Hammond Early Learning Center

Based on observation and record review, S1 failed to have the center's staff and owner's daily attendance record accurately reflect persons on the child care premises at any given time. The Specialist observed S1 was not signed out of the center this morning, 01/20/2026, as she arrived at 10:05 a.m. during the Specialist's walk-through. S4 and S5 were not signed in on the staff daily attendance record for 01/20/2026. The staff daily attendance records were corrected prior to the Specialist's departure. Corrective Action: Effective 01/20/2026, S1 stated she will review the staff attendance…

Based on observation at 10 a.m., S1 failed to have items that can be harmful to children, such as cleaning supplies, kept in a locked cabinet or other secure place that ensures they are inaccessible to children. The Specialist observed Clorox wipes on a shelf in the three and four-year-old classroom accessible to the children. S1 removed the wipes immediately upon request. Corrective Action: Effective 01/20/2026, S1 stated she will complete a walk-through each morning to ensure no harmful items are accessible to the children to ensure compliance with this regulation.

1103.A.C. Based on record review/interview(s) at 11:30 a.m., S1 failed to notify the Department within 24 hours of the following critical incidents: On 11/21/2025, O1 visited the center to conduct investigations of allegations of abuse/neglect of children enrolled in the center, by S6. S1 stated she did not report the visit from Child Welfare, because she was not aware DCFS visits had to be reported to the Department. The Specialist was unable to validate the complaint. Corrective Action: Effective 12/09/2025, S1 and S2 stated they will report all critical incidents involving children in care…

1507.E. Based on record review at 11:30 a.m., the center's daily attendance records for visitors failed to accurately reflect when a visitor was on the premises. On 11/21/2025, O1 conducted an investigation at the center with allegations of suspected abuse/neglect, and failed to sign the visitor’s log. S1 was not aware of O1’s failure to sign in. Corrective Action: Effective 12/09/2025, S1 and S2 stated they will meet with staff by 12/10/2025, to review the staff's acceptance of visitors into the center. The visitor's attendance logs should immediately be completed by the visitor upon…

1711.A.& B.&D.: Based on observation/interviews at 7:45 a.m., S2 failed to meet the required child to staff ratio for children of the following ages: 16, two to four-year-olds, were being supervised by one staff member, S3, and 8 infant to one-year-olds, were being supervised by one staff member, S6. The required ratio for infants to one-year-old is 5:1, and children two to four-year-old is 12:1. Corrective Action: Effective 12/09/2025, S1 and S2 stated they will ensure child to staff ratios are met at all times by having an additional staff member at the center as needed, to ensure…

Based on record review/interview at 11 a.m., S1 failed to maintain documentation that accurately reflected children on the center premises at any given time as the Specialist observed 55 children present at the center, and only 43 children were signed in. S1 ensured the children's attendance records were accurate prior to the Specialists departure. Corrective Action: Effective 10/07/2025, S1 stated she will check each classroom's attendance each morning to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation at 11 a.m., S1 failed to ensure items that can be harmful to children, such as chemicals, were kept in a locked cabinet or other secure place that ensures they are inaccessible to children. The Specialist observed cans of Lysol and cleaning spray in the four-year-old classroom in a bucket on the ground accessible to the children. Corrective Action: Effective 10/07/2025, S1 stated she will meet with staff by 10/10/2025, to review items that can be harmful to children to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation at 11 a.m., strings and cords were accessible to children under age 4. TheSpecialist observed a cord and plug on the floor of the infant classroom that was accessible to the children. S4 removed the cord prior to the Specialist's departure. Corrective Action: Effective 10/07/2025, S1 stated she will check the classrooms daily to ensure no strings and cords are accessible to the children under age 4 to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation at 11:30 a.m., strings and cords were accessible to children under age 4. The Specialist observed a cord and plug on the floor of the infant classroom that was accessible to the children. S7 removed the cord prior to the Specialist's departure. Corrective Action: Effective 09/10/2025, S1 stated she will meet with S7 by 09/11/2025, to review strings and cords accessible to children to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation at 11:30 a.m., S7 permitted a bib to be worn by a child while asleep. The Specialist observed one infant in a crib asleep with a bib on. S7 removed the bib immediately upon the Specialist's request, prior to the end of the visit. Corrective Action: Effective 09/10/2025, S1 stated she will review safe sleep with S7 by 09/11/2025, to ensurecompliance with this regulation.

