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On June 17, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that on June 9, a reporter witnessed a bounce house in the parking lot. It didn't look like a safe situation. On June 17, 2025, a reporter witnessed it out again, and this time, there was definitely a hose running out from the playground fence to it. Kids were coming and going with their towels. Today, they only had one car to stop parents from driving right up by it but nothing on the other side. Both times this happened at approximately 10-10:30. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Curtis West finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of a licensing rule violation that occurred at the facility:
5 CSR 25-500.092(3)(J), which states "Trampolines shall not be used. Mini-trampolines, aerobic bouncers or other similar small jumping equipment may be used with close supervision."
And
5 CSR 25-500.082(1)(C), which states "Children shall have no access to areas not approved for child care."
On June 23, 2025, CI West interviewed Director Cheryl Pinkman, Caregiver Deidra Clay, Caregiver Marsha Sellers, Caregiver Abigail Crowley, Caregiver Annette Stewart, Child A (6 years old), and Child B (5 years old). Cheryl stated that she approved the bounce house activity in the parking lot of the daycare. She could not use the playground of the daycare because the bounce house was too big. Diedra and Abigail stated that the classrooms went out to the bounce house one at a time. Marsha and Annette stated that they were assigned to the parking lot as support staff on the days the bounce house was set up for the children. All staff stated the bounce house was too big to fit on the playground of the daycare. They said the parking lot is not an approved space for child care.
Child A and Child B provided consistent information. They stated that they played in the bounce house while it was up in the parking lot.
On June 23, 2025, CI West observed the parking lot and the gate that was used to prevent the children from reaching the street. The daycare sits on a large parking lot that is shared with a building next door. At the bottom of the parking lot, there is a Casey's gas station. To the left of the parking lot, there is a patch of grass and the sidewalk before the street. The gate measured 26 inches tall. CI West also reviewed a photo of the large bounce house. The bounce house was much larger than a mini-trampoline.
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