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On June 27, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that on June 26, 2025, at approximately 1:45 p.m., the Toddler Room had six children with only one caregiver. On July 1, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Christy Hughes conducted an investigation and found the allegation to be substantiated based on the following information.
5 CSR 25-500.112(1) which states: "Staff/child ratios shall be maintained at all times."
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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 July 1, 2025, CI Hughes conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed the center to be out of ratio. One infant room had five children with one caregiver.
On July 1, 2025, director Kelly Maret stated that she knew that the facility was out of ratio. There were five babies in the infant room with one caregiver, and it has happened before.
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