Joan Cotter Family Child Care Home - Pittsburgh PA Family Child Care Home

Noncompliance Area: A preschool aged child was using a wooden ruler which was observed to have a piece of the corner broken off causing a sharp point and a potential to get a splinter. Two of the four resting mats used by the children were observed to have numerous tears along the seams allowing for the foam padding inside to be exposed causing the mats to not be in good repair.

Correction Required: Toys, play equipment and other indoor and outdoor equipment used by the children shall be clean, in good repair and free from rough edges, sharp corners, pinch and crush points, splinters and exposed bolts.

Noncompliance Area: While answering the fire safety questionnaire related to whether or not staff sleep while children are in care, staff person #1 self reported that while children nap she would put her head back, close her eyes, and be semi-conscious and there would be no other staff present to supervise the children.

Correction Required: Children on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the premises shall be supervised by a staff person at all times. Outdoor play space used by the facility is considered part of the facility premises. The requirement for supervision on and off the facility premises includes compliance with the staff:child ratio requirements in 3290.51-3290.52 (relating to maximum number of children; and staff:child ratio).

Noncompliance Area: Outside on the front porch which the children have access to in order to enter/exit the residence and sometimes play on the front porch per Staff person #1 the following safety concerns were observed accessible to the children in care: an extension cord, a small garden hand shovel and small garden hand rake, a disassembled wooden bird cage, a lawn flag sign with metal post, a rusted metal fire place gate and rusted gardening told inside a yellow milk crate, a white plastic laundry bin with a cracked handle, and three individual bricks on top of a pile of newspapers inside a plastic bin that could be tipped over and injury a child.

Correction Required: Conditions at the facility may not pose a threat to the health or safety of the children.

Noncompliance Area: The roof of a plastic toy truck was observed to be deflated causing it not be in good repair.

Correction Required: Toys, play equipment and other indoor and outdoor equipment used by the children shall be clean, in good repair and free from rough edges, sharp corners, pinch and crush points, splinters and exposed bolts.

Noncompliance Area: The child file for child #1 contained a current child service report that was not completed at least once in a 6 month period. The dates of the last two child service reports on file were 12/17 and 7/18. The child file for child #3 lacked an updated child service report on file; the date of the last completed child service report on file is dated 12/17.

Correction Required: An agreement shall specify the services to be provided to the family and the child, including the Department's approved form to provide information to the family about the child's growth and development in the context of the services being provided. the operator shall complete and update the form and provide a copy to the family in accordance with the updates regarding emergency contact information at 3290.124(e).

Noncompliance Area: The child file for child #1, who is a preschool aged child, contained a current health report that was not updated every 12 months. The last two health reports on file are dated 1/16/17 and 2/20/18. The child file for child #2, who is a preschool aged child, contained a current health report that was not updated every 12 months. The last two health reports on file are dated 1/6/17 and 5/1/18.

Correction Required: The operator shall require the parent to provide an updated health report at least every 12 months for an older toddler or preschool child.

Noncompliance Area: The child file for child #2 contained an updated health report on file that lacked a statement from the doctor regarding an examination of communicable disease and the child's ability to participate in child care.

Correction Required: A health report shall include a statement that the child is able to participate in child care and appears to be free from contagious or communicable disease.

Noncompliance Area: A tube of Desitin and A&D ointment were not labeled for the use of a specific child.

Correction Required: The label of a medication container shall identify the name of the medication and the name of the child for whom the medication is intended. Medication shall be administered to only the child whose name appears on the container.

Noncompliance Area: In the living room a tube of Desitin and A&D ointment were observed inside an unlocked top drawer of a multi plastic drawer organizer accessible to children in care.

Correction Required: Medication shall be stored in a locked area of the facility or in an area that is out of the reach of children.

Noncompliance Area: A tube of Desitin was observed to have expired on 1/2015.

Correction Required: Medication shall be stored in accordance with the manufacturer's or health professional's instructions on the original label.

Noncompliance Area: The staff file for staff person #1 lacked a current health assessment on file.

Correction Required: A facility person providing direct care who comes into contact with the children or who works with food preparation shall have a health assessment on file at the facility.

Noncompliance Area: The child file for child #1 and #2 contained a financial agreement and emergency contact form that were observed to not have been reviewed and updated by the parent at least once in a 6 month period. The dates of review/update on the financial agreement were 7/17/17 and 6/13/18 and the dates of review/update on the emergency contact information form were 11/16/17 and 6/13/18. The child file for child #3 contained a financial agreement form that was observed to not have been reviewed and updated by the parent at least once in a 6 month period. The date of review/update on the financial agreement form was 10/2/17 and 6/14/18.

Correction Required: A parent is required to review and update the emergency contact information and the financial agreement at least once in a 6-month period or as soon as there is a change in the information.

Noncompliance Area: The staff file for staff person #1 lacked proof of education on file.

Correction Required: The operator shall have a high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and submit proof to the appropriate regional office of the Department at the time of registration renewal.

Noncompliance Area: In the living room 3 electrical outlets on an electrical power strip located underneath the christmas tree were observed to be lacking a protective outlet covering. Another electrical outlet in the living room located to the right of the fire place was observed to be missing one protective outlet covering.

Correction Required: Protective receptacle covers shall be placed in electrical outlets accessible to children 5 years of age or younger.

Noncompliance Area: The following toxics were observed inside an unlocked multi plastic drawer organizer located in the living room accessible to the children in care: 6 bottles of nail polish in the second drawer from the top, 2 nail polishes and a bottle of Wit Out labeled 'Keep Out of Reach of Children' in the top drawer, two bottles of rubbing alcohol labeled 'Keep Out of Reach of Children' were observed in the bottom drawer. Black duck tape was observed to be on the right side of each of the drawers which the provider self reported was used to keep the drawers locked however the drawers were still able to be opened and the contents inside were accessible.

Correction Required: Cleaning materials and other toxic materials shall be stored in an original labeled container or in a container that specifies the content. Toxics shall be kept in a locked area or in an area inaccessible to children, and shall be stored away from food, food preparation areas and child care spaces.