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On August 28, 2025, The Office of Childhood received an allegation from a Missouri sanitation inspector that on the morning of August 28, 2025, the infant/toddler room was over ratio, having 5 children under 2-years-old with one caregiver and no other adults available to assist in the room. After conducting an investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jackie Ruth found this allegation to be substantiated based on the following rule violation:
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."
On September 2, 2025, Compliance Inspector (CI) Jackie Ruth conducted an interview via phone with the reporter, Emma Glassey. Emma works for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and was at the facility from approximately 10:45 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. to conduct a sanitation inspection. During this time she observed the infant/toddler caregiver with five children under the age of two-years-old. There were no other staff members on site at this time to correct the ratio issue. The two employees that were present were the infant/toddler caregiver and Ms. Kita, who was caring for the preschool children. She said that she told Ms. Kita that the infant/toddler teacher was out of ratio and Ms. Kita responded that another employee was on her way into work.
On September 8, 2025, CI Ruth conducted an unannounced inspection of the facility and interviewed caregivers, Miesha Williams and Juankita Rice.
Miesha is the regular infant/toddler teacher and she stated that only four infants or toddlers are currently enrolled at the facility and she does not have more than four children at a time. She does not recall that day specifically, but she said that she may have taken a child momentarily from the preschool classroom. She stated that occasionally she will help that teacher out and bring a child to her room if they are having a hard time or not listening to their regular teacher. This is likely what the sanitation inspector observed.
Juankita stated that she does not recall the specific day of the allegation and they do not have issues with ratio on a daily basis. There are two other caregivers who work there: Diamond and Jada. Jada works in the afternoon/evening and Diamond comes in around lunch time to help out and prepare lunch. Diamond arrived shortly after the sanitation inspector left.
On September 8, 2025, CI Ruth observed the attendance records for the month of August. The record showed that there are seven infants or toddlers enrolled, and on August 28, 2025, four of those children were marked as present at the facility.
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