HAPPY PLACE CHILD CARE OF MIDDLETOWN

On July 16, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding allegations of lack of supervision, failure to have and follow procedures for reporting accidents or critical incidents involving children and other important information relating to the child, and failure to intervene quickly to ensure the safety of children and others by allowing children to hit, punish, or discipline one another. An investigation was conducted on July 23, 2026. Based on interviews conducted, observations made, and documents collected during the investigation, there is no evidence to substantiate the allegation of lack of supervision. The classrooms were arranged with clear lines of sight for supervision, staff were actively supervising children throughout the visit, and attendance records confirmed that required staff-to-child ratios were maintained in accordance with Delacare Regulations. Based on interviews conducted and documents collected and reviewed during the investigation, there is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that the center failed to have and follow procedures for reporting accidents or critical incidents involving children and other important information relating to the child. All staff interviewed consistently described the center's procedures for reporting incidents, and their responses were consistent with the procedures outlined in the parent handbook. Based on interviews conducted, and observations made, there is no evidence to substantiate the allegation that staff failed to intervene quickly to ensure the safety of children and others or allowed children to hit, punish, or discipline one another. All staff interviewed described using positive guidance techniques, including redirection and discussing inappropriate behaviors with children, to address challenging behaviors. No evidence was identified to support the allegation that Child #1 hit or kicked other children or that staff failed to intervene appropriately.

Ensure children have blood lead screenings. Send Child #2, 12, and 14 to OCCL.

Correction status: Completed · corrected March 23, 2026 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 10, 2026

Between January 27, 2026, and February 2, 2026, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received two complaints regarding infant safe sleep, failing to meet a child s needs, sanitation requirements, access to electrical outlets, washing of bedding, failing to follow requirements for breastfeeding, and staff using cell phones. An investigation began on February 2, 2026, and concluded on February 5, 2026. According to staff interviews and observations, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint. All staff interviewed stated they follow infant safe sleep guidelines, sanitation requirements, washing of bedding, breastfeeding requirements, and cell phone requirements. Based on observations, children s needs were met, electrical outlets are safety outlets and are not required to be covered, no staff were using their cell phones while caring for children, and breastfeeding requirements were met.

Ensure children have health appraisals on file. Send Child #1's health appraisal with immunizations to OCCL.

Correction status: Completed · corrected March 20, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 11, 2025

Ensure no hazards are on the playground. Repair, replace, or cover area between poured-in-place and concrete.

Correction status: Completed · corrected March 24, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 11, 2025

Ensure staff wash hands after changing diapers. Review regulation and procedure with Staff #1 and send to OCCL.

Correction status: Completed · corrected March 20, 2025 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 11, 2025

On September 25, 2024, the Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint regarding improper discipline, behavior management techniques, proper handwashing, toileting procedures, and concerns about sanitization procedures. The investigation was conducted on October 2, 2024. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for improper discipline, behavior management techniques, lack of proper handwashing, not sanitizing properly, or not following toileting procedures based on staff interviews and documentation received. A behavior report was reviewed for Child #1 and all staff interviewed denied using improper discipline, stated they use appropriate behavior management techniques, use proper handwashing and toileting procedures, and clean and sanitize classrooms regularly.

Ensure staff files are complete. Staff #1 needs one reference letter. Staff #2 needs either one service letter and one reference letter, or 3 additional references. Staff #4 needs 7-hour OCCL Health and Safety training and signed job description.

Correction status: Completed · corrected March 19, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 12, 2024

Ensure thermometer in kitchen refrigerator reads 41 degrees or below. Send a picture to OCCL.

Correction status: Completed · corrected March 15, 2024 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 12, 2024

The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on August 31, 2023, regarding multiple allegations including diapering procedures, meeting the needs of children, lack of supervision at nap time, program curriculum goals, behavior supports, insufficient or unsafe equipment for children, and sanitation. An investigation was conducted on September 12, 2023. Based on the results of this investigation, there is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not following diapering procedures because all staff interviewed stated diapers are changed regularly throughout the day. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not meeting the needs of children or lack of behavior supports because based on observations made by licensing specialists and staff interviews, children were cared for immediately if they were upset. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for lack of supervision at nap time because based on staff interviews, all staff denied sleeping in the classrooms during nap time. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not having program curriculum goals because licensing specialists observed up-to-date lesson plans with all required components in classrooms. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for insufficient or unsafe equipment for children because even though it was observed two classrooms had minimal equipment, the administrator brought in additional toys and books to the center during the visit. All staff also stated they discard broken toys and replace them. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for sanitation because based on staff interviews and written statements, all dishes and sippy cups are cleaned after every meal in the dishwasher.

The Office of Child Care Licensing received a complaint on April 14, 2023, regarding lack of supervision, center policies, and security procedures. An investigation was conducted, beginning on April 19, 2023, and ending on April 20, 2023. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint regarding lack of supervision because all staff directly caring for Child #1 stated they saw him leave the classroom or playground every time Child #1 got out and ran. All staff reported they immediately followed Child #1 to stop him and bring him back. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for not following security procedures, as classroom staff and management staff reported all inside doors and all gates were kept closed and secured according to DELACARE regulations. There is no evidence to substantiate not following policies about bringing toys into the classrooms, because Ms. Tawfik sent out a letter to parents when she decided to no longer allow outside toys into the classrooms. This is a business decision not governed by OCCL regulations. There is no evidence to substantiate this complaint for not following termination policies because the policy states termination may result from other situations as may be determined by the owner(s) and/or administrator. This is a business decision not governed by OCCL regulations.

On March 14, 2023, a complaint was made to the Child Abuse and Neglect Report Line and not accepted for investigation by the Institutional Abuse Unit (IAU). The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received the complaint on March 16, 2023, and accepted it for investigation regarding improper discipline. On March 15, 2023, the owner/administrator self-reported a notification she received from a parent who stated a specific staff member hit their child s butt when she misbehaved. An investigation was conducted on March 28, 2023. The complaint is substantiated because a licensing specialist observed a different staff member improperly discipline a child by grabbing the child s arm and roughly placing the child in a chair. Based on interviews with staff and the owner/administrator, there is no evidence to substantiate the reported allegation that the specific staff member improperly disciplined the particular child. The staff interviewed denied ever seeing or hearing of the staff member improperly disciplining a child.

All staff files must be complete. -All staff must complete the seven-hour Health and Safety Training for EC Professionals, except Staff #1 through #7. Send copies of certificates to OCCL.

Correction status: Completed · corrected April 10, 2023 · how corrected: Document · correction was due April 14, 2023

The Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) received a complaint on October 12, 2022, regarding diapering procedures, sleep environment, and not maintaining confidentiality of child information. An investigation began on October 12, 2022, and ended on October 17, 2022. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for inappropriate sleep environment because Staff #1 and Staff #3 reported Child #1 had just fallen asleep on the floor when Parent #1 walked in to pick up Child #1. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for diapering procedures, because Staff #1 stated she had changed Child #1 s diaper at 4:00 PM, shortly before Parent #1 arrived to pick up Child #1. Staff #1 denied knowing Child #1 had a soiled diaper when Parent #1 picked her up. There is no evidence to substantiate the complaint for not maintaining confidentiality of Child #1 s information, because Ms. Tawfik, Staff #1, and Staff #2 denied knowing what the Reporter meant by Child #1 s confidentiality being breached. Licensing Specialist (LS) Catka attempted to call the Reporter for clarification on two different days, leaving messages for a return call. LS Catka also emailed the Reporter asking for a response, but did not hear back from the Reporter.

A complaint was received by OCCL on January 5, 2022, regarding the center not following public health protocols regarding staff quarantining after testing positive for Covid. An investigation was conducted beginning on January 6, 2022, and ending on January 12, 2022. The complaint is unsubstantiated for not following Public Health protocols, because Ms. Tawfik verified the dates Staff #1 tested positive for Covid, remained in quarantine, and returned to work. All Public Health guidelines were followed.