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25 | Licensing Program Analyst (LPA), Janette Cruz, met with Patrice Kelly, Director and Melissa Leza, Program Director for an unannounced case management inspection in response to a self-reported Unusual Incident that the Facility reported to the Department.
The Unusual Incident occurred on 09/01/2021 when a preschool child was left unattended in the fenced preschool playground for about 3 to 5 minutes. Patrice states that there were 19 full-time preschool children (6 young preschool and 13 preschool) with two teachers and a teacher aid at the playground after lunch period scheduled from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM on 09/01/21. Patrice states that preschool kids stayed in the playground after they finish lunch and right before they transition to nap time from 1PM to 3PM.
Patrice states that a teacher from WC Overfelt High School informed the preschool teacher, S1, that one child was left behind the fenced playground at around 12:45PM. LPA conducted additional staff interviews of the two teachers and one teacher aid who were present during the incident. Patrice states that child told staff that he was hiding in the playground but child could not specify exact location of where he hid and thus was unaccounted for when the other preschool children came back inside the classroom. Patrice states that they use their staffng matrix form to check for children's headcount. Patrice and Melissa state that the master teacher/teacher is the designated staff to complete headcount using the staffing matrix. LPA obtained a copy of staffing matrix for the week covering the day of incident. Melissa states that staff failed to update the "staffing matrix form" on time of incident to reflect the accurate count of preschool children coming inside classroom from the playground. Melissa states that it was also because of lack of communication why one preschool child was left unaccounted for.
Patrice states that the preschool child was unharmed and doing fine. Patrice states that teacher, S2, notified the child's parents on 9/2/21. Patrice states that she notified Regional Director, Rebecca Larsen and advised her of the incident. Program Director, Melissa Leza was notified by Larsen on 9/2/21. Melissa states a staff training about the incident was conducted on 9/9/21 and reminded them of the supervision requirements and accurate head counts. Melissa also states that staffing schedules were adjusted to accommodate classroom ratio and support. LPA obtained adjusted staffing schedule and staff training document conducted on 9/9/21. Melissa states that coaching and disciplinary action of staff involved in incident will be completed by SJB leadership.
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