| Conclusion Summary |
|
On July 22, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that Child A was given a cup of milk by a substitute teacher despite being allergic. The child had trouble breathing and broke out in hives due to consuming the milk. This is the second instance in two weeks a staff member has given the child food that the child has special instructions stating he cannot have. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Kim Kinnaird has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.102(1)(E)., which states: "Caregivers shall have knowledge of the needs of children and shall be sensitive to the capabilities, interests, and problems of children in care."
On July 24, 2024, CI Kinnaird contacted the facility via phone, O2B Kids Cottleville at 1481 Cottleville Pkwy St. Peters, MO 63376 and interviewed facility director, Rebecca Schade. She stated that Child A (age 3-years-old) was given milk by mistake on two occasions. These instances happened within two weeks of each other. The first instance Child A had no reaction to a cracker containing milk products. Parent A was notified right way and the center followed the action plan. The second instance Child A had an allergic reaction to milk served in a cup while in the care of teacher Kelsey Slesarenko. Child A displayed trouble breathing and developed a rash. Parent A was notified promptly and came to pick Child A up and took him to the emergency room. Rebecca stated that Parent A had taken the epi-pen home so it was not at the center and no other allergy medicine was provided by the parent that day to use for the allergy. CI Kinnaird observed the documents on file that stated that Child A has a milk intolerance. Child A has other allergies that require an epi-pen and other medications but the milk allergy is not one of them. Rebecca sated that Parent A has now updated Child A's allergy action plan and provided two epi-pens, and allergy medicine for the center to keep on-site. Child A has returned to care and new policies have been put in place to prevent this from happening again.
On July 24, 2024, CI Kinnaird observed Child A's enrollment form and action plan. The action plan stated that Child A is allergic to all forms of Dairy and all dairy ingredients. Child A's reaction to ingesting dairy is diarrhea. The action plan did not indicate any medication to be given for the milk allergy or that the Epi-Pen was to be used for the milk allergy.
On July 24, 2024, CI Kinnaird conducted an interview with Parent A via phone. Parent A stated that these two instances happened while a substitute teacher was caring for Child A within two weeks of each other. Parent A expressed concerns about communication within the childcare facility. Child A has a severe allergy to all dairy and this is known by the facility. On Monday, July 22, 2024, Child A was given a cup of milk by a substitute teacher despite being severely allergic. Parent A had to take Child A to the emergency room for breathing troubles and breaking out in hives. Child A has since returned to care at the facility. Child A will be dropped off after breakfast and picked up before lunch to make sure this doesn't happen again. Parent A stated that Child A will not be attending during any mealtimes.
|