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On May 11, 2023, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on May 10, 2023, from 3:40 PM - 4:10 PM, staff member Tabitha McKnight was left on the playground with twenty-four children. The allegation further states that a second, unknown staff member joined Ms. McKnight and that the two staff members were present with twenty-six children. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Ian Fyfe has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.082(6)(B)2., which states the following: "Staff/child ratios for infant/toddlers and two (2) -year olds shall be maintained at all times."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(B), which states the following: "Age Two (2) Years. Groups composed solely of two (2) -year olds shall have no less than one (1) adult to eight (8) children, with no more than sixteen (16) children in a group;"
On May 24, 2023, Compliance Inspector (CI) Ian Fyfe conducted an unannounced inspection to Webster Child Care Center at Laclede Groves and interviewed Director Lisa Jones, staff members Karenna Patterson, staff member Tabitha McKnight, staff member Rebecca Clauson, and staff member Kim Boxdorfer. While present at the facility, CI Fyfe reviewed camera footage of the facility playground from the above date and time. CI Fyfe was unable to determine the exact number of children and staff members that were on the playground due to the camera angle. However, it did not appear as if there were twenty-four children on the playground. The Sunshine classroom and the Rainbow classroom were the two classrooms outside on the playground on May 10. Ms. McKnight and Ms. Patterson were the Sunshine classroom caregivers while Ms. Rebecca and a second staff member, Ms. Erica, were the Rainbow classroom caregivers. At the time of the reported concerns, Ms. McKnight and Ms. Patterson had approximately fifteen children, all 2-years-old, with them while Ms. Rebecca and Ms. Erica had approximately thirteen children, all 2-years-old, with them. While the two classrooms were on the playground, Ms. Patterson took eight children from the Sunshine classroom inside with her, leaving six children with Ms. McKnight. Ms. Rebecca then took six children from the Rainbow classroom inside with her and left the remaining six children with Ms. McKnight and Ms. Erica. Ms. Erica then went inside with no children, leaving Ms. McKnight alone with twelve children, all 2-years-old. Ms. Patterson and Ms. Erica shortly returned to the playground. While present at the facility, CI Fyfe obtained and reviewed the facility's attendance records from May 10, 2023. The facility attendance records accurately reflect the statements made by the staff members interviewed.
On May 23, 2023, and on June 5, 2023, CI Fyfe attempted to interview Parent A (parent of Child A) but was unsuccessful in his attempts.
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