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On May 6, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: Six infants are in the infant room with one adult. At times another will join briefly, however the majority of the time there is only one adult. 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 May 9, 2024, CI Honea conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed director Itzel Bobea, caregivers Ilsa Sanchez, Lorena Quintanilla, and Regina Aldret. All caregivers stated that it happens occasionally that they have a ratio issue when caregivers call in or show up late. Director Itzel Bobea stated that this is not a constant issue but does happen and she always steps in when there is an issue. Director Itzel Bobea stated that the infant room might have been out of ratio if a caregiver went to the bathroom, but all caregivers know that it is important to maintain ratio. Caregiver Lorena Quintanilla stated the classroom does not have issues with being out of ratio. Caregiver Regina Aldret stated that today May 09, 2024, the other caregiver was running late and should be there by 9:00 am but this does not happen often in this room. Caregiver Ilsa Sanchez stated that they are out of ratio occasionally and today, May 09, 2024, she was trying to fill in both the preschool and toddler rooms until another caregiver arrived.
On May 9, 2024, CI Honea observed the following classrooms staff to child ratio. CI Honea observed the first infant room to have two caregivers with six children ages 3-months-old to 5-months-old. CI Honea observed the toddler room to have one caregiver with seven children ages 14-months-old to 26-months-old. CI Honea observed the preschool room to have two caregivers with thirteen children, ages 2-years-old to 5-years-old with two children being 2-years-old. Then one teacher left the preschool room leaving that room out of ratio to go into the toddler room to put that room back into correct staff/child ratios.
On May 22, 2024, CI Honea conducted an unannounced follow-up inspection at the facility and observed each classroom at the facility and found the facility to be in correct staff/child ratios in each classroom.
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