| Conclusion Summary |
|
On January 16, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on January 16, 2025, reporter Andrea Johnson observed one staff member with fifteen children ages 3-years-old to 5-years-old at 8:50 a.m. at ABC's & 123's Preschool/Learning Center, L.L.C. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Patrick O'Malley has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.112(1), which states the following: "Staff/child ratios shall be maintained at all times."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A), which states the following: "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 January 21, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and observed two staff caring for twelve children ages 2-years-old to 5-years-old, including two children aged 2-years-old.
CI O'Malley conducted an interview with managing member Kay Hoffmann, who stated that she and another caregiver were the only staff working on the morning of January 16, 2025. Ms. Hoffmann left the facility for approximately fifteen minutes to attend to an urgent matter at home. Ms. Hoffmann affirmed that the caregiver was left alone with more than ten preschoolers during this time.
|