Greensburg YMCA cited for child care violations; 3 workers fired

The Greensburg YMCA’s child care center was cited recently by the state Department of Human Services after a complaint investigation.

Department spokeswoman Erin James said the South Maple Avenue center was cited for violating child care regulations related to physical discipline, harsh language and ridicule or threat of harm.

Three child care workers who were involved with the Oct. 2 complaints were immediately suspended, said Greensburg YMCA Interim CEO Suzanne Printz. Each has since been terminated and their supervisor was placed on leave.

The department’s Office of Childhood Development and Early Learning is working with center officials to create a corrective action plan to address the violations, she said. After that plan is approved, state officials “will follow up to ensure the plan has been successfully implemented,” James said.

“Now that we have received the DHS report, we will consider further action and will cooperate with all entities to ensure that the children that are entrusted to us are safe,” she said. “Nothing is more important to our mission than the safety of the children of our community.”

The citations do not carry any fines. James said the state department has the authority to change a child care agency’s license status. The Greensburg YMCA remains fully licensed.

Once the corrective action plan is in place, a report will be posted on the facility’s listing on the state’s Find Child Care PA website.

Greensburg police on Thursday said they have not received a report of any incident at the YMCA.

The gym and pool at the YMCA closed to members Sept. 30 for at least six months. Child care programs, the Y’s adult training facility, after-school programs and youth sports are continuing as normal during the closure, which officials said was spurred by attendance and revenue drops because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The early childhood learning center operates for children ages 6 weeks to 6 years old.

The center has not received any negative sanctions in recent years from the state, according to inspection information. Its most recent unannounced inspection in October 2019 showed several minor safety issues were corrected, including covering electrical outlets, keeping certain items away from children and installing guards to prevent windows from being opened more than 6 inches.

A few staff-related paperwork issues were identified during the inspection, such as including health assessments, clearance information and written references in employee files, according to state information.