Watauga KinderCare

At the time of the inspection the director allowed a caregiver to be present in a classroom without a background check. The director provided a different name for the caregiver, who had an active background check, and advised the caregiver present to do the same.

At the time of the inspection a caregiver was present, alone, in the classroom without having completed a background check at the operation.

This was evaluated as part of a DFPS Investigation. It was found that caregivers did not adjust the level of supervision required for a child in care when that child began exhibiting concerning behaviors. Caregivers were engaged in caregiving duties to the extent that they became unaware of the on-goings in the classroom and a child went into the bathroom with another child.

This standard was found deficient as part of a DFPS investigation. It was found that different caregivers observed concerning behaviors in a child in care and did not communicate with one another about the behaviors to ensure that the child could be supervised appropriately.

This standard was found deficient as part of a DFPS investigation. The investigation found that the named director at the operation had been on maternity leave and there was not a notification sent to Childcare Regulation.

At the time of the inspection 1 classroom had 18 children present with 1 caregiver, exceeding the caregiver/child ratio for the age group by 3 children.

At the time of the visit 4 of the infants that require written feeding instructions did not have updated forms within the last 30 days.

At the time of the visit 3 of the 10 children's records had missing items like emergency contact, emergency contact address, and address of elementary school attended.

Based on information obtained through investigation it was found that a child was bitten in care and the parent was not notified of the bite until the following day.

At the time of the inspection an epi pen was stored in the locked medication cabinet inside a ziploc baggie with the child's name written on the outside. The epi pen did not have the prescription box it would have been prescribed in.

At the time of the inspection the operation had 1 child with a food allergy that did not have a food allergy emergency plan signed by the child's physician.

At the time of the inspection 3 infants in care did not have updated written feeding instructions within the last 30 days.

This standard was found deficient as part of a DFPS Investigation. Through reviewing the investigation it was found that a caregiver with a background status of Eligible With Conditions that prevented them from being alone in the classroom supervising children had been left alone to supervise a group of toddlers while on the playground.

This standard was found deficient as part of a DFPS investigation. In reviewing the investigation, it was found that a caregiver was observed by staff and admitting to picking up young children by their arms.

At the time of the inspection a caregiver was observed grabbing a child by the upper arm, lifting them off the ground, and moving them back to the line when the child tried to run ahead.

Based on information obtained during an investigation children are being cared for in the hallway with no tables or chairs to sit in to do their homework or eat their snack.

It was found through investigation that a child in care had received an injury and had medical treatment for this injury. The operation failed to report this injury and Childcare Regulation was not made aware of it until a different incident was being investigated more than 2 weeks after this incident took place.

This was found to be deficient when a caregiver slapped a child on the cheek when the child put a small rock in their mouth.

At the time of the investigation it was found that a caregiver with a pending background check had been present in the classroom with children and additional caregivers.

At the time of the inspection the infant classroom had 5 children under the age of 12 months with 1 caregiver.

At the time of inspection, 2 children did not have completed health statements in their admission records.

At the time of inspection there were 5 children enrolled with documented food allergies without completed food allergy plans in their files.

At the time of inspection, one child's record was missing immunization documentation.

At the time of inspection, 5/10 personnel records reviewed were found to be incomplete.

At the time of inspection there were 2 epinephrine injections for children in care that were not stored in the original containers/packaging with child's full name or date brought to the operation.

At the time of inspection there were 4 children requiring epi-pens, with 3 children who had epi pens with expired dates.

Based on information obtained through the investigation it was found that caregivers and administration became aware of a concern of abuse of a child in care and did not make a report of the concern to the Texas Abuse and Neglect Hotline.

Based on information obtained through investigation it was determined that a caregiver did not use good judgement when they grabbed a child by the arm in a rough manner that caused discomfort to the child.

Based on information obtained through the investigation it was determined that staff were aware of a parent concern regarding interactions between their child and a caregiver and failed to report to licensing in the required time frame of 2 days.

This rule was evaluated with regard to an investigation and has been found to be in violation. The center did not make a report to Child Care Regulation. The director understands that any communicable disease must be reported to CCR within two days.

There was no documentation of drills since March 2021.

There were no entries logged on the active play space and equipment monthly checklist since January 2021.

The center had not certiffied annually in writing that they reviewed each of the recall notices issued by the CPSC and that there are no unsafe products in the center.

The unitary surfacing under the toddler play structures is cracking and disintegrating. The integrity of the surfacing is compromised. Photographs were taken of the deficiency.

The center was unable to provide verification of test data from the manufacturer showing the impact rating of the material (the maximum height of equipment that may be installed over the surfacing material), and installation and maintenance requirements.