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On June 13, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that children have not been outside to play in a year. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.182(2)(B)4., which states: "A total of at least one (1) hour of outdoor play for children in attendance a full day unless prevented by weather or special medical reasons. (Based on wind chill factor or heat index, children shall not be exposed to either extreme element.)"
On June 27, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed director Karen Anderson, and teachers: Aletha Robinson, Carmen Adair, Lynette Reid, Marice Jones, and Shantel Cook. CI Stewart-Martin also interviewed Child A (aged 3-years-old), Child B (aged 7-years-old), and Child C (aged 9-years-old). Ms. Anderson stated that since mid to late May of 2024, children younger than 3-years-old have not been going outside for recess. All children age of 3-years-old and older have been going outside for recess. Ms. Anderson stated that the reason the children that are under 3-years-old have not been going outside is due to wash-out areas that result in a lot of mud when it rains. The playground needs to be re-mulched, and a boarder added to prevent the wash out. Ms. Anderson has two bids for the repair of the playground and shall be choosing one soon and starting on the repairs. Ms. Adair and Ms. Robinson are teachers in the preschool classrooms, and they both stated that they go out for recess twice a day weather permitting. Ms. Reid, Ms. Jones, and Ms. Cook are teachers in the infant/ toddler unit. All stated that they have not been outside for over a year. Child A, Child B, and Child C stated they all go outside for recess.
On June 27, 2024, CI Stewart-Martin observed Child A, Child B, and Child C's enrollment form. The outdoor play area was observed and there was no mud present on the playground at that time.
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