| Conclusion Summary |
|
On March 4, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that no one is ever in ratio and LaQuindriya [Banks] had anywhere from nine to twenty-two kids alone in the 2-year-old class. The 3-year-old to 5-year-old class is out of ratio also. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Ian Fyfe has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A), which states that: "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 March 12, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) Ian Fyfe interviewed LaQuindriya Banks via phone call. Ms. LaQuindriya worked at the facility for approximately six weeks as a 2-year-old caregiver. While working at the facility, she would consistently have more than nine children by herself when working in the 2-year-old classroom. When the 2-year-old classroom combined with the preschool classroom, she would sometimes have up to twenty-two children, 2-years-old to 5-years-old, by herself.
On March 12, 2024, CI Fyfe conducted an unannounced inspection to Cameron's Cottage and interviewed staff members Carmen McBride, Briana Harper, and Annie McLemore. Although Ms. Carmen and Ms. McLemore denied the reported concerns, Ms. Harper stated that she has been out of ratio when working with the 2-year-old children and preschool-aged children. Ms. Harper further stated that she has previously had groups of eleven to sixteen children, mostly consisting of 2-year-olds, by herself when the two groups combine into one room. The combined 2-year-old and preschool classroom had two caregivers present with seventeen children during CI Fyfe's inspection; seven of the children present in this classroom were 2-years-old and one child was 19-months-old.
On March 14, 2024, CI Fyfe interviewed staff member Jakita McBride via phone call. Ms. Jakita is a caregiver in the 2-year-old classroom occasionally. Ms. Jakita denied the reported concerns.
On March 14, 2024, CI Fyfe interviewed staff member Loraine Anderson via phone call. Ms. Anderson is a caregiver in the preschool classroom. She denied the reported concerns.
On March 14, 2024, and on March 18, 2024, CI Fyfe attempted to interview Ebony Ware via phone call but was unsuccessful on both occasions.
On March 18, 2024, CI Fyfe conducted an unannounced, follow-up inspection to the facility and observed the facility to be out of ratio in the 2-year-old classroom. While present at the facility, CI Fyfe observed staff member Evelyn Higgins to be present with seven children, 19-months-old to 2-years-old. Of the seven children present, only one child was younger than 2-years-old.
|