of child care experience.”

AAC R9-5-401.4. A licensee shall ensure that staff members meet the following qualifications for employment or volunteer service at a facility: 4. An assistant child educator is 16 years of age or older and provides the licensee with documentation of one of the following: a. Current and continuous enrollment in high school or a high school equivalency class; b. High school or high school equivalency diploma; c. Enrollment in vocational rehabilitation, as defined in A.R.S. § 23-501; or d. Employment or service as a volunteer in a licensed child care facility for 12 months;

“Findings: Based on facility documentation and the Compliance Officer's observation, Staff #2 (start date 07/28/2025) was an assistant child educator. Staff #2 was not qualified as an assistant child educator because the staff file lacked documentation of current and continuous enrollment in high school/high school equivalency class or a high school or high school equivalency diploma.”

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 Compliance Officer's observations, it was determined that the files for Staff #1 (start date 07/28/2025), Staff #2 (start date 07/28/2025), and Staff #3 (start date 07/28/2024) lacked documentation of a Criminal History Affidavit.”

AAC R9-5-303.B. B. A licensee shall ensure that the licensed capacity of each indoor activity area or room is posted in that activity area or room.

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, Room 109, Room 110, and Room 113 lacked a posted capacity.”

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, the outdoor activity area's gate to the playground was open rather than closed as required when children are present.”

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

“Findings: Based on the Compliance Officer's observations, in the outdoor activity area, an enrolled child left the playground through the open gate to retrieve their water bottle that was placed against the wall next to the classroom door, alone and unsupervised.”