Based on observation at 10:30 a.m., S9 permitted a bib to be worn by a child while asleep. The Specialist observed one infant in a crib asleep with a bib on. S9 removed the bib immediately upon the Specialist's request, prior to the end of the visit. Corrective Action: Effective 08/11/2025, S1 stated she will review safe sleep with staff by 08/12/2025, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation on 6/30/2025, at 10:15 a.m., S1 failed to ensure items that can be harmful to children, such as chemicals, were kept in a locked cabinet or other secure place that ensures they are inaccessible to children. The Specialist observed a can of Lysol on a stool in the hallway, cans of Lysol and cleaning sprays in the three and four-year-old classroom in a bucket on the ground, and a bottle of bleach in the boy's restroom that were all accessible to the children. Corrective Action: Effective 6/30/2025, S1 stated she will complete walk-throughs upon arrival and…

C.: Based on record review/interview on 6/30/2025, at 10:15 a.m., S1 failed to have the required documentation of current commercial liability insurance for the operation of the center to ensure medical coverage for children in the event of accident or injury, and was not responsible for payment of medical expenses of a child injured while in the centers care. On 1/15/2025, C1 received medical attention due to an incident occurring while in the centers care. On 5/12/2025, O4 requested a current copy of S1's liability insurance policy from the Department, and found the policy had…

Based on record review/interview on 6/30/2025, at 10:15 a.m., S1 failed to maintain documentation that accurately reflected children on the center premises at any given time as the Specialist observed 61 children present at the center, and only 41 children were signed in. S1 ensured the children's attendance records were accurate prior to the Specialists departure. Corrective Action: Effective 6/30/2025, S1 stated she will review children's daily attendance records with staff by 7/01/2025, and will conduct a review of children attendance sheets daily, by 9:15 a.m., to ensure…

Based on observation on 6/30/2025, at 10:45 a.m., S6 failed to follow the Electronic Devices Policy as electronic devices were used by children under age 2. At 10:45 a.m., the Specialist observed S6 allowing the one-year-old classroom to watch television. Corrective Action: Effective 6/30/2025, S1 stated she will review the Electronic Devices Policy with staff by 07/03/2025, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation/interview on 6/30/2025, at 10:15 a.m., S5 failed to meet the required child to staff ratio for children of the following ages: 12 children, age two-years-old, with 1 staff. The required ratio for children of this age is 10 children per 1 staff person. The ratio was corrected at 10:45 a.m., when S1 moved two children into another room. Corrective Action: Effective 6/30/2025, S1 stated she will review child to staff ratio with staff by 7/03/2025, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observations on 6/30/2025, at 10:15 a.m., While supervising a group of children, S2 failed to participate with C2, four-year-old, and C3, three-year-old, in their activities. The Specialists observed C2 and C3 sitting on the floor outside of the classroom in the hallway playing, while S2 was in the classroom with the rest of her children. S2 stated she just brought the children in from outside and they were coming into the classroom. Her positioning in the classroom allowed her to observe C2 and C3 while they were outside of the classroom. Corrective Action: Effective…

Based on record review/interview on 6/30/2025, at 10:15 a.m., S1 failed to document that the entire center and play yard is checked after the last child departs to ensure that no child is left unattended at the center. The last day the end-of-day check was documented was on 6/10/2025. Corrective Action: Effective 6/30/2025, S1 stated she will place the end-of-day check near the front door and will review the end-of-day check daily to ensure it is completed, to ensure compliance with this regulation.

Based on observation on 6/30/2025, at 10:15 a.m., strings and cords were accessible to children under age 4. The Specialist observed a cord and plug on the floor of the infant classroom, on the floor of the one-year-old classroom, and hanging from the television in the three and four-year-old classroom that were accessible to the children. S1 removed the cords prior to the Specialist's departure. Corrective Action: Effective 6/30/2025, S1 stated she will monitor classrooms upon arrival and throughout the day to ensure all strings and cords are inaccessible to the children, to ensure…

Based on record review/interview at 11:45 a.m., on 04/07/2025, S1 failed to document that the entire center and play yard is checked after the last child departs to ensure that no child is left unattended at the center. The last day the end-of-day check was documented was on 03/11/2025. Corrective Action: Effective 04/07/2025, S1 stated she will check each day that the end-of-day check is documented to ensure compliance with this regulation.