Chambliss Center for Children - Red Bank

1240-04-01-.09 Incident Reporting

It has been reported that multiple incidents involving inappropriate behavior by children were not communicated to the appropriate authorities in accordance with reporting requirements. — Visit: Complaint Investigation — Action taken: N/A

1240-04-01-.10 Duty to Report Child Abuse and Neglect

A child care agency shall not require staff to report to the child care agency or seek the approval of the child care agency management or ownership prior to any individual staff member reporting suspected abuse or neglect. — Visit: Complaint Investigation — Action taken: N/A

1240-04-01-.12 Health and Safety

The child care agency shall ensure that the child care environment and practices support child health and safety. — Visit: Complaint Investigation — Action taken: N/A

1240-04-01-.06 Staff

The primary educator/director or designee shall ensure that the staff person is physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of safely and appropriately providing care for children. — Visit: Complaint Investigation — Action taken: N/A

1240-04-01-.15 Program Language and Literacy Development

The record of each enrolled child shall include a copy of the signed Personal Safety notification form. — Visit: Complaint Investigation — Action taken: N/A

1240-04-01-.10 Duty to Report Child Abuse and Neglect

Multiple "exposure and/or indecent incidents" involving children were not reported. No documentation of these incidents was found in the children's files, and they were not part of the referrals submitted to DCS. — Visit: Complaint Investigation — Action taken: Incident reports were made for each child involved in this incident. All parents have been notified. This case is now under investigation with DCS.

1240-04-01-.15 Program Language and Literacy Development

An educator used inappropriate physical discipline with a child in care. According to staff statements, the educator struck the child on the arm on two occasions while attempting to manage the child's behavior. Physical discipline of any kind is prohibited. — Visit: Complaint Investigation — Action taken: The employee was terminated. An in-depth onboarding discussing child discipline will be performed, and a signed contract will be required. Enforcing a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate discipline, physical, verbal abuse, or withholding or bribing with food.

1240-04-01-.09 Incident Reporting

Multiple "exposure and/or indecent incidents" involving children were not reported. No documentation of these incidents was found in the children's files, and they were not part of the referrals submitted to DCS. — Visit: Complaint Investigation — Action taken: Incident reports were made for each child involved in this incident. All parents have been notified. This case is now under investigation with DCS.

1240-04-01-.11 Supervision

During the review of recent incidents, it has been determined that inappropriate behavior occurred between children while on the playground. These incidents involved one child exposing themselves and engaging in inappropriate physical contact with another child. The events were not immediately observed or interrupted by staff, indicating a lapse in required supervision. — Visit: Complaint Investigation — Action taken: The center has implemented additional required training for personal safety, especially the safe and unsafe and unwanted touches lessons with 4-year-olds. The center has repositioned the supervision zones on the playground to ensure staff are walking around and monitoring every child.

1240-04-01-.11 Supervision

The incident occurred when 12 children, ages 3-5, from the Runabouts and Pre-K classes were combined due to staffing shortages. Clarissa Jackson, the assigned teacher, supervised the group in the Runabouts classroom, which was selected for its larger square footage. A volunteer was also present in the room. After returning from outdoor play, Ms. Jackson conducted a name-to-face check and counted the children as they walked to get water and proceeded to their classroom. While performing the final count, she realized that one female child, 4-years-old, was missing from the group. Ms. Jackson immediately called for assistance, and the Director responded. A volunteer began searching in the Pre-K classroom, which was empty at the time. Ms. Jackson confirmed that Oaklynn had been in line and speculated that she may have crouched in a corner, as was common for her. Dana Jones, who was supervising volunteers in the building, located the child in the empty Pre-K classroom and safely returned her to Ms. Jackson. The child had been unattended for only a few seconds before being found. — Visit: Incident or Injury Investigation — Action taken: The Educator has been terminated. All other staff will be trained by CCR&R on proper and best practices for child supervision. Center management will ensure that rooms not in use will be locked and lights turned out.