Methodist Children's Learning Center

Based on interviews at 12 p.m., although the center has a behavior management policy in place, S9 (DOH: 7/31/2025) and S10 (4/04/2024) used a prohibited method of discipline, verbal abuse.Per staff interviews, S9 and S10 have been observed telling children, dates/times unknown, to "shut up". Corrective Action: Effective 3/16/2026, S1 will review behavior management policy with all staff by 3/20/2026 to ensure compliance with this regulation.

1103.A. C.2.: Based on record review on 10/15/2025, at 12:30 p.m. S1 failed to notify DCFS Child Welfare within 24 hours of the following critical incident: On 9/10/2025, at 14:25:01 p.m., C2 (2-year-old) pushed through the gym gate at 14:25:01 p.m. and ran into the hallway. S14 spotted him down the hallway at 14:27:50 p.m., but C2 ran from her and continued into the fellowship hall. C2 was retrieved from the fellowship hall by S14 at 14:28:00 p.m. S1 stated she completed a report to DCFS Child Welfare via the online portal, but no documentation of the report has been received. Another report…

Based on record review and interviews at 11:15 a.m. on 10/15/2025, children failed to be under supervision at all times on 9/10/2025 and 10/8/2025. On 9/10/2025, while in the care of S13 and S15, C2 (2-year-old) pushed through the gym gate at 14:25:01 p.m. and ran into the hallway. 14:27:50 p.m., S14 spotted him down the hallway, but C2 ran from her and continued into the fellowship hall. 14:28:00 p.m., C2 was retrieved from the fellowship hall by S14 Disciplinary action was taken against S13 and S15 for the incident. On 10/8/2025, 14:00:36 p.m., S18 and S19 left C1 (1-year-old)…

Based on interviews on 10/15/2025, at 11:15 a.m., on 9/10/2025, S13 and S18 failed to devote their time to supervising and participating with the children in their activities during play time in the gym. Per interviews, it was determined S13 was on her cell phone for personal use while supervising 6 children, ages 2-years-old. It was determined S18 was on her cell phone for personal use while supervising 5 children, ages 1-year-old. Both staff received disciplinary action on 9/10/2025. S18 was terminated 10/8/2025. Corrective Action: Effective 10/15/2025, S1 will explore purchasing…

d. Based on record review/interview at 10:30 a.m., there failed to be a monitoring policy for provisionally employed staff with incomplete CCCBC-based determination of eligibility for child care purposes.

1811-D.2.3.: Based on record review at 10:30 a.m., S2 failed to designate a monitor for a provisionally-employed staff member, S10, while present at the center. According to center records, S10 (DOH: 2/17/2025) was present at the center and performing duties from 2/19/2025 - 2/21/2025 , with a provisionally-employed status without being monitored. S10 received a CCCBC-based determination of eligibility on 2/24/2025.

1103.A.3. C.2. Based on record review/interview at 12 p.m., S1 failed to notify DCFS Child Welfare within 24 hours of the following critical incident: On 1/02/2025, at 3:03:51 p.m., C1 (4-year-old) was left unsupervised upstairs in the stair well when S15 exited the center to the play yard. C1 remained unsupervised as she went down the stairs, out the east door into the fellowship hall and made her way to the gym, realizing her class was not there. C1 was found outside screaming at the east door at 3:09:05 p.m. DCFS Child Welfare was notified of the critical incident on 1/09/2025.

1507.A. Based on record review at 11 a.m., the daily attendance log for children failed to include the time of departure of each child and the first and last name of the person to whom the child was released. The Specialist reviewed the daily attendance record for 1/02/2025, and verified the time of departure was missing 5 times and the first and last name of the person to whom the child was released was missing 5 times.

1711.A.B.D.E. Based on record review/interview at 10 a.m., S1 failed to meet the required child to staff ratio for children of the following ages at 3:07:17 p.m. on 1/02/2025: 19 children, ages 2-years-old through 4-years-old, with 1 staff, S13. The required ratio for children of this age is 12 children per 1 staff person. An additional staff member was needed to meet the child to staff ratio. The issue was corrected when S15 returned to the play yard at 3:12:12 p.m.

1713.A.B.C. Based on record review/interview at 10:05 a.m., children failed to be under supervision at all times. The Specialist reviewed video footage from 1/02/2025, and observed S15 left C1 (4-year-old) alone and unsupervised in the stair well upstairs at 3:03:51 p.m. C1 then went down the stairs, out the east door into the fellowship hall and made her way to the gym, realizing her class was not there. C1 was found outside screaming at the east door at 3:09:05 p.m.

1719.B. Based on record review at 9:30 a.m., S1 failed to have documentation that 1 of 19 staff, S13, received orientation within seven days of the first day present at the center and prior to having sole responsibility for any children. S13, Date of Hire: 11/26/2024, failed to complete the DCFS Mandatory Reporter Training within seven days of being present and providing sole responsibility of children. S13 completed the training 12/31/2024.