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On August 25, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received an allegation that: Classrooms are regularly out of ratio. They cover this up intentionally. When a new employee asked another employee about the issue, she was told that the director was not strict about enforcing the ratios and it is very laid back there. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea has found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following evidence:
5 CSR 25-500.222(9): 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 September 03, 2025, CI Honea conducted an unannounced inspection to the facility and interviewed Director Candace Goff, teachers Alyssa Sartain, Ashley Wyrick, Brittany Crews, Courtney Hodges, Elise Williams, Izabella Sapp, Jessie Hirch, Karmon Mobley-Doan, Madeleine Skiles, Samantha Block, Tasheena Heberer, Brittany Crews, Indah Rekoske, and Lauren Belsha.
Director Candace Goff, teachers Alyssa Sartain, Ashley Wyrick, Brittany Crews, Courtney Hodges, Elise Williams, Izabella Sapp, Jessie Hirch, Karmon Mobley-Doan, Madeleine Skiles, Samantha Block, Indah Rekoske, and Lauren Belsha all denied the allegations of being out of ratio.
On September 3, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea interviewed Director Candace Goff, before and after conducting ratio, who stated that she does not have an issue with teachers being out of ratio. All teachers know the importance of ratio, and this is mentioned all the time. The teachers know they are supposed to call someone to fill in to maintain ratio. She will have another meeting with the teachers regarding ratio and there will be changes so this does not happen again.
CI Honea interviewed teacher Brittany Crew who stated that she knows the infant / toddler room must stay in ratio at all times but did use the restroom down the hall and just did not call for assistance.
CI Honea interviewed teacher Tasheena Heberer who stated that they use the bathroom down the hall since the door lock was broken. They know to call for assistance but did not.
On September 03, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea conducted a walkthrough of the facility and found that one infant / toddler room was out of ratio during nap time with one teacher to seven children. CI Honea observed all other classrooms to be within ratio.
On September 17, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Michelle Honea conducted a return inspection at the facility and interviewed Director Candace Goff. She had talked with the I/T teachers and there should not be a problem with ratio. CI Honea conducted a walkthrough of the facility and found all classrooms to be in ratio.
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