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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD - CHILD CARE COMPLIANCE

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTANTIATED STATUTE OR RULE VIOLATIONS
Facility Information
Date of Report
4/4/2023 12:00:00 AM
DVN
000188336
Facility Name
LA PETITE ACADEMY, INC.
Facility Address
9071 NE 81ST TER
City
KANSAS CITY
Zip Code
64158
Phone
(816) 407-1414
County
CLAY
Assigned Specialist
IBBOTSON, JESSICA
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent adult supervision.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3. Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises.
Conclusion Summary
Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Ibbotson conducted an investigation regarding the allegation that on April 4, 2023, Child A was found alone in the hallway after crawling out of the classroom while the door was open. After conducting the investigation, CI Ibbotson finds this allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations which occurred at the facility: 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. which states: "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent adult supervision." and 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3 which states "Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises." On April 11, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Director Snyder, Administrative Assistant Willingham and Caregiver Holland. Director Snyder stated that she was in the classroom with Caregiver Holland on April 4, 2023, when she opened the classroom door to transfer a child's jacket to the toddler two classroom next door. Director Snyder stated that she stood in the doorway of her classroom as she knocked the toddler two classroom. Director Snyder stated that as soon as a teacher opened the toddler two classroom, she threw the jacket and shut her classroom door. Director Snyder stated that Caregiver Holland was tying a child's shoe during this time and was not near the classroom door. Director Snyder and Caregiver Holland both stated that Caregiver Holland was updating the attendance through the application when it was observed that they were missing one child. Director Snyder and Caregiver Holland stated that Administrative Assistant Willingham walked into their classroom at that same time with Child A, stating that he was found sitting on the rug alone outside of the classroom. Director Snyder, Caregiver Holland and Administrative Assistant Willingham all stated that Child A was not upset and did not seem injured. Director Snyder stated that she contacted District Manager Barker and Parent A immediately after the accident. Director Snyder stated that District Manager Barker reviewed video footage and concluded that Child A was sitting on the rug outside of the toddler one classroom door for one minute and 18 seconds before Administrative Assistant Willingham found him. CI Ibbotson conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed the area outside of the toddler one classroom where Child A was found sitting alone. CI Ibbotson observed a rug located approximately two to three feet away from the classroom door with wooden bicycles and a bench located on the rug. CI Ibbotson also observed the toddler two classroom door located next door to the toddler one classroom, approximately one foot away. CI Ibbotson also reviewed an incident report form regarding Child A. The report stated that on April 4, 2023, Child A had crawled into the hallway while the classroom door was cracked open. The report stated that the door was open while the teachers moved other children and their items next door. The report also included that Child A was left in the hallway for one minute and 18 seconds before being brought back to the classroom by Administrative Assistant Willingham. Parent A stated that she understood accidents happened and had no supervision concerns with any of the teachers. [The video footage could no longer be accessed due to the timeframe of the accident and date of inspection].
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
All staff and volunteers must obtain two clock hours on supervision. The training must be held by an approved and qualified source, outside of the La Petite Acdemy, Inc. network. Training may be obtained from the Missouri Workshop Calendar. The training calendar can be found at http://www.moworkshopcalendar.org/. Verification of training completion shall be from the Open Initiative Toolbox report. Y 9/5/2023 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
8/7/2023 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA