All of the data for our ‘Child care providers across the state cited for numerous safety violations‘ investigation used came from publicly available documents from the state of Maine in the form of state inspection reports.
Because the data was manually transcribed from PDFs, we designed our own database and imported and cleaned this data. We fixed capitalization and spacing errors, edited fields for style and clarity and attempted to add contextual information by categorizing violations as either procedural violations or safety violations.
A violation is anything cited in the inspection report. Our criteria for a procedural violation was anything cited on the report that was related to the policies and mandatory procedures and training of the facility and staff that could not pose a harm to child welfare.
For example, missing attendance records would fall into this category, but a missing background check would not. Our criteria for a safety violation was anything cited in the inspection report that could pose a harm to a child’s safety or welfare. This could be something like unsanitary conditions or a verbal altercation.
In our analysis, we did not include child care providers who did not have an inspection report available from the state. However, these providers are available in the searchable table under “no data available.”
Questions or concerns about the database can be directed to Maine Monitor editor Kate Cough by email: kate@themainemonitor.org.
Procedural violations include:
Licensee, recent inspection report, relevant notices not posted
The provider is not registered for Maine’s Quality Rating and Improvement System
Fire drill procedure not posted and drills not conducted and documented monthly
Emergency preparedness plan not in place and evacuation drills not conducted twice annually
Missing shock-absorbing materials for indoor play equipment fall zones
Indoor temperature not maintained
Refrigerator/freezer temperatures/thermometers not within guidelines
Lacking a sufficient amount of energy-absorbing materials
Outdoor shade is not available and sun safety is not promoted
Missing telephone
Missing health care consultation and agreement
Daily child, provider, or staff member attendance is not kept
Record of policies not shared in child records
Records are missing the following: immunization, signed authorization to obtain emergency care, serious and reportable incidents reported, notation of significant changes in children documented, information about allergies and health conditions/health plans, permission for use of images, documentation of medical necessity, permission for high-risk activity, written explanation of missing information
Personnel records are incomplete and do not contain the following: a record of provider and staff member qualifications, a statement signed saying provider and staff members have read and understand the rules, pre-licensing training complete, documentation of provider orientation and/or ongoing training, immunization records for provider and staff members
Changes are not reported within 24 hours
Procedures for swimming/wading activities are not available
Child records do not contain emergency contact information, parent’s employer information, dentist and physician information, enrollment/termination date, permission to photograph, permission to apply sunscreen
The child care program schedule is not posted
Missing crisis plan
Missing QRIS certification
Missing annual staff evaluations
Missing staff high school diploma
Staff records do not include references
Staff are missing Health and Safety and Mandated Reporter Training
Staff files do not include MRTQ certificate
Missing annual water test
Children do not have separate files
Manual or handbook not available for inspection
Blankets and mats not stored together
Application for renewal not received at least 60 days prior to expiration
Crib missing a fitted sheet
Missing authorization to obtain medical care
Safety violations include:
Staff missing background checks
Staff-to-child ratio off
No CPR training/First Aid training or certification
Swaddling kids that are not allowed to be swaddled
Mislabeling food/breast milk
Expired food
Exits blocked
Cords, bags, medicines, cleaning products or toxins in reach of children
No gate on the stairs
Directed plan of action about previous inspection violations not posted
Conditional license not posted
Dog feces in the child care program
Excessive timeouts
Locking kids outside or in certain rooms
Strapping kids into high chairs as punishment
Restricting children during nap time
Physical altercations, including hitting, shoving, dragging, slapping
Verbal altercations, including shaming, screaming, yelling, threatening, derogatory remarks
Lack of supervision
Guns, pellet guns, BB guns or rifles on the premises or locked together with ammunition
A child running away
Severe unsanitary conditions
Child care program not reporting incidents to the parent or the state