KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTER 303034 - Reading PA Child Care Center

Noncompliance Area: An inspection was conducted on 8/7/2020. At this time, the lid to a sensory table was observed to be cracked posing a pinching hazard. A crab sand box being used as a water table was observed to have about two inches of dirty, standing water in it. A sensory table filled with sand was observed to have about an inch of dirty standing water, with small worms swimming in it. All three were observed on the rear playground.

Correction Required: Conditions at the facility may not pose a threat to the health or safety of the children. 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: An inspection was conducted on 8/7/2020. At this time, used tissues, gloves, and band-aids were observed in an unlidded trash can on the toddler playground.

Correction Required: Trash that has been contaminated by human secretions or excrement shall be contained in closed, plastic-lined receptacles.

Noncompliance Area: An inspection was conducted on 8/7/2020. At this time, a carpet in the toddler room was observed having two rolled corners posing tripping hazards.

Correction Required: Floors, walls, ceilings and other surfaces, including the facility's outdoor play space surfaces shall be kept clean, in good repair and free from visible hazards.

Noncompliance Area: Facility self-reported that on 10/1/19, Child #1, a three-year-old preschool child, choked on a small metal ball less than one inch in diameter that was accessible in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom. In the mornings at drop-off, classrooms are combined and children are dropped off in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom, where Child #1 had access to small objects. Center was aware that Child #1 frequently places objects in his mouth. The child took the magnet wands and small metal balls from the science area. Child #1 then placed a small metal ball in his mouth and began to choke. An acceptable plan was received on 10/15/2019. The correction date was 10/2/2019. An unannounced inspection was conducted on 10/22/19. At that time, small pom-poms (less than one inch in diameter) and plastic bags were observed in the Discovery Preschool Room (two to three year olds) where they were accessible to the children in care. Facility Person #1, who works in that classroom, admitted that some of the children in the class still place objects in their mouths. The Legal Entity was required to remove or make inaccessible from children who are still placing objects in their mouths, all toys and objects with a diameter of less than 1 inch, objects with removable parts that have a diameter of less than 1 inch, plastic bags and styrofoam objects. An acceptable plan was received on 11/7/2019. The correction date was 10/23/2019.. The Legal entity was also required to have all staff to receive a minimum of two hours of in person training regarding Health & Safety -- Healthy Environment. An acceptable plan was received on 11/7/2019. The correction date was 1/6/2020. An unannounced inspection was conducted on 2/3/2020. At that time, watercolor paints were observed in plastic bags on the floor level shelf in the Discovery Preschool room (two to three year olds). Resealable plastic bags containing books and flash cards were observed in storage containers on the floor in the quiet center of the Discovery Preschool Room. The plastic bags were accessible to the children in care.

Correction Required: Toys and objects with a diameter of less than 1 inch, objects with removable parts that have a diameter of less than 1 inch, plastic bags and styrofoam objects may not be accessible to children who are still placing objects in their mouths. The legal entity must arrange for ALL facility staff to receive a minimum of two hours of in person training on age appropriate toys and supplies for the classroom. The legal entity shall also receive technical assistance following the training to ensure that appropriate procedures have been implemented. The legal entity must receive DHS approval of the training content prior to scheduling the training.

Noncompliance Area: An unannounced inspection was conducted on 2/3/2020. At that time, a lidded-trash can was observed in the preschool room that is not hands-free. Director and staff stated that the intended use of the trash can is for disposal of dirty diapers.

Correction Required: If disposable diapers are provided by a parent or by a facility, a soiled diaper shall be discarded by immediately placing the diaper into a plastic-lined, hands-free covered can.

Noncompliance Area: A complaint investigation was conducted on 12/18/19. At that time, it was found that Child #1 was injured on two separate occasions at the facility on 12/16/19. Each time the child was injured, a lack of supervision had occurred. During the first injury, Facility Person #2 was diapering and washing hands in the bathroom, while Facility Person #3 was cleaning up from breakfast. Neither staff saw the child hit his head and it unknown how he was injured. During the second injury, Facility Person #3, did not see the child fall because she was cleaning up from lunch.

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. Children must be supervised at all times. Each staff person shall be assigned the responsibility for supervision of specific children. The staff person shall know the names and whereabouts of the children in his assigned group. The staff person shall be physically present with the children in his group on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the facility premises.

Noncompliance Area: A complaint investigation was conducted on 12/18/19. During the investigation, it was found that Child #1 had sustained a head injury due to a fall at 9:15am on 12/16/19. Parents were not notified until 10:23am. At that time, the parent was not informed of the severity of the injury. Child #1 sustained a second head injury to the same spot due to another fall at 11:45am. Parent was notified immediately this time.

Correction Required: If emergency medical care is needed for a child, the parent shall be contacted as soon as practical in the best interest of the child. If the parent cannot be reached, the operator shall record in writing the reason emergency care was required and the attempts made to inform the parent.

Noncompliance Area: An unannounced inspection was conducted on 12/18/19. As a result of the inspection, Facility Person #1, the facility director, admitted that she instructed staff not to write a report of an injury of a child at the facility unless there is a mark.

