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Compliance Inspector (CI) Jessica Ibbotson conducted an investigation regarding the allegation that Child A was left on the playground unattended on September 29, 2023. 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 25-500.182(1)(A)1. which states: "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent adult supervision."
AND
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."
On October 10, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Director Crone, Assistant Director Dureault, Caregiver Duran and Caregiver Young. All staff stated that Child A was left unattended outside on the playground on September 29, 2023. Caregiver Young stated that she was working alongside Caregiver Gibby when their classroom transitioned from inside of the classroom to outdoors as well as outdoors back to inside. She stated that it was not until Caregiver Duran came back from his break that it was observed that Child A was absent, but she was unsure how much time had passed since proper documentation of the transitions were not recorded in the application. Caregiver Duran stated that he notified the office immediately, in which they responded by observing the playground and found Child A laying on the floor near their classroom door. Caregiver Young and Assistant Director Dureault both stated that they assumed Caregiver Gibby completed the name-to-face checks since she was carrying the classroom phone where staff documented the name-to-face checks with but neither confirmed it with Caregiver Gibby. Director Crone stated that Caregiver Gibby and Caregiver Young were both given a performance plan which was permanently placed in their staff files and if any other supervision concerns occurred, they would be terminated immediately. She also stated that all staff were required to retrain in name-to-face checks and proper supervision guidelines.
CI Ibbotson reviewed an accident/injury report regarding Child A on September 29, 2023. At 11:35 a.m., it was documented that Child A was not in her classroom and immediately upon notification, Child A was found on the playground. The report also stated that Parent A was notified at 12:00 p.m. once a physical check was conducted on Child A.
CI Ibbotson also reviewed reviewed performance plans for Caregiver Gibby and Caregiver Young. More specifically, the playground and supervision section, which stated that playground settings required close supervision and interaction with the children and that teachers should spread out over the playground space so that the entire play space could be adequately supervised. It also stated that conducting name-to-face checks before leaving the classroom and upon entering the outside play space were required. The document stated that it was required for staff to know how many children were in their care at all times and to be prepared to answer to a member of the leadership team when asked. The document continued to state that the safety of the children was the main priority and failure to follow the foregoing supervision policy would be grounds for employee termination. CI Ibbotson observed Caregiver Gibby and Caregiver Young sign the documents.
CI Ibbotson reviewed documentation of the retraining that all staff were required to complete regarding supervision and conducting name-to-face checks routinely and correctly. More specifically, the transition times that stated name-to-face checks should take place at least two times for each transitionary period where there was a change in environment by making eye contact with each child before moving onto the next to ensure that each child was accounted for. CI Ibbotson observed the document to continue stating that failure to follow the foregoing supervision policy would be grounds for employee termination. CI Ibbotson observed each staff member listed and the date of completion for each , stating that they were trained by a leadership member and understood name-to-face checks, transitions and proper supervision expectations outlined by Little Sunshine's Playhouse and Preschool, Inc. and Missouri Child Care Licensing by providing their signatures on the document.
On October 24, 2023, CI Ibbotson interviewed Parent A who stated that she was notified immediately on September 29, 2023, that Child A was left unattended outside on the playground for an undetermined amount of time. She stated that Child A was not injured but could not vocalize what had happened due to her just recently turning 2-years-old.
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