The Goddard School / Newark

“On September 11, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline. An investigation began on September 16, 2026, and concluded on September 21, 2026. Based on the results of this investigation, this complaint is substantiated because video footage shows Staff #1 striking a child on the back with a bag of balls while the child was seated in a chair. This complaint is also substantiated for not meeting the needs of children because LS #1 observed video footage showing Staff #1 lift a cot with a child lying on it and carry the cot several feet across the classroom. There is no evidence to substantiate that Staff #1 speaks to children in a harsh tone because all staff who were interviewed stated that they had not observed Staff #1 or any other staff member speaking to children in a harsh or rough manner. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for staff vaping in the children s bathrooms because all staff members who were interviewed denied ever observing staff doing so. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for staff eating children s food brought from home because four of the five staff members interviewed denied ever observing staff doing so, and the staff member who stated they did observe it could not clarify how often it occurred or how much food was consumed. There is no evidence to substantiate Staff #1 sprayed a child in the face with water because video footage observed Staff #1 using what appeared to be a spray bottle in the direction of a child. However, the view of this interaction was partially obstructed by a bookshelf, and LS #1 was unable to clearly observe if a child was being sprayed. There is no evidence to substantiate that Staff #1 removed a chair from under a child while eating, leaving child on floor and crying because all staff members who were interviewed denied ever observing any staff member doing so, and video footage obtained does not show this occurring. There is n o evidence to substantiate that Staff #1 failed to clean a two-year-old after a bowel movement accident and required the child to clean herself because all staff members who were interviewed denied ever observing any staff member doing so, and video footage obtained does not sufficiently indicate this occurred.”

“Ensure staff files are complete. -References for Staff #1 and #2. -Data Sheet or Resume for Staff #2.”

“Ensure children's files are complete. -Health appraisal with immunizations for Child #2. -Blood lead screening results for Child #8, #9, and #15.”

“Ensure walls are in good condition and doors are hazard-free. -Paint/ Cover exposed wood on the window sill in the Get Set classroom. -Attach molding in the toddler and get-set classroom.- Corrected at visit. -Attached the closest door in the get-set classroom-Corrected at visit.”

“Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs references and health appraisal with TB. Staff #2 needs release of employment and service letter(s). Staff #3 needs health appraisal with TB.”

“Ensure children's files are complete. Child #9 needs blood lead screening results.”

“Ensure Radon testing is completed every five years.”

“Ensure outlet covers are not broken. -Corrected at visit. Ensure ceiling tiles in the Pre-K classroom are free of water damage. Ensure surfaces are cleanable. Repair/Paint molding around the bathroom in the older toddler classroom.”

“Ensure diaper changing trash can is operational and within arm s reach. -Corrected at visit.”

“Ensure staff files are completed. References for Staff #6 and Staff #9. Health appraisal with TB for Staff #9.”

“Ensure the carpet in young toddlers is cleaned, Replace or Repair the cabinet door in the pre-School room, and ceiling tiles in the Pre-K need to be free of water damage.”

“Ensure gate is operational. Repair of replace broken gate latch.”

“Submit the following to complete staff files. CPR and Frist Aid certification for Staff #1. OCCL Health and Safety training for Staff # 4, 5, and 8. Job Descriptions, references, adult abuse for Staff #9. Health appraisal with TB for Staff #7. Documentation service letters were sent for Staff #1,2,3 and,6. DEEDS Certificate for Staff # 6.”

“Ensure child files are completed. Lead screening results for Child #6 and 11. Updated health appraisal for Child #13. Immunizations for Child # 11. Notarize religious or medical exemption for immunization for Child #7.”

“Ensure all surfaces are cleanable. Patch and paint the back wall in the first step room. Attach molding in older toddler classroom. Ensure air freshener is not used in any classroom or bathrooms. - Corrected at Visit”

“Ensure playground is free of hazards. Replace the broken fence post.”

“Ensure cots and mats are labeled in older toddler room and Pre-K room.”

“No music equipment in K-prep room. Place music equipment in classroom.”

“The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on December 28, 2022, regarding exceeding maximum group size, staff members children attending but not enrolled in the program, unqualified and not determined eligible staff being alone in classrooms, inaccurate attendance records, not following proper procedures to identify unknown persons entering the building or attempting to pick up a child, not allowing Purchase of Care (POC) staff to enter the facility to conduct an audit, sanitation and physical environment concerns, unsafe equipment on the playground, excessive use of screen time, children not having top and bottom coverings, no supply of extra diapers available, Medication Administration Records (MAR) not on file for use of diaper cream, no hand soap available, new staff not receiving orientation, not modeling respectful communication by staff, and improper discipline. This complaint is substantiated for staff member children attending care without completed enrollment documentation on file. This complaint is substantiated for sanitation concerns because the rug in the infant room was observed to be dirty. This complaint is substantiated for children not having top and bottom coverings during nap time because the administrator stated they do not have sufficient extra bedding for all children whose parents do not provide bedding as needed. This complaint is substantiated for not modeling respectful communication because Staff #2 stated Staff #4 was yelling back at Parent #1 at the center. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for exceeding maximum group size, unqualified and not yet eligible staff being alone with children, or inaccurate attendance records as documented by reviewing attendance records. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for staff allowing unauthorized people to enter the center or pick up children because staff stated center policies and procedures for drop off and pick up and building secur ity are being followed. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for chipped paint or the microwave being dirty because during the facility walk through LS Daffern did not observe any chipped paint and the microwave is not for children s food and was cleaned at the time of the visit. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for broken equipment on the playground because this specialist observed no broken on her walk around the playground. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for not allowing POC staff entry because the date of the visit was changed by mutual consent due to staffing. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for children watching television all day because the administrator stated children may only watch one hour of television per week. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for no extra supplies of diapers because the center does have extra supplies if needed. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for children not having an MAR on file for diaper cream because all children had an MAR on file. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for no hand soap available because all sinks and classrooms had hand soap along with hand soap in the supply closet. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for new hires not receiving the required orientation training because the administrator stated she conducts all required OCCL orientation training for new staff. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline because the administrator and all staff interviewed denied any staff member having used improper discipline.”

“The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on October 13, 2022, regarding the playground having broken toys and a broken fence, and unqualified staff being alone in classrooms. This complaint is substantiated for broken toys on the playground because LS Daffern observed broken toys accessible to children. Other hazards on the playground were stacks of chairs, two hoses, and items piled up on a cabinet accessible to children. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for a broken gate because although a portion of the fence is in the process of replaced, the gate still functions as intended and the center has a plan in place while waiting for the replacement parts. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for unqualified staff alone with children because attendance records and staff interviews documented qualified staff were present at all times.”