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On July 7, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that on July 3, 2025 around 3:00 p.m., Early Preschool 3 classroom teachers left a 2-year-old in the classroom for up to 32 minutes, and another parent found her in the classroom alone. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Cole Eddins finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of licensing rule violations, which occurred at the facility:
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)1. which states: "Caregivers shall not leave any child without competent supervision."
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 July 8, 2025, CI Eddins conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Director Baheja Maarouti, Operations Director Elizabeth Reinsch, and Caregiver Stephanie Jackson. Baheja stated that on July 3, 2025, Child A was left alone in her classroom for around 15 to 20 minutes. She heard that during the confusion of the parade, Caregiver Shelby Fitzgerald and Stephanie left their room at around 2:55 p.m. to go to the parade, and they did not properly conduct a name-to-face count. Child A was discovered by Parent D, who was trying to get his daughter's backpack from her classroom at around 3:15 p.m. Parent D immediately took Child A to Elizabeth, who kept Child A in her office. Elizabeth immediately notified Parent A and Parent C that Child A was found alone in her classroom near the bathroom. Shelby and Stephanie left for the parade at around 2:55 p.m., so it was estimated that Child A was left alone in her room for around 15 to 20 minutes. Shelby and Stephanie did not notice that Child A was gone until they were notified that Child A was with Elizabeth after the parade. Elizabeth stated that Child A was left alone in her classroom for around 15 to 20 minutes on July 3, 2025. Shelby and Stephanie were in charge of supervising Child A on July 3, 2025, and she heard that a proper name-to-face count was not conducted before either caregiver left their classroom for the parade at around 2:55 p.m. Child A was first discovered by Parent D, who went into Child A's classroom at around 3:14 to 3:15 p.m. Parent D immediately took Child A with him at around 3:15 p.m. Parent D told her that he observed Child A standing next to the bathroom inside her classroom. Parent D told her that he was not sure how long she had been left alone in her classroom. She notified Parent C that Child A was found alone in her classroom near the bathroom. Shelby and Stephanie did not notice that Child A was gone until she notified them about the incident after the parade.
Stephanie stated that she was working with Shelby on July 3, 2025. From around 3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., the facility was throwing a mini parade for the older children outside on the playground. At around 2:51 p.m. to 2:55 p.m., both she and Shelby lined up their classroom to go outside to the parade. She remembers observing Child A in line before they left the classroom. She does not know when or how Child A left her line. She conducted a quick name-to-face count, but she did not enter her count into the iPad like she would have normally done. The count was quick, and the day was a little hectic with the parade. She was supposed to do another count when her children got outside, but due to the excitement surrounding the parade, chaos, and changes of the day, she forgot to conduct a second count. She tried to keep her children grouped together during the parade, but she did not notice that Child A was gone. She heard from Elizabeth after the parade that Child A was found by another parent at around 3:15 p.m. and was brought to the office before Parent C arrived to pick her up. She heard that Child A was found in the bathroom that was located in her classroom by Parent D. She guessed that Child A was left alone for about 15 to 20 minutes, but she could not remember the exact time when her classroom left for the parade.
On July 8, 2025, CI Eddins reviewed a photo via video screen shot involving the incident on July 3, 2025. The first photo was observed with a time stamp of 15:15:46 p.m., on July 3, 2025, where Child A was first observed after the parade had ended, standing next to Operations Director Elizabeth Reinsch, who was wearing a blue shirt. This photo was taken after Parent D had dropped off Child A to Elizabeth in the hallway.
On July 15, 2025, CI Eddins interviewed Parent A and Parent D. Parent A stated that she heard that one of the parents found Child A in the bathroom in her classroom by herself. She heard that Parent D brought Child A to Elizabeth by the front office once he discovered Child A alone in her room. She was told that Child A was alone for 20 minutes, but she was not sure of the time frame. She heard that Stephanie did not conduct a proper name-to-face count during her transition before the parade. Parent D stated that on July 3, 2025, he went into the classroom at around 3:30 p.m. to grab his daughter's bag before departing for the day. While he was grabbing his daughter's bag, he turned around and saw a little girl (Child A). He asked if she was in the room alone, and she nodded yes. He observed her standing by the bathroom. He walked Child A towards the office when he observed Elizabeth who was standing in the hallway close to the front office. He explained to Elizabeth that he observed Child A alone in her classroom near the classroom bathroom, and she took Child A from him. He observed Child A around 10 minutes after the parade ended, but he was not sure of the exact time.
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