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On July 14, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that the facility was leaving children without competent supervision. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Kim Kinnaird 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 25-500.182(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."
AND
5 CSR 25-500.182(1)(A)5. which states: "A caregiver shall remain in the room with preschool and school-age children while they are napping or sleeping and shall be able to see and hear them if they have difficulty during napping or when they awaken."
On July 21, 2025, CI Kim Kinnaird conducted an unannounced inspection at the facility, Radiant Faith Academy at 2153 McKelvey Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043.
Upon arrival at the facility, CI Kinnaird observed two caregivers, Jennah Harris and Tonya Brown near the front office not observing children. These caregivers promptly returned to their classrooms.
Attendance observed at naptime:
-Caregiver Latoya Chapman was present with six children aged 4-years-old to 7-years-old.
-Caregiver Pastor Lee Furnace was present with seven children aged 8-months-old to 25- months-old.
-There was no caregiver present with 10 children aged 2-years-old to 4-years-old. One child was age 2-years-old.
Jennah Harris then went into the classroom with Pastor Furnace putting them in ratio and Tonya Brown went into the preschool classroom with children ages 4 to 7-years-old and Latoya Chapman went back to her preschool classroom with children ages 2 to 4-years old putting all classrooms back into correct staff/child ratios and supervision.
CI Kinnaird conducted interviews with Director Pastor Lee Furnace, and caregivers, Jennah Harris, Tonya Brown and Latoya Chapman. All staff stated that they were out of their classrooms due to having their breaks. Latoya stated that she was watching both preschool classrooms while Tonya was on break. CI Kinnaird observed that both preschool classrooms were separated by full walls so Latoya would not have been able to see the children in both classrooms. Pastor Furnace acknowledged that the staff members are just returning from break and that the facility was shorthanded as a staff member had recently quit. He is working to bring on more staff and plans to change staff scheduling to accommodate supervision and ratios moving forward.
On July 24, 2025, CI Kinnaird conducted a reinspection of the facility and found the facility to be out of ratio in the infant toddler class.
Attendance observed at naptime:
Upon Arrival, CI Kinnaird observed Caregiver Tonya Brown in the office on break.
Caregiver Dejah Munson was present with 18 children ages 3-years-old to 6-years-old. (Caregiver Tonya Brown was on the premise counting in ratio).
Caregiver Latoya Chapman was present with 6 children in the infant/toddler classroom ages 8-months-old to 26-months-old.
Caregiver Tonya Brown then joined the infant/toddler class and Latoya Chapman went in the preschool class with Dejah Munson. The infant/toddler class did not maintaining correct staff/child ratios. CI Kim Kinnaird will reinspect.
On July 25, 2025, CI Kinnaird conducted a second reinspection of the facility and found the facility to be in compliance with supervision and ratios.
Attendance observed at naptime:
-Additional staff present on the premise, Director Pastor Lee Furnace was present without children and counted in ratio on the premise.
-Caregiver Jannah Harris present with fourteen children ages 2-years-old to 5-years-old. Two children were age 2-years-old. Observed at naptime.
-Caregiver Tonya Brown present with four children ages 18-months-old to 26-months-old.
-Caregiver Latoya Chatman present with two children ages 10-months-old to 11-months-old.
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