CHILDREN'S DAY CENTER AND PRESCHOOL

Report - Prohibited Actions (251.04(3)(jm))

Former managerial Staff A failed to report many instances of inappropriate child guidance to the department, including the following. On 11/26/25 former Staff B screamed at a 4-year-old child and took them into the office where they screamed at the child again; the child then screamed, "Stop! You're hurting me!" In early 2025, Former Staff F put toddlers in "leg jail", crossing staff ankles over children's legs. Former Staff B, C, D and E frequently yelled at children. Rule 251.04(3)(jm) (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Policy Submitted & Implemented - Child Guidance (251.04(2)(h)8.)

Center staff are not following their written policies, which state time-out is not used. During the course of a complaint investigation, more than one staff person stated staff put children in time-out. Rule 251.04(2)(h)8. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Infant & Toddler - Individual Sleep Patterns (251.09(2)(b))

During the course of a complaint investigation, according to staff interviews, former Staff E, who worked in the Red Room (infant room) forced infants to nap at specific times. Former Staff E prevented a five-month-old infant from sleeping when the child was tired; former Staff E forced the infant to stay awake until 11:00 am, which is the time former Staff E wanted all of the infants to take their nap. Rule 251.09(2)(b) (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Infant & Toddler - Responding To Crying Children (251.09(2)(a))

During the course of a complaint investigation, it was discovered that former Staff F, who worked in early 2025, did not respond to crying children's needs. Instead, Staff F squirted crying infants with water bottles to get them to stop crying. Former Staff F and former Staff E had a "rule" that staff were not allowed to pick up crying children. Infants were left to cry for five or ten minutes, and sometimes all day. Rule 251.09(2)(a) (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Menus - Changes (251.07(5)(a)6.)

Based on an interview with former Staff C, and on menu observations during the 12/16/25 licensing visit, menu changes were only recorded on the copies kept in the kitchen; they were not posted for parents as required. Rule 251.07(5)(a)6. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Menus - Plan (251.07(5)(a)5.b.)

Based on menu reviews and an interview with former Staff C during a complaint investigation, none of the center's menus were dated. They were only identified as "Week 1", "Week 2", "Week 3", and "Week 4". The week numbers 1 through 4 kept repeating for the entire winter and summer sessions. There was no way of verifying menu dates. Menus posted in classrooms during the licensing visit on 12/16/5 were not for the current week and were not dated. Rule 251.07(5)(a)5.b. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Meals & Snacks - Minimum Meal Requirements (251.07(5)(a)4.)

During the course of a complaint investigation, menus were reviewed for an eight-week period. During that timeframe, there were several instances in which food components did not meet the USDA minimum meal requirements for either breakfast or afternoon snack. The following dates included breakfast or snack that did not meet minimum requirements: 12/17/25; 12/08/25; 11/25/25; 11/24/25; 11/11/25; 11/10/25; 11/05/25; and 10/27/25. There were five instances in which menu items were not clearly identified and were noted only as "cereal", "mixed cereal", or "mixed crackers". Rule 251.07(5)(a)4. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Prohibited Actions - Cruel, Aversive, Frightening, Humiliating Actions (251.07(2)(e)5.)

Former Staff B, C, D and E yelled at children, some daily. On 11/26/25 former Staff B screamed at a child, took them into the office and screamed again; the child said, "Stop! You're hurting me!" B also yelled at a toddler, "Don't look at me like that!" Center staff who were close-knit threatened children with former Staff B & C. C aggressively threw blankets over children's bodies and heads, yelling "Lay down!" Children feared C, and C once made a child cry. Former Staff D targeted a 17-month-old child; the child was so afraid when D yelled, the child froze in place and wouldn't move. Rule 251.07(2)(e)5. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Prohibited Actions - Physical Restraint, Restriction, Enclosure (251.07(2)(e)3.)

During the course of a complaint investigation, staff reported that former Staff F, who worked in early 2025, used to put children as young as one-and-one-half years old in "leg jail". Former Staff F used "leg jail" whenever a child was running or stomping. Former Staff F would sit in a rocking chair and have the child sit with their back against the chair; F would cross and lock their ankles over the child's shins for approximately two to three minutes. Rule 251.07(2)(e)3. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Time Out - Not Removed From Classroom (251.07(2)(c)5.)

