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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
4/5/2023 12:00:00 AM
DVN
000524329
Facility Name
BULL FROGS AND LITTLE FISHES PRESCHOOL
Facility Address
332 HARWOOD AVE
City
LEBANON
Zip Code
65536-2318
Phone
(417) 588-2131
County
LACLEDE
Assigned Specialist
RADNEY, HEATHER E
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A)3. Adult supervision shall be provided at all times when children are outside. For children three (3) years of age and above, staff/child ratios may be one and one-half (1 1/2) times the indoor staff/child ratios. The required indoor staff/child ratios shall be maintained on the premises at all times.
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(C) Ages Three Through Four (3-4) Years. Groups composed solely of three (3) - and four (4) -year olds shall haveno less than one (1) adult to ten (10) children;
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(E) Mixed Age Groups Two Years (2) and Up. Groups composed of mixed ages of children two (2) years of age and older shall have no less than one (1) adult to ten (10) children with a maximum of four (4) two (2) -year olds. When there are more than four (4) two (2) -year olds in a mixed group, the staff/child ratio shall be no less than one (1) adult to eight (8) children.
Conclusion Summary
Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegation that there are times caregivers are over ratio. The allegation is substantiated based on the following information: 5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(C) which states "Ages Three Through Four (3-4) Years. Groups composed solely of three (3) - and four (4) -year olds shall haveno less than one (1) adult to ten (10) children;" 5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(E) which states "Mixed Age Groups Two Years (2) and Up. Groups composed of mixed ages of children two (2) years of age and older shall have no less than one (1) adult to ten (10) children with a maximum of four (4) two (2) -year olds. When there are more than four (4) two (2) -year olds in a mixed group, the staff/child ratio shall be no less than one (1) adult to eight (8) children." On April 13, 2023, CI Radney observed the facility to be over ratio when one caregiver was caring for 13 children ages 2-3 years old outside on the playground and two caregivers were caring for 24 children ages 3-10 years old inside their classroom. CI Radney conducted an interview with Director Karen Davis who reported she knows she is wrong regarding ratio but has "absolutely no control when it comes to whether caregivers come in or not or stay in ratio or not." Caregivers Sarah Moore, Allison Brown Riley Neely and Jayme Moore, reported they are consistently left out of ratio. On May 5, 2023, CI Radney observed the facility to be over ratio when one caregiver was caring for 21 children ages 3-5 years old outside on the playground at 3:15 p.m. and two caregivers were caring for 24 children ages 3-10 years old at 3:50 p.m. 5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(A)3. which states "Adult supervision shall be provided at all times when children are outside. For children three (3) years of age and above, staff/child ratios may be one and one-half (1 1/2) times the indoor staff/child ratios. The required indoor staff/child ratios shall be maintained on the premises at all times." On April 25, 2023, CI Radney observed the facility to be over ratio when two caregivers were caring for 20 children ages 2-3 years old with seven of the children being 2 years old.
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
The facility shall notify all staff members of the violations which were substantiated, and specify the actions to be taken by all staff in order to comply with all licensing violations cited. A copy of the memo, letter, or staff meeting agenda shall be submitted to the Office of Childhood. Y 5/9/2023 12:00:00 AM
Signs shall be posted at all entrances of the rooms displaying the required staff/child ratios. A statement indicating that this has been completed shall be submitted to the Office of Childhood. Y 5/9/2023 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
8/7/2023 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA