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On January 31, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that the facility is out of ratio in the infant room every morning from about 7:45am-9:00am. Yesterday, January 30, 2025, the infant teacher was alone with 6 infants and then later in the morning, 8 infants. On February 4, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and found the allegations to be substantiated based on the following information.
5 CSR 25-500.112(1) which states: "Staff/child ratios shall be maintained at all times."
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 February 4, 2025, (CI) Hughes conducted in person interviews with director Ashley Ardnt, assistant director Carol Westlund, floater Jessica Quick and caregivers Samantha Jones, Madisyn Flemming and Ashleigh DeVries. Ashley stated that they have been a little shorthanded but have been able to borrow staff members from other locations to help. The staff call up to the front when they get out of ratio so that they can get someone to help. Jessica stated that she has been out of ratio a lot recently due to staffing. Samantha stated that she has been out of ratio. On January 30, 2025, she had 6 to 8 infant children by herself. She calls up to the front to let admin know and it is sometimes anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes before she gets help and that it happens a lot. Ashleigh stated that she is in the 2-year-old classroom and has 17 children with 2 teachers. She alerts the front desk if she is out of ratio and it takes a while to get help. Madisyn stated that the center is extremely understaffed in the mornings. They borrow staff members from other locations but on some days, they are not available to come till after 9:00 AM.
On February 4, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes observed the facility to be in correct staff/child ratios.
On February 14, 2025, (CI) Hughes conducted an unannounced reinspection of the facility and observed the facility to be in correct staff/child ratios.
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