Pathfinder Early Learning Center

470 IAC 3-4.7-55(a)(2) — Any person, while on child care center premises, shall not engage in or direct any of the following actions toward children: Hit, spank, beat, shake, pinch, or any other measure that produces physical discomfort

Regarding the incident on 05/12/2026, based on the DCS substantiation and the nature of the injury, the program is cited for failing to ensure staff only use safe, appropriate, and non-harmful discipline and physical interactions with children in care. A citation is aslo issued for inappropriate discipline based on the incident reported on 06/09/2026, in which multiple staff were observed handling children in a manner inconsistent with safe, developmentally appropriate practices. Staff were reported to have pulled children by the arms in an aggressive manner, lifted a child by the back of their shirt, and engaged in overly forceful jostling motions when interacting with children. These actions do not align with required standards for safe physical handling and appropriate guidance. Staff actions, as described in the investigation, do not meet required health and safety standards and constitute inappropriate discipline. (Health violation.) Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-41(a)(3) — Records, kept at the child care center, shall document the following for all current staff, substitutes, and volunteers: A statewide limited criminal history check completed by the Indiana state police

The provider does not have the documentation of a criminal history check for the following caregivers: R.M, J.S. & J.H. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-55(e)(3)(a) — Caregivers shall not: physically restrain children except: when it is necessary to ensure their own safety or that of others

The program self-reported that on 06/09/2026, staff were observed wrapping children in a manner that restricted their movement, which constitutes a form of physical restraint. The program additionally reported that staff applied force while a child was on their cot, causing the child observable distress. Staff present in the room stated that the restraint continued for approximately 10 minutes. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-53(c)(4) — The center shall assure that a cover is provided as follows for each child: Childrens faces and heads shall be free from covering

On 06/09/2026, staff who observed interactions with the accused staff member reported that the child’s head was completely covered during rest time, and that when the child eventually fell asleep, the staff member removed the covering from the child’s head. This practice further reflects unsafe and inappropriate nap-time practices. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-99(a) — The administrator or director is responsible for keeping the building, premises, and equipment in safe repair and structurally sound

Multiple rooms with damaged baseboards and flooring components (water damage, unsealed edges, missing baseboard pieces). Broken concrete (door jam) at door 7 creating tripping hazard and sharp point. Broken window knob (Creators) creating exposed sharp metal edges. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-100(e) — The center must store cleaning equipment, cleaning agents, aerosol cans, and any other item that states keep out of the reach of children in a place that is inaccessible to children

Unlocked areas accessible to children with chemicals and other hazards accessible to children. Spray paint (school age classroom), laundry soap (laundry areas) Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-99(i)(2) — Staff shall take the following steps to maintain the child care center: Keep the child care center in a sanitary condition at all times

General sanitation issues in most rooms -- particularly high traffic/"splash zones" around sinks, trash cans, art areas, baseboards with visible staining/debris/dried liquids. Vents in multiple restrooms coated/covered in layer of visible dust. Ripped diaper changing pads in multiple classrooms, rocking chair cushions visibly stained. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

410 IAC 7-24 — Current BCC approved food service training for at least one staff member responsible for the operation of the kitchen. A person with BCC approved food service training will be present whenever meals or snacks are served.

Program is operating and serving food without someone on site with current food handler certificate. Only staff member with certification not present in program at time of inspection. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-113(n) — All items in the restroom must be sanitizable

A plunger with a wooden handle was in the Discover bathroom. Bunny classroom had open diapers and toys stored in the bathroom. Butterfly room had open diapers. Bee room had sand and open diapers. The Wigglers room had plastic bibs and toy barns stored in the bathroom. All items must be sanitizable or in sanitizable container that prevents contamination. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-100(f) — The center must store hazardous articles, sharp scissors, knives, latches, lighters, flammable liquids, power tools, cleaning supplies, and any other items that might be harmful to children in a place inaccessible to children

