A Goshen special-education preschool is facing the possible loss of its childcare license after a student was left unsupervised for more than a minute.

The case is one of several across the Hudson Valley raising questions about how childcare programs are monitored— and what parents can do when something goes wrong.

Online data for Inspire Kids at 2 Fletcher Street currently lists the facility’s license status as “pending revocation and denial.”

The facility describes Inspire Kids as a special-education preschool serving children with developmental delays or other challenges. Students are placed through their local school districts’ Committees on Preschool Special Education and receive services under individualized education programs. Inspire also operates inclusive classes for typically developing children.

In a letter to parents, Inspire said it was notified Aug. 26 of the state’s intent to revoke its daycare license in response to an incident on July 16. According to the letter, a student was left unsupervised for more than a minute. Inspire said it filed an appeal and that the preschool will remain open and continue operating normally during the appeal process.

Inspire said it has taken several steps since the incident, including placing teachers at classroom doors during busing transitions, installing automatic alarms in classrooms and on exterior exit doors, training staff on protocols involving children leaving supervised areas, working with school districts to ensure students’ individualized education programs are current and maintaining communication with families.

“We want to state unequivocally that any lapse in student supervision is unacceptable,” executive director Dr. Denise Robinson wrote.

In a statement to News 12, Robinson said Inspire operates three preschools in Newburgh, Goshen and Monroe, each under an independent license and serving students with unique abilities.

“We are actively working with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to renew our license in our Goshen location,” Robinson said. “We are committed to ensure each license remains in good standing.”

Robinson said Inspire’s families and communities have been informed and that its focus remains on providing safe, high-quality educational experiences. She added that Inspire has served communities for 76 years and views challenges as opportunities to strengthen its systems, learn and grow.

Online inspection data for the Goshen facility lists 12 inspections and two inspections during which violations were found. A violation cited following an April 21 inspection involved a requirement that children receive competent supervision at all times. The online record lists that violation as corrected.

A pending revocation does not necessarily mean a facility must immediately close. A provider can request a hearing and may generally continue operating while the matter is pending unless its license is also suspended. A suspension requires a facility to close immediately when the state finds evidence of an imminent danger to children.

News 12 has reported on several other Hudson Valley daycare facilities that faced similar investigations or enforcement actions.

The cases show that an investigation or pending enforcement action does not always result in a permanent closure. Facilities may appeal, correct violations or reopen after satisfying state requirements.

According to the New York Office of Children and Family Services, which regulates childcare programs statewide, facilities receive an annual unannounced inspection. Initial licensing and renewal inspections are generally scheduled, while monitoring visits are generally unannounced. Complaint investigations are not announced in advance.

The state prioritizes complaints based on the potential danger to children. Investigations involving an imminent danger are supposed to begin by the next day the program is operating. Serious complaints are generally investigated within five days, while nonemergency complaints are generally addressed within 15 days.

Parents can search for their child’s facility by name, address, city, ZIP code or license number through the state’s childcare program database at https://hs.ocfs.ny.gov/dcfs.

Complaints involving a childcare program can be made by calling 1-800-732-5207. Suspected child abuse or maltreatment can be reported to the statewide hotline at 1-800-342-3720. Anyone who believes a child is in immediate danger should call 911.