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On April 11, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on April 9, 2025, one teacher at St Louis Public Schools (Vashon High School) was caring for five infants and five toddlers in a room originally approved for 2-years-olds that was not set up for child care. 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: "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 25-500.082(1)(C)., which states: "Children shall have no access to areas not approved for child care."
On April 17, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and observed the following staff-to-child ratios: staff Erica Sattiewhite was present with six children ages 15-months-old to 3-years-old with one child being under the age of 2-years-old. The children were being cared for in the main eating area which is not approved for care of infants and toddlers.
CI O'Malley conducted interviews with director Miiko Smith, staff Erica Sattiewhite, and Michele Young. Ms. M. Smith affirmed that the facility was out-of-ratio on the day of CI O'Malley's inspection, Thursday, April 17, 2025. Ms. M. Smith denied that the facility was out-of-ratio on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Enrollment was currently down, and the 2-years-old classroom was being used for storage. Ms. M. Smith denied that children were ever cared for in the storage classroom. Ms. Sattiewhite and Ms. Young both denied that children were ever cared for in the closed storage classroom.
On May 1, 2025, CI O'Malley conducted an unannounced re-inspection of the facility and observed correct staff-to-child ratios in all child care classrooms.
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