Correction Required: A child's record shall contain reports of accidents, injuries and illnesses involving a child in care at the facility. The original report shall be given to the parent on the day of the incident. The second copy of the report shall be retained at the facility in an accident file. The third copy of the report shall be retained at the facility in the child's file. The director and all administrators at the facility, including the assistant director, are required to attend Existing Provider Orientation conducted at the Northeast Regional Office. The legal entity representative must contact the Regional Office in order to schedule this training.

Noncompliance Area: A complaint investigation was conducted on 12/18/19. At that time, multiple staff admitted that they are out of ratio in the mornings by two to four children for up to fifteen minutes. Staff stated that they are instructed by director not to clock in until their scheduled time even though another staff is out of ratio. Staff stated they are occasionally out of ratio toward the end of naptime when children wake up early and get up from their cots.

Correction Required: When children are grouped in similar age levels, the following maximum child group sizes and ratios of staff persons apply: Infants 1:4 with a maximum group size of 8; Young toddlers 1:5 with a maximum group size of 10; Older toddlers 1:6 with a maximum group size of 12; Preschool children 1:10 with a maximum group size of 20; Young school-age children 1:12 with a maximum group size of 24; Older school-age children 1:15 with a maximum group size of 30. The required staff:child ratios must be maintained at all times. When children are grouped in mixed age levels, the age of the youngest child in the group determines the staff:child ratio and maximum group size in accordance with the requirements in 3270.51 (relating to similar age level). The required staff:child ratios must be maintained at all times.

Noncompliance Area: Facility self-reported that on 10/1/19, Child #1, a three-year-old preschool child, choked on a small metal ball less than one inch in diameter that was accessible in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom. In the mornings at drop-off, classrooms are combined and children are dropped off in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom, where Child #1 had access to small objects. Center was aware that Child #1 frequently places objects in his mouth. The child took the magnet wands and small metal balls from the science area. Child #1 then placed a small metal ball in his mouth and began to choke. An unannounced inspection was conducted on 10/22/19. At that time, small pom-poms (less than one inch in diameter) and plastic bags were observed in the Discovery Preschool Room (two to three year olds) where they were accessible to the children in care. Facility Person #1, who works in that classroom, admitted that some of the children in the class still place objects in their mouths.

Correction Required: Toys and objects with a diameter of less than 1 inch, objects with removable parts that have a diameter of less than 1 inch, plastic bags and styrofoam objects may not be accessible to children who are still placing objects in their mouths.

Noncompliance Area: Facility self-reported that on 10/1/19, Child #1, a three-year-old preschool child, choked on a small metal ball less than one inch in diameter that was accessible in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom. In the mornings at drop-off, classrooms are combined and children are dropped off in the Pre-Kindergarten classroom, where Child #1 had access to small objects. Center was aware that Child #1 frequently places objects in his mouth. The child took the magnet wands and small metal balls from the science area. Child #1 then placed a small metal ball in his mouth and began to choke.

Correction Required: Toys and objects with a diameter of less than 1 inch, objects with removable parts that have a diameter of less than 1 inch, plastic bags and styrofoam objects may not be accessible to children who are still placing objects in their mouths.

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection was conducted on 7/15/19. At that time, Staff Person #1 identified ten children in her group. Staff Person #2 identified seven children in her group. Staff identified the children by naming them and pointing out their location in the classroom. There were eighteen children in the group; one child was unaccounted for.

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. Children must be supervised at all times. Each staff person shall be assigned the responsibility for supervision of specific children. The staff person shall know the names and whereabouts of the children in his assigned group. The staff person shall be physically present with the children in his group on the facility premises and on facility excursions off the facility premises.

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection was conducted on 7/15/19. At that time, Child #1, enrolled 9/22/17, did not have a child service report on file. Child #2, enrolled 10/15/18, did not have a child service report on file. Child #4, enrolled 4/18/18, had only one child service report on file dated 6/27/19. Child #5, enrolled 11/14/18, had no child service report on file.

Correction Required: 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 in 3270.124(f) (relating to emergency contact information).

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection was conducted on 7/15/19. At that time, the file for Child #3, enrolled 8/2/18, did not contain initial fee agreements or emergency contact information. The fee agreement and emergency contact information on file was dated 4/13/19. The file for Child #5, enrolled 11/14/18, did not contain an initial fee agreement. The fee agreement was dated 4/12/19.

Correction Required: Emergency contact information is required for each enrolled child. Emergency contact information must reference who shall be contacted in an emergency. A child's record shall contain a copy of the initial agreement and subsequent written agreements between the parent and the operator. The parent receives the original agreement.

Noncompliance Area: A renewal inspection was conducted on 7/15/19. At that time, the file for Child #2, enrolled 10/15/18, did not contain an initial health report. The health report on file was dated 3/15/19. The file for Child #3, enrolled 8/2/18, did not contain an initial health report. The health report on file was dated 4/10/19.

Correction Required: The operator shall require the parent of an enrolled child, including a child, a foster child and a relative of an operator or a facility person, to provide an initial health report no later than 60 days following the first day of attendance at the facility.A child's record shall contain initial and subsequent health reports.