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On November 14, 2024, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a complaint alleging that starting around 9:30 a.m. on November 14, 2024, the director was sending a teacher in the Wonderful One's room home. To accommodate, she moved two children who are not age 2 yet onto the toddler side of the building. Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer conducted an unannounced investigation and found the allegation to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(B)2.B.(III) which states, "If a unit for infants and toddlers is auxiliary to a facility for older children, centers initially licensed for infant/toddler care after the effective date of these rules or facilities adding new infant/toddler space, shall have play, sleeping and bathroom space in the infant and toddler unit. This space shall be separated from the space used for older children by floor-to-ceiling walls;"
On November 19, 2024, CI JD Greer interviewed Acting Director Kymille Hill, Caregiver Chelsea Baker, Caregiver Jaylen Knowles, Caregiver Tiana Wright, and Caregiver Savannah Bradt. Caregiver Chelsea Baker stated Child A (23 months old) and Child B (2 years old) were moved into 2-year-old room sometime last week. Child B turned 2 years old on November 14, 2024. Acting Director Kymille moved Child A into the 2-year-old room. Caregiver Jaylen Knowles stated the old director who is no longer here would move children who are not yet 2 years old into the 2-year-old classroom. Caregiver Tiana Wright stated she recalls last week Child A was moved into the 2-year-old room on November 14, 2024. Child A is not 2 years old. Acting Director Kymille moved Child A into the room. Caregiver Savannah Bradt stated on November 14, 2024, she was the 2-year-old classroom teacher. She had five children, all 2 years old. Acting Director Kymille moved Child A into her room. This caused her room to be out of ratio as Child A is not yet 2 years old. Acting Director Kymille stated she moved Child A into the 2-year-old classroom.
AND
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 November 19, 2024, CI Greer interviewed Caregiver Savannah Bradt, who stated on November 14, 2024, she was the 2-year-old classroom teacher. She had five children, all 2 years old. Acting Director Kymille moved Child A into her room. This caused her room to be out of ratio as Child A is not yet 2 years old.
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