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On March 07, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that there are sometimes 6 to 9 babies alone with one teacher in a classroom. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jade Stewart-Martin has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
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)., "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 March 10, 2025, CI Stewart-Martin conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed director Shuai Murray, and teachers: Sarah Walter, Leslie "Nicole" Hornback, Hailey Mealey, Huiqin Li, and Carly Bramlett. All staff interviewed stated that there are ratio issues. These issues typically are in the morning and are resolved within anywhere from 15-20 minutes, or until other teachers stagger in. The issues with ratios are typically in the infant/toddler classrooms. Shaui stated that she does her best to stay in ratio, but with unplanned callouts its hard to properly staff the infant/toddler rooms. There have been multiple staff call outs due to a tragedy at the center involving one of their teachers and students. Shaui stated that two new teachers will be starting on March 17, 2025, and they currently have six applicants that they will be conducting interviews with in the near future.
On March 10, 2025, CI Stewart-Martin observed one preschool classroom with two caregivers and twenty-one students, all aged 3-years-old. While CI Stewart-Martin was on the premise Shuai moved one of these children to another classroom to make them compliant with ratios in this classroom. CI Stewart-Martin observed nine children, ages 13-months-old to 18-months-old, present with two caregivers. While CI Stewart-Martin was on the premise, Shuai moved one of these children to another classroom to make them compliant with ratios in this classroom.
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