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On July 31, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on July 31, 2024, at approximately 10:15 a.m., teachers Shakira Lake and Chrissy Dattoli left Child A (16-months-old) unattended in a classroom for five minutes or less at Kindercare Education LLC. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1., which states the following: "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent supervision."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3., which states the following: "Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises."
On August 6, 2024, CI O'Malley conducted interviews with Ms. Dattoli, director Shuai Murray, and teacher Lauren Bray. Ms. Dattoli stated that on July 31, 2024, she and teacher Shakiya "Kai" Blake took their Toddler A classroom of eight children ages 13-months-old to 23-months-old to the outside play area at approximately 10:15 a.m. Ms. Dattoli stood at the back of the line of children as Ms. Blake did a name-to-face check at the classroom door as the children went outside. Child A was with the class when they went outside. Approximately five minutes after going outside, Ms. Bray brought Child A outside and reported that she had found Child A (age 16-months-old) in the classroom by themselves. Ms. Dattoli informed Ms. Murray of the incident.
Ms. Bray stated that she was assigned to the Toddler B classroom on July 31, 2024. The Toddler B class used the outdoor play area before the Toddler A class on July 31, 2024. The Toddler B class entered the building approximately five minutes after the Toddler A class. The Toddler B class passed through the Toddler A classroom to access Toddler B's own classroom. Child A was sitting on the floor just inside the classroom door, playing with a toy. Child A did not appear upset. Ms. Bray walked Child A outside to the Toddler A class and informed Ms. Dattoli that she had found Child A in the Toddler A classroom.
Ms. Murray stated that she observed Ms. Dattoli and Ms. Blake line up the Toddler A class at the outside door. Ms. Dattoli and Ms. Blake did not perform a name-to-face check before escorting the class outside. Ms. Murray did not observe where Child A was in line. Ms. Murray did not observe Child A leaving the line. After the incident, Ms. Dattoli and Ms. Blake were both spoken to about performing name-to-face checks at every doorway. OOC and Parent A (parent of Child A) were immediately informed of the incident. Ms. Blake no longer works at the facility.
On August 8, 2024, CI O'Malley conducted a phone interview with Parent A, who stated that they were contacted by the facility within an hour of the incident occurring. Parent A was satisfied with the quality of Child A's care and had no other concerns. Child A was still enrolled at the facility.
On August 8, 2024, CI O'Malley conducted a phone interview with Ms. Blake, who stated that on July 31, 2024, she worked in the Toddler A classroom with Ms. Dattoli. At approximately 10:15 a.m., the class went outside. A name-to-face check was performed at the classroom door but not the outside door. Ms. Blake did not observe Child A leave the group. The Toddler A class was outside for about five minutes when Ms. Bray brought Child A outside. Ms. Bray reported that Child A was found playing by themself in the Toddler A classroom. Ms. Murray was informed of the incident immediately after Child A was brought outside. Ms. Blake affirmed that she no longer worked at the facility.
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