The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services issued an Emergency Removal Order shutting down U-Gro Learning Centres, 1321 N. Sherman St. in York, after an investigation into the July 14 incident and a series of inspections. The order was released Monday, July 20.
The toddler was left unsupervised on the facility's outdoor playground for four to six minutes while the air temperature was 99 degrees with a real-feel temperature of 103 degrees, according to the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).
The child's parent arrived around 3:40 p.m. to pick up the toddler, but staff did not know where the child was. Instead, the parent located the child outside on the playground.
The toddler was sobbing, had red cheeks, and was wearing a fully soiled diaper, according to the inspection findings.
Investigators also found the daycare had no protocol for determining when outdoor weather conditions were unsafe for children or for deciding how long children should remain outside. Staff told inspectors they were responsible for checking weather conditions and making their own decisions about outdoor activities.
Investigators also found the daycare had no process in place for responding when a child was reported missing.
The daycare director did not learn about the incident until July 15, after the child's parent informed the facility, investigators said. The director collected written statements from employees the following day.
The investigation expanded beyond the incident with the toddler and uncovered additional supervision concerns.
During an unannounced inspection on July 16, OCDEL representatives entered a classroom where three employees were supervising children. When one staff member was asked how many children were in the classroom, the employee twice replied, "I don't know. Children just walked in and I am writing down their names."
Inspectors counted 29 children in the classroom and found the employee could not immediately identify the names of the children assigned to their care.
The Emergency Removal Order also cited numerous violations documented during inspections on June 22, July 6, and July 16, including failures involving general health and safety, child supervision, staff-to-child ratios, supervision during nap time, director responsibilities, and failure to correct previously cited building safety issues.
According to the order, the repeated supervision violations and failure to comply with corrective action plans showed "a deteriorating situation" at the facility and demonstrated "the provider's disregard for the health and safety of the children in care."
A company spokesperson told Daily Voice:
"Nothing matters more to us than the health, safety, and well-being of the children in our care. We have comprehensive safety training, established policies, and clear procedures designed to support a safe and nurturing environment for every child. We remain committed to partnering with our local licensing representatives and continuously reinforcing our safety practices across our schools. Our focus is on maintaining the highest standards of care, supporting our teachers and school leaders, and providing families with the safe, trusted environment they expect for their children."
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services concluded those conditions constituted "gross incompetence, negligence and misconduct" and were likely to create "an immediate and serious danger to the life or health of the children in care."
As a result, DHS ordered all children removed from the facility immediately and notified parents that U-Gro Learning Centres could not continue operating after July 17, requiring families to make immediate alternate child care arrangements.
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