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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Ibbotson conducted an investigation regarding the allegation that the facility was not maintaining staff/child ratios, having one caregiver to six children in the infant classroom and moving the 1-year-old children into the 2-year-old classroom. 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 25-500.082(2)(B)2.B.(III) which states: "If a unit for infants and toddlers is auxiliary to a facility for older children, centers initially licensed for infant/toddler care after the effective date of these rules or facilities adding new infant/toddler space, shall have play, sleeping and bathroom space in the infant and toddler unit. This space shall be separated from the space used for older children by floor-to-ceiling walls;"
AND
5 CSR 25-500.132(5)(A) which states: "Placement of a two (2) year old in either the infant/toddler unit or the unit for older children shall be determined in consultation with the parent(s)"
On April 24, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Director Hunter, Caregiver Goin and Caregiver Gregg. All staff stated that the 2-year-old children were sometimes moved into the infant and toddler classroom, as well as the older preschool aged classroom, ages 3-years-old to 5-years-old. Caregiver Goin and Caregiver Gregg stated that 1-year-old children would sometimes be moved into the 2-year-old and 3-year-old classroom, but staff/child ratios would remain as one teacher with a maximum of eight children or two teachers with a maximum of 16 children. Director Hunter stated that she never received permission from the parents to move the 2-year-old children between the infant/toddler unit and preschool unit.
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, CI Ibbotson interviewed Director Hunter, Caregiver Goin and Caregiver Gregg. All staff stated that the facility had been experiencing staff/child ratio issues in all three classrooms, birth through 5-years-old. Caregiver Goin and Caregiver Gregg stated that 1-year-old children would sometimes be moved into the 2-year-old classroom, but staff/child ratio would remain as one teacher to eight children or two teachers with a maximum of 16 children until additional staff arrived.
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 have no less than one (1) adult to ten (10) children;"
On April 24, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Director Hunter, Caregiver Goin and Caregiver Gregg. All staff stated that the facility had been experiencing staff/child ratio issues in all three classrooms, birth through 5-years-old. Director Hunter stated that once all staff arrived and children were transitioned to different classrooms, staff/child ratios were maintained but it varied in length of time for how long each classroom was over staff/child ratios. She stated that the facility was experiencing staff/child ratio violations in all three classrooms for approximately two months due to staff calling in sick and not showing up to work their scheduled shifts.
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 24, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Director Hunter, Caregiver Goin and Caregiver Gregg. All staff stated that the facility had been experiencing staff/child ratio issues in all three classrooms, birth through 5-years-old. Caregiver Gregg stated that she had approximately 12 to 13 2-year-old and 3-year-old children by herself the past two weeks until Director Hunter moved some of the children to different classrooms.
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