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On May 9, 2025 the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging "It seems as they do not have enough staff for the amount of children there in the morning. Reporter sees one to two teachers with over 20 children in one room." After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Caylin Mertz has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence and rule violation:
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 May 13, 2025 CI Caylin Mertz conducted an unannounced inspection and walkthrough at the facility. Over the course of this investigation, CI Mertz interviewed Caregiver Christi Berg, Caregiver Debra Tower and Director Allison Pope. Christi, Debra and Allison indicated there have been ratio violations in the mornings. Christi indicated she has had 20 preschool age children by herself. Debra indicated she and another caregiver had 13 infant children by themselves one morning. Allison indicated staffing and turnover have been an issue.
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