During the course of a complaint investigation, on 11/26/25 former Staff B grabbed a four-year-old child who was not a danger to themself or other children, took the child into the office and kept the child in the office for approximately ten minutes. On another occasion, former Staff D took a 17-month-old child into the office where the child remained for the majority of the day. Rule 251.07(2)(c)5. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Time Out - Time (251.07(2)(c)3.)

Based on staff interviews during a complaint investigation, former Staff D put a 17-month-old child in time-out in the office one day for almost the entire day. Rule 251.07(2)(c)3. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Time Out - Age (251.07(2)(c)1.)

During the course of a complaint investigation, staff admitted they and former Staff D and former Staff E put one- and two-year-old children in time-out. This occurred in the Red Room and in the Purple Room. Rule 251.07(2)(c)1. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Supervision Of Children (251.055(1)(a))

On 10/09/25, management staff asked a 14-year-old child to take a three-year-old child alone into the building to the bathroom, without being supervised by a child care teacher. The child's parent discovered the 14-year-old alone with their child coming out of the bathroom when no one else was in the building. Management staff admitted they occasionally allow that 14-year-old and another 14-year-old to take children alone to the bathroom. Rule 251.055(1)(a) (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Volunteers, Student Teachers - Orientation (251.05(3)(j)1.)

Two volunteers who have been working alone with children are missing documentation of having completed a volunteer orientation during their first week at the center. Rule 251.05(3)(j)1. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Staff Record - Physical Examination (251.05(2)(a)3.a.)

Two volunteers who have been working with children at the center more than 30 days are missing a physical examination report signed and dated by an approved medical provider stating they are free from communicable diseases and are physically able to work with young children. Rule 251.05(2)(a)3.a. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Assistant Child Care Teacher - Qualifications (251.05(3)(g)2.)

Two under-age volunteers who have been working alone with children in the capacity of assistant child care teachers do not meet assistant teacher qualifications in the following respects: the individuals are both under age 18, and they are not eligible to complete the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction assistant child care teacher training program because they are also under age 17. Rule 251.05(3)(g)2. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Assistant Child Care Teacher - Supervision (251.05(3)(g)1.)

Two under-age volunteers are being used as assistant child care teachers; management staff have been allowing them to work with children alone, without being supervised by a child care teacher. Rule 251.05(3)(g)1. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Child Abuse & Neglect - Biennial Training (251.05(3)(cm))

Two volunteers who have been working alone with children are missing documentation of having completed training in child abuse and neglect during their first week at the center. Rule 251.05(3)(cm) (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Staff Record - Days & Hours Worked (251.05(2)(a)6.)

The center does not maintain a record of the days and hours worked for two volunteers who have been working in the capacity of assistant child care teachers. Rule 251.05(2)(a)6. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Staff Record - Completed Background Check (251.05(2)(a)2.)

Management staff have been allowing two volunteers to work alone with children in the capacity of assistant child care teachers. The volunteers are missing completed department-approved background checks. Rule 251.05(2)(a)2. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Staff Record - Maintenance & Availability (251.05(2)(a))

The files for two volunteers who are being used in the capacity of assistant child care teachers were unavailable during the licensing visit. Rule 251.05(2)(a) (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Staff Record - Physical Examination (251.05(2)(a)3.a.)

Staff A and Staff B, who have been employed longer than 30 days, are missing a physical examination report. Rule 251.05(2)(a)3.a. (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Staff Orientation - Develop, Implement, Document (251.05(4)(a))

Staff B is missing documentation of having completed an orientation during their first week at the center. Rule 251.05(4)(a) (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Report - Incident Or Accident (251.04(3)(a))

The department was notified of a child injury that resulted in professional medical evaluation 15 days after the incident occurred, instead of being notified within 24 hours of when center staff were aware of the medical evaluation. Rule 251.04(3)(a) (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).

Policies Submitted & Implemented (251.04(2)(h))

On 4/23/25 the Department discovered that the center updated its written policies in July 2024 - and possibly in 2018 - but did not submit them immediately to the Department, as required. The Department only learned about the updated policies during the course of a complaint investigation. The most recent written policies were submitted to the Department in 2017. Rule 251.04(2)(h) (View official inspection document). Source: Wisconsin DCF Child Care Finder (childcarefinder.wisconsin.gov).