Swifter mop with cleaning solution was stored within the reach of children in several classrooms. Discoverers room had a first aid kit within reach. The explorers room has cleaning solutuion within reach. The Bunny room had aquafor within reach. The Buttlerfly room had aquafor on the bathroom floor. The unlocked staff room had laundry detergent within reach of children. The hallway laundry area had laundry detergent within reach of children. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

IC 12-17.2-4-3(e)(1) — Subject to section 3.3 of this chapter, the applicant must, at no expense to the state, do the following: Require an employee or volunteer of the applicant who may be present on the premises of the child care center during operating

One present staff member who was alone with the school agers has not submitted a consent form. Consent forms and fingerprints must be submitted and cleared before being with children in ratio. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-53(f) — After thirty (30) minutes, caregivers shall provide supervised alternate activities for nonsleeping children

During discussion with the Creator classroom, the staff explained that children are not offered a non-sleeping activity after 30 minutes Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-141 — Infant/Toddler Sleeping

Eleven (11) month old male asleep on a cot. Safe Sleep recommended practices require all infants under twelve (12) months to sleep in a crib. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-128(f) — All electrical cords shall be inaccessible to children

In the Catepillar room, there was a child on a cot under the teachers counter area. He was playing with an electrical cord. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-48(a) — Child/staff ratios shall be maintained during all hours of operation

The teacher in the school age classroom, did not have a qualified background check, so she does not meet the caregiver requirements and can not count in the classroom ratio. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-66(19) — The specific guidelines of the most current, Handbook for Public Playground Safety, as published by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, Washington, D.C. 20207, shall be used to determine compliance with the followi

Sandbox in playground off of Solvers classroom not covered properly, sand wet and dirty, not sanitary for use. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-49 — Child grouping policies

Program was cited on 8/25/25 for having children ages 16, 17, and 21 months in the infant room with an age span greater than 13 months, room was not approved for toddlers. Program responded that they would no longer put toddlers in room. Attendance documentation from the weeks following show that the room is still being used as a COC room, toddlers mixed with infants. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-52(2) — For the purpose of maintaining continuity of care, centers may mix children six (6) weeks of age to thirty-six (36) months of age in one (1) classroom under the following conditions: The maximum group size is eight (8)

Reviewed due to a complaint, written attendance records verified that Solvers COC classroom was out of maximum group size (8 children) before 7:40 am: Sept 2 - 15 children, Sept 3- 14 children, Sept 4 - 12 children, Sept 5 - 15 children. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-52(1) — For the purpose of maintaining continuity of care, centers may mix children six (6) weeks of age to thirty-six (36) months of age in one (1) classroom under the following conditions: A child/staff ratio of 4:1 is maintained

Reviewed due to a complaint, written attendance records verified that Solvers COC classroom was out of ratio before 7:40 am with two caregivers in the room but over maximum ratio (eight children): Sept 2 - 15 children, Sept 3- 14 children, Sept 4 - 12 children, Sept 5 - 15 children. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

Program out of compliance with ratio and group size requirements in continuity of care classroom.

Complaint on record. Program out of compliance with ratio and group size requirements in continuity of care classroom. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

Program out of compliance with CPSC requirements for sandboxes

Complaint on record. Program out of compliance with CPSC requirements for sandboxes Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

Program out of compliance with group maximum group size requirement.

Complaint on record. Program out of compliance with group maximum group size requirement. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-51 — Centers shall make a reasonable effort to provide continuity of care for children under thirty (30) months of age

Program has seven COC rooms, due to staffing issues caregivers are not consistent, not providing continuity. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

470 IAC 3-4.7-49 — Child grouping policies

At time of consultants arrival there were three children ages 16 months, 17 months, and 21 months in the infant room, not approved for toddlers. Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.

Program out of compliance with Continuity of Care regulation

Complaint on record. Program out of compliance with Continuity of Care regulation Source: Indiana FSSA Child Care Finder / INspect Child Care.