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MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD - CHILD CARE COMPLIANCE

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION OF SUBSTANTIATED STATUTE OR RULE VIOLATIONS
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Facility Information
Date of Report
9/7/2023 12:00:00 AM
DVN
000173315
Facility Name
KINDERCARE LEARNING CENTERS LLC
Facility Address
821 NW WOODS CHAPEL RD
City
BLUE SPRINGS
Zip Code
64015-2684
Phone
(816) 228-4989
County
JACKSON
Assigned Specialist
IBBOTSON, JESSICA
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent adult supervision.
5 CSR 25-500.222(1) The child care provider shall maintain accurate records to meet administrative requirements and to ensure knowledge of the individual needs of children and their families.
5 CSR 25-500.222(2) An individual file shall be kept to identify each child and enable the provider to communicate with the parent(s) , guardian or legal custodian of the child in an emergency. Records shall include:
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A) 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;
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(E) 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.
5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)1. An approved certificated group child care home provider or center director shall be responsible for planning, monitoring, and managing the facility's daily program.
5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)2. Center directors and group child care home providers routinely shall be on duty during the hours of highest attendance a minimum of forty (40) hours per week. If the facility operates less than forty (40) hours per week, the center director or group child care home provider shall be on duty at least fifty percent (50%) of the operating hours.
5 CSR 25-500.102(2)(A)3. The licensee is required to maintain an approved certificated group child care home provider or center director on staff.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3. Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises.
Conclusion Summary
Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Ibbotson conducted an investigation regarding the allegation that a school aged child roamed the facility unsupervised and was never documented in the daily attendance. 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 25-500.222(1) which states: "The child care provider shall maintain accurate records to meet administrative requirements and to ensure knowledge of the individual needs of children and their families." AND 5 CSR 25-500.222(2) which states: "An individual file shall be kept to identify each child and enable the provider to communicate with the parent(s) , guardian or legal custodian of the child in an emergency." On September 12, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Caregiver Mays, Caregiver Tittsworth, Caregiver Davis and Caregiver Bolt. All staff stated that Manager Porter's school aged daughter attended the facility during the summer months but was not enrolled at the facility. All staff stated that Manager Porter's daughter was not counted in the daily attendance because of this. CI Ibbotson requested for the individual file of Manager Porter's daughter but there was not one located at the facility. CI Ibbotson attempted to email and call Manager Porter was received no return correspondence or phone call. On November 20, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Assistant Director Melissa Cure who stated that former Manager Porter's school aged daughter attended the facility almost daily during the summer months but was not enrolled or counted in the daily attendance. 5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. which states: "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent adult supervision." On September 12, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Caregiver Mays, Caregiver Tittsworth, Caregiver Davis and Caregiver Bolt. All staff stated that Manager Porter's school aged daughter roamed the facility alone and walked in and out of any of the classrooms unsupervised on a regular basis. Caregiver Mays, Caregiver Tittsworth and Caregiver Bolt all stated that Manager Porter's daughter would walk around the facility without permission from a teacher. CI Ibbotson attempted to email and call Manager Porter but received no correspondence or phone call in return. On November 20, 2023, CI Ibbotson called Assistant Director Cure who stated that former Manager Porter's school aged daughter would roam the facility alone on a regular basis without permission from any of the staff to do so. She stated that former Manager Porter allowed her daughter to do whatever she wanted without proper supervision from any of the staff, leaving her alone as she walked in and out of each classroom throughout the day.
Corrective Measures
Corrective MeasureCompleted (Y/N)Completed Date
The facility shall notify all staff members of the violations which were substantiated, and specify the actions to be taken by all staff in order to comply with all violations cited. A copy of the memo, letter, or staff meeting agenda shall be submitted to the Office of Childhood. Y 5/1/2024 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
12/12/2023 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
FOX, ROMENA