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On January 29, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: On January 29, 2024, the 3- to 4-year-old classroom was out of staff/child ratio at 8:30 a.m. There were 13 children with one teacher. This is not an isolated incident and has also happened within the past week. 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 February 7, 2024, CI Honea conducted a phone interview with Kirsten Woods who stated that the facility has been short staffed lately. The ratio issue has now been resolved with more staff. She thinks that co-teacher Morgan spoke to the director about the ratio issue. On January 29, 2024, there was thirteen children with one staff when she got there. It happened a few times that week. Once she gets there the classroom is no longer out of ratio.
On February 8, 2024, CI Honea conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed director Emily Simms and teacher Morgan Delerme. Director Emily Simms stated that she was not aware of the classroom being out of ratio. Director Emily Simms stated that none of the teachers in the 3-year-odl to 4-year-old classroom contacted the office nor did they use the intercom system to let anyone know there was a ratio issue. Teacher Morgan Delerme stated that there have been several times where the classroom had more children than teachers causing a ratio issue. Teacher Morgan Delerme stated that she did not follow protocol to call the office and then use the intercom asking for assistance. Teacher Morgan Delerme stated that she did not talk to the director about the ratio issues.
On February 8, 2024, CI Honea observed the 3-year-old to 4-year-old classrooms where not combined and had fourteen children with two teachers in one classroom. CI Honea reviewed the sign-in sheet for January 29, 2024, which had combined classrooms of twenty children with two teachers. CI Honea reviewed the sign-in sheets for the week of February 5th - February 9th, which shows each day that combined classrooms had twenty-three to twenty-five children with two teachers. CI Honea also reviewed teacher Morgan Delerme's timecard and both floater's timecards.
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