ABC Care 2

“Referrer alleges four year old child was restrained by placement in a highchair, possibly for as long as 30 minutes.”

The state’s description of the complaint

Prohibited behavior and discipline, and physical separation of children

WAC 110-300-0331(1) · Serious

When interviewed by this licensor, the licensee acknowledged that she had placed the child in a highchair for "one to two minutes" because he was hitting other children and adults.

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(3)(a) · Short Term

The steps going outside have splintered edges.

Emergency preparedness plan

WAC 110-300-0470(1) · Short Term

The provider acknowledged that she does not review the Emergency Preparedness Plan annually with her assistants.

Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space

WAC 110-300-0146(1)(a)(b) · Serious

The provider has a small climber and the pea gravel underneath is not nine inches deep.

Transportation and off-site activity policy

WAC 110-300-0480(2) · Serious

The provider's off site activity (field trip) policy does not state that attendance will be taken to ensure all children are accounted for each time children begin and end travel to an off-site activity or that the providers will have a phone available to call for emergency help.

Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space

WAC 110-300-0146(4) · Serious

A dome style climber is not anchored in the ground. Nor does it have a six foot fall zone. The family's own trampoline is accessible to children via a gap between the deck and the ground that allows children to climb underneath.

Supervising children

WAC 110-300-0345(5)(b) · Short Term

Doors are not chimed or alarmed so that one can hear if the children were to leave unsupervised.

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(a) / 110-300-0165(2)(d) · Serious

A small dental flosser was observed to be accessible to toddlers on a chair at the dining table. It was removed immediately by the provider. Plastic gloves are accessible to children in the bathroom. Plastic bags are accessible to children under the sink. Knives are accessible to children in unlatched, unsecured drawer in the kitchen. Carpet is worn in hallway and carpet tacking strip is exposed.

Fire safety

WAC 110-300-0170(2) · Short Term

The provider has not requested a fire inspection within the last year. Nor has she completed her own inspection using the WSP form.

Medication

WAC 110-300-0215(3)(c) · Serious

A small jar labelled "V. First Aid", containing a liquid was stored in a drawer in the kitchen that is accessible to children. Vitamins were also accessible. The provider made them inaccessible before I departed.

Emergency preparedness plan

WAC 110-300-0470(4)(d) · Short Term

The provider's emergency preparedness plan is not: -designed to respond to power outages and wind storms that might affect the early learning program; -reviewed at program orientation, annually with all early learning program staff with documented signatures, and when the plan is updated -reviewed with parents or guardians when a child is enrolled and when the plan is updated It does not: -address what the provider would do if the provider has an emergency and children may be left unsupervised; -address what the early learning program must do if parents are not able to get to their children for up to three days; It does not include: -An evacuation floor plan that identifies room numbers or names of rooms, emergency exit pathways, emergency exit doors, and emergency exit windows for family-home based programs as described in WAC ; 51-51-0326 -Methods to be used for sounding an alarm and calling 911; -How the early learning provider will evacuate children, especially those who cannot walk independently. This may include children with disabilities, functional needs requirements, or other special needs; -What to take when evacuating children, including: first aid kit, child medications, children's medication forms, children's health information and history -How parents or guardians will be able to contact the early learning program -How children will be reunited with their parents or guardians after the event. -Earthquake procedures including how a provider will coordinate with local or state officials to determine if the licensed space is safe for children after an earthquake. -Public safety related lockdown scenarios where an individual at or near an early learning program is harming or attempting to harm others with or without a weapon. This plan must include lockdown of the early learning program or shelter-in-place steps including how parents or guardians will be contacted after the emergency ends. The provider does not keep on the premises a three day supply of water, and life-sustaining medication for the licensed capacity of children and current staff for use in case of an emergency. The provider has not completed a fire drill since June of 2024. She does not have an earthquake drill recorded for 2024. She has no monthly inspections recorded.

Medication

WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(i) · Serious

One child's epi pen was not stored with the medication authorization form.

Food allergies and special dietary needs

WAC 110-300-0186(1) · Serious

The Allergy Plan in place for one child does not contain all the necessary information required by WAC 110-300-0186. The provider reports she has given the DCYF Individual Care Plan to the parent but she has not yet returned it.

Emergency preparation and exiting

WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c) / 110-300-0166(4)(c)(i) · Serious

The fire exit window in the main child care room was locked. The secondary exit pathways, through the kitchen, or into the foyer, were blocked because of the placement of cots and play n paks for nap time.

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a) / 110-300-0260(1)(b) / 110-300-0260(5) · Serious

The provider had "fuel guel" meant to keep food items warm accessible to children in an unsecured closet. The provider had mixed her bleach/water solution into another type of cleaner botttle (Method brand). This was accessible to children on top of the toilet tank. The provider reported that she normally stores it on top of the paper towel dispenser. However, due to the placement of a step stool at the sink here, older pre-schoolers in care would be able to reach it. A toilet brush was accessible to children in the bathroom but licensors have been instructed not to cite for violation of this WAC if only a toilet brush or plunger is accessible to children (vs the other items in 0260(5)