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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Ibbotson conducted an investigation regarding the allegation that on April 13, 2023, at 8:00 am, staff/child ratios were not maintained in the Penguins Room for children under 2 years of age. The allegation is substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(B)2.B. which states: "For all other group day care homes licensed for more than four (4) infant/toddlers and for all day care centers licensed for more than twenty (20) children or more than four (4) infant/toddlers, the following shall apply:"
AND
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(B)2.B.(IV) which states: "No more than eight (8) infant/toddlers or sixteen (16) two (2) -year olds shall be in a group;"
AND
5 CSR 25-500.112(1) which states: "The following staff/child ratios shall be maintained on the premises at all times:"
AND
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A) which states: "Birth Through Two (2) Years. Groups composed of mixed ages through two (2) years shall have no less than one (1) adult to four (4) children, with no more than eight (8) children in a group;"
On April 24, 2023, regional director Janice Dos Santos stated that she was not aware of ratio issues until the week prior. Some teachers were consistently late to their shifts, leaving the Penguin classroom over staff/child ratios temporarily. Staff also called in consistently, leaving the Penguins classroom over staff/child ratios in the mornings.
On April 24, 2023, caregiver Baylee Durbin stated that the Penguins classroom was over staff/child ratios approximately three to four times each week in the morning's. Within the past week, she had five to six toddler children in the mornings, by herself, until the next staff member arrived, but prior to that would typically have eight to 10 toddler children, by herself. There are times when 10 toddler children are with two caregivers. These ratio issues would occur in the mornings when waiting for all staff to arrive for the day.
On April 24, 2023, caregiver Sarah Ingleman stated that she observed the Penguins classroom over staff/child ratio each morning. The amount of children and staff present always varied. On the morning of April 24, 2023, there were two caregivers with nine children, ages 18-months-old to 2-years-old, until more staff arrived. She experienced staff/child ratio violations in the Penguins classroom for approximately 15 minutes every three to four days each week.
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