| Conclusion Summary |
|
On October 28, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a complaint alleging a parent dropped their child off around 8:00 a.m., and there were only two people watching all the children. Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer conducted an unannounced investigation and found the allegation to be substantiated based on the following information:
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 October 30, 2024, CI Greer conducted an unannounced walkthrough of the facility and observed Caregiver Marscha Howard was present with six children, 10-13 months old.
On October 30, 2024, Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer interviewed Caregiver Kaniyah Smith and Caregiver Marscha Howard. Caregiver Kaniyah Smith stated she was in the toddler classroom with Caregiver Marscha Howard earlier today. She did not realize when she stepped out of the room there were six children present. She was out of the room for approximately 15 minutes. Caregiver Marscha Howard stated today, October 30, 2024, she is present in the toddler room with six children all under the age of 2 years. The ratio in her room is 1:4. There was another caregiver in the room, but she stepped out. She does not recall how long they have been out of the classroom.
|