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Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegation that the toddler room and preschool room are frequently out of ratio. A step is unattached to wall going into 2-year-old room and carpeting is not attached, exposing staples. Boards on the porch are loose and the railing is busted. Children are being taken into the kitchen while someone is cooking to keep ratio in the classroom. These allegations are substantiated based on the following information:
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 June 7, 2023, CI Radney conducted an unannounced inspection and observed Caregiver Taylor Timm with six children in her care. CI Radney asked Taylor the age of the children in her care and she reported that they were all 2 years old. Ratio was recorded as correct during the inspection based on the information provided to CI Radney during the inspection. CI Radney requested the enrollment forms for Taylor's class due to concerns that some of the children in the class did not appear to be 2 years old. On June 8, 2023, Director Lakin Palmer sent the enrollment forms, which showed that two of the children were in fact 1 year old. Taylor was out of ratio on June 7, 2023, when she was caring for six children, with two of the children being 1 year old.
5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(A) which states The premises shall be safe and suitable for the care of children.
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)6. which states Walls, ceilings and floors shall be finished with material which can be cleaned easily and shall be free of splinters, cracks and chipping paint. Floor covering shall be in good condition. Lead-free paint shall be used for all painted surfaces.
On June 7, 2023, CI Radney conducted a walkthrough of the facility in order to observe the physical plant. CI Radney observed the step leading from the Toddler Room into the 2-year-old room had carpet pulled away from the wall. The step wiggled as you stepped on it. Children were sitting on the step wobbling it back and forth. The carpet that covered the step and went up the back of the wall was coming apart and was not longer attached to the wall. When the step was away from the wall enough there were two drywall screws that were exposed. There were three boards on the deck off of the kitchen that were rotten. The boards gave with any weight applied. The boards appeared to no longer be attached to the support beams underneath. The wooden gate on the deck was in poor repair. The wooden gate was leaning away from the deck and could be easily moved back and forth. Director Lakin Palmer reported she noticed the boards on the deck were in bad repair a couple weeks ago. Lakin reported she is aware that the step in the 2-year-old room is broken.
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(B)2.B.(V) which states In facilities initially licensed for infant/toddler care after the effective date of these rules or facilities adding new infant/toddler space, no more than twenty-four (24) infants/toddlers and/or two (2) -year olds shall be in a room. A room shall be defined as an area separated from other parts of the building by floor-to-ceiling walls. Stable partitions a minimum of four feet (4') in height shall be used to separate the infant/toddler or two (2) -year old groups, or both, in a room.
On June 7, 2023, Director Lakin Palmer reported that she will take a group of children to the kitchen area to maintain ratio when she needs to prepare lunch. Lakin reported she has taken kids into the kitchen area, the lunch room, with her while she cooks. Caregiver Mary Stevens reported they have the 1-year-old children go in to the kitchen area with toys while their caregiver cooks. On June 7, 2023, CI Radney observed the kitchen to be separated from the dining area by a countertop and gate, and the kitchen/dining area to be separated from the infant/toddler unit by a permanent half-wall. Having preschool children in the area would not keep the infant/toddlers present in their classroom separated by floor-to-ceiling walls.
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