By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A near drowning of a seven-year-old boy has caused the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to shut down three western Pennsylvania day care centers. Allegedly, a young boy almost drowned during an overnight camping trip and was saved by a nine-year-old girl. No adults saw the boy almost drown.
By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Pursuant to Rule 591-1-1.12 – Equipment and Toys- of the Georgia Rules and Regulations for Child Care Learning Centers, all indoor and outdoor furniture, activity materials and equipment shall be used with the following limitation: a). in a safe and appropriate manner by each employee and child in attendant; and b). in compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions, recommendations and intended use.
By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Pursuant to Rule 591-1-1.13 – Field Trips – of the Georgia Rules and Regulations for Child Care Learning Centers, parents shall be notified in advance by the center of a child’s participation in ANY field trip, which must be signed and dated by a parent of the child. The advanced notice shall include: a). the name and address of the field trip’s destination; b). the date of the trip; c). time of departure; and d). estimated arrival time back at the center.
By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Pursuant to Rule 591-1-1.35 – Swimming Pools and Water-Related Activities – of the Georgia Rules and Regulations for Child Care Learning Centers, if a permanent swimming or wading pool is located on the center’s premises, the center must meet certain local regulations concerning the design, construction, operation and maintenance must be met. The swimming and wading pools must be inaccessible to children at the center except during supervised activities only.
By Will Brown, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Sheriff Pat Kelly and the Athens County Sheriff’s Office have been investigating claims as to sexual groping at two local at home day care centers. Children of six families claimed t hat a 72-year-old man had inappropriate contact with their children in Athens County. The day care centers are located in the Dover Township and Trimble areas.
By Will Brown Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Athens County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating allegations that a 72-year-old man inappropriately touched six children at day care centers in Athens County. The police and Children Services were first notified when a mother of two teenage girls said that the man groped her daughters at a store connected to a home day care center.
By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Pursuant to Rule 591-1-1-.26 – Playgrounds – of the Georgia Rules and Regulations for Child Care Learning Centers, child care centers must meet certain criteria and requirements. First and foremost, the outdoor area must larger the center’s licensed capacity for children, specifically the area shall be equal to 100 square feet times 1/3 the center’s capacity. Each center is required to provide 100 square feet for each child occupying the outside play area at any one time, groups of children may be rotated if necessary. The play area shall be adjacent to the child care center, or in an area that is accessible by a safe route or other approved method. However, school-age centers shall have shaded areas. The play areas shall also be protected by a fence or other secure barrier, which is 4 feet or higher. Child care centers must keep the play areas clean, so as to be free from litter and hazards (“free from hazards” can mean but is not limited to non-resilient surfaces under the fall-zaon of play equipment, exposed tree roots and exposed sharp edges of concrete or equipment. The equipment shall be age appropriate and provide the children at the center with various opportunities and engage in a variety of experiences. The outdoor equipment must be free from lead-based paint, sharp corners and be checked regularly to maintain safety.
By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Pursuant to Rule 591-1-1-.29 – Required Reporting – of the Georgia Rules and Regulations for Child Care Learning Centers, the director or other designated person-in-charge in the director’s absence, is required to report or cause to be reported the following:
By Scott Zahler, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
Pursuant to Rule 591-1-1.31 Staff – of the Georgia Rules and Regulations for Child Care Learning Centers, a child care center is required to have a director who is responsible for the supervision, operation and maintenance of the center. The director must be on the center’s premises. When he or she is not on the center’s premises, a person must be designated to assume responsibility for the operation of the center.
By Scott Zahler, Attorney & David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
After the tragic death of two-year-old Jazmin Green, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning has drafted an emergency rule change. Green died after day care workers left her in a hot van for an extended amount of time after a field trip. It was alleged that the center’s owner, Marlo Fallings, her daughter Quantabia Hopkins and an assistant falsified transportation records in connection with the incident. The state closed down Marlos Magnificent Early Learning Center in Jonesboro and assigned monitors to make sure it remains closed.
