Email sent to OCFS executives:

Hello,

As promised in our reform request e-mail sent on Thursday 11/30, we have gathered real-life experiences from providers of every modality across the entire state demonstrating the oppression and injustices of the current regulatory and enforcement process and intend to share them with you daily until our requests are satisfied.

A licensed in-home provider and licensor were conversing during an on-site visit about different activities the program utilizes.  The provider mentioned using ball pit balls to toss into the air or dump directly over children’s heads as if the balls were raining down on them.  The children enjoyed the game and would help cleanup the balls and return them to the basket to play repeatedly.  She also mentioned tossing squishmellows and pillow pets in a playful “pillow fight” manner when the group needed a fun, safe way to release energy.  The licensor interviewed all the children about the games and when asked which toys were thrown, they all pointed to the ball pit balls and soft, plush toys.  The provider received violations for using corporal punishment techniques for “throwing” toys at the children because these actions could frighten them.  The provider’s license went into “pending revocation” status, a corporal punishment violation remains on the compliance history report with no context, she had to document that she would cease such game play, and she was required to take training courses on behavior management and stress management. 

-Family-based Childcare Provider in Central New York

Your urgent consideration and action is requested as a systemic reform is long overdue and there are elements of the current regulatory/enforcement process that infringe on our constitutional protections. We eagerly await your response.

NYS Childcare Providers