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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
12/6/2023 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002462517
Facility Name
COURTYARD EARLY LEARNING CENTER
Facility Address
1302 CREEK TRAIL DR
City
JEFFERSON CITY
Zip Code
65109-9240
Phone
(573) 659-7550
County
COLE
Assigned Specialist
HONEA, MICHELLE J
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A) The staff/child ratio and group size shall be followed as outlined in the below chart unless it meets an exception in subparagraphs (1)(B)-(G) below: Infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds shall have one caregiver for every four children with no more than eight children per group; Groups composed solely of children 24 to 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 3 to 4 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 5 years or older shall have one caregiver for every 16 children with no more than 32 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of no more than four children age 2 years, and at least one child older than 3 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of more than four children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(C)7. Physical punishment including, but not limited to, spanking, slapping, shaking, biting, or pulling hair shall be prohibited.
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(D)3. Caregivers shall be alert to various needs of the child such as thirst, hunger,diaper change, fear of or aggression by other children, and the need for attention.
Conclusion Summary
On February 24, 2023, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: The head teacher Summer Fahey was in the hallway working on the board decorations with the classroom door open and inside the I/T classroom was her co teacher Makenzie Armstrong with seven children under 12 months old. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence: 5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A)., which states: "The staff/child ratio and group size shall be followed as outlined in the below chart unless it meets an exception in subparagraphs (1)(B)-(G) below: Infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds shall have one caregiver for every four children with no more than eight children per group; Groups composed solely of children 24 to 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 3 to 4 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; Groups composed solely of children 5 years or older shall have one caregiver for every 16 children with no more than 32 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of no more than four children age 2 years, and at least one child older than 3 years shall have one caregiver for every 10 children with no more than 20 children per group; A mixed group of children consisting of more than four children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36 months shall have one caregiver for every eight children with no more than 16 children per group." On December 12, 2023, CI Honea conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed director Candace Goff who stated that caregivers are aware of the staff to child ratio and that it must be maintained at all times. She was able to see the video of the classroom and could see that Summer Fahey kept walking out of the room leaving Mackenzie Armstrong alone with the infants/toddlers. Summer has a habit of walking out of classrooms. Summer has been told on several occasions not to leave the classroom where they will be out of ratio. Summer is very manipulative towards others and will do things to get others in trouble. We have talked to her about her behaviors towards others and how important it is to be nice. On December 12, 2023, CI Honea reviewed the letter to Summer Fahey from director Candace Goff which talks about the importance of teamwork. CI Honea observed a video of the infant classroom that shows Summer Fahey leaving the classroom for long periods of time leaving Mackenzie Armstrong alone in the room with five infants/toddlers that were all awake and several of them were crying. On December 28, 2023, CI Honea conducted a phone interview with Summer Fahey who stated that she has been there for two years. She was under the impression that it was ok to be out of ratio during naptime even in the infant/toddler room. She was working on the bulletin board outside of the classroom and did have the door open. She would go inside the classroom to check on the children. She should have known better than to leave a teacher alone with five infants and toddlers.
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 5/23/2024 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
4/16/2024 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
CHRISCO, MARLA L