YMCA - Heatherwood

“The Center Director reported that a 2.5 year old was left unsupervised in the licensed outdoor play area for four minutes.”

The state’s description of the complaint

“The Center Director reported that a child was fed a food allergen and he consumed it.”

The state’s description of the complaint

Food allergies and special dietary needs

WAC 110-300-0186(4) · Serious

When interviewed, the cook who prepared the tunafish that was served to the child stated that she had not reviewed the child's individual care plan for food allergies.

Emergency preparation and exiting

WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c) · Serious

A fire exit door in the Cruisers classrom was blocked by a flattened carboard box propped up against the door. A fire exit door in the Waddlers classroom was blocked by a folded tumblng mat propped up against the door.

Supervising children

WAC 110-300-0345(5)(b) · Short Term

Door chimes/alarms on exterior fire exit doors were turned to "Off" in several classrooms: Cruisers, Toddlers, Preschool, and Infants. This was corrected immediately. There are no chimes/alarms on any interior classroom door and the noise of these doors opening would not be audible to providers during normal classroom activities.

Emergency preparation and exiting

WAC 110-300-0166(3)(b) · Serious

The laundry room levered door knob has been placed high on the door and out of children's reach. It also had a mechanism to prevent the door knob from opening unless a button was pushed to release the mechanism.

“The referrer reports that it was shared with them that Center providers are left alone and unsupervised with children without current First Aid and CPR training.”

The state’s description of the complaint

“Referrer alleges providers did not report suspected sexual abuse in timely mannered as required by RCW and WAC.”

The state’s description of the complaint

Duty to protect children and report incidents

WAC 110-300-0475(2) · Serious

When interviewed, the Assistant Director and child care providers acknowledged that child comments indicating potential sexual abuse were not reported to DCYF in a timely manner.

Supervising children

WAC 110-300-0345(5)(c) · Serious

Video footage shows a preschool age child left alone in the licensed outdoor play area for nearly two minutes before a provider came to retrieve her.

Emergency preparation and exiting

WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c) · Serious

Exit door in Pre-K classroom was partially blocked by large bag of balls, boxes and a piece of matting. It was made accessible prior to my departure.

Training requirements

WAC 110-300-0106(12) · Serious

One provider, K.J., has been employed longer than three months and has not completed Child Care Basics. One provider, M.B. reports completing her Food Handler's Permit but the permit was not on site today and has not been verified in MERIT. One provider's Safe Sleep expired recently, S.L. She was not working in the infant room today.

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(c) / 110-300-0165(2)(d) · Short Term / Serious

The cord for a wall mounted fan was observed accessible to children in the Toddler classroom. Plastic gloves were observed accessible to children in the Toddler and Pre-K classrooms. They were made inaccessible to children prior to my departure.

Supervising children

WAC 110-300-0345(3) · Short Term

The providers acknowledged that four children, sent in pairs of two, were unsupervised while using the bathrooms in a vacant classroom.

Medication

WAC 110-300-0215(3)(a)(ii) · Serious

Children's non-prescription medication (diaper cream, excema cream) is not consistently labelled with child's first and last name. Medication authorization forms for these do not accompany the medication.

Emergency preparation and exiting

WAC 110-300-0166(3)(c) · Serious

Cot placed on the floor blocked the primary fire exit door in Pre-K 2. This was removed prior to my departure. A children's rocking chair blocked the primary fire exit door in the Pre-K room. This was removed immediately.

First-aid—CPR certification and supplies

WAC 110-300-0230(2)(b) · Serious

First aid supplies were accesible in the grab n go backpack on the boot shelf in the Preschool room. This was made inaccessible immediately.

Safety requirements

WAC 110-300-0165(2)(d) / 110-300-0165(3)(f) / 110-300-0165(3)(g) · Serious / Short Term

A dangling cord from a wall fan was accessible to childre in Pre-K 2. A black cord was accessible to children in Pre-K 1. Plastic bags were observed accessible to children in the Preschool Room. These were made inaccessible immediately. Heavy objects are placed on high shelves in infant changing area and bathroom between Waddler and Toddler rooms. Black plastic floor trim in Pre-K bathroom is loose for 3-4 inches. Power strip/surge protector is accessible to children in Pre-K 2.

Storage of hazardous and maintenance supplies

WAC 110-300-0260(1)(a) / 110-300-0260(2)(a)(b) · Serious

Sanitizing spray was observed accessible to children on staff table in hallway near door to playground and in diaper changing area in Waddler room. It was made inaccessible immediately. Fire panel/storage room in outdoor play area was unlocked. This room contained power tools, chemicals, disinfectants, wet mops and buckets, and other janitorial equipment. It was locked immediatley.

Training requirements

WAC 110-300-0106(3) · Short Term

One staff person, (S.), First Aid/CPR expired 03.10.2024. Although she was not present today, the providers acknowledged that she has served in ratio on other days since her First Aid/CPR expired and planned to use her in ratio when she returned. One staff person (M.), has been employed since 09.2022 and has not yet completed Child Care Basics. M. has served "in ratio" without completing the course. Five staff have expired Safe Sleep training (V., S., C., C., M.).