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Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer conducted an unannounced investigation of the allegation that Child A (6 years old) was separated from his childcare group and left unsupervised by childcare staff for approximately five minutes while on a field trip. The allegation is substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. which states, "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent adult supervision."
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5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3. which states, "Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises."
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5 CSR 25-500.212(1)(A) which states, "The provider shall be responsible for the care, safety and supervision of children on field trips or at any time they transport children away from the facility."
On June 22, 2023, Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer interviewed Director Cara Haag, who stated on June 20, 2023, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Child A (6 years old) was separated from his group on a field trip. The field trip was at Science City Union Station. 17 children were in attendance with three caregivers. Child A was left unattended for approximately 5 minutes. Caregiver Sydnee McDonald discovered the child was missing while conducting a face to name count.
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer interviewed Caregiver Daniel Mitchell, who stated on June 20, 2023, the field trip group was on the outdoor playground at Science City. All the children were called together to line up as it was time to leave. Caregiver Caldwell conducted a headcount and there were 17 children present, which was the whole group. The group walked from the outdoor playground area, through the double doors, past the planetarium, and stopped at the movie theater. The movie theater is still within the Union Station building that houses Science City. Caregivers Mitchell and Caldwell left Caregiver McDonald alone with 17 children. Caregiver Caldwell was the one who noticed Child A was missing and brought Child A back to the group.
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer interviewed Child A (6 years old) who stated his teacher is Ms. Laney (Caregiver Caldwell). They went on a field trip to Science City and he lost his group. The whole group was outside playing on the playground. Child A was climbing on the big potato chips (large plastic panels suspended in the air that look like Pringles potato chips). Child A looked up and said, "Where are they?!" He went over and stood by the water fountain and cried. The water fountain was outside on the playground. A person (security officer) found me and helped me find my class.
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer interviewed Caregiver Melony "Laney" Caldwell, who stated she was the lead teacher for the field trip on June 20, 2023. The group was outside on the playground at Union Station. Caregiver Caldwell called all of the children to line up to go inside and counted 17 children present. Caregiver Caldwell did not do a face to name count. She remembers seeing Child A standing in the line. Caregiver Mitchell was at the front of the line, she was in the middle, and Caregiver McDonald was at the rear. Caregiver Caldwell did a head count again once inside the building and she counted 17 children. Caregiver Caldwell should have done a face to name count, but she did not. Caregiver McDonald was the one who found Child A. Herself and Caregiver Mitchell had left Caregiver McDonald with the children to go and retrieve the vans.
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer interviewed Caregiver Sydnee McDonald, who state she was one of the caregivers present for the field trip to Science City. All of the children were present on the outdoor playground area at Science City. Caregiver Caldwell called all of the children to line up. Caregiver Caldwell did a head count and counted 17 children. The group went into the hallway and Caregiver McDonald stayed with the children. Caregivers Mitchell and Caldwell said they were going to go get the vans. Caregiver McDonald is not sure why they didn't all walk together to the vans as a group. Caregiver Caldwell handed the clipboard with the face to name sheet and van assignments to Caregiver McDonald. Caregiver Caldwell only conducted one head count outside. No other counts were conducted. After Caregivers Mitchell and Caldwell left, Caregiver McDonald began doing a face to name and arranging the children into their van groups. Caregiver McDonald noticed Child A was missing. She called Caregivers Caldwell and Mitchell to make sure he hadn't accidentally gone with them to the vans. Caregiver Mitchell said he was not with them and instructed Caregiver McDonald to retrace their steps back to the playground area. Caregiver McDonald started walking down the hallway with 16 children towards the playground area. A security officer approached and asked if they had lost Child A. Another security officer brought Child A to the group. Caregiver McDonald believes Child A was away from the group for approximately 10 minutes.
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer reviewed an employee statement from June 20, 2023, and observed a statement from Caregiver Daniel Mitchell. Caregiver Mitchell states while on the field to Science City, a child in our group was separated from the group. There was a count made, but not a face to name until the children were beyond the play area of Science City. The face to name was done in the movie theatre area. Mrs. Laney (Caldwell) and I went to get the vans. About three minutes later Ms. Sydnee called me on my cell and told me that a child was missing. I told her to take the children and find him.
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer reviewed an employee statement from June 20, 2023, and observed a statement from Caregiver Sydnee McDonald. Caregiver McDonald stated, following playing on the outdoor part of Science City, we lined up to get ready to leave. Laney, our head school-age teacher miscounted 17 children and we left the outdoor area. When we got to the front entrance, Laney and Daniel went to go get the vans in the parking garage, while I stayed back with the kids. I began to separate the kids into their van groups and started a face to name count. When I called Child A's name there was no response. I called both Laney and Daniel. Daniel told me to take the group and go find him and I did. Before I got to the entrance to Science City a security guard approached me asking if I was missing Child A. I replied Yes and the security guard said Child A was with another security guard and they were on their way. I conducted another face to name count right there to double check that everyone was accounted for.
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer reviewed an employee statement from June 20, 2023, and observed a statement from Caregiver Laney Caldwell. Caregiver Caldwell states that we were outside on the playground at Science City. I did a head count before coming in. We went inside to leave did another head count all kids were there. We went through the door to leave Science City. Mr. D (Daniel Mitchell) and I went to get the vans. Sydnee was left with the kids to put them in the van orders. Sydnee called Mr. D and I and told us that Child A was missing.
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(D) which states, "Ages Five (5) and Up. Groups composed solely of five (5) -year olds and older shall have no less than one (1) adult to every sixteen (16) children; and"
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5 CSR 25-500.212(3)(C) which states, "Staff/child ratios shall be maintained at any time the provider transports children away from the facility."
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer interviewed Caregiver Daniel Mitchell, who stated on June 20, 2023, Caregivers Mitchell and Caldwell left Caregiver McDonald alone with 17 children.
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer interviewed Caregiver Melony "Laney" Caldwell, who stated she was the lead teacher for the field trip on June 20, 2023. Caregiver Caldwell called all of the children to line up to go inside and counted 17 children present. Herself and Caregiver Mitchell had left Caregiver McDonald with the children to go and retrieve the vans.
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer interviewed Caregiver Sydnee McDonald, who state she was one of the caregivers present for the field trip to Science City. Caregiver Caldwell did a head count and counted 17 children. The group went into the hallway and Caregiver McDonald stayed with the children. Caregivers Mitchell and Caldwell said they were going to go get the vans. Caregiver McDonald is not sure why they didn't all walk together to the vans as a group. Caregiver Caldwell handed the clipboard with the face to name sheet and van assignments to Caregiver McDonald.
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer reviewed an employee statement from June 20, 2023, and observed a statement from Caregiver Sydnee McDonald. Laney, our head school-age teacher miscounted 17 children and we left the outdoor area. When we got to the front entrance, Laney and Daniel went to go get the vans in the parking garage, while I stayed back with the kids.
On June 22, 2023, CI Greer reviewed an employee statement from June 20, 2023, and observed a statement from Caregiver Laney Caldwell. We went through the door to leave Science City. Mr. D (Daniel Mitchell) and I went to get the vans. Sydnee was left with the kids to put them in the van orders.
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