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On July 28, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a complaint alleging that they moved children over the age of 2 to the infant room for bad behavior. Compliance Inspector (CI) Heather Radney conducted an investigation of the allegation and found it to be substantiated based on the following information:
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(B)2.B.(III) - If a unit for infants and toddlers is auxiliary to a facility for older children, centers initially licensed for infant/toddler care after the effective date of these rules or facilities adding new infant/toddler space, shall have play, sleeping and bathroom space in the infant and toddler unit. This space shall be separated from the space used for older children by floor-to-ceiling walls.
On August 1, 2025, CI Radney conducted interview with Carly Walton, Yisel Zuniga, Kailie Crews, and Nikki Boldt. Carly reported one 3-year-old child does go to the infant/toddler room when he needs some time to de-escalate. This child works well with two teachers, and when his regular teacher is gone, they sometimes put him in the infant/toddler room with the other teacher he works well with to help him calm down. Yisel reported there are a couple of children from the preschool room who are 3 years old who come to the infant/toddler room when they need help calming down. This happens a couple of times a week. Kailie reported they do have one child, age 3 years old, who does need a break from the preschool room sometimes and will go to the infant/toddler room. It is calmer and quieter there, and sometimes he just needs that change for a few minutes. Nikki reported preschoolers sometimes go to the infant/toddler room for a brief time. They will sit by the wall or go there during nap time to help them calm down and take a break.
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