| Conclusion Summary |
|
On October 9, 2025, the Office of Childhood (OOC) received a report alleging that starting around September 17, Child A has been coming home with bug bites daily. Some even had puss coming out of them, as her skin is very sensitive. Staff first said the bites might be from mosquitoes; however, multiple teachers have since stated that they believe the issue is fleas or another type of pest inside the classroom, possibly in the baseboards, mats, or walls. Teachers have expressed that they refuse to sit on the floor with the children because of how many bites they get. Staff have reported rat droppings on the bathroom sink every morning. After conducting the investigation, Compliance Inspector (CI) Curtis West finds the allegation is substantiated. This conclusion is based on the following evidence of a licensing rule violation that occurred at the facility:
5 CSR 25-500.082(2)(A)9., which states "The facility shall be clean at all times and free of dirt, insects, spiders, rodents or other pests."
On October 10, 2025, CI West conducted an unannounced inspection and interviewed Director Julie Binder, Caregiver Jessica Morales, Caregiver Camryn Cummings, and Child C (5 years old). Julie stated that she had received some concerns from the caregivers about the children getting more bug bites. She had a few teachers tell her that they had got bitten by bugs while at the daycare. Jessica advised her there may be fleas in the carpets. She was told by Jessica that when opening the daycare, she would find mice poop droppings on the kitchen floor. Jessica stated that she had noticed that the children were getting bit by bugs more and more each day. She is certain that the bug bites are coming from inside the daycare. She had seen that there are fleas in the building. She refuses to sit on the floor with the children from fear of getting bit. She had spoken with Julie about her concerns. Camryn stated that she had noticed the children were getting bit by bugs more frequently. She noticed the bug bites were coming from inside. She noticed a few bug bites on herself after working at the daycare one day. She can't remember the day, but Child A woke up from nap with a bug bite she didn't have prior to taking a nap. Child C stated that something just bit him on his leg. He thinks it's a bed bug.
On October 10, 2025, CI West conducted a walkthrough of the facility and observed mice droppings behind the printer on the front desk.
On October 15, 2025, CI West interviewed Parent A (Parent of Child A), who stated she noticed that Child A had been coming home with bug bites every day. She spoke with Julie, who told her the bug bites may be from the mosquitos outdoors. Child A has sensitive skin, and she has allergic reactions to mosquito bites. She knows they aren't from mosquitos due to the way Child A's skin reacts to mosquito bites. She spoke with Jessica at the daycare, who believed the bites were coming from indoors. She spoke with a teacher at the daycare, who told her about finding rat droppings at the daycare every morning.
On October 28, 2025, CI West interviewed Jessica, who stated that she would regularly find mice poop droppings in the bathroom sink and in the kitchen drawers in the mornings.
|