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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
Facility Information
Date of Report
3/25/2024 12:00:00 AM
DVN
002803229
Facility Name
THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE - ST. PETERS EAST
Facility Address
600 BOND ST
City
ST PETERS
Zip Code
63376-7361
Phone
(636) 244-0303
County
ST CHARLES
Assigned Specialist
STEWARTMARTIN, JADE
Rule/Statute Violation(s)
ViolationViolation Description
5 CSR 25-500.202(2)(B) The written diet plan for each infant/toddler shall be followed. The parent(s) shall update the plan according to the individual needs of the child until they grant permission in writing for the child to eat table foods.
Conclusion Summary
On March 25, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that Child A (age 5-months-old), was fed 2 ounces of the wrong breastmilk by caregiver Sandra Velasco. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence: 5 CSR 25-500.202(2)(B)., which states: "The written diet plan for each infant/toddler shall be followed. The parent(s) shall update the plan according to the individual needs of the child until they grant permission in writing for the child to eat table foods." On April 8, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin interviewed director Rebecca Ellison. The facility protocol is to look at the label on the bottle and then do face-to-name recognition. The teachers are supposed to double check with their co-teacher to ensure they are giving the child the right bottle. On March 22, 2024, Sandra Velasco gave Child A a bottle without checking with her co-teacher Angie Kissel. Parent A and Parent B were made aware of the incident on March 22, 2024, within twenty minutes of the incident occurring. Sandra Velasco was written up for this incident. On April 18, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin interviewed Parent A (parent of Child A) and Parent B (parent of Child B). Parent A stated that the staff handled the situation amazingly. She was notified immediately after the situation occurred and is very happy with her experience with The Learning Experience. Parent B stated that staff made her aware of the incident on March 22, 2024, within twenty to thirty minutes. She understands how it could happen since Child A and Child B have the same bottles and both receive breastmilk. Sandra Velasco was very apologetic. On April 18, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin observed the written statement from Sandra Velasco on March 22, 2024. Ms. Velasco stated she grabbed a bottle that looked similar to Child A's and did not look at the name on the bottle. While feeding Child A the bottle she looked at the name written on the bottle and realized it was not Child A's bottle. She immediately called the front desk and let them know that Child A had drank two ounces of the wrong breastmilk. On April 18, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin observed a written statement from Angie Kissel taken on April 9, 2024. On March 22,2024 around 2:00 P.M. Ms. Kissel and Ms. Velasco were preparing bottles. While Ms. Kissel was preparing a bottle, Ms. Velasco picked up a bottle off the warmer and started feeding it to Child A. As soon as she noticed it was not Child A's bottle, she stopped feeding it to Child A and reported her mistake to the director. On April 18, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin observed a picture sent from Rebecca Ellison that shows the refrigerator in Child A and Child B?s class. In this photograph, all bottles are labeled in a tray in the refrigerator as well as on each individual bottle. On April 18, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin observed the write-up for Sandra Velasco regarding the incident that occurred on March 22, 2024. CI-Stewart-Martin also observed the incident report filled out by staff regarding the incident that took place on March 22, 2024, where Child A was given the wrong breast milk.
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 6/6/2024 12:00:00 AM
Disposition
SUBSTANTIATED
Disposition Date
5/24/2024 12:00:00 AM
Approving Supervisor
CHRISCO, MARLA L