Employees of Plainfield childcare center placed on leave amidst abuse allegations

PLAINFIELD, Ind. - A Plainfield childcare center has been placed on a three-month probationary license after a Family and Social Services Administration report found numerous safety violations, including child abuse allegations.




According to a letter distributed to parents and legal guardians that FOX59/CBS4 obtained on Wednesday, the director and a teacher at KinderCare Learning Centers in Plainfield have been placed on administrative leave following the FSSA report, which was filed on Aug. 7.




The FSSA inspection reports included several violations against caregivers at Discovery Preschool 2, located at 1002 Edwards Drive.




One of the violations alleged that on Aug. 4, the director failed to report incidents of child abuse to the Indiana Department of Child Services. Other instances included a teacher not being aware of the children's movement throughout the classroom, while the director was unable to provide accurate accounts of caregivers' actions, including alleged abuse and neglect under their supervision.




One inspection was based on a complaint that caregivers were seen by staff allegedly spraying children two years old and younger with a hose over the head and in the face. According to the inspection report, one of the children was reported to have sensory issues and a fear of water.




KinderCare wrote in its message to parents and guardians that during the three-month probationary period, all teachers will undergo regular classroom observation and quality assessments.




KinderCare issued the following statement on Wednesday:

Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the children in our programs. We have strict policies and procedures designed to deliver on that commitment to our families and communities. As a result, the two staff members involved are out of our center on administrative leave while internal and external investigations take place.




We are partnering with DCS and state licensing and will follow all guidance they provide. In addition, we are retraining staff on child care best practices, including their responsibilities as mandated reporters, proper classroom supervision and appropriate child guidance. Teachers will undergo additional classroom observations and quality evaluations to ensure the training is applied.

KinderCare Spokesperson