|
December 2, 2025 Courtney Grenier, Authorized Agent 75 Parkview LN Carlton, MN 55718 License Number: 1081768 (Child Care Ctr) Dear Courtney Grenier: On April 30, 2025, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Licensing, received your request for reconsideration regarding Citations 1 and 2 in the Correction Order issued February 14, 2025 (enclosed). You did not request review for Citations 3 and 4. Therefore, Citations 3 and 4 are not under review. On June 18, 2025, licensing functions for child care centers, family child care programs, and child foster care programs, and maltreatment investigations involving child care centers, have been transferred from Minnesota Department of Human Services, Office of Inspector General (DHS), to the new Minnesota Department of children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), as directed by state law. While this matter began under DHS, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 15.039, subdivision 2, DCYF is now the responsible agency. SUMMARY OF CITATION AND RECONSIDERATION DETERMINATION: Citation 1: The program did not comply with cleanliness requirements; the indoor space was not clean (Tiny Tots). A mop bucket with dirty water was accessible to children. (Tiny Tots: Infant/Toddler classroom) As defined in Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0005, subpart 9, clean means 'free from dirt or other contaminants that can be detected by sight, smell, or touch. Request for Reconsideration. You stated that the teachers “were mopping the classroom floor immediately following lunch, during the transition to rest time…A teacher temporarily stepped away from mopping…to comfort and rub the back of a child.” You, also stated that “this brief moment was not representative of unsupervised or unsafe access to cleaning materials.” Applicable Law. The license holder must ensure that the indoor and outdoor space and equipment of the center must be clean. Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 9. “Clean” means free from dirt or other contaminants that can be detected by sight, smell, or touch. Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0005, subpart 9. Reconsideration Determination. The licensor observed a used mop and mop bucket with dirty water in the Tiny Tots room was accessible to children. The teachers may have been in the middle of mopping, and stopped mopping to tend to a child, however, the teachers were not actively mopping when the licensor was in the Tiny Tots room. The mop bucket and mop were left accessible to children while not actively being used. A used mop and mop bucket containing dirty water does not meet the definition of clean. Therefore, Citation 1 is affirmed. Citation 2: The DHS licensor observed that hazardous objects were accessible to children. A television cord was unsecured. (Toddler: Toddler classroom) Request for Reconsideration. You stated that the television is used during naptime to play calming music, and that the children do not have access to the TV. You also stated that the television is turned off as the children begin to wake up, and then the cord is wrapped. Finally, you stated that the during the licensor’s visit, the class room was in the naptime routine, and the television was in use, but the cord was not accessible to children and did not pose a hazard. Applicable Law. Child care centers must develop a risk reduction plan that prohibits the accessibility of hazardous items to children. Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.66, subdivision 2, paragraph (e). License holders must ensure that hazardous objects are stored out of reach of children. Minnesota Rules, part 9503.0140, subpart 17. Reconsideration Determination. Hazardous objects must be stored out of reach of children. The licensor observed a power cord from a television hanging loosely between the television and the wall outlet where it was plugged in the Toddler classroom. As the cord was at a level that could be reached by a toddler, the cord was within reach of, and accessible to, children. A loosely hanging power cord within reach of children in the classroom is a strangulation risk and a hazardous item. The license holder did not ensure that the loosely hanging cord was inaccessible to children. Therefore, Citation 2 is affirmed. Disposition The Commissioner has reviewed the relevant laws and all the information you submitted in response to the Correction Order. Citation 1 and 2 are affirmed. You did not request review for Citations 3 and 4. Therefore, Citations 3 and 4 are not under review. This is a final agency decision. The Commissioner appreciates your response and encourages you to continue to work cooperatively with your licensor to ensure the safety and well-being of the children you serve. Sincerely,
Hlee Vang, Attorney Legal Counsel’s Office Office of Inspector General
|
