Longview daycare forced to close, teacher fired

LONGVIEW, Wash. - The Little Rascals Academy daycare center in Longview has been forced to close its doors after a state inspector witnessed some disturbing behavior.

According to the state, kids were being restrained for nap time right in front of a state license inspector, who reported seeing a toddler placed face down on a mat with his head covered with a blanket and then a worker covering the child's body with her two legs.

Cheryl VanCleef, the daycare center's operator, told the inspector she "didn't know what else teachers were supposed to do" to control children.

Her daughter, Nicole VanCleef, who works at the center, said the teacher who restrained the child was fired.

However, the state contends that Cheryl VanCleef didn't seem to treat the incident seriously and they had to take action because the facility was already on probation for past alleged violations.

Nicole VanCleef said her mother has not decided whether to appeal the suspension. If not, the suspension will go through a hearing process and the daycare will stay closed until the case is resolved.

If you are concerned about the daycare center you send your children to, there is a way to check online to see if they have any complaints lodged against them:

• In Oregon - Child Care Division Web site
• In Washington - Licensed Child Care Information System

In fact, had parents looked up the Little Rascals Academy in Longview, they would have found multiple complaints, deemed valid by the state, that date back two years.  The complaints included issues about under staffing, nutrition and supervision.

The people who run the sites do say to keep in mind that this is only part of the picture.  It is a good idea to call the state, as well, and get the full story on a facility if it has had violations.