Educare Early Learning Center

“Whether or not staff implemented the use of physical restraint of children during nap time and if so, whether or not the use of physical restraint was in response to a child's safety or the safety of others being threatened.,Whether or not the provider and/or teaching staff reported suspected abuse or neglect of a child to the department within 48 hours of being informed of physical harm to a child enrolled in their care,Whether or not teaching staff implemented the use of physical restraint of children according to the written rules and procedures described in the childcare center's restraint policy.”

The state’s description of the complaint

Physical restraint

WAC 110-300-0335(2) · Serious

Based upon information gathered in this investigation, it was determined that teaching staff were physically restraining children during nap time with the weight of their legs placed on top of children's bodies to restrict children's ability to move. It was determined that there was not sufficient evidence to suggest that the teaching staff's use of physical restraint of children during nap time was implemented in response to a safety concern/threat of harm to children or others.

Duty to protect children and report incidents

WAC 110-300-0475(2) · Serious

Based upon information gathered in this investigation, it was determined that the provider and/or teaching staff were required to and did not report suspected abuse or neglect of a child to the department within 48 hours from when they were made aware of physical harm to a child enrolled in their care.

Equipment and surfaces in outdoor early learning space

WAC 110-300-0146(4) · Serious

At the time of this inspection, licensor observed a trampoline in an accessible, unlocked storage room adjacent to preschool room 5 (124) that the director stated was used by children in the outdoor play space.

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c) · Short Term

At the time of this inspection, licensor observed the following cords and/or wires accessible to children long enough to form a loop around a child's neck: light table power cord and electric keyboard power cord in room 107 (130)

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(3)(f) · Short Term

At the time of this inspection, licensor observed a storage cubby in room 4 (111) that posed a risk of tipping as it was not securely anchored.

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a) · Serious

At the time of this inspection, licensor observed the following hazardous items labeled "keep out of the reach of children" accessible to children: clorox wipes, hand sanitizer, and dish soap in room 7 (130), alcohol hand sanitizing wipes in room 8 (131). Violation corrected on site by moving these items out of reach of children and by securing closed a storage cabinet with a child safety latch.

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(2)(a)(b) · Serious

At the time of this inspection, licensor observed multiple storage rooms located between 2 classrooms that were accessible to children from both classrooms through sliding panel doors. These storage rooms were determined to be unlicensed space per the floor plan used for the fire marshal's safety inspection.

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c) · Short Term

165(2)(c) - At the time of this inspection, licensor observed 2 cords long enough to form a loop, including a radio cord in classroom 5 and a light table cord in classroom 7.

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(5) · Serious

Janitorial equipment was observed in multiple classrooms that were accessible to children at the time of inspection.

Training requirements

WAC 110-300-0106(10) / 110-300-0106(12) / 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term / Serious

MERIT reflected that multiple staff members' bloodborne training was expired/not completed at the time of inspection. MERIT reflected that multiple lead teachers' and assistants' CPR and first-aid trainings were expired at the time of inspection. MERIT reflected that two lead teachers' food worker cards were expired at the time of inspection. MERIT reflected that two teacher assistants did not complete the child care basics training at the time of inspection.