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On September 22, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging all classrooms were over ratio on September 22, 2025 at 7:15 a.m. Compliance Inspector (CI) JD Greer conducted an investigation and found the allegation to be substantiated based on the following information:
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 October 3, 2025, CI Greer interviewed Director Karen Kwok, Teacher Jennifer "Jenn" Collins, and Teacher Halle Coursey. Karen stated on September 22, 2025, Assistant Director John McMillen was running late. John arrived at approximately 8:00 a.m. She thinks they were out of ratio, but she doesn't know for how long. Jenn stated she remembers hearing Halle and Ashley talking about the preschool room being over ratio on the morning of September 22, 2025. Halle stated she was working the morning of September 22, 2025. She was helping Teacher Ashley Clay in the preschool room but moved to the toddler room at approximately 7:05 a.m. to make sure it didn't go out of ratio. The preschool classroom was over ratio. Ashley was the only teacher with the preschoolers at 7:15 a.m. Ashley had more than 10 children, but less than 15. Ashley's classroom went out of ratio at approximately 7:15 a.m. It was about 7:45 a.m. when the preschool class was back in ratio.
On October 3, 2025, CI Greer reviewed child attendance records for Child Prodigy Children's Center North for September 22, 2025 and observed at 7:12 a.m., there were 11 preschoolers signed in. At 7:32 a.m., there were 15 preschoolers signed in.
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