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On April 7, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: When the reporter arrived at the facility on April 7, 2025, at approximately 11:45am, right at the end of lunch, the facility had 24 children in attendance and only 2 staff members. At least one child present was under the age of 2-years-old. The reporter is aware that the facility is only licensed to care for 20 children with a maximum of 4 children under the age of 24 months. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.042(18)., which states: "The number and ages of children a group childcare home or childcare center is authorized to have in care at anyone (1) time shall be specified on the license and shall not be exceeded except as permitted within these rules."
AND
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."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)3., which states: "Caregivers shall provide frequent, direct contact so children are not left unobserved on the premises."
On April 8, 2025, CI Honea conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed teacher Breanna Garner and Group Home Provider Dayna Hobart (when she arrived later).
While on premises CI Honea interviewed teacher Breanna Garner who stated that she was the only one on premises on April 08, 2025. One teacher during naptime is a constant issue. There was an overlap yesterday because children came and other children did not leave on time giving them 24 children when they are only licensed for 20.
While on premises CI Honea interviewed Group Home Provider, Dayna Hobert who stated that she did not think it was an issue with only having one teacher with the children during naptime. She allows the teachers to leave during lunch leaving one teacher to cover naptime. She had an emergency and had to leave today. Yesterday on April 07, 2025, there was an issue with the preschool children leaving on time which caused the overlap and they did have 24 children in attendance. She will work on the scheduling to make sure there are the correct number of teachers to children throughout the day.
On April 8, 2025, CI Honea observed the facility did not have a teacher in any room when CI Honea walked into the unlocked facility leaving the children alone. CI Honea observed teacher Breanna Garner come out of the bathroom. CI Honea observed teacher Breanna Garner was alone with eighteen children, sleeping in three different rooms, ages (one) 6-month-old, (one) 14-month-old, (three) 2-year-olds, and (thirteen) 3-years-old to 5-years-old. CI Honea observed the child care license which stated that the facility was approved for a capacity of 20 children with no more than 4 children under 24-months-